Rally Update

Last night in preparation for our upcoming Rally trials, we attended a drop in Rally class. After seeing all of the signs that looked like a foreign language to me, I became a little nervous for myself. We watched 4 other people with varying experience move through the course before we attempted it ourselves. I moved through it slowly and still got lost! There sure wasn't much room to perform some of those tasks with a Dane. We attempted it a second time and I felt much more comfortable and Cooper performed a bit better. So here are the problems that I can foresee us having:
1. Cooper was very nervous there when we first went in because it was a new busy building that he had never been to. We are going to go to the show extra early so that he has time to settle in and become bored with the whole place.
2. I am so used to correcting him with the chain collar that I have to be very aware of that during the trials. I have to remember to encourage him by patting my leg and getting him excited about following me. This is hard for me since after all the obedience we have done those exact things are discouraged! I just need to remember to take my time and be patient with him to allow him to follow my commands on his own without a harsh correction.
I am hoping that it is at least a good experience and a fun time if nothing else. There are only 7 dogs entered Saturday and 6 on Sunday. 4 of those both days are us and 3 other Danes whom we know!