Each Top Dog exhibitor is presented with a pin and a year bar the first time they compete in a Top Dog event, to commemorate their participation.
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Every year thereafter exhibitors are presented with a year bar to hang from their Top Dog pin.  So after many years of competing ...there is quite a trail of glistening gold year bars!

Every year the Southern California Dog Obedience Council hosts an Inter-Club Obedience competition. Each Southern California Obedience Dog Club who is a member in good standing with SCDOC selects two Novice, two Open and two Utility dog/handlers for their team and the games begin!  Potentially there are 32 dog/handler for each level, Novice, Open and Utility.

It all takes place within 6 adjoining obedience rings. Each ring operates under the auspices of a licensed AKC obedience judge and their stewards.

2008 marked Quinn's obedience debut. It was originally to begin with Top Dog.
There were both amateur and seasoned competitors at every level.

Quinn and I represented the Valley Hills Obedience Club Team at the Novice level along with Ladonna and Christmas a MinPin. Our Open team was Sally and Boo, the Whippet, our Utility team was Sarah and Rupert, the Golden.

Quinn and I overcame many challenges on our journey to TOP DOG. The first challenge: becoming a dog/ handler team. Then on to other challenges such as: learning the skills for the sport, the rules of the game and so on. 

Just getting there the day of the event, became a biggie! The Santa Ana winds stirred up a multitude of fires. We were determined!  Not fires, nor freeway closures could keep us away!  The 1½ hour drive was accomplished in roughly 3 hours. That left us 20 minutes to potty, warm up and get in the ring.

It was these fires that prevented Scott & Carla from performing with Open dog, Gracie, a Boxer.  Kim's Utility dog, Tango was put on the on the injured reserve list due to unexpected minor surgery.

Groups (long sit and long down stays) preceded the individual exercises.
Quinn and I really enjoyed our time in the ring, although we did not make the cuts into the second round, we had a lovely run-thru with a total score of 193.

It was a day of spirit - from the camaraderie of our teammates, friends on, yes, the other teams and the spirit of the event. VHOC members Cindi and Carrie provided the judges, stewards and workers with continental breakfast and a feast for lunch.

A special thanks to our Team Captain, Sarah, who not only captained our team, but competed as well!