E is for Encouragement

Admit it; performing tasks with little or no encouragement from those around you is pretty dull. You feel alone, confused, and sad. The task you are performing gets boring, with no meaning. Imagine your dog doing agility, running a course with no interest or help from you. We direct our dogs, and praise them when they do good. Without us, they couldn't do agility successfully, and without them, we couldn't, either. You both, dog and handler, are a working team of two best friends. We even praise them after a bad run, because they don't know, and they have tried their very best. And that, in my opinion, is the way to go.

Therefore encouragement and praise, not only after runs, but during them too, is a brilliant thing to do, to help with both of your partnership and enjoyment. Your dog will run faster and more willing with your encouraging voice helping him along. Some dogs, however, are so incredibly speedy and naturally driven, that extra words in the run will simply confuse and send them wild, however most dogs will love your helping voice along the way to keep things cheery.

Always know that in your head; you are a team of two, and without one hundred percent effort on both of your parts, your team will weaken. You can help each other if you are struggling, and support each other every step of the way. The partnership and trust involved is something which makes dog agility even more special.

We are joining our hosts Snoopy's Dogblog, Alfie's Blog and My Brown Newfies for the Monday Mischief Blog Hop. We send many thanks their way, and you can join in below.