I couldn't have been happier with my little black dog at our last trial a couple of weeks ago. We went a perfect 10 for 10 that weekend and earned our last two titles in Level 4 CPE. It was our first perfect weekend and extended Zoe's streak of being a steady, consistent dog. Though I am very satisfied with how Zoe has been running, there are definitely a few key things that we still need to work on.
Our main goal is to ramp up Zoe's speed. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being fast), Zoe typically runs at a 6. I know she can get faster, and she has over time as she gains confidence. Last week, we visited a new trainer who I think will be a big help with this. Unsurprisingly, it will be me who will have to do most of the work. I have always fought a balance between cheerleading Zoe and letting her do her thing. On one hand, I need to encourage her to keep going, but on the other, I don't want praise to lose its meaning. She actually does a nice job running on her own, so I need to learn to give her more efficient feedback. We will also be working on her teeter confidence. Zoe had an unfortunately quick learning experience with the teeter, so now we are going back and teaching her that the teeter is not so scary and can actually be a fun game.
Though I am excited about this new class, it means a big transition in our training. I've really gotten comfortable in my current class and have developed a great relationship with the trainer and other students. It's hard to know when to move on, but in any sport, change is a necessity. Zoe and I have become such a better team over the past year, and I owe a lot of that to the things I have learned from my current trainer. Namely, I've learned a lot about how to think outside of the box. The most obvious course path isn't always the easiest. Also, I need to be aware of my voice: my pitch and tone, the commands I use and how often I use them.
It's wonderful to do well in trials, earn titles, and collect ribbons. But what excites me most is how far we've come and discovering just how much there is to learn in the world of dog sports. Like most hobbies, there is a sense of fulfillment and pride as you achieve small accomplishments along the way towards a long-term goal. But what makes agility really special is that you get a relationship in return - both with your dog and with others who share your passion. Maybe that is what makes it so addicting!
