Views from the Middle of the Ring
©2002 Paul Stolzenburg
Barrington, NH
Reprinted with Permission

In my opinion, being a judge makes you a better handler and instructor. You have the best seat in the house, and you're getting paid to watch. With that, here are some observations that might help you in your training and trialing career.

1. Nobody remembers who took second in 16" Jumpers two weeks ago (except maybe the handler who did it); everybody remembers who was a jerk to their dog/other competitors/the judge two years ago. Your reputation precedes you, and remains after you're gone.
   
   
2. I see too many people sacrificing their bond with their dog for a $2 ribbon.
   
   
3. Don't make a course harder than it really is. That reverse-flow pivot you learned at that seminar is really neat, but it's probably not needed on a Starter's course. Use the appropriate tool for the job.
   
   
4. Don't be afraid to run your own course. Don't watch what others do when walking and feel you have to do it that way. Listen to your friends suggestions, but don't feel you have to use them, even if your friend is also your instructor. You know your dog better than anyone else. Don't be afraid to experiment, especially on non- titling runs.
   
   
5. Never, ever stick your dog in their crate right after their run. Take a quick walk with them, cool them down, let them play a little ball. They did the best they could for you; treat them like a teammate, not a tool. If you're running two dogs back to back, have someone hold the first dog, finish your second run, and take them both to celebrate, family-style.
   
   
6. Learn to read your dog's body language (hell, learn to read any dog's body language). I can't tell you how many times I've seen a dog not doing the down on the table, the handler screaming at the dog, and the dog turning their head and yawning. I see the message right away. "Hey, I know you're the boss, I'm just not comfortable or can't understand what you're asking. Please calm down." Too often, the handler doesn't get the message.
   
   
7. Just about every time you blame your dog for something on course, as a judge I see something you did that caused the behavior. Chances are very good you caused the mistake.
   
   
8. Calm down when you're running. People do things out there you'd never see when they are training. If you miss a jump, don't ask the dog to jump it from right in front. Give them a little room. Don't ask your dog to try and climb the A-Frame starting from the side of the obstacle. If your dog misses the entrance to the poles twice in a row, take two steps to the right and try again. If it ain't working, take a breath and step back. Taking those few steps back are likely to get you on your way again.
   
   
9. Set goals for each run, and don't exceed your goal without celebrating the goal in the first place. How many times have you seen a handler go into the ring saying "if we can do the poles, I'll be so happy", get out there, ace the poles, mess up a jump on the way out, and be disappointed? What message has been sent to the dog? "Well, you did the poles, which you've never done before, but damn you, you dropped a bar!" Kinda gives that dog a good reason to do the poles again, huh?
   
   
10. I would trade every title, every ribbon, every award my dog Betts and I ever earned for one more sunny day at a trial and one more Jumpers run with her. She was that much fun, and she was that much a part of me. Celebrate every day with your dog. Celebrate the victories, and laugh off the mistakes. Your time with them is very short, and they have so much to teach you. Carpe diem!