Tuesday, October 19, 2010

CDX wrap-up

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!

4 comments:

  1. Love it! My favorites (because they pertain to where I am right now) are:

    - 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."

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  2. I'm just enjoying your journey with Phoenix!

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  3. Oops, 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.

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  4. lovely - the ones that resonated most with me on my journey are :

    • 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

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