What I Learned in 2007
Well, here it is, another year ahead of us and time to put the Christmas decorations away until next year. There isn’t much going on in the way of agility right now. But we are practicing a little, but mostly taking a little vacation from our favorite sport. While the snow is making training a bigger challenge than usual, we can still train with a little caution.
I thought I would reflect a little on what my dogs taught me in the last year. I am sure your dogs taught you lots of good lessons as well.
1. Front crosses sometimes end in face plants in front of crowds. And yes, you can survive to run another day, and if you crash near the finish line, you still might even save your Q! (still qualify)
2. Being one obstacle from the finish line, doesn’t prevent the humiliation of a dog desperately needing to relieve itself, not even if you, I mean your dog, is on the dogwalk! Always give your dog plenty of time to get ready to run.
3. Double Q glasses are good luck. If all else fails when trying for the last double Q for your MACH, go get 2 bottles of Q gin. Peel off the Q’s. Put them on your glasses to wear in front of everyone all day at the trial. This will assure you of completing your MACH title. (This worked for Addy.)
4. When pursuing another title that has proven elusive, go to a trial where the weather is so bad that the trial was postponed (for the first time in 9 years of trialing, I have never seen this happen but this time in Pocatello). There, you will find your elusive title. (This worked for Jan.)
5. Sometimes the solution to your training challenge is not what you would have thought it was. I found that my dog’s focus issue in trials was greatly improved when we addressed the issue of her attention on the dog next door in my presence.
6. For retrieving challenges, start in your closet. That way the dog is successful at retrieving when trying to take their toy under the bed.
7. Dogs with training challenges today make us better dog trainers forever.
8. Young dogs need patience and acceptance. Soon they will rise to become the dog you hoped they could become.
9. When the going gets tough, get out the old dog. Rosie was the dog of choice as a helper dog at a reactive dog training seminar. Old dogs are treasures to cherish and still have much to give.
10. Lastly, agility is a great sport to share with friends. Sharing the plans, the travel, the motel rooms, and the shade makes the whole trip fun and memorable. May you all have lots of fun trips ahead in 2008.
I thought I would reflect a little on what my dogs taught me in the last year. I am sure your dogs taught you lots of good lessons as well.
1. Front crosses sometimes end in face plants in front of crowds. And yes, you can survive to run another day, and if you crash near the finish line, you still might even save your Q! (still qualify)
2. Being one obstacle from the finish line, doesn’t prevent the humiliation of a dog desperately needing to relieve itself, not even if you, I mean your dog, is on the dogwalk! Always give your dog plenty of time to get ready to run.
3. Double Q glasses are good luck. If all else fails when trying for the last double Q for your MACH, go get 2 bottles of Q gin. Peel off the Q’s. Put them on your glasses to wear in front of everyone all day at the trial. This will assure you of completing your MACH title. (This worked for Addy.)
4. When pursuing another title that has proven elusive, go to a trial where the weather is so bad that the trial was postponed (for the first time in 9 years of trialing, I have never seen this happen but this time in Pocatello). There, you will find your elusive title. (This worked for Jan.)
5. Sometimes the solution to your training challenge is not what you would have thought it was. I found that my dog’s focus issue in trials was greatly improved when we addressed the issue of her attention on the dog next door in my presence.
6. For retrieving challenges, start in your closet. That way the dog is successful at retrieving when trying to take their toy under the bed.
7. Dogs with training challenges today make us better dog trainers forever.
8. Young dogs need patience and acceptance. Soon they will rise to become the dog you hoped they could become.
9. When the going gets tough, get out the old dog. Rosie was the dog of choice as a helper dog at a reactive dog training seminar. Old dogs are treasures to cherish and still have much to give.
10. Lastly, agility is a great sport to share with friends. Sharing the plans, the travel, the motel rooms, and the shade makes the whole trip fun and memorable. May you all have lots of fun trips ahead in 2008.