Are you smiling?

"Relax people, it's agility! It's supposed to be fun!"

 There's always that person at a trial or in your classes, the one reminding you that you shouldn't take things too seriously. Well, often I'm that person :) But... I'm also a hypocrite (sorta)! I look pretty serious while walking my course and I'm pretty focused before and during my run.

Maybe that's why I love training the breed I do, Flatties don't let you get too serious. Rosey is ready to split or run slower if I get too serious. She says "This is supposed to be fun!" I can't stay upset at myself for too long with her around. Every day is a blessing and each run such a gift.

Veuve

But there is a difference between being serious & enjoying yourself and being serious & not being able to see the big picture. Agility isn't easy (at least not in my own experience), it takes a lot of mental concentration, a lot of training, and a lot of understanding how to communicate with your canine partner. So if your way of trying to learn and keep your mind on task is to be serious, go for it! Just don't forget to step back on a regular basis and enjoy what you've accomplished!

Fun. It's a loaded word for so many people in agility. It has baggage, something we should be doing, but sometimes hard to grasp. When you dog goes into the tunnel for the 10th time instead of the dog walk, or when your dog knocks one bar in every. single. run. and it's been a year since you've had a Q, it's hard to see the fun. These moments suck and they're frustrating, but it doesn't mean the run was garbage... what went well? Dogs aren't the only ones that need positive reinforcement, we do too! You are always free to praise yourself for the good moments, the better connection, the 15 other bars that didn't come down. 

Ginger is one of the happiest handlers I know. Luna is one lucky pup!

I'm a glass-half-full kind of person, and I know my students appreciate it. Training isn't linear, sometimes things just aren't going your way. I try to remind them that it's ok to have a bad week and that they are always lucky to be able to take the time to come to class and build on their relationship. It's easy to stop seeing the fun if training is hard and there's very little progress. It's at this moment, where you are frustrated and ready to give up, that's most important to step back and evaluate. Step away from the immediate goal and play with your dog :) Go for a little walk or play a few little games. Reconnect with your relationship and find the joy. Often your dog is just as frustrated as you are and needs that same break.

Happiness is a tricky business and we all seem to seek it. I found a group of ted talks to have really helped me understand some paths for my own happiness, maybe you can find some little golden nuggets to help yourself. (I especially love David Steindl-Rast, being grateful for our moments gives you permission to be happy.)

Now get out there and have some fun!

For a few more blogs about happiness, check out the topic of Fun at Dog Agility Blog Events.