This photo of Christine and Nuts as a good friend said 'says it all' in terms of the relationship we hope to achieve with our guys. The readyness to do stuff together whether its agility, having a cosy night in, working on our fitness or walking in the National Forest where we are lucky enough to live. We do this combined this with other careers, our marriage and running a home.
We recognise in our outlook that
- our priorities are crucial
- we have to focus on what we want to achieve - goal or purpose
- find balance between work, home and training and competing
- realistically consider what do we need to 'trade off' - which leads back to priorities ;)
- trade offs that are agreed reduce conflict
- recognise negative or unhelpful behaviours - it seems as humans it is so easy to full into the negative cycle which if left unchecked wastes time and energy
With agility we spent years learning certain ways as it seems so successful, however we learnt to really be successful it is all about finding what works for you your partner. We spend as much time training ourselves as we do the dog. Sometimes it seems there is an obsessional focus on training the dog, when really what is needed is the training of the human element of the partnership.
What we intend with our approach to life with our dogs
- we want our guys to have a great time
- encourage and reward good decisions
- set clear boundaries
- that our guys should have freedom to toys, sofas and whole house access
- we want them to want to join in our activities because they want too. That is incredibly important. For us we are not worried about the guys having their toys 24/7. We just ensure that when we want to engage them they find it relevant
- ensure they have good understanding of life skills and cues that help to keep them safe i.e recall/down/being handled/good upbringing with positive socialising
What we intend with our approach to agility with our dogs
- we want to be successful whether that is viewed in terms of relationships with our guys or in terms of competitiveness
- be open to new ideas and keep improving if they benefit
- we want our guys to believe that they are the best, and encourage their confidence
- to have a good time
- to feel the buzz as we step on the start line and the exhilaration when it all comes together for a dream run
- be solution orientated
We strive to achieve that our guys are happy and active and if life presents its problems then we have to 'suck it up' some how. And sometimes that 'how' may take a while, but it does come...
We recognise in our outlook that
- our priorities are crucial
- we have to focus on what we want to achieve - goal or purpose
- find balance between work, home and training and competing
- realistically consider what do we need to 'trade off' - which leads back to priorities ;)
- trade offs that are agreed reduce conflict
- recognise negative or unhelpful behaviours - it seems as humans it is so easy to full into the negative cycle which if left unchecked wastes time and energy
With agility we spent years learning certain ways as it seems so successful, however we learnt to really be successful it is all about finding what works for you your partner. We spend as much time training ourselves as we do the dog. Sometimes it seems there is an obsessional focus on training the dog, when really what is needed is the training of the human element of the partnership.
What we intend with our approach to life with our dogs
- we want our guys to have a great time
- encourage and reward good decisions
- set clear boundaries
- that our guys should have freedom to toys, sofas and whole house access
- we want them to want to join in our activities because they want too. That is incredibly important. For us we are not worried about the guys having their toys 24/7. We just ensure that when we want to engage them they find it relevant
- ensure they have good understanding of life skills and cues that help to keep them safe i.e recall/down/being handled/good upbringing with positive socialising
What we intend with our approach to agility with our dogs
- we want to be successful whether that is viewed in terms of relationships with our guys or in terms of competitiveness
- be open to new ideas and keep improving if they benefit
- we want our guys to believe that they are the best, and encourage their confidence
- to have a good time
- to feel the buzz as we step on the start line and the exhilaration when it all comes together for a dream run
- be solution orientated
We strive to achieve that our guys are happy and active and if life presents its problems then we have to 'suck it up' some how. And sometimes that 'how' may take a while, but it does come...
