Listening to the Nature of a Dog

Something I think is important to say about performance events with dogs is that it is okay to have individualized goals. In fact, we should have individualized goals because we are different people with different dogs and different circumstances.

Harper is a perfectly acceptable obedience dog but she is not a high scoring, precise obedience dog — it is not in her nature.

And I am a fan of listening to the nature of a dog, appreciating and honoring what she brings to the table.

LOVE this photo.

Therefore, Harper will finish up a git ‘er done CD (the novice level obedience title) and be done with obedience. Her Super Power is tracking.

On the other hand, the Specialty revealed that Claire’s Super Power actually is obedience.

No hair, No problem.

Assessment skills are a pretty important part of Life with Dogs. But an unprepared dog who did not actually know to sit on the finish (minus 2.5 points) and still scored a 196 (out of 200), placing second in a class of 50+ dogs is not exactly a subtle indication of potential.

Note extra cute collar, which is easier to see given that Claire had no coat to cover it up.

In order to maximize that potential, Claire will not show in obedience again until Spring 2020. Different dog, different goals.

Instead, we will train and train and in the process, have an awful lot of fun together.

Because if it isn’t fun — for both of us — why do it?

More Lies.

Yesterday I said I was attending a two-day obedience seminar.

I lied.

I walked out.

I am incapable of silent complicity when things are simply not okay.

Let me be clear — different opinions are valuable! My concerns were not about different opinions.

In my world, hitting dogs to teach behavior is not okay. I am not alone in thinking that — see, for example, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s Position Statement about punishment by clicking HERE

I want to be respectful and thoughtful about what I say about that whole misadventure. Therefore, I won’t say much now because I am still processing.

But I left that seminar heartsick and angry, and reminded that the sport of obedience has a ways to go.

Changing Season & Ponder This

In spite of a vigorous training schedule for the past four months, it is apparently not Claire’s year for a TDX.

She was first alternate at the specialty TDX test and she is third alternate at our local test, even with a Worker Certificate advantage.

Tracking Season is now closed for 2019. It is getting hot and the grass will dry up — time to shift gears.

I am a wee bit disappointed that we did not get in a test, but the Disappointment Channel is a real downer and so I switched my mental channel to a happier one. And yes, it is a choice where to park your brain just as much as it is a choice where to park your backside.

The Hope Channel is my favorite — it plays all the happy events and days ahead in an endless loop. One of the shows on the Hope Channel is that amazing day when Claire earns a TDX.

In the meantime, we are turning our attention to other events — and growing coat. No Hair Claire is definitely sporting her summer outfit these days.

Coming up in June — two days of obedience for Harper B, and a return to AGILITY — not Harper for Begone Agility (perish the thought says Harper) but for Daisy and Claire. How fun is that?!

Today’s Ponder This from my stewarding vantage point — who looks their very best when gagging and choking?