I am often asked why I got into stockdogs. I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know. I often recount the story of my first stock dog clinic which did not go according to plan. Now, whenever I listen to people’s first experiences at a clinic I somewhat marvel at what their experience is.
My experience was not the kind that you would think would entice you to keep coming back. It was a disastrous introduction to stockdogs. I often tell it in a lighthearted manner equating it to near death; and as humorous as that is; I neglect to mention the realities of what happened.
I went to said clinic; held by a clinician that I do owe a fair bit of knowledge to. In many ways, her expertise has been foundational in our lives. I am grateful to her numerous contributions to the stock dog community. And I am grateful to the endless hours that she tolerated (with grace) upon hearing my ten thousand questions. Many of those answers turned into a solid foundation for our programming between her and a few others over the years.
So I honestly say, and I have discussed this many times. However, after the first day of this clinic, and chasing my rather thick skulled border collie around an arena (much to the amusement of other participants no doubt); I was exhausted. I honestly could not tell you how this broke me. In that moment, I was spent. There were a thousand thoughts going on in my mind. I messaged said clinician and just said I probably would skip out on the second day. She pushed me to come back even if it was only for a brief moment.
So I can’t tell you what made me come back. I mean, watching me chase after my dog for what felt like an eternity clearly wasn’t enough. Truthfully, there was a part of me that just wanted to run away from the whole situation. I was devastated by the synopsis of my dogs prospects, or of mine.
In my gut thought, I knew this is a moment. This is a turning point. There is a decision to be made here. So, I swallowed what little pride I had left and I went back for day two.
Did I feel good about it? Nope. It was hard. I had a crazy, hard headed, stubborn dog. I digress because it’s this moment that taught me one of the most important lessons. Trust your gut but be humble enough to accept when you are wrong.
I can’t tell you what made me continue. I honestly cannot. However, many of the things I learned at that clinic I keep with me every day.
'The purpose of a clinic is to build upon what is good; and sometimes it is to teardown what is not.'
I am a huge advocate for clinics and all of the learning that happens at them. I wasn't even there for the whole duration of the clinic. I missed so much of it, but there were lessons on basics of stockdog handling that I took away from that. What my expectations are of my dog even behaviour wise. Feedback from other handlers. There is a plethora of things that I walked away with, that became a part of my toolbox. So yes, when someone tells me they went to their first clinic I listen with intent; because very rarely do I hear from someone that their dog performed perfectly.
This is the purpose of a clinic, it is not to showcase your abilities (or lack therein) but it is to build upon what is good; and sometimes it is to teardown what is not.
