Upholding your end of the deal

When we train our dogs it's a partnership. You do the teaching and they do the learning, or vise versa. We are the good dog owners and go to class each week, practice our homework in the house when we have time, and magically expect our dogs to be letter perfect in the outside world. This is the biggest complaint I receive as an instructor, their dog won't listen in public. To which I usually respond have you practiced in public? We all know the answer to that 90% of the time is no. I was reminded of this very same thing this weekend.

Kayla and I have been trying for our CDX (Open Obedience title) for a better part of a year now. We finally got our title yesterday by the grace of God. I went into the ring expecting a mid 190 score, but walked out with 189. Needless to say a few things fell apart and other bits looked down right sloppy - so not our style. As I was driving home I began to think over why we showed like we did and realized I had not upheld my end of the deal. I had not been putting my time into training, nor had I put the routine together in about a month. I should be so lucky to have a dog that saved my ass. The one thing that looked good was the long sit - now we have been practicing that!! The voice of my instructor rings in my head - you get what you train for! Ain't that the truth!!!

The moral of this story: before you blame the dog, ask yourself if you've put in the work!

ARCHX UCD Hi-Jinks Second Chance CL1 CL2-F CL2-S NA CD-H CDX RE RL1X RL2X RL3 CGC TDI