Local Resident, Dog Compete in Purina Dog Challenge

For local Norcross resident Mary Mascheck, entering her All-American dog Clueless into agility championships is more about fun and less about winning.

"We're competitive at heart, and everyone likes to do well, but really the biggest thing is having fun with your dog and being a team," said Mascheck, who's a veterinarian at Oakwood Animal Hospital in Gainesville.

This Saturday, March 31, Mascheck and Clueless will be competing in the 15th Annual Purina Incredible Dog Challenge at Centennial Olympic Park in downtoen Atlanta. The Purina championship will have athletic events such as the freestyle flying disk, Jack Russell hurdle racing, dog diving, general agility and 30-weave pole racing.

Even though it'll be their first time at this particular championship, Mascheck and 10-year-old Clueless are no strangers to dog trials. Mascheck said she signs up for about one to three atheltic events for Clueless a month, and she's scored high marks in many trials since the age of 3.

"It's a very addicting sport," said Mascheck, who also has another dog that she trains.

Mascheck and Clueless only train a few hours a week, which is completed at Sirius Dog Agility in Decatur, but they do many everyday activities and games to help with agility at home.

She said what is probably most challenging about the Purina championship is the weave poles. Clueless is used to racing only 12 poles at a time, Mascheck said, so they've been putting extra effort into strengthening that skill for Clueless.

"Doing the 30 [poles] back to back means we're actually doing 60 poles," Mascheck said, "That's a lot of work for the dog because they have to push with their rears and do a lot of work with their backs."

Getting Clueless skilled enough to participate in championships wasn't the easiest process, either.

When Mascheck adopted Clueless when she was 1 year old, Clueless was rowdy and energetic, which is how she got her name when she was in foster care. Mascheck said it took a full year of basic obedience training to get her attention so that the real training could start.

Even though Clueless isn't the most obedient dog, Mascheck said that's an advantage to have in the trial arena.

"Part of what makes her a great agility dog is that wild streak," said Mascheck, who has another champion dog. "I can send her from great distances and she'll work away from me because she's very independent, so that little wild streak is what makes her such a good dog."

She said Clueless' two favorite obstacles are the tunnel, which is the first thing she learned, and the teeter, because it makes a loud noise when the other side hits the ground.

As for Saturday's event, Mascheck isn't sure how Clueless will do. Some days Clueless is spot-on with her routines, while other days she decides to make her own rules, Mascheck said.

Regardless, Mascheck knows what's important and not to take the arena too seriously.

"She's an awesome teammate, because that's what we really are; we're a team," Mascheck said. "You have to run every run for fun because you never know when it might be your last."

If Clueless and Mascheck score in the top three, they'll be qualified for the Purina nationals, which takes place in October in St. Louis, Mo.

Guests and pets are welcome to attend the 15th Annual Purina Incredible Dog Challenge this Saturday, March 31, at no admission cost. The event will be held at Centennial Olypmic Park, 265 Park Ave. West N.W. in Atlanta, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.