When you think of getting into competitive events with your dog, what do you think of first? Endless hours of training with just you and your dog; a wall lined with ribbons and trophies and framed certificates, bragging to your friends, or even basking in the glory of a job well done?
All of the above are of course a big part of the competitive world of dogs; but when it's all over and done with--there's so much more!
Up to, and during the time all of these things are taking place; you're having the adventure of your life and building a lifetime of memories. Memories that will make you laugh, memories that will make you smile and even memories that will bring tears to your eyes.
Memories such as; the first class you attended. You and your dog tentatively approaching the other handlers and their dogs; both of you a little on edge. Your dog wondering where in the world all these strange humans and dogs could have possibly come from. Your own feeling of awe as you watch the advanced dogs perform
near-perfect exercises. The sinking feeling that the lovable wriggling mass of fur sitting at your feet could never learn to do all that.
Time flies by; the classes progress, lifetime friendships develop, and you and that wriggling mass of fur you brought to the first class gradually become a real team. So tuned into each other that with a glance of an eye or an imperceptible shift in body language you can sense each other's thoughts.
After months of training classes, early morning practice sessions during which you've seen hundreds of sunrises and attended more bow wow matches than you'd known existed; the decision is made, the two of you are finally ready for competition!
Whether your dog does everything perfect or blows it royally, each competition is another complete page of memories. Getting up before daylight, loading your dog and stopping along the way to pick up other competitors and their dogs; the never ending dog talk of training tips, breeding plans, pedigree's etc., roadside stops for coffee and dog walking are just the beginning of a long and exhilarating day.
The build up of nerves before entering the ring, the joy of compliments on your dog from the judge as you're handed the qualifying ribbon or even better, the high scoring trophy; or the soft spoken, "I'm sorry", if an exercise is blown are only a small part of the day. When surrounded by fellow dog lovers and their dogs and the resultant camaraderie, cleanups, grooming etc., the real world ceases to exist. When the day is done, win or lose, there's always tomorrow!
As time and experience progress; you begin to travel longer distances, make more friends, come to know more great dogs and your world expands. You begin to think that maybe you're a little "touched in the head". No one but a "dog person" would fly with their dog to a far away tourist attraction; book a room for a weekend in a fancy hotel, share that room with two other women and 4 other dogs and never leave the hotel grounds once during the entire visit.
Over time you reach your goal and the ribbons, trophies, and certificates really do accumulate on the wall. Time passes and you begin thinking of them as dust catchers. That's when you look back and realize the whole experience was much more than anyone could ever dream possible! Over and over again you've experienced and witnessed first hand the incredible bond that can develop between man and dog, and you have a strong sense of why man invited a wolf into the camp thousands of years ago, and why the wolf agreed to come into the camp!
All of the training classes, early morning training sessions, hours pouring over pedigrees, evenings around the campfires, hours spent at friends homes whelping puppies, trips to the vet, crying with a friend over a dead or dying dog, long distance phone calls, nights spent crammed into a camper with four dogs, dog club meetings, and seminars are not just an added bonus. They're as much if not more, a part of competing with dogs as the dust catchers on the trophy wall!
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Originally Posted by borzoimom
), Obedience is a big one for me if the dog does not want to trial then thats it, and is up to the dog.
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