Once Waukegan Park District dog obedience teacher Karin Magnuson instructs her charges on how to make their pets sit, get down, heel and stay, some return so their dogs can participate in the Ruffin Relays — a form of advanced training.
Dogs taking part in the Ruffin Relays are led on a leash by their owner on a journey through a 10-station course which includes two tunnels, a pair of jumps and more. They go individually, with some being more comfortable than others.
“It develops a bond between the dog and the owner,” Magnuson said, “A dog has to be led, and get to know the hand language and the body language of the owner.”
Bernadette Walther of Waukegan was making her third appearance in the Ruffin Relays with her dog, Maggie Honeybee. She said she participates for a variety of reasons, some for her and some for her dog.
“It’s a chance for her to get out of the house and socialize with other dogs,” Walther said, “She likes doing it, and she loves going through the tunnel.”
Walther was one of six participants in the Ruffin Relays on March 3 at the Belvidere Recreation Center in Waukegan, developing advanced obedience skills and giving their dogs some exercise along the way.
Not a competition, the relays start with a 12-foot tunnel and end with one around 20 feet long. The owner drops the leash at the start, gives a command and tries to get to the end before the dog.
When one dog needed encouragement to run through the tunnel, Magnuson intervened, shortening it to a few feet. After success at a shorter distance, it was lengthened twice before getting to the full length. The dog made it through and was greeted by the owner at the other end.
After the initial tunnel, there is a low hurdle and a six-inch-high “table” where the dog sits for five seconds before moving to another station. If a canine lingered too long sitting on the surface, Magnuson intervened.
“Two, three, four, five,” she said, using hand motions as well.
Another station on the course featured three polls close to each other where the dog “weaved” through while the owner held the leash above the standard. There were places where the dog circled a spot on the floor.
Magnuson asked Walther to start the relays to allow first-timers to see what it was like. Maggie Honeybee got to the end of the first tunnel before Walther, and they then quickly completed the course.
“Each time she gets better,” Walther said. “I can tell she’s liking it.”
Yvonne Ochab brought two dogs — she took them through separately while someone watched the other — Sunny D and Navarre. She said it is an opportunity for both her and her dogs to get out of the house for an enjoyable activity. Their personalities on the course were different. One was quick and the other needed coaxing.
“They’re wired differently,” Ochab said.
Getting her first dog as a teenager, they were part of Magnuson’s life during 12 years in the U.S. Air Force and 27 years after that working as a civilian for the U.S. Department of Defense at Naval Station Great Lakes.
During her time in the Air Force, she trained the dog patrol canines to detect explosives, drugs and weapons, as well as how to behave on patrol. Her responsibility at Great Lakes was being part of the animal control program. Now retired, she trains and enjoys her own dogs.
