Right Home & Agility Give Champ a New Start in Life
The spotlight shines on Champ, an All American Dog with a special story. Champ’s first home was in a busy household filled with children and commotion. It was not a good fit for this sensitive guy, who developed many fears and noise sensitivities. Thanks to the owner’s sister, Jacqueline Soccodato, a long-time agility competitor, Champ received some training and eventually Jacqueline made Champ a part of her home, where he has blossomed and become an avid agility lover. He has earned AKC Agility titles and competes on an AKC Agility League team based at the Port Chester Obedience Training Club. He also has a best friend – Jacqueline’s other All American Dog, Buster!
Call name: Champ
Age: 4 years
Registered name: Soccodato’s Christmas Surprise BCAT AX AXJ NF
Owner name: Jacqueline Soccodato
City/State: New Rochelle, NY
How did you come to own Champ?
Champ belonged to my brother’s family. He was a Christmas present for my nieces and nephew in December 2019. Many factors contributed to Champ coming to live with my dog, Buster, and me. Firstly, because of Covid, Champ didn’t get proper socialization. He was fearful and lacked basic training. Then, my brother’s family moved. The new house had a ton of workmen going in and out, and it was over-stimulating for Champ, who was insecure from the start. He became afraid of loud noises and started to act out, so he stayed with my brother’s friend until the house was finished. During this, Champ would intermittently come to train with Buster and me. He loved agility, and, when I would drop him off afterwards, the sad look on his face tore at my heart.
When Champ returned to my brother’s family full time, he was reactive, unsure of his environment, and fearful of everything. It was nobody’s fault, rather a bad circumstance. Champ was pushed around from house to house. He wasn’t given rules or training, and he needed active stimulation and a job.
In October 2023, I received a call from my brother’s friend, who Champ was again living with. He said, “Champ has to go. If you don’t take him, there is a family in Rhode Island who will.” I knew anyone would take him upon first sight, but he needed training and management for him to be successful, and another family situation, with lots of commotion and small kids, was not a suitable fit. I wasn’t sure I could have a second dog in my apartment, but I couldn’t let Champ be rehomed, so I took him in.
What obstacles did you encounter as you worked through his fears?
The biggest challenge, prior to October 2023, was that Champ did not live with me. Everything we practiced to build confidence (walking on leash, recalls, waiting his turn, etc.) was never reinforced outside my home. When Champ came to live with us, he was very intimidated by men and children and scared of loud noises. I live in an apartment in a busy city, across from a fire station, where we need to take an elevator just to get to the street level! Talk about the perfect storm. This proved to be super challenging, but with solid training and a motivated dog, wonders can happen. We started by taking walks at less trafficked times. I fed high-value treats each time an ambulance buzzed by, and when I saw him fixating on a detrimental distraction I refocused him onto me. Buster is also a huge factor in Champ’s success. My feisty little terrier mix exudes confidence. Champ loves dogs, and he thrives being around a stable, assertive dog. This gave him security, and he now follows Buster’s lead. This relationship has been crucial in Champ’s development.
Why did you decide to start doing agility with Champ?
Champ tagged along with Buster to private agility lessons. Our trainer, Kim Seiter, saw his potential immediately. He is a natural athlete, a good jumper, and has an intense drive. Although he didn’t train often, it was remarkable what he learned and retained in those little snippets. Most notably, he was a different dog on course. Kim always says, “This dog’s love of agility is far greater than his fear of everything else.” He lives for this sport, and when he’s running nothing else matters around him. It was a no brainer; Champ was destined to be an agility dog!
What is he like to train and compete with in agility?
Running Champ was a huge adjustment for me. For 12 years Buster and I represented the little dogs in the 8-inch class and now, the 4-inch class, as he runs Preferred. Champ measured in just under 15 inches, putting him in the 16-inch class. I had to pick up my game and change my handling, realizing I was now running a new, much bigger teammate. We work on distance training and verbals. He tends to pattern things easily, which works for learning something quickly. He is also a thinker. When he makes a mistake, he works hard to figure out what I’m looking for and what his other options are to obtain the correct behavior. On course, Champ is a blast to run! He is fast, intense and always motivated! He is a bit of a comedian too. He loves his contacts and on more than one occasion, he has taken the A-Frame in a jumpers course, contained behind fencing, stored off to the side!
What do you like best about the AKC Agility League and how does League help Champ?
League has given us an invaluable experience that I wish we had when Buster first started. I am extremely thankful that Port Chester Obedience Club offers it and for the captains who work so hard to keep it running (literally!) League allowed Champ and me to try out our skills in a less stressful environment; yet, it was still a competition. League also made us a more cohesive team, and it also helped me understand Champ outside of our lessons. In trials, he tends to “stress up”. He was giving me this over the top, excited behavior, which we never saw in lessons. So, we had to work through that. As it turns out, if we play ball before League or a trial, he gets his excitement out, and his head is in the game when he runs. League has been extremely instrumental in figuring out our workings as a team while allowing us to be successful and feel accomplished!
What are his favorite things to do in addition to agility?
Champ loves to eat, play ball, and eat some more! He likes going on hikes and meeting other dogs. He even loves seeing dogs on TV and tries to join them in whatever they are doing, which is especially fun for my neighbors in my apartment building!
Future goals for him?
Well, with a name like Champ, only greatness is expected! So, I would like for him to follow in Buster’s footsteps and get his MACH, qualify for Nationals, make the Invitational, and of course, attend my favorite competition, Westminster. But above all, I want Champ to continue to show everyone that he is a very good dog.
Anything else you want to add?
It is incredible to see how a dog can transform with love, support, proper training, and a little agility! He surely is on his way to “Becoming a Champ”!