Jig’s Journey ~ Our Season Begins

In preparation for the beginning of our trial season, I’ve been reading over some of my posts to remind myself of all those things I struggled with and overcame last year as far as my handling/trialing. The SEMASA trial is this coming weekend and I’m worried I’ll revert to my old ways. They weren’t exactly good ways, and I’d really like to avoid revisiting them if at all possible. (Take a look back at some of my posts if you missed it. There were times it was not a pretty sight.)

To help me get through this week without falling into obsessive mode, I’ve compiled a list of things to keep in mind:

• Don’t get lost in the hunt for a title. We’re two legs away from Jig’s WTCH. Even if we get it, that’s just the beginning of another journey. There is SOOO much we need to work on yet.
• Watch the stock, not Jig. She’s got my back. I know that for fact. She’s saved my bacon more times than I can count.
• Influence what you can influence, control what you can control, forget the rest.
• Trust my dog. Which goes hand-in-hand with watching the stock and includes the next two points:
• No micro-managing.
• Keep my mouth shut. I know Jig knows how to control her stock. I know she watches it. I know I can’t get commands out near fast enough. She’s a thinking dog. She knows the job. Let her do it.
• Breathe.
• Relax. Remember, it’s just a trial.
• Have fun. Rinse. Repeat.