It’s been too long since I sat down to write a post. I’ve been busy with work, play, coaching, training and the things that are part of farm life. So I’ll apologize to anyone who follows along with me and move onto the inspiration for this post.

The dogs and I have been busy this summer – being dogs and farmers but also getting out and about a bit. Meeting new dogs, doing new things.

We took the pair for a 7-hour drive a couple of weeks ago to the Agility Association of Canada’s National event. It was great – it also shocked me that I only found 3 people I knew. If I missed you I am sorry. we weren’t there long – we arrived shortly before the official opening. Enough time to explore the site, get some lunch, sit up high in the stands and meet a darling Papillion and another Toller—enough time to shop the fabulous vendors. More than enough time – I spent more than I had intended. Cruising the vendor lane let me catch up with the amazing Tracey Bradley. You can watch us work together in a very cool webinar on animals in film work.

Salem and I attended two House League-type disc evenings. We had a great time playing some of the very interesting UpDog games. So of course we were ready to play in a trial right?? (A trial I must mention that was playing completely different games to the ones we had tried). Salem was amazing, and I learned a ton. A whacking ton.

One of the things I was very quickly reminded of is that people are going to people. The great, the ok and the thoughtless is going to happen. Salem met every single goal I had set in the first class. I was THRILLED. Not a word of a lie. THRILLED. The first comment I got leaving the ring? “That’s not going to be competitive.” uhh internal narration ‘DUH, that wasn’t the goal’. External narration .. smile and walk away. I was offered feedback on dogs pulling on lead. (Salem is wild to get into the ring and while I will work on that skill a trial was not the place I was starting). 1-inch collars, dog weights, dog food and more. I am sure Salem’s breeder will want her back if all the speaking points get back to her. Over my cold dead body, I say.

We played 5 games and all but Greedy went very close to plan. Salem and I were completely disoriented by Greedy – and that’s ok – we got a lovely Scrooged cookie to celebrate! We also played Far Out, Spaced Out, BOOM, and Time Warp. I’d do it again.

I took a cool online course this summer with Sarah Stoodley which increased my capacity to handle the trial and the comments. The course also expanded my technical skills and I am very much holding her to the promise of a fall course I can take. One of the other players at the trial was also very helpful and I am sad that driving 5 hours to a trial day is not practical this weekend. I am wondering if I can bring him down for a workshop someday.

I was glad I had done my first in-person workshop this year the week of the trial. That meant my personal most effective tools were in the top drawer as I had been thinking about them. When I needed space I took space. I drank plenty of fluids and shared a cheese sandwich with Salem. I did not try to bring darling Leo as much as I wanted to – I knew Mr Optimistic would insist on being a social butterfly and that was not ideal (even before any comments!) I was happy to have friends and familiar faces, We got to meet a Salem sibling – and he’s lovely. I had invested in a new shade cloth (Yes the old one – held together by tape and love also garnered comments) and brought many things to meet Salem’s needs. At one point I found myself doing some pretty serious grounding work. I hit my STOPP button and reset and focused on what I could control – Salem’s and my experience at the event. Great to get such real-world practice. Such a pain to need it.

There was a professional photographer at the event so I expect to update with better photos once I pick from Tina’s selection!

For those of you wondering about Leo. He’s incredible. How had we never done a Toller before? He’s handsome, thoughtful, funny and so clever. He heels, he LOVES his foundation agility work and he thinks chasing rollers is a riot. He is a perfect farm dog as well. He’s about a year old and as close to perfect as possible. I’m a little afraid he’ll be a late bloomer and we’ll get some adolescent nonsense this fall but also kind of welcoming it as I can’t even imagine.

Both dogs finished their 5 trick titles for their Dog Olympic titles .. so now I need more goals for Leo – time to reflect. I’ll tap into my task cards until the process/outcome goals fall into place.

What a long-winded update to remind you to identify your tools and then use them! My tools worked well for me when under pressure – in part because I have had plenty of opportunities to practice them in lower-stakes situations!

Did you know there is HEART and Team Valiant merch you can buy? Check out our Bonfire store and all the variety of things you can find there!