Clean Run - January 2012 - 5

Editorializing…
Why Can’t You Be More Like My Last Dog?
By Angela Schmorrow-Zuckerman

Most of us who have participated in agility for some time have probably had or witnessed the seemingly ideal handler/dog relationship. These are the teams whose runs are beautiful examples of partnership. They may not always be the fastest on the course, but the connection between the two is evident. The dog runs with dedication and heart, fully in tune to the handler. The handler runs with confidence and joy, and is genuinely having fun. It is a beautiful thing, which can take years to develop and for which there is no set formula to attain. It is a work of art, built with love, patience, struggle, and learning on both sides. Over the years, I noticed what I’ve come to think of as the “next dog” phenomenon. As the canine half of the “perfect” team ages, the handler begins searching for her next agility partner. We are seeking another companion to share those beautiful moments of teamwork with. We are armed with even more knowledge and experience that we gained working with the previous dog, and we know we are going to do everything right from the start this time. What we sometimes forget is that the next dog, and the next relationship, is inevitably going to be different. This is true even if the dog is the same breed—even if the dogs look alike, and even if the bloodlines are the same. The next dog is an individual, complete with strengths and weaknesses that need to be discovered and that may be completely new to us. What has intrigued me though is how this novelty and this difference can sometimes flummox the experienced handler who had grown accustomed to her “perfect” dog. In some cases, I have seen handlers who, when faced with an individual that may be quite unlike what they were used

to, find themselves struggling to train, to build a relationship, and even to bond fully with this next dog. The next dog may have brilliant gifts that his predecessor did not, but sometimes handlers seem to only see the new, unfamiliar challenges. Sometimes I see these teams struggle, and am saddened to see the disappointed and discouraged looks on the handlers’ faces, which seem to clearly say “Why can’t you be more like my last dog?” What we forget is that the relationship with our last dog wasn’t built overnight either. Our last dog came with gifts and challenges, and over time we learned how to best work with our partner to build a great team. The path to that next perfect relationship may not look exactly the same, so we need to be creative, flexible, and patient. Do not place the expectations of your last dog on your new canine partner. Instead, identify what is wonderful about your new dog. Welcome the differences and the opportunities for growth and learning that they will present. The lessons we learned with our last dog will certainly help us as we form new relationships with new dogs, but they are not the only lessons that we will ever have to learn. Instead of finding frustration when facing an unexpected challenge that you may not have been prepared for, embrace the opportunity to continue learning; enjoy the journey. You can never replace the connection you have had with older dogs, but do not place unfair burdens on your next one. Instead, appreciate the beauty of their uniqueness, and you will likely find yourself in another perfect relationship.

Angela Schmorrow-Zuckerman
5

Angela Schmorrow-Zuckerman lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband, Lowell, their five dogs (Jade, Tristan, Django, Maebe, and Cadence) and two cats. She is currently competing with her veteran dog Django, and treasuring every moment of it, while also cherishing her new training journey with her young dog Cadence. She writes about their adventures on http://reddogblues.blogspot.com/. January 12 | Clean Run


http://reddogblues.blogspot.com/

Clean Run - January 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - January 2012

Clean Run - January 2012
Contents
Editorializing: Why Can’t You Be More Like My Last Dog?
Tip of the Month
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Backyard Dogs
Teaching Your Dog to Bend
Harmony in My Head: Using Hypnosis for Mental Management
The New Obstacle Performance Standards
Training to Your Weakness: Exercises for Dogs with Straight Rears
Agility Bloopers
Power Paws Drills: Obsessing on Four Jumps
Agility Mind Gym: Passion, Excellence, and Dreams
Analyze This!
Fit to Be Tricked: Feet on Feet
Why Knowledge Equals Speed
What’s in Your Toolbox?
Building Blocks: Equalizing the Value of Food and Toys as Reinforcers
Hip Luxation Treatment in the Agility Dog
Letters
Clean Run - January 2012 - 1
Clean Run - January 2012 - 2
Clean Run - January 2012 - Contents
Clean Run - January 2012 - 4
Clean Run - January 2012 - Editorializing: Why Can’t You Be More Like My Last Dog?
Clean Run - January 2012 - Tip of the Month
Clean Run - January 2012 - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Clean Run - January 2012 - Backyard Dogs
Clean Run - January 2012 - 9
Clean Run - January 2012 - 10
Clean Run - January 2012 - 11
Clean Run - January 2012 - Teaching Your Dog to Bend
Clean Run - January 2012 - 13
Clean Run - January 2012 - 14
Clean Run - January 2012 - 15
Clean Run - January 2012 - 16
Clean Run - January 2012 - 17
Clean Run - January 2012 - 18
Clean Run - January 2012 - 19
Clean Run - January 2012 - 20
Clean Run - January 2012 - Harmony in My Head: Using Hypnosis for Mental Management
Clean Run - January 2012 - 22
Clean Run - January 2012 - 23
Clean Run - January 2012 - 24
Clean Run - January 2012 - 25
Clean Run - January 2012 - The New Obstacle Performance Standards
Clean Run - January 2012 - 27
Clean Run - January 2012 - 28
Clean Run - January 2012 - Training to Your Weakness: Exercises for Dogs with Straight Rears
Clean Run - January 2012 - 30
Clean Run - January 2012 - 31
Clean Run - January 2012 - 32
Clean Run - January 2012 - Agility Bloopers
Clean Run - January 2012 - Power Paws Drills: Obsessing on Four Jumps
Clean Run - January 2012 - 35
Clean Run - January 2012 - 36
Clean Run - January 2012 - 37
Clean Run - January 2012 - Agility Mind Gym: Passion, Excellence, and Dreams
Clean Run - January 2012 - Analyze This!
Clean Run - January 2012 - 40
Clean Run - January 2012 - 41
Clean Run - January 2012 - 42
Clean Run - January 2012 - 43
Clean Run - January 2012 - 44
Clean Run - January 2012 - Fit to Be Tricked: Feet on Feet
Clean Run - January 2012 - 46
Clean Run - January 2012 - 47
Clean Run - January 2012 - 48
Clean Run - January 2012 - 49
Clean Run - January 2012 - Why Knowledge Equals Speed
Clean Run - January 2012 - 51
Clean Run - January 2012 - 52
Clean Run - January 2012 - What’s in Your Toolbox?
Clean Run - January 2012 - 54
Clean Run - January 2012 - 55
Clean Run - January 2012 - 56
Clean Run - January 2012 - Building Blocks: Equalizing the Value of Food and Toys as Reinforcers
Clean Run - January 2012 - 58
Clean Run - January 2012 - 59
Clean Run - January 2012 - 60
Clean Run - January 2012 - Hip Luxation Treatment in the Agility Dog
Clean Run - January 2012 - 62
Clean Run - January 2012 - 63
Clean Run - January 2012 - Letters
Clean Run - January 2012 - 65
Clean Run - January 2012 - 66
Clean Run - January 2012 - 67
Clean Run - January 2012 - 68
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