It took 2 years before Divine got in her first NW3 trial. She actually got in 2, Tucson, AZ and Orange, CA.
She had been set aside for a year. I was so disheartened not getting in trials.
The ladt few months we have stepped up to training and it has been quite a revelation for me.
A lot of my mental game has played a huge role in getting my head right. I had such ego problems, they kept getting in the way of my success. I so badly wanted to prove myself. Which ends only in disaster. The mental game got me out of that terrible thinking. Now I can really grow as a handler. I am more open to listen what my instructors are telling me.
Ironically, of late, a lot in what I tell my students, is what my instructors tell me.
Don't block odor.
Don't pull your dog off odor.
Watch thresholds.
Don't cut corners.
Wait, I use to be much better! But that was with a different dog. The dance has changed. Divine steps at a different tune, a different thought and a different style. I need to dance with her. Not dancing to Mickey's tune. Even though I have been doing nose work with her for 6 years, I didnt start dedicating myself to her only but a few years ago. My heart still misses Mickey so much, but my heart needs to move on.
My new learning has been to relearn placement of myself. Relearn watching my dog. Stop over thinking. Let go. Dont make excuses but be open to listen.
I need to trust Divine more. She has finally gotten to the point I can. It is coming together. We are blossoming and growing.
it is hard shifting from a Ferrari to a cute VW bug. It certainly is a different ride
I learned today that I dont need to feed at source. But Divine needs more sourcing exercises
Now to take all my new learning the past few months and put it to play
Dec 8th is our trial, in 3 weeks.
