[Pictures] County Club Hosts Annual Dog Obedience Show in Verona

The annual dog Obedience Trial, hosted by the K-9 Obedience Training Club of Essex County, was held this Saturday, Jan. 14 at Verona High School. The event attracted more than 200 dogs and their owners from the area to compete in various events under the sanction of the American Kennel Club (AKC). Dogs and dog owners are at many different levels of experience, from beginner to highly skilled.

Dogs of all breeds and sizes showed off their skills that are conducted by simple gestures and commands of their owners. Dogs walk in a figure eight, jump over bars, carry a dumbbell and stand still while their owners left the arena.

This year the “High in Trial” and “High Combined” were both won by Betsy Scapicchio and her Border Collie “Breakout’s Rev Em Up”, of Flanders.

All the spectators enjoyed a special demonstration by Petra Ford and her Labrador Retriever Tyler. Tyler has the special distinction of having been crowned the AKC National Obedience Invitational Champion in both 2008 and 2009, and runner-up in 2010.  Petra and Tyler displayed the exercises that they will perform in the World Cup competition at the Crufts Dog Show in England this coming March. 

For more information about shows and classes check out the Club's website at k9otcnj.com/.