My dogs are always teaching me ... more than I am teaching them. They force me take a step back and really evaluate myself when things don't seem to be going right. I hate disappointing them, it's my job to guide, encourage and have them succeed. Agility - no problem, for the most part, that's my comfort zone, though lately I've been battling with feeling good enough too. I've been training Gyp for Obedience - specifically the Open ring, and I love the journey, it's a challenge, it's out of our comfort zone, makes me a better trainer, and overall it builds a better relationship and takes us on new Adventures together! I thrive on variety and am always on a quest to learn. I had challenges when putting Kaleb in the Open ring - his were different though, he got his CDX quickly and I know Gyp can too. This weekend at an Obedience training session, for a brief moment, I let intimidation, lack of confidence in myself and my dog take over. And you know what, it's just what I needed to keep me grounded. Gyp could feel my heart racing and my anxiousness seeping out of my pores. She thought I was crazy(er). Then she gets unsure and it all goes to shit. She did everything I asked, just more cautiously and worried, not with the happy spirit she normally has. I HATE that, I felt like a total shithead. We took a break, had a play, entered the Ring again for another go-round of Open exercises, and YEP, I had my dog back. Nothing like a sensitive dog to tell you SMARTEN THE FUCK UP, WOMAN! We trained again yesterday while I kept my Mantra top of mind "In order for my dog to be her best, I need to be at my best." And yep, I had my dog back. If I fuck up again, I think I might just tattoo it on my arm, then while I slap myself upside the head, I can read it as my hand makes impact with my face.
A is for ATTITUDE
If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.
-Maya Angelou
B is for BODY LANGUAGE
Emotion always has its roots in the unconscious and manifests itself in the body.
- Irene Claremont de Castillejo
- Irene Claremont de Castillejo
C is for CONFIDENCE
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
-Vince Lombardi
D is for DETERMINATION
Go back a little to leap further.
- John Clarke
3 comments:
Dogs are the best teachers.
You and Gyp are gonna rock Open. I know it.
Oh my - "Smarten The Fuck Up Woman" That's exactly what Max said to me on Friday at a new agility venue. Can't fool those sensitive dogs for a minute.
"In order for my dog to be her best, I need to be at my best."
Looking back at my weekend that was my problem and the reason we lost those precious seconds (or tenth of a second). I was shaking in my VFFs every run except for that snooker you helped me with, I was confident for that because I had help from you. The rest of them? I had my doubts. "My dog doesn't like weaving in this dirt" "I don't know if that's where the cross works best" "Where am I going again?"
Yeah. It's smacked me in the face hard. My lack of confidence makes Izzie cautious and slow.
Maybe we can get matching tattoos lol.
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