The Word of Summer

Montana’s summer is really quite lovely. To me, summer means early morning dog walks, bike riding with Dear Husband, lakes and rivers, dog training, and just enjoying the ability to be outside and doing stuff (as opposed to being outside and doing stuff — and freezing our fannies off).

Sparkle and I are working on Utility exercises — this is Directed Jumping.

In this exercise the dog starts with the handler. The handler sends the dog to sit on the opposite side of the ring, facing the handler. Then — on a signal from the handler — the dog takes one of two jumps, ending up sitting in front of the handler. All that is then repeated, utilizing the other jump.

It is a complicated exercise, and so I have it broken down into Least Trainable Units and am working these individually at this point.

Sparkle may not be the most precise and exact obedience dog, but you won’t find a happier or more willing worker — and she is quick to grasp concepts.

Her Bestie, Pete, likes to help with our training.

And speaking of cats…

Poppy is now quite deaf and not likely to win the Feline Congeniality Award anytime soon (or ever) but she continues to enjoy the life she chose by showing up at our house all those years ago.

The most recent version of Chippy is also industriously enjoying summer.

Summer is the season of Play.

Claire

What kinds of things are you doing to ensure a playful summer?

Observations About Handling

It is true that even unfortunate events can be transformed into learning experiences — such was the case with the recent Missoula show.

Since I missed the closing date none of my dogs were entered.

Sigh.

Therefore, I spent four days as a Ring Steward for different judges.

I decided to spend the time — in addition to the usual stewarding duties — focused on the handling of dogs. Specifically, I studied good and bad handlers, and tried to discern whether I thought there was evidence of bias against owner-handlers.

I concluded there was no evidence to suspect bias against owner-handlers. However, bad handling was most definitely associated with “losing” and yes, most of the bad handlers were NOT the professionals.

I have thought about how to say this kindly and what I have decided is to use the Juniors Handlers as a way to explain.

Almost every Junior Handler was poised, well-dressed, and quiet in their ring demeanor. They typically moved dogs with grace, followed instructions, and reflected a respectful countenance in the ring.

I watched the Juniors and my response was WOW.

I watched a lot of Owner-Handlers and my response was more along the lines of …

I have heard many of my owner-handler community suggest that judges should be able to find the good dog in spite of less-than-optimal handling.

Nope.

Bad handling is like putting flashing neon arrows over all the dog’s faults, while also making it hard to see the positive traits.

I tried to mentally send messages to my fellow owner-handlers but to no avail — rear toes stayed pointing like east-west directionals on a compass, dogs did the entire down and back while pacing, toplines looked like ski slopes, and most everyone needs to review how to show the bite.

I could seriously go on and on. It was quite educational.

I think many of us in the owner-handler community lack critical self-awareness — about our limitations as handlers, and about the limitations of our dogs. Hubris is the real enemy of success.

One is certainly free to rail against my conclusions and rant that it is all political and yada yada yada — personally, I will just keep trying to be better.

…and the training means human and dog…

2019 Tracking Test and etc.

Alison sent this cool photo of a moose that she took yesterday on a walk.

I love the homely gawkiness of moose — they are beautiful in their special moose way. Thank you, Alison!

Can you see why I took this photo?

Bluebirds are the symbol of happiness — a bright burst of a reminder to pay attention to what is cheerful and happy. Nature’s PING to our psyche.

Yesterday was the Tracking Test, which is held in the most amazing place.

Base camp for the test is always at the campground at Harper’s Lake…

It turns out there was not a track for Claire after all, but I brought scones, took photos, cheered on the other teams, and enjoyed the day.

Claire has twice been first alternate this year in TDX tests — what that means is her amazing day is in the future.

And then I came home and found a TICK in my hair! ACK!

Okay — let’s see how to reframe that…

Isn’t it wonderful that I was able to be in a place so wild and natural that ticks can live? That I have that ability to be out in such a place, hiking around, taking photos — and picking up crawly hitchhikers?

Life is all about coexisting with the Bluebirds of Happiness and the blood-sucking ticks — with an occasional moose thrown in for fun.

And isn’t it just awesome?!