International Dog Sport Coaches Association

 
Competing enables us to measure ourselves against others.  This process can be a lot of fun here are some ideas for keeping the fun in dog sports. 
 
The reason we are able to compete in dog sports is because of our dogs.  Keeping the focus on the dog, ensuring that the dog has fun during training and while competing helps maintain the joy in training and handling.  Monitoring your dog’s physical wellbeing through regular veterinary check ups, massage and fitness will help keep your dog sport partner in the game.  When encountering training or handling issues always explore if your dog is dealing with a physical problem.  Many dogs will attempt to mask pain in order to play dog sport games, be aware of this and don’t be conned.  Mild injuries will almost always worsen if a dog is allowed to engage in dog sports.  Find a vet familiar with your dog sport.  Make decisions about dog sport competitions focusing on the long term rather than the short term.  You want your dog to be able to enjoy dog sports for a lifetime. 
 
If you are new to dog sport you will likely want to find a coach.  Here are some ideas for finding a coach that will help encourage fun for both you and your dog.  Find a coach that trains with methods that are dog-friendly.  Dog-friendly means that your dog is not stressed or frightened by the training process.  Dog sport coaches who are dog-friendly do not make use of choke chains, prong collars or shock collars.  Worldwide dog sport competitors have proven it is simply never necessary to hurt a dog or to cause stress to a dog in order to for the dog to play a game.  Dog sports by definitions are games we play with our dogs.  Find a coach that is protective of dogs both mentally and physically. 
 
Dogs that are still growing should not be exposed to jumping until their growth plates have closed.  The only way to be certain that the growth plates have closed is to have a vet xray one of the joints that are last to close on the type of dog you are playing with. 
 
Communicate openly and clearly with your coach.  Make sure that your coach understands your goals and listen to what your coach shares with you about the goals you have set.  Remember dogs don’t care if we win or lose.  To our dogs it only matters how we played the game.  Put your dog first, keep the focus on the fun and let your goals be secondary. 
 
Competition by definition prompts competitive behaviors in us.  Be aware of this.  Getting too competitive can suck the fun out of dog sports at warp speed.  Focusing on the process rather than the outcome is ideal.  Rather than setting goals focusing on winning or getting a qualifying score, focus on smiling while in the ring, your handling or other things that you can actually control.  Frustration is a wet blanket for fun and we can avoid frustration by setting goals we have control over.  Sports psychology has much to offer competitors, use this valuable tool to your and your dog’s advantage. 
 
Your dog is perfect.  No matter what the breed, your dog is perfect.  Herding breeds generally excel at dog sports but this does not mean they are the best choice.  What type of dog for which sport is a very individual choice.  Some trainers enjoy the challenge of working with dogs that require more time and effort.  Chances are these trainers are the better coaches, although you will probably never find them on a world team for any dog sport. 
 
Your dog is perfect. No matter what happened in the competition, it is the result of your training and your handling.  If you did not perform as well as you had hoped this is simply information that you can use to modify your training and handling. 
 
You are perfect.  No matter what training or handling mistakes you are making you are doing your best.  Dog sports offer us the opportunity to continuously learn.  Every dog is a puzzle that has to be solved.  How does this dog like to play? How does this dog like to learn?  How can I make training and competition more fun for this dog? Do your best and accept what happens.  If you argue with reality, you are 100% guaranteed to lose. 
 
You are perfect.  It doesn’t matter what the judge says.  If the judge makes a call you disagree with, it has nothing to do with you or your dog.  Calls happen, accept and move on.  Sometimes judges make calls we disagree with yet other times they may miss a call they should have made.  In the big picture it evens out. 
 
Encourage, empathize and applaud all performances.  It is a lot more fun to root for everyone and wish all competitors the best.  When a competitor and dog fail to complete a desired behavior empathy is always appropriate.  All teams have worked hard to prepare for competition and it is always unfortunate if any team performs less than ideal. 
 
If a team is excused by the judge or for another reason has to leave the competition area prematurely applause is always the best choice.  Offering this competitor words of encouragement can help keep this person in the sport.  Work to bring and keep people in dog sports.
 
Every dog sport has its soap operas.  Getting pulled into a soap operas can suck the fun out of dog sports faster than a pet hair vacuum set on high.  Maintaining a neutral position is ideal if a disputes occur.  Modeling and encouraging clear and polite communication is also helpful.  Direct communication only between the parties involved helps minimize the development of soap operas.
 
Dog sports are great fun for dogs and people, make a commitment to behave in ways that fosters kindness.
 
International Dog Sport Coaches Association will be honoring one person in each recognized sport, for good sportsmanship.  To nominate a person for a good sportsmanship award please contact:
 
Info@InternationalDogSportCoachesAssociation.com
 
Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C., CAP2,
NADOI endorsed 1013E, APDT #2519P exp. 4/07
IIACAB Endorsed Dog Behavior Consultant
#002 exp.10/07
Courteous Canine, Inc. Dog School
No Force, Just Fun!
3414 Melissa Country Way, Lutz, FL 33559
Phone:  813-949-1465 
www.CourteousCanine.com
www.IIACAB.com
www.CynologyCollege.com
www.ClickandPlayAgility.com
www.InternationalDogSportCoachesAssociation.com