Clean Run Magazine - June 2010 - 5

Editorializing…
The Honeymoon Is Over
By Jim Mihalek

My first agility trial spoiled me. Out of 10 runs, over two days, we walked away with nine placements and eight Qs—all this after only a year of serious training. I had fun. Libby seemed to be enjoying herself. Life was good. This agility stuff was going to be a piece of cake. Never mind the horror stories heard at trials, or from agility friends and my instructor, or read in Clean Run. Even after our second trial, I still retained that outlook. For four runs, we added two more placements and two Qs; still no horror stories, no major meltdowns. I didn’t realize that I was still in what I now call the “honeymoon phase” of agility. I borrow this term from a friend at herding lessons. A relatively new student was describing how interesting and fun herding was. Lu’s comment was, “You’re still in the honeymoon phase of herding; you haven’t left here crying yet.” As of last weekend, the honeymoon is over. I was pretty disappointed. It wasn’t because we didn’t Q, place, or even finish some runs; it was because I knew I wasn’t connecting with Libby the way I needed to. Those things we had done that worked previously, or even sort of worked, didn’t. I didn’t leave the trial crying, but I certainly left with a different attitude and a different outlook on agility. This doesn’t mean I am quitting or I won’t enjoy it as much; it does mean I plan to approach it differently. While all those early successes working in the backyard didn’t require much effort and led to a slightly swollen

head, I now realize that in the agility learning process a day comes when no matter what you do or what you try, you cannot get the same results you had before. Learning becomes difficult, a chore. The longer you are on that plateau, the more disheartening it becomes. Your choices are simple: you can quit, you can back off and just do those things that are easy and comfortable, or you can push on, beyond your comfort level to overcome what is blocking the learning process. Training will now require more of me and I will have to meet the challenges. But it is during these adversities that the greatest opportunities to learn and grow exist. It brings to mind the old adage, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Or, as I tell new people when I am training them at work, “You will learn more by doing something wrong than by doing it right.” So the honeymoon is over. So agility is not the piece of cake I envisioned it to be a few months ago. So what! Now it is time to get over it and get to work. I will not enjoy the sport any less. Achieving training goals will not come as often or as easily; however, when achievements do happen, they will be that much more special and more cause to celebrate and enjoy. Each one will be another step in building that bond with my special buddy, Libby.

Jim Mihalek
5

Jim has been doing CPE trials since November 2008. His air traffic controller job has him working weekends, limiting his trial participation. He lives south of Minneapolis with his wife Nancy and five dogs: Border Collie, Libby; Baby, his Sheltie, who just got her first trial ribbons; BC Fever who does not care for agility but loves to herd; and Flat Coated Retriever/BC mixes Jingle and Belle, who would have been great at agility if he had discovered it sooner. June 10 | Clean Run

Clean Run Magazine - June 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2010