Just thinking about dog agility and things that happen on course. I was kinda disappointed this weekend. At our last AKC trail we did so well. No circling what so ever but then this weekend it was back. Ugh! And that stupid snooker thing was so my fault. That might have sent the tone for the weekend. It wasnt horrible but I feel like we never do as well as I think we are going to. I just so wanted to stay on course but it just didnt happen. So as Im driving home and thinking about the weekend, something dawns on me. When I watch other people run their dogs, if the dog goes off course, I dont think they are a bad trainer and they dont know what they is doing. It just sometimes happens. I just think, "shoot, thats to bad". Plus in their runs I see lots of good things that happened on course. So why do I beat myself up so much when my dog goes off course??
Lets face it , people are out there making judgements. I dont care what anyone says. I just read a post this morning about dogs not being trained right. At the trial, barley making their contacts and breaking their startlines. This person was judging those other people. It really took me back. Maybe I misunderstood her post. ( that wouldnt be the first time). I do train my dog and work on all those things. It kinda made me feel bad to read her post. Most of us try really hard to do the right thing and no we arent perfect and make mistakes. You probably cant tell but I work startline stays all the the. Coming out of the crate, in and out of doors and the parks. She just is flying high and excited at a trial and looses her mind. But at least she is excited to be there. And she didnt break,she just tried. And the last two runs on Sunday she didnt creep at all.
This summer Im going to a Linda Mechlenburg and Jen Pinder camp for 4 days. I just got the final confirmation stuff yesterday. There are a ton of rules about dogs barking, food to bring and lots of other stuff. I wasnt nervous before but I am now. Do you think they would make me leave because Miley gets into circling mode and I cant get her back on track? Ive heard of seminars where the dog was excused for not being under control. Something else for me to worry about.
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12 hours ago
15 comments:
I think people should keep their opinions about other handlers to themselves. We're all out there for different reasons with different goals in mind. People should support each other.
If they send you home from camp, you should get your money back. The least they could do is work with you on ways to reduce the circling.
First off I am so envious of you going to the Linda M and Jen pinder camp. Hope you learn a ton and share a ton with us ;-).
The judgement thing is hard. I guess there are always going to be people that have to cut others down so they can feel superior. You are so right everyone has their own challenges and when you do not know the dog/handler, what they are dealing with, what goes on, where they are in their journey it seems silly and mean to make rash judgements. Luckily there are lots of very supportive people out there-they just are not as loud as the judgemental group, LOL. I always stress when I go to one training place because they send out all sorts of warnings and the funny thing is their name sounds very happy....but then you get this list of warnings and it sure does not feel like you are going to a happy place, LOL.
I ALWAYS write down a list of 5 things that went well after every run...and a list of things to learn...My open jumpers run made that list hard, LOL, and I had to reach but I think you have to do that, although it is against my perfectionist tendancies!
I agree. There are some judgmental people out there, but I think the majority of people think the same thing that you or I would: "Oh, that's too bad." I never thought less about the handler. They're DOGS not robots and frankly any dog capable of doing an agility course, even with broken startlines or knocked bars or circling or zoomies or what have you, is SIGNIFICANTLY better trained than most dogs out there.
As for the seminar, they should definitely work with you if that happens. If all dogs were perfect they wouldn't need a seminar.
i think that it is not really fair to judge people if you don't know what kind of training they've done. lots of our dogs have issues- it's just a fact of agility and dog training. dogs aren't perfect all the time- even the "great" dog agility trainers screw up.
don't beat yourself up over miley- she is an awesome little dog and you've worked very hard with her.
and don't stress about the seminar. i am sure it will be just fine!
amanda at manymuddypaws
There is a group around here that always seems like the judgement police ....they can make me nervous, LOL, but I always try to remind myself that they must feel bad enough about themselves that they have to cut others down and make them feel bad to boost up their own feelings which is sad ;-). I think we all have our issues, most of us are not concerned about judging anyone elses issues because we are too focused on our own things, LOL, and usually when most of the people notice issues it is with a sense of commradarie because they have gone through something similar or are going through thier own tough issue. I think the really judgemental people are a small number of people there, they just make more noise so they are easier to see, the other nicer people are just busy playing with their dogs and not getting into everyone elses business.
I am so jealous you get to go to that camp, that will be great! Those people are there to help you and you are paying them, and if you did not have areas you want to grow in then why would you be paying for a seminar....so I am sure if Miley starts circling they will give you some good ideas, and if they dont...then shame on them, LOL.
I agree with Sara on both counts. Did you see the "Don't You Dare Steal My Joy" article written by Connie Cleveland? It was recently going around the internet.
http://tiny.cc/steal_my_joy
Yes, what Sara said! I don't care who you are or what dog you have, everyone has some things that go well and some things that don't and we all train hard and learn and learn but nothing is ever perfect in life.
I wish I would've read this before I went to class this morning and I could've asked Jenn Crank how Linda deals with circling. I sure can't imagine Linda would send people home! You are coming to her camp to learn and you're not going because you know it all - I mean seriously!! Try not to worry!
I agree with Sara, the people at camp should have good ideas for you to try to minimize the circling. I bet you learn a lot there! Every dog has their own idiosyncrasies...things we get all embarrassed and upset about. So no point in judging anyone else, that's for sure!
I've been thinking about you all day!
I think both trainers at the camp are going to be so excited to work with you and Miley. Miley has such high drive, and you've worked so hard with her. You are the perfect student. Don't worry.
I don't have much tolerance for people passing judgment on someone's handling or their dog. It's one thing to step in or speak up when someone's mishandling/abusing etc. an animal, but if someone's going to throw a fit about my dog pulling on her leash or your dog spinning, well it's just not worth my energy to pay attention to the judgment.
Our trainer has been on a theme of having fun versus focusing on competition. She has worked top dogs in different dog sports, and she has a great perspective. For example, she knows her current agility dog is young and spazzy. Sometimes her dog is brilliant and sometimes her dog chases birds on the field and that's OK. People lose out when they lose the perspective that it's about building a bond with your dog. Competition and fancy handling should just be the icing.
Looks like Sara summed it up, as every one already said! If they remove you from the camp, you'd better get your money back. I understand they can't fix every dog, but for an agility issue, they better try their best!
As for people messing up in agility.. the only time I ever blame a handler for something is when they're yelling at the dog, etc (which you obviously do not do), because I think that that's extremely demotivating for a dog and then they will be more likely to make mistakes.. If it's just an off-course, I'm another person who says "oh, that's too bad." don't beat yourself up!
I am so excited for you to go with Miley to the Linda Mecklenburg and Jen Pinder camp. I think it's going to be great! I can't wait to hear how much you learn.
Yes, people judge others. I think its human nature. When I see someone harshly correcting their dog in the ring, it is hard for me not to judge (although I keep it to myself). I know which blog you are referring to and no, you didn't misunderstand the post ;-)
I think the camp is going to be so helpful for you and Miley. I wish I was going.
Consistency in the ring is challenging; especially with a young fast dog. After amazing runs two weekends ago, Summit and I had a wrong course in all three Standard runs this past weekend (all handling mistakes). But there were some awesome moments in all three standard runs. And he placed in all jumpers runs against some very tough competition. That is what I try and take away from the weekend instead of dwelling on the handling mistakes I made that kept us from a double Q.
Can't wait to hear all about the Camp!
I hope you have a good time in the camp and everything goes well there.
There are so many judgmental people around and what I think is as long as we don our job, why do we bother what they say. I always find those people are people who lack of self-confidence and subjective.
Don't worry. You've been working so hard with Miley, so keep it up!
I saw the post your are talking about and my thought is that some people take this agility stuff way to seriously. Seems to me as if some folks who make their living doing this hobby/sport forget that there are those of us who are just trying to get out there and *gasp* have a bit of fun. Don't let them make you feel bad. You will do great at camp.
Diane
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