Dog competitions

“Some aspects of my very first agility trial, I remember so vividly…like the overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity with the trial process/flow, the first fellow exhibitor I met that showed me where to check-in, the Trial Secretary, the first BIG personality I encountered, and the first new “friends” that helped me survive my first trial and encouraged me to come back again for a second. Other parts of my first agility competition are more of a blur…like my first walk-thru, going to the start-line for the first time with Prince Doggie, running our very first course together, crossing the finish-line for the first time, etc. This disconnect between the various recollections is my biggest regret as I seem to remember the insignificant details quite clearly, but what I should remember (and really want to remember) of the experience — my time with Princey — is just not as clear and kind of fuzzy. What I also recall is the nervousness…and hands down it was the nerves that caused me to, in a sense, block out many of the precious moments I so dearly wish to remember with complete accuracy.”

“Most of the time you will not understand the spins, or routes required and you will trip and fall like a fool. People “walk”the course. This means they stick their arm out and follow the numbers as if they were running their dog. They try to get their footing and determine how they are going to run the course. Where will they turn? Will they make their dog slow down? Do they have options to do something different? Do they need to block the entrance to the tunnel? It looks funny. I was like “Yeah, okay. Whatever this is weird”. Well, I walk the courses now too. Agility is actually really fun. However, I think one of the best things that comes from agility is the bond between you and your dog. They learn to read you, and you them. You create a connection that you are doing something together–its fun but they also need to stay with you and rely on you as the leader. You learn to control your dog and what they do. You also learn a hell of a lot about coordination which is really difficult.”