THE Coffs Harbour Dog Training Club ran a Quadruple Obedience, Rally and Trick trial at their grounds on Rex Hardaker Lane in Toormina.

Enjoying the marvellous spring weather, competitors came from far and wide to have fun and improve their dog’s individual ranking.

Brisbane based Trick Dog Judge Lionel Blumel, is no stranger to the region.

He also judges “Dances with Dogs”, which is popular all over Australia, and runs various shows across South East Queensland.

He breeds Boston Terriers, but has bred Dalmations, Curly Coated Retrievers and American Cocker Spaniels.

“There were a number of dogs in the Trick dog section who did very, very well on the weekend, especially in the high classes,” Mr Blumel told the News Of The Area.

“One dog had a perfect score – 100 out of 100 – that’s not easy to get.

“It did everything perfectly in the Advanced Tricks section.”

Mr Blumel said that if a dog is working and wanting to work, and keen to please its handler, it should do well in Tricks.

“The most popular and easy to train are the herding/working dogs such as Border Collies and Gun Dogs, like the Labs and Golden Retrievers.

“They are also popular in the normal Obedience section as well.”

Coffs local and Dog Club Secretary Maria Priori is now training to be a Trick Judge.

She has already fulfilled the requirements of volunteering at trials and personally training a dog to a certain standard.

“I thought, ‘wow’ – all of a sudden I actually qualify,” she said.

By Mary KEILY