Big mouthed sideliners and OLD YELLERS

Ai Ai Ai..........

I have often wondered where the people are that should be doing agility with their dogs, because it is such fun, and the dogs love it, and it's exciting - but most people... are at home!

Where are the new people? Where are the YOUNG people? And why have some people left after starting the sport?

So this weekend I took it upon myself to ask someone why they aren't coming anymore. A nice girl, young, enthusiastic, with dogs that have started agility. Well....... to be honest I was NOT surprised at the answer! "I don't like some of the people". Well ja, I guess that we have that everyhere, don't we, and we should all get over it.... but geez, I could actually see her point when I took a moment to look around me.

Of course there are groups of positive people, and there are smiling faces and helpful people.. but then there are those that just won't SHUT UP at the grounds. They are rude and mean and inconsiderate, and LOUD... and I suppose I will offend here - but they are all old and crotchety with no reason to grow the sport. They don't like change, they are not interested in keeping with the times, don't keep up with training methods, yet are the ones with the LOUDEST opinions!

This poor 15 year old would rather go and sit alone than face these battle axes and have fun with  her dog on the field. I think that is a real shame, because she is not the only one!

Not only that, but there are constantly comments and remarks from other rings regarding the NOISE we make at the Agility side (and by that I don't mean excited barking dogs!) These are the handlers that reckon their dogs are deaf and naughty, and are convinced that blood curdling SCREAMS are in order to make them obey! GOOD GRIEF MAN what about the rest of us that are there to enjoy ourselves, not to mention our poor scared animals!

I had the opportunity to walk a course with a student on Sunday, and there was a puzzling area that we discussed at great length. It was decided that a quick run-through at one end was in order to give a great line for the next 3 obstacles if executed correctly. The student decided to try it, and went off happily to fetch her dog.

Now I am all for others giving input to my students, and for them to learn from others because "my way" is by no means the only way to do things.... but REALLY, I draw the line at what followed!

She is brand new in the ring and her dog is still being proofed in many aspects, and she knows that there is a lot to learn still. She was running well, but at the beginning of the manoeuvre, she fell behind and was a step short to give the line, when her dog caught up, it veered off her line and took an incorrect obstacle. Immediately, while she was trying to get her dog back to try and recover the line to complete the course (although eliminated), a screetching voice-from-hell thundered across the arena "It's because you're on the wrong side, you stupid...!!"

Now although I was steaming with annoyance, I had to keep my cool. Flustered, the student finished and left the course - hopefully not with a feeling of despondency.

PLEASE people if you have to give advice, WAIT until the round is completely over, and even longer until the person has recovered and gathered their thoughts and PLEASE make it CONSTRUCTIVE! And not at the top of your lungs - approach the person if they haven't asked you first, and offer your advice quietly!

And what makes me MORE angry was that the idea of the line was superb (and brilliant) if executed flawlessly... and the IDIOT that yelled did not even know what she was talking about! The following obstacle was placed to the one side and the side she was on was perfect!

AARGH

We surely need to do something about people's conduct and ethics at shows (and training) or else our numbers will be dwindling at a rate of knots.. and when the old yellers peg, there will be none left at all!