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Agility {A Lesson for All}
I posted this on dA as well, so if you are in my sporting dogs feed on there, you may have already read this =P I think this is an important matter to anyone who owns dogs.<br><br>
<br><br><br>So I went to a trial yesterday with Tucker. We did amazing, I must say... qualified for all but one run (which was only Fullhouse, so, not too big of a loss). Tucker was listening incredibly well.<br><br>What I hope all trainers were listening to yesterday, however, was the Judge's opening speech. I was running late, so I walked in on the middle of the speech - but I caught the most important part of the whole thing.<br><br>He told us about his dog that he used to run with. She passed away, and with that he left us all with a very important message.<br><br>He said, "I would give anything to run with her again."<br><br>Sad story, very true reality for so many, and very important lesson for the rest of us. He went on to tell us all that we need to respect our dogs, and that they won't be there forever. He went on to tell us that we need to have fun and make sure our dogs are having fun. He said he didn't appreciate people who yell at their dogs, or people who take the game too seriously. He wanted us to have fun, because he no longer had his companion to run with. He taught us something that I believe is the most important lesson in life: Enjoy the time you have, and enjoy spending that time with those you love.<br><br>For all those people who run the course and yell at their dogs (and believe me, I have seen a lot of them, sadly) its a shame you are wasting time with your best friend. It's a shame that people will play sports with their dogs and make it their own game. Its not. It's a team effort, and I believe both should be having fun.<br><br>Of course there are times when you get upset - you spend money on trials, and when you fail, it is upsetting. However, do you think your dog cares? No. They are more than happy spending the day with you, win or lose. You, as a trainer, should also be more than happy to see your dog enjoying themselves. That to me is well worth the money. Running together, having fun together, laughing at mistakes and seeing your dogs eyes light up when they realize you love them no matter what. As people, we can learn a lesson from dogs here. Spending time with each other is important, no matter the overall win/lose rate.<br><br>Agility, flyball, obedience - whatever your dog is in, you're both in it together.<br><br>After losing a dog myself a few years back, when he told us that his was no longer there for him, it made me think the whole day at the trial. It made me realize how much I missed my dog, and how I too, would give anything to have her back. His words were simple, but powerful, and I will hold them close to my heart as I work with Tucker, and as I work with any of my dogs.<br><br>I hope everyone who listened to him, and anyone who has read this post will take his words into consideration, and the next time your dog makes a mistake (which most likely was probably your mistake anyway) you will laugh and move on. Dog's love our laughter, after all.
<br><br><br>So I went to a trial yesterday with Tucker. We did amazing, I must say... qualified for all but one run (which was only Fullhouse, so, not too big of a loss). Tucker was listening incredibly well.<br><br>What I hope all trainers were listening to yesterday, however, was the Judge's opening speech. I was running late, so I walked in on the middle of the speech - but I caught the most important part of the whole thing.<br><br>He told us about his dog that he used to run with. She passed away, and with that he left us all with a very important message.<br><br>He said, "I would give anything to run with her again."<br><br>Sad story, very true reality for so many, and very important lesson for the rest of us. He went on to tell us all that we need to respect our dogs, and that they won't be there forever. He went on to tell us that we need to have fun and make sure our dogs are having fun. He said he didn't appreciate people who yell at their dogs, or people who take the game too seriously. He wanted us to have fun, because he no longer had his companion to run with. He taught us something that I believe is the most important lesson in life: Enjoy the time you have, and enjoy spending that time with those you love.<br><br>For all those people who run the course and yell at their dogs (and believe me, I have seen a lot of them, sadly) its a shame you are wasting time with your best friend. It's a shame that people will play sports with their dogs and make it their own game. Its not. It's a team effort, and I believe both should be having fun.<br><br>Of course there are times when you get upset - you spend money on trials, and when you fail, it is upsetting. However, do you think your dog cares? No. They are more than happy spending the day with you, win or lose. You, as a trainer, should also be more than happy to see your dog enjoying themselves. That to me is well worth the money. Running together, having fun together, laughing at mistakes and seeing your dogs eyes light up when they realize you love them no matter what. As people, we can learn a lesson from dogs here. Spending time with each other is important, no matter the overall win/lose rate.<br><br>Agility, flyball, obedience - whatever your dog is in, you're both in it together.<br><br>After losing a dog myself a few years back, when he told us that his was no longer there for him, it made me think the whole day at the trial. It made me realize how much I missed my dog, and how I too, would give anything to have her back. His words were simple, but powerful, and I will hold them close to my heart as I work with Tucker, and as I work with any of my dogs.<br><br>I hope everyone who listened to him, and anyone who has read this post will take his words into consideration, and the next time your dog makes a mistake (which most likely was probably your mistake anyway) you will laugh and move on. Dog's love our laughter, after all.
All good things must come to an end. All endings will begin new good things.
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