tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post6560667671694555211..comments2024-03-04T06:54:50.622-06:00Comments on Reactive Champion: Anatomy of an NQCrystal (Thompson) Barrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-31123718886570512272012-04-24T22:16:41.628-05:002012-04-24T22:16:41.628-05:00lorac, you are very perceptive. I have struggled w...lorac, you are very perceptive. I have struggled with some pretty significant ring stress issues myself. This ABSOLUTELY affects Maisy's emotional state/performance, so I've spent quite a bit of time working on my own issues. :) They are MUCH better than they used to be, although there is still some nervousness that she probably picks up on. <br /><br />With all that said, the part of the NQ that bummed me out most was not the NQ itself (like I said, it happens), but the fact that it happened because of stress (mine and Maisy's both). My goal is definitely having fun and remaining connected, so I was way bummed out that she felt the need to bark at the other dog. <br /><br />But like I said- you are perceptive. I was more upset about it than I should have been. It's one of those things I need to keep working on. Maisy and I are definitely on this journey together. :)Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-33964334743607927872012-04-24T14:25:36.412-05:002012-04-24T14:25:36.412-05:00As a long time competitor in agility, I've fou...As a long time competitor in agility, I've found that NQs happen for many different reasons. Some of which are out of our control. My dog jumped off a dogwalk next to a stand of people because something happening in the stand distracted her and she lost her balance. In fact, she had run the DW many times in the same location without incident. <br /><br />Over time, I learned that as long as we got off the start line, there was something good about our run. My disappointments at NQs are confined to my own idiotic handling, and I strive to never, ever let my dog know of my disappointment. <br /><br />When I read your opening paragraph, I thought that it's possible some of Maisy's stress in the ring is due to your stress over a Q/ NQ. The more that you can put aside a Q and disappointment at a NQ, I think that you will find improvement in performance. It is a subtle shift in attitude, becuase from my reading your blog, intellectually you don't really care about the Q, but you seem to care about it at an emotional level. <br /><br />My own dog shut down in competition because I cared too much about doing well. Her performance improved when I shifted to having her happiness at the end of a run be #1 and if she was happy, it was a Q in my book. I also let go a criteria that I had never trained properly, and that hugely reduced our stress levels. (I still reward it in practice, but don't insist on it in the ring.) I relaxed more, smiled at her while we were out on the course, and always found something in our performance to be happy about (yay, did you see how well we layered that obstacle? my dawg, you ran briskly on the DW. we were so smooth on that tricky sequence, weren't we?). <br /><br />Please take this as friendly encouragement from someone who wishes I had been told all this early in my agility career. I know that you hold Maisy dear in your heart. You can both be happier in competition - in my opinion as a mere observer. <br /><br />Good luck and have fun.loracnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-9228183662134335222012-04-19T13:19:45.213-05:002012-04-19T13:19:45.213-05:00Ninso- YES. You completely understood. She was def...Ninso- YES. You completely understood. She was definitely aroused, and for Maisy, that tips quite easily into reactivity. It's such a fine line.<br /><br />I'm glad Elo's checking in with you, too! It's such a turning point in training.Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-56735822381880895112012-04-19T11:06:50.762-05:002012-04-19T11:06:50.762-05:00I thought she looked a little over-aroused through...I thought she looked a little over-aroused through that run, though as you said not necessarily in a bad way, but for dogs like ours high levels of arousal of any type can be hard to handle. <br /><br />That's awesome that she is looking to you for guidance before taking matters into her own hands! I have been noticing the same thing with Elo. Often lately he will bark once and then come back and check in with me and if I can do a good enough job of either giving him structure or getting him out of the situation, we can avoid a full-blown reaction and he recovers pretty well!Ninsohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11926615638315977082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-75040080878751960472012-04-19T08:23:47.068-05:002012-04-19T08:23:47.068-05:00I teach wed 7pm, I go thurs 5:50pm!I teach wed 7pm, I go thurs 5:50pm!Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06437492165453445126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-37193213795411140542012-04-18T22:45:53.495-05:002012-04-18T22:45:53.495-05:00Andrea- perspective is hard for me. This is why I ...Andrea- perspective is hard for me. This is why I need others to help me :)<br /><br />Laura- when is class? We probably need it!Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-88474771457218121902012-04-18T22:34:27.897-05:002012-04-18T22:34:27.897-05:00That's right, Maisy is awesome!
P.S. Come to c...That's right, Maisy is awesome!<br />P.S. Come to class :)Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06437492165453445126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-9271690329156324612012-04-18T19:52:54.325-05:002012-04-18T19:52:54.325-05:00I'm totally with your vet!!
Good work and gre...I'm totally with your vet!!<br /><br />Good work and great success :)andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com