Get Involved
As the Facebook editor for PSRC, I have the privilege to do an occasional "soap box" topic. Here is one
of my favorites - thank you for your tolerance, and I hope it will reach at least one person to help make a
difference.
I am personally involved in many dog sports - I am learning the retrieving world, I am a life time member and officer of an
AKC All-Breed Conformation/Obedience Club, I have trained in obedience, Rally-O and Agility.
I have even done some herding and protection work with my dogs.
What I have found with all of these activities is that it takes someone or many some ones to organize
and put on any of the activities that we are all participating in as exhibitors or handlers. To learn about these
different sports, it was always suggested to find a local Club, join and develop mentors within those Clubs.
Well, those Clubs have a tendency to put you to work! Many times in areas that you may have no experience
in. I discovered that was probably one of the best gifts that anyone ever gave me.
I found that while chairing a new committee, ring stewarding for conformation, setting jumps for obedience or agility
and now my newest venture - setting Wingers and blowing duck calls (Who would have ever thought!)
rounded out my experience of working with my own dog. I had the vision of myself and my dog in each activity from
a handler's perspective. It turned out to be a fairly narrow field of vision.
As someone supporting each event - calling contestants for their turn or managing equipment you get a
different view from each task. You can feel the excitement and tension from the exhibitor. You synchronize
your breathing with theirs as they enter the staging area for each test. You LEARN who and how you want
to be - or not - as you are closely involved with each contestant - What amazing insight to be had.
Another gift received from working the events, it the semi-private tutoring from the judges! They will often
"think out loud" and answer your questions if tastefully asked. Clarifications of what you think you know
and saw will help you better set yourself for each test - of any activity. You will discover that the majority of
judges are fellow dog sport enthusiasts that have been in your shoes a bit longer and have more experience.
They are not judging for the big bucks - because there aren't any! They are judging for the love of the dogs and the
sports
The best part of all of this - is becoming a member of the community. You can travel to places you have
never imagined, you will have a community that will there for you when in need, and you will always find
a friend with a common interest.
Find your local Club - whether it is Field, Conformation, Agility, Obedience. Look at supporting the
events as a worker - even just one a year as training opportunity for yourself and help carry on tradition
of our dog sports.
Written by Diane Burlingame as Facebook Coordinator for PugetSound RetrieverClub
July 30, 2013 Permission granted to re-post with acknowledgement given to author and FB site
of my favorites - thank you for your tolerance, and I hope it will reach at least one person to help make a
difference.
I am personally involved in many dog sports - I am learning the retrieving world, I am a life time member and officer of an
AKC All-Breed Conformation/Obedience Club, I have trained in obedience, Rally-O and Agility.
I have even done some herding and protection work with my dogs.
What I have found with all of these activities is that it takes someone or many some ones to organize
and put on any of the activities that we are all participating in as exhibitors or handlers. To learn about these
different sports, it was always suggested to find a local Club, join and develop mentors within those Clubs.
Well, those Clubs have a tendency to put you to work! Many times in areas that you may have no experience
in. I discovered that was probably one of the best gifts that anyone ever gave me.
I found that while chairing a new committee, ring stewarding for conformation, setting jumps for obedience or agility
and now my newest venture - setting Wingers and blowing duck calls (Who would have ever thought!)
rounded out my experience of working with my own dog. I had the vision of myself and my dog in each activity from
a handler's perspective. It turned out to be a fairly narrow field of vision.
As someone supporting each event - calling contestants for their turn or managing equipment you get a
different view from each task. You can feel the excitement and tension from the exhibitor. You synchronize
your breathing with theirs as they enter the staging area for each test. You LEARN who and how you want
to be - or not - as you are closely involved with each contestant - What amazing insight to be had.
Another gift received from working the events, it the semi-private tutoring from the judges! They will often
"think out loud" and answer your questions if tastefully asked. Clarifications of what you think you know
and saw will help you better set yourself for each test - of any activity. You will discover that the majority of
judges are fellow dog sport enthusiasts that have been in your shoes a bit longer and have more experience.
They are not judging for the big bucks - because there aren't any! They are judging for the love of the dogs and the
sports
The best part of all of this - is becoming a member of the community. You can travel to places you have
never imagined, you will have a community that will there for you when in need, and you will always find
a friend with a common interest.
Find your local Club - whether it is Field, Conformation, Agility, Obedience. Look at supporting the
events as a worker - even just one a year as training opportunity for yourself and help carry on tradition
of our dog sports.
Written by Diane Burlingame as Facebook Coordinator for PugetSound RetrieverClub
July 30, 2013 Permission granted to re-post with acknowledgement given to author and FB site
