Feeling inadequate as a handler

I don't even remember what a threadle is! I had to look it up. :rolleyes2:

I'm glad you're feeling better, but don't compare yourself to handlers at Crufts or even top handlers at shows you compete at. Those people are professionals and/or are way more dedicated (time and money) to the sport than any of us will probably ever be. Agility is not a hobby to them, it is their life.

I am amazed at the handling skills of people I see at AKC shows and even in my own dog club, but these people have agility equipment at home, take multiple classes a week, routinely go to seminars and compete almost every weekend. They've also been training their puppy for competition since day 1 and must have a lot of money because all those classes, seminars, travel costs, and trial entries are $$$$. I take 1-2 classes a week and rarely do any agility once I leave the class. I'll never be on the same level as them. I don't have the time and money for that.

Every time I go to a trial, I regret it. I have anxiety when I'm waiting my turn to enter the ring. I'm pretty sure I have an agility thread from least year vowing that I'm done competing. It's even worse now that I'm at the master/excellent level and I'm running with the more dedicated agility folks. It's intimidating, but when I'm done running I do feel great and my dog always has a blast. But geez while I'm waiting my turn and my chest is pounding, I swear I'm never going to enter another trial ever again... and then I do and the cycle continues all over again.

My dog is almost 5 years old now and she's doing so much than even a year ago. When I first started training her, she couldn't even make it through two obstacles without running off the field with her tail between her legs. I never even thought we'd be able to compete and now she is at the excellent level. So just think of how far you've come, think of all the little improvements, like holding a start line stay or hitting a contact. I'm most proud of myself when I make it around a course without getting lost. I don't think I ever went to a class where I didn't get lost. :lol:

Your dog is also young. With more training, experience, and maturity, he will improve and so will you. Just don't be so hard on yourself, have fun, and remember that Merlin has no idea if you Q or place.
 
Sport does not build character, it reveals it:wink2:
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I feel this way quite often. In fact, I felt this way this weekend. We haven't been able to practice much this winter, and it shows. At our past two trials, we've only gotten 2 Qs out of probably 15 runs. And in those we only Qd because you can qualify WITH mistakes. 90% of the mistakes made were mine. I have been feeling quite down about it.

It's hard not to compare yourself with those around you--other shelties, your friends, your trainer, etc. but you have to remember that every person is different and every dog is different.

labgirl said:
Besides, all that matters is that waggy Sheltie tail at the end of a run.
Click to expand...

But THIS is what it's all about. I know that Lexi has a blast regardless, and there isn't anyone she'd rather run and play with than me. And when we get home, and she rams a toy into my leg, squeaking the whole time, and then curls up on my lap, well, I remember why I have dogs to begin with and our Qs don't really matter. :yes:
 
Thanks guys, your comments help enormously:smile2:

I had a lovely surprise today, my friend produced a video of me running at a display last summer that I did not know existed. It was taken late summer when I was really comfortable with our display course and so knew exactly where I was going. What surprised me was my handling, it actually looked reasonable!:eek2:

It made me realise how much better I am when relaxed and not over-thinking! Oh, if only I can capture that at competitions. Lol, i think I am learning to take it all less seriously!
 
Don't worry about people you see at Crufts and other major competitions. These people really spent hours and hours of training, they usually been in agility for years and have huge amount of experience. No point in comparing yourself to them. I feel your pain about competitions ... I usually run scared/nervous at competitions and it really makes everything worse. Not that I have control over that, though :razz::rolleyes2: But imo it's natural that we're feeling pressure and don't present our best. If you were at competitions every other weekend, it'd surely improve. It's about getting used to new enviroments, all the other people and dogs etc. All in all quit worrying about it, it will all come with time :smile2:
BTW, would love to see some of your videos :wink2:
 
I only watched a small number of runs at Crufts.
Given the amount of whining in the USA about our courses not being up to the same level of difficulty as those overseas, I was surprised to see how non-technical the courses were. I'll repeat I did not see all the runs, just a small sample, mostly of the finals but what I did see did not appear to require the latest & greatest new moves or handling system tricks to get through.
The old "meat & potatoes" saying seemed to apply to everything I saw.

But, yes -- those of us who do not have anywhere to practice at home and/or lack access to facilities will always be at a disadvantage & we should not let that reflect on our self assessments.
 
Thanks all, I've promised myself and Merlin to take things much less seriously and to not put so much pressure on us both.

We had a much better training session this week, cracked the bit of the course we had problems with and even managed a tight turn off the dog walk into weaves. First run was fastest despite me taking it steady to avoid mistakes, so that told me something.

We'll get there, just got to stop worrying and watching the top people perform:wink2:
 
Can't comment on all Crufts courses but in general (even this year) Crufts definitely doesn't reflect difficulty of european courses. I'm not saying they are easy but as you said they're not that hard either.

@labgirl it's good to watch top teams perform, because we can learn a lot from these people and it's not bad to set some big goals for yourself and your dog. BUT none of us should feel down because we're not as good as they are. That's all :wink2:
 
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