Clean Run Magazine - March 2008 - 27

Two Heads Are Better Than One Having a training partner can be very helpful when you pick out training drills together or make up your own. Having someone to give you feedback on your training sessions or being able to videotape classmates is very valuable. I have found that students who train together often push each other and help each other to get better. We are creatures of habit and it is easy to get caught in a rut if you always practice alone. Yep, two heads are better than one! © CLEAN RUN Rejoice! Derrett Fans, Class Is What You Put into It Talking about the course or sequence with your classmates, bouncing ideas off one another, and cheering one another on can create camaraderie and promote a positive class experience. I have found that classes start to take on their own personality; for instance, at Freilance Dog Sports, my Wednesday night classes are filled with teams who have done very well over the years, earning multiple championships along the way. They have appointed themselves the “Wednesday Night Winers”: yes, they have lots to celebrate (would you care to guess how). Then there are the Gingko Bilobas (Gingkos for short; I probably don’t need to explain), the Friday Frunchis (they like brunch). The point is that agility class is what you put into it; class should be fun, motivating, and a little frustrating. We have so little time in our busy lives that we need to make our time training our dogs as efficient as possible. Not a fan yet? Well, get busy! My best advice is to check your ego at the door and become the best training partner your dog can have. Take responsibility for everything that your dog knows and does not know so that you can have the power to change it. Be a considerate classmate and work to facilitate the class in both time and attitude. We do this for fun, but it’s serious fun. I once read that we should “Be the person that your dog thinks you are.” We should all try it. D Sharon Freilich and her husband Phil reside in Martinez, California, where she manages Freilance Dog Sports and teaches up to 15 classes along with many individual lessons each week. Sharon has obtained multiple agility championships in both USDAA and AKC on six dogs, including a Border Terrier, an Australian Shepherd, and four Border Collies. Sharon and her dogs have consistently competed at the USDAA and AKC finals. Contact her at www.freilancedogsports.com. March 08 | Clean Run In Great Dog Great Handler: The Winning Combination, Greg goes into far more depth regarding the reasons and theory behind his system. He provides clear and precise rules to enable handlers to understand each handling maneuver, including the where, how, and why. This latest DVD includes advanced training drills to improve your dog’s understanding and his speed and turning ability, detailed instructions on improving your footwork, slow-motion shots to show precise timing of maneuvers, and an explanation of handling mistakes. ® www.cleanrun.com 27
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Clean Run Magazine - March 2008

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