In one of my training groups there has been a lot of conversation on the importance of dog competitions. It was a heated topic for discussion to say the least, but it made me do a lot of thinking.
Some said that they find competition boring, others that it is too “political”. The competitors say it makes you a better trainer, and so the conversation went. So…I proposed that those that compete in any type of dog sport, simply state what it has done for them. Then I started to pinpoint what it has done for ME and my dogs.
So what HAS competition done for me and my dogs? Quite a bit actually now that I take the time to really think about it.
1st, obviously it forces me to take the time to train my own dogs. I am actively involved in schutzhund, and getting involved in SDA (A UKC dog sport). I have worked dogs in agility, herding, and conformation before though I never did those to compete. Oftentimes, after training dogs all day, the last thing I want to do is train my OWN dogs. But knowing that I’m aiming for a title forces me to work with them.
Next, it allows me to network with others that are training their dogs on a regular basis. There are plenty of trainers/handlers out there that I would NOT train like. But knowing what they do, why they do it that way, and how, is as helpful to me as learning a technique I WILL use. By competing and being active in local clubs, I can pick the brains of trainers who know more then I do on a given subject. Plus, it’s always nice to be around “dog people”.
Third, the precision required in competitive levels forces one to “think outside the box”. It makes me think about an exercise, and break it down into manageable steps. Sure I could do this WITHOUT competing, but it is probably only BECAUSE of the competition that I do it on a regular basis. To the point where I can look at an exercises and break it down entirely much more quickly then I could before I started competing. This helps me with my clients of course, as the better I am able to break a behavior down into manageable steps, the easier it is to lay out a plan for my clients and their dogs.
My dogs would not LET me NOT compete. When I load up the dogs to go to a day of training, they all know what is coming and they go nuts. If someone is left behind for some reason, the entire household is left to hear about it. So part of what drags me out of bed sometimes to go and train, is the fact that my dogs love it so much, and I can’t bear to let them down.
Competition also allows me to know my dogs better. I know what each of them is going to do and how they’re going to react to different situations, including extreme stress. I can see a difference with my skill in this department since competing vs before. (I’ve only been competing in schutzhund for 8 years approx.)
And of course,one of the more important reasons for me, training and competing with my dogs in any venue, strengthens my bond with that dog. There is something to be said for how you feel when it’s just you and your dog out there in front of the judge and audience. I tend to try to get “in the zone” and just lock in on my dog. The time spent training with him develops a different relationship than you can get by just having him as a pet. Even a pet with training. I think it’s because you know that eventually trial day will come and it will just be the two of you out there. And when you get really good at it, it’s just like dancing.
Of course, competing is not for everyone, but if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s worth a consideration.
