Which dog is the leader of the pack?

Dogs from kennels around the country competed in the Blenheim Canine Training Club's two-day competition on the weekend.

Co-ordinator Linda Ham, herself a dog trainer and canine behaviorist, was unsure how many entries there were but judges marked dogs at all levels of obedience and agility during the event held at Athletic Park .

Noeline Wagener and miniature poodle Diva from Otaki were among the North Island contestants. With Mrs Wagener's husband Terry and three other dogs, the pair have been travelling around in a motor home, combining sight-seeing opportunities with other canine contests around the South Island.

Agility courses require require dogs to jump over, run across, crawl under and through a range of obstacles in a set sequence as fast as they can.

To help them, owners run along beside, shouting out: "Up! Turn! "Slow ... ", "Over!".

"Dogs are really clever," said Mrs Wagener, who has had dogs competing for 10 years. They all loved it, she said, and skills were always taught through rewards, with pats and praise for good work and scant attention when faults were made or instructions ignored.

Rangiora contestant Jackie Lassen's german short-haired pointer Buddy was still in the starters class. At seven years old, he had a late start to agility work but Ms Lassen enjoys the way anyone can take part. Dogs' owners range from children to retired folk, and pedigree and mixed breeds compete equally.

Border collies were probably the most clever, she said.

But that did not always make them the most successful in contests, noted Michael Barrett from Christchurch.

He owns three border collies but they could "think for themselves", he said.

"They do what they want."

On the other hand, his huntaway-heading dog cross Macca just wanted to please and five years ago she became a grand champion.

At 11 years old, her winning days are probably over now but the title can be kept for life.

Macca never gets training now, but on Saturday she completed her course without error. She just knew instinctively what to do, Mr Barrett said.

- The Marlborough Express