I am still floating around on the euphoria of finishing Phoenix’s CDX. It’s an awesome feeling to know we did it, even though earning a certificate with our names on it from the AKC doesn’t mean all our problems are solved.
We’ve got a lot to work on as we prep for Utility (goal - March 2011), both in technical skills and in relationship. I know the things I’ve learned during the last seven months will improve me as a trainer and help me get enthusiastic, confident work from Phoenix.
Things I learned during the quest for Phoenix’s CDX (in no particular order).
• Don’t take any part of any exercise for granted. Ever.
• Respect your dog as a totally unique individual, never as an extension of your ego.
• All this training and titling stuff is YOUR idea, not your dog’s.
• Evaluate your dog’s skills often and be realistic: recognize the faults, problem areas, etc. and deal with them before they get worse.
• Stay focused on what your dog really needs in training to be successful in the ring.
• Keep your focus on the process (training) not the outcome (title).
• Never be afraid to ask your dog for more effort. This means you have to give more effort, too.
• It’s okay to back up and strengthen a foundation skill.
• Listen to advice, consider it carefully, do what you think is best.
• Relive successes, don’t replay failures.
• If you believe you can, you will.
• Laugh often.
• I have a beautiful, brilliant, athletic dog.
• When it comes to training, quality is better than quantity.
• I have a lot of very good friends and I am grateful for their endless insight, advice and help.
• My dog occasionally thinks I am a complete idiot but he still loves me.
• As much as possible, make training look like showing.
• Get the most out of matches (this is a post in itself!)
• Phoenix is a very honest dog who tries very hard.
• I need to be sillier when I train; when I am very serious, Phoenix is very serious. He needs more feedback to know he is RIGHT and I am HAPPY and life is good!
Love it! My favorites (because they pertain to where I am right now) are:
ReplyDelete- It’s okay to back up and strengthen a foundation skill: I've been playing a lot of front games and finish games. It's weird because it almost doesn't feel like training unless you're doing full exercises, but it still counts.
- If you believe you can, you will: That's especially relative right now because I'm getting very tired of everyone saying, "You can't do ____ with a Malamute."
I'm just enjoying your journey with Phoenix!
ReplyDeleteOops, you forgot one thing on the list. DO NOT listen to Renee when she gives you directions to get to dinner. LOL! I'm so glad I was there to see you get your title this weekend.
ReplyDeletelovely - the ones that resonated most with me on my journey are :
ReplyDelete• Don’t take any part of any exercise for granted. Ever.
• Respect your dog as a totally unique individual, never as an extension of your ego.
• All this training and titling stuff is YOUR idea, not your dog’s.
• Evaluate your dog’s skills often and be realistic: recognize the faults, problem areas, etc. and deal with them before they get worse.
• Keep your focus on the process (training) not the outcome (title).
• Never be afraid to ask your dog for more effort. This means you have to give more effort, too. - I LOVE the reconginition that in order to ask for more you have to give more ;) BRILLIANTLY put
• It’s okay to back up and strengthen a foundation skill. (especially if your name is Thea and you forget how to weave like TOTALLY)
• Listen to advice, consider it carefully, do what you think is best. so so true
• I have a beautiful, brilliant, athletic dog. - aren't we lucky? Me too :)
• When it comes to training, quality is better than quantity.
great great thought provoking points
and Congrats on your amazing weekend .. I look foward to sharing the rest of the journey