What I learned about running with dogs ~ Part 1

{{{ NOTE:  this is a long post about dogs...if you prefer cats, it's okay to leave early.}}}


First things first... if you have some magic agility socks, be sure to pack them in your gear bag.
A pair of these, a positive attitude and your favorite furry companion in the whole world...
who knows how far you might go?

 

This past weekend I attended my first dog agility trial ~ not as a participant, but as an observer.
I've been curious for some time... how do these events work?  Who are these people
who compete in this totally fun sport with their dogs?

Nothing compares to seeing the real thing, so off I toodled to a NADAC event
held at Mega-Dogs, in Woodinville, WA.
As it turned out, what an awesome venue for a first timer...not too big, with a homey atmosphere & lots
of friendly dog people wandering about...

 the perfect place to gauge what I might be up against.
Up against?  Well yes, I needed to see if it's as intimidating as I'd built it up to be.
Isla and I have been taking agility training classes for awhile now, but competing
...that's a whole 'nuther ballgame altogether.

I tend to make assumptions without checking the facts first (don't we all?).
Boy oh boy, did I get an education.

The first time I ever saw this done in one of the advanced classes, I thought it looked incredibly silly.
These folks are not walking around giving high fives or saying,
"Howdy Joe, long time no see," or "Hey there, Sally, how ya do'in..."
nope, this is serious practice time for the humans before they bring out their four-legged partners
and run that course...in numerical order.  They are counting, memorizing their moves.
First lesson: here was a professional, nationally accredited trial
 and what I saw was people of all sizes and shapes participating...

...just like the dogs.
So poof, there went my first intimidation...my fear of not being athletically fit enough.
ANYONE can compete in this sport.  So much for that excuse.

It was a joy to watch some of the amazing teamwork...

...some dogs had solid sit-stays at the start line

... others had perfect timing & excellent paw work

or handlers with really good body language.

But most of the time, there were none of these things and that is the next important thing that I learned...
it's not about perfection ~ it's about having fun with your dog.

I hope I can meet this man someday...I'd like to shake his hand and thank him
for his extreme care & kindness towards his dog.  I'd been watching him in a couple of runs
with his beautiful Belgian shepherd
and had taken notice because he had a very sweet way with her...gentle and easy.
Around midday, his dog had a meltdown.
She wouldn't take any of the jumps, stopped being attentive, then just stopped.

Here he is ending the run without finishing.  He didn't push her, or yell, or show his frustration in any way.
He led her off the course as if nothing at all was amiss.  She had stopped having fun
and her wonderful owner said, no problem.

They came back out later in the day to have a very successful run.

The proof was in the wags...

Wagging and smiling, it's what it's all about.
Here's the core of our group from Paws on the Rock...that's Michelle on the left,
owner & ace dog trainer extraordinaire...and her partner, Audrey, helper with most everything.
Clearly, she picks some of the high reward tasks...

Can you say, blissed out...calm...dog???

Do not be fooled by this apparent grooming goodwill...losing five pounds of fur
CAN make your dog run faster  ;>]]

I think Benjamin and Sam might have been the start of the whole dog story for these gals...
the boys are about nine and ten years old now, both adopted from rescues
and here they are at trial, going (maybe not quite as) strong, yet still competing,
still having fun.

And that was my next lesson...

...as long as you feel good,  GO FOR IT.


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Stay tuned for my next installment and see who wins a First Place Blue Ribbon...
this is a photo-heavy post, so Part 2 will follow along shortly.
Thanks for being here!

Part 2 is now posted...CLICK HERE.