Local resident and dog head to AKC championships in Lievin,
France
There is nothing like running around on the grassy side yard for
Janet Dunn, as long as her black-and-white Papillon
–
”
Tantrum
”
– is by her side.
Dunn, 59, loves dogs. The front of her house is filled with
dog-filled signs proclaiming her love. As a longtime veterinarian
in the Redwood City area, her profession even screams dog
lover.
Local resident and dog head to AKC championships in Lievin, France
There is nothing like running around on the grassy side yard for Janet Dunn, as long as her black-and-white Papillon – “Tantrum” – is by her side.
Dunn, 59, loves dogs. The front of her house is filled with dog-filled signs proclaiming her love. As a longtime veterinarian in the Redwood City area, her profession even screams dog lover.
“I don’t know why,” she said, putting her hand lower to the ground. “Since I heard about it, I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian.”
Her five-acre home just outside Hollister is a dog paradise.
On a small, grassy plot next to the home’s driveway is a pair of dog tunnels, an A-shaped ramp and other dog obstacles. And dogs routinely run across the gated land.
The obstacles are used for fun, but also to train Dunn’s dogs.
But it’s Dunn and her dog Tantrum, with big butterfly-like ears, who take part in the American Kennel Club agility events across the state and country. Dunn and Tantrum enroll in one event a month from Dixon to Prunedale.
Agility events are “designed to demonstrate a dog’s willingness to work with its handler in a variety of situations. It is an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork. Dog and handlers negotiate an obstacle course racing against the clock,” according to the AKC group.
Tantrum, a 3 ½-year-old Papillion, has been involved in agility competitions since she was just 15 months old, and earlier this year she went as far as a dog could go in the AKC, Dunn said. The pair will travel to Lievin, France to participate in the 2011 World Event Champions from Oct. 7 to Oct. 9.
“The only thing further is winning a medal,” Dunn said.
Dunn, with her dog, earned a spot in the World Event after placing second in the AKC World Team tryouts. The three-day event held in Minnesota, Minn. in early May, gathered 12 dogs to compete for four spots on the team.
Despite a mistake on the first day, Dunn and Tantrum earned a second-place finish and a spot on the team.
“I’m excited,” Dunn said. “I’ve never been to Europe.”
Dunn and Tantrum will get ready for the World Event by participating in four events over the next month, and will continue to refine the dog’s performance, she said.
“We are always working,” she said.
Working with the head coach of the national team, Dunn expects Tantrum to get bigger and faster over the next few years as bigger and faster over the next few years as she reaches her peak of 5 years old.
“Five and six is supposed to be the peak,” Dunn said. “She (Tantrum) is only going to get faster and, hopefully, better.”
Tantrum already is quicker than bigger dogs, Dunn said.
“She doesn’t compete against them but she is faster,” Dunn said.
Winning isn’t everything, though. Dunn just wants to make sure her dog is having fun.
“If they are having fun, you’re having fun, and they perform better,” Dunn said.
Traveling, training and competing only bring the pair together.
“You make this incredible relationship with the dog,” Dunn said. “It’s a great experience for you and your dog.”
