Ambassador Chris Gremo

On the Edge of UDX: Caerus, Chris, and the Journey That Shaped Us

Wildflower DSK Swing “Caerus” owner Chris Gremo (used with Permission)

One more UDX leg for Chris and Wildflower DSK Swing “Caerus”—and somehow, five years have already gone by. It doesn’t feel possible.

From the beginning, Caerus has been equal parts challenge and reward. He’s the kind of dog that demands you show up better every single day—and in doing so, he’s made me better. That’s what makes this journey meaningful.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with him, and I owe a sincere thank you to Sylviane Chapoulaud for that. The past five years haven’t just been about titles—they’ve been about growth, patience, and learning how to meet a dog where he is and build something stronger together.

What a UDX Really Means

For those outside the obedience world, a Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) is one of the most demanding titles in AKC Obedience.

To earn it, a team must qualify in both Open B and Utility B classes on the same day—and do that ten times under different judges.

That’s what makes it so difficult. It’s not just about having the skills—it’s about consistency, precision, and trust across two advanced classes, back-to-back, in a trial environment. There’s no room for disconnect. Both dog and handler have to be completely in sync.

The Evolution of Caerus

Utility has been our sticking point.

It’s a level that exposes every gap—timing, communication, confidence. For a long time, we’ve been working to find our rhythm there. Progress hasn’t always been linear, and there have been plenty of moments where we’ve had to go back, rebuild, and rethink.

But this weekend, something shifted.

Caerus stepped up. He committed to the work, trusted the process, and delivered when it counted. He did his job—and more importantly, he showed he understands it.

That’s the difference. That’s the evolution.

He’s no longer just learning the exercises—he’s owning them.

A Full-Circle Moment

Standing in the ring that day, something else hit me.

Eleven years ago, I stood on that same trial ground with Midas, chasing this same goal. Different dog, same pursuit.

That perspective matters.

The titles may stay the same, but the journey never does. Every dog teaches you something new—about training, about patience, and about yourself. Caerus’s path hasn’t been Midas’s path, and it shouldn’t be. It’s his own—and it’s shaping me in different ways.

Where We Go From Here

Motivated.

We’re close. Caerus is showing me he’s ready.

Now it’s on me to match that—to clean up my handling, sharpen the details, and continue building the consistency that a UDX demands.

Because if this weekend proved anything, it’s this:

We are right on the edge of something great.

Wildflower DSK Swing “Caerus” breeder Sylviane Chapoulaud
Short Hair Dutch Shepherd AKC- UKC- FCI parents
U-CDX, U-CH, UDX (in progress), BH, RATCHX3, CZ8PG2, SWN, SEA, SCA, SBA, FH1