Clean Run Magazine - January 2008 - 26

Bonnie Calhoun McDonald One of the challenges of being an instructor who actively competes with your own dogs is the balancing act you have to play between paying attention to your own runs and still being there to support and assist your students with theirs. Years ago, when agility was a much smaller (although rapidly growing) sport, it was fairly easy to spoon-feed my students while still leaving time to strategize for my own dogs. For the last several years I’ve completely changed the way I handle this, starting with the very ﬁrst class past the introductory level. By the time a student actually enters a competition I should be renting space in their heads! In fact, I’ve had many of my students tell me when they’re walking a course they can “hear me” reminding them to go through the steps to plan their runs. Some even hear me when they are running the course and need to switch from plan A to plan B (or C)! From the very beginning of our studentinstructor relationship, my students are taught to be independent thinkers who learn to plan for multiple possibilities. Handling options obviously differ greatly depending on the speed and size of the dog and the physical abilities of the handler. A one-size-ﬁts-all approach is simply neither practical nor possible (unless your facility only accepts students and dogs that meet a set proﬁle). You cannot ﬁt a square peg in a round hole, nor should you try. My students are forced to work out problems and options early on in their training so that I do not have to hold their hand as they walk their respective courses. I also encourage them to help each other as well. In this way they have a support network built in that is usually present since most of my students attend the same trials. One of the best tools I’ve found for being able to concentrate and keep a clear head is wearing an MP3 player. This also works as a clear visual for my students. Bonnie judges AKC, USDAA, and UKC agility, WWKC obedience, and WWKC rally. She owns and is the chief trainer at Bonjon Training School LLC, operating in Tampa, Florida, since 1992. Bonnie has earned MACHs, UDs, HXs, Schutzhund titles, and more with GSDs, Mals, and Shelties. Visit Bonnie’s website: www.BonjonTrainingSchool.com. and plan for my own runs with my own dogs (that all handle and run differently—not by design—it just worked out that way). I cannot answer questions until I’ve actually seen the course for myself. One of the best tools I’ve found for being able to concentrate and keep a clear head (and to prevent negative energy in the form of unfavorable comments overheard from other competitors struggling to formulate their own plans) is wearing an MP3 player. This also works as a clear visual for my students. Generally I walk the course an average of ﬁve times. This leaves anywhere from 3-6 minutes (if the walk-through is 8-10 minutes) left for me to assist students. Once I ﬁnish formulating my own plan I remove one of the ear pieces. In addition, I often step to the sidelines to mentally review the course in my mind. Once I’ve done either of these, I’m available for consultation if I’m needed. My students have at least attempted to come up with the best plan for their own dogs. Most often all they need is reassurance that their plan is a good one. D Of course I do want to be there for my students should they run into something they just cannot work out. I’ve told everybody that I am not unapproachable but that I do need to walk Fast delivery of the best tunnels anywhere Competition tunnels • Ultralight tunnels for the backyard • Teacup and standard sizes 10' to 24' lengths and choice of pitch • Solid colors and multicolor combinations Chutes and sandbags, too 800.464.0112 Agility is not our business–it is our passion! 26 Clean Run | January 08

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Clean Run Magazine - January 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - January 2008