The Sport of Canine Obedience
Growing up, I was a girly girl. I was always in dance class, never on the field or court. I never thought of myself as a person who would take part in a “sport”.
Decades passed, I grew up, had a number of dogs, a life with definite peaks and valleys, and later found myself enrolled in obedience classes. Then I found myself showing my yellow lab in obedience competitions. Before I knew it, I was hooked on what they called the “sport” of canine obedience. Once I stopped stressing in the ring and enjoying myself, I looked around and realized it was a sport.
There is the physical preparation and dedication to practice to improve, just like any other sport. There is learning techniques and trial and error to find success. There is finding the right gear to use and what is best to wear. There is seeking out good mentors to learn from. There is also sportsmanship.
This was an area in which I really learned and broadened myself. I saw the good and the bad, and sometimes the really ugly. The world of dog shows has it all: the friends who feel your pain when you have a bad day in the ring, the ones who appear to sympathize, but secretly (or not so secretly) enjoy your misfortune. And the ones who will celebrate and support you no matter how they performed that day. Those are the ones you want to sit by.
Because I have had my share of “character building” and bad days, I think I learned compassion and empathy really early. Because I had made so many acquaintances and friends and observed their hard work and progress, I also enjoyed cheering them on and sharing in their victories, no matter what kind of day I had. Even watching perfect strangers, it is easy to become invested in their effort and cheer them on.
So here I am in my forties, finally participating in a sport, thankful I tried it and thankful for all the lessons this sport has taught me.
Subscribe to Online Training and Obedience by Email
This article was written by Caroline Oldham of http://dogtrainingonlinetips.com - your online source for training tips, real life stories and advice in dealing with dogs.
We ask that you consult with a professional dog trainer, veterinarian or canine behaviorist before implementing any of the advice or opinions contained on this site. 
