Being Better

On a daily basis I come to the realization that I need to be better at things, at doing things, at sticking with things.  Many of these things relate to the dogs, but really it's life in general.  I also experience daily failure in that I don't do anything about it.  I want a better life, and my dogs deserve one, so here I am again, if I don't make changes today why would I tomorrow?  Everything has to start with now.  Wish me luck world, I'm sure that I'll need your help.

Splash Dogs - And a Few of My Thoughts on the World

Okay, so our first attempt at Splash Dogs wasn't awe inspiring, both dogs need a lot more work on their sit stay in such a distracting environment, and it seems like Joba could use a little more confidence, and Reggie could be more interested in toys.  Out of all the dogs that competed Reggie ended up ranked 58th and Joba 60th (out of 67 competing dogs), but I'm glad that we got out there and did it, and we'll probably try it again, maybe at Soldier Hollow in a couple of weeks and maybe (more likely) not until next year.

They both gave course-a-lure a try too, and that we'll most likely not be trying again.  Both were afraid of the string when they stepped on it and Joba wouldn't go at all after that, Reggie made it up to the tunnel and wouldn't go in.  I of course left my camera in the car, and we have not been able to find any pictures of either dog anywhere else, sad times.

The unfortunate side effect of all this is that getting out at public dog events made me more aware of how many jerks there are in dog sports.  Jerking dogs around on prong and choke collars, pushing them into the pool, beating their wire kennels with sticks when they wouldn't stop barking.  I'm not sure if our dogs were too overwhelmed to notice, or if it would've mattered to them either way, but our dogs usually don't even SEE things like that, it made me think of the "How to Treat Your Dog While at ClickerExpo" statement that I got while I was there.

So that was last week, but this week, I've been more aware of people yelling at, hitting, jerking, and dragging their kids around in public places.  It makes me sad how often our actions are ruled by anger and embarrasment, mine included.  Sure, it is true that how our dogs and children act in public reflects on us, but could that possibly be more important to us, how we THINK people might be percieving us based on our dependents actions, than how we KNOW we're treating them?

I don't believe it's appropriate to hit my dogs, it would be rediculous if I thought that it was okay to hit my children given that fact, should I ever have any I won't be hitting them, and I plan to keep other forms of positive punishment to a minimum as well.  I'm no parent, but being the oldest of four and having lots of cousins to play with and babysit, not to mention the ever increasing number of dogs I get to interact with, I have learned a few things.  I believe boundaries, structure, and consistency are important, but it seems to me that the happiest AND best behaved kids and dogs are those who recieve our patience, time, and teaching, not the ones that live in fear.

Just my thoughts, as usual there is an excellent possiblity that I'm wrong, but I'd rather be wrong and kind, than right and violent.  I love my dogs, I'm glad that I've learned what I've learned, even if it has made my life  a little harder at times, and life in general a little harder to watch.

Joba and Reggie get Ready for Splash Dogs!

Joba and Reggie are getting ready to compete in a Splash Dogs dock diving competition in a couple of weeks.  We don't have anywhere to really practice so it seems like they always just end up swimming whenever we try, but that's okay, as long as they're both having fun.  They both really love the water, Reggie probably learned from Isabel, but Joba just all of the sudden started loving it when he was about a year old

Here's some video and a few of our favorite pictures from their latest "practice" outings at Hyrum Dam,