Being seriously fun.

Something we see too often... The competitor in the ring at a local trial stressing and pushing their dogs to the limits in order for a chance to place (or whatever).

Recently the serious type of competitors have been raising some questions from me so naturally I  observed.

Being serious is not necessarily a bad thing, but it comes to a point where you're bringing your team down rather than up when taken too far.

Pushing limits. Pushing for speed. Who doesn't want to place or do well? Everyone wants to try their best to accomplish goals with their beloved dogs, but how far is too far?

Agility is a fun sport... FUN sport. Not cut throat, life-or-death runs. If you're too serious and pushing your dog, chances are you're just building stress. Stress in the ring may not lead to your "expected outcome" and usually doesn't. Learn to have FUN. The more fun you're having, the more fun your dog is having. The more energy you have, the more energy your dog has. Use that positive energy to enhance your run and avoid the cut throat feelings. Your fastest, most rewarding run will be the run that was the most fun for you and your dog (regardless of result, because we love our dogs and do our best to avoid handler errors, right?)

Pushing training. Training doesn't happen overnight. Agility training is complex and can take months to train. PUPPIES - Want to do AKC? Cool, you still have over a year to prepare before you debut at 15 months (if you are into debuting ASAP). Don't rush training in the most critical time of their little lives. Puppies have far more important things to learn before agility obstacles. Basic obedience, foundation, playing and HOW TO BE A PUPPY. Not to mention their bodies need to have time to grow and develop without damage for future injury. COMPETITION AGE ADULT DOGS - Say you adopt a 15-month-old dog, agility is not a training race. Take your time. Consistant, steady training will result in the best outcome, not obstacle preformances that were slopped together in order to trial quickly. Take the time to train a nice dog. Slow and steady (training) wins the race.

If you're rushing outcomes, you're setting yourself up for possible failure and disappointment. Take your time and have fun with it.

Try being serious...ly fun. No matter what the outcome. Your dog will love you for it, and your attitude with lift your spirits with every run you have... Because nothing is better than the bond and team work between man and dog.