Let’s set the scene:
It was Tuesday night around 8 pm. The warehouse where the agility classes are held was cold and dank. I was tired and grumpy, and I think that rubbed off on Cooper. We were in a bad spot already because the poor guy had the pants scared off of him when a tarp that separated the space fell. He lost his little head barking and had his hackles up. Then a dog ran right up to his face, which he hates, and he yelped, startling the trainer and the two other dogs standing near us.
The bottom line? We weren’t having the best night.
We had started a sequencing exercise where the dogs had to walk over a series of jump standards (the U-shaped part of the jump without the bar in the middle) with specific turns. We went and messed up, and the trainer had us redo it. I was frustrated, but we got it on the second try.
Everyone took a turn, then the trainer went with her puppy.
Who messed up. Big time.
She went the wrong direction then sort of wandered off then came back on the opposite side. And the trainer? Well…
She laughed!
For a split second I thought, “Why is she laughing? She messed up!” And then it hit me: Because this is supposed to be fun!
It seems so obvious, of course, but I realized that mistakes are part of it. I’m the kind of person who strives to avoid making mistakes in all things. It’s a very stressful way to live. But in that moment, when the trainer laughed at her dog’s silliness, I had my AH-HA!
Maybe I’m going to learn more from agility than Cooper is…
We did training with one of our 3 dogs – and I learned much more than he did!!!
That is a great lesson to learn! I know what you mean about mistakes, they are never fun. But I’m sure you’ll both feel happier when you take the pressure off, and that will probably help eliminate mistakes too. Have fun! And thank you for stopping by and saying happy birthday to Kelly!
” But I’m sure you’ll both feel happier when you take the pressure off, and that will probably help eliminate mistakes too.”
SUCH an important point. Thank you for pointing that out, Peggy. Something I’ll definitely keep in mind!
Yes to this one hundred times over. Oh do I know what it is to be frustrated in agility. It is a sport of soaring highs and crushing lows. You are either ecstatic at how well you and your dog are working together, or depressed and wondering if you should quit. At least, that’s how it was for me. And yet I miss it terribly. 😛
But it’s not about being perfect every single time. It is about learning and bonding and growing together with your dog. And of course, it is about fun. I am so glad you could learn this lesson early on! I hope you can keep that at the back of your mind for the rest of your journey.
You’re so right, Kristine! And I’m going to strive to keep these ideas… that I don’t have to be perfect, that it’s about fun, etc… in the back of my mind. But, man, is that hard! 🙂
Sounds like you’re lucky to have a trainer who knows how to laugh at mistakes.