I have been under the mistaken impression that
agility was for ALL dogs, no matter the size, speed, or breed. However,
I have observed a certain attitude exhibited by some competitors that
challenge this notion. These competitors ruin agility for the rest of
us. I call this elite group the “self-appointed gurus”, or
SAGs. Your market may vary, but most SAGs seem to own border
collies. A SAG makes the other BC handlers look bad.
A
SAG deems most other competitors as unworthy adversaries. This
competitor watches and cheers only for dogs and handlers he deems
worthy. He dismisses all other dogs and handlers regardless of ability,
as these are just not worthy of his time or attention. He dismisses
all dogs measuring 16” or less, performance dogs, and most dogs that are
not border collies.
A
SAG owns a dog as a tool for fame in the tiny world of dog agility.
You seldom see a SAG petting his or her dog. The dog’s life consists
of eating, training, competing, some play or reward and returning to a
crate.
The
SAG feels he or she deserves special treatment, and can behave in an
unsportsmanlike manner. These special competitors expect the trial
committee and the agility community to bend over backward to support
their not-so-unique needs, such as:
- Demanding late entry, as deadlines are for mere mortals.
- Demanding a team change after closing
- Demanding a new DRAW partner
- Allowing his dog to bark and lunge at others
- Using outside equipment at the trial site
- Demeaning other competitors
- Yelling at the volunteers
- Faking course building to pre-walk the course before the mortals
- Refusing to team/pair with a small dog
- Refusing or giving poor instruction to those with a different dog
- Bringing un-entered dogs to indoor trials when expressly asked not to do so
- Slap on a service dog vest for priority boarding and free animal transportation to competitions
- The SAG, when called out for the poor behavior, finds it beneath him to
apologize for it, even if said apology would most likely be insincere.
Example behaviors:
As
I was preparing my dog, Bug, for a run, a SAG allowed her dog to give
eye. The SAG allowed the dog to lunge and bite Bug. This happened
twice at the trial. The SAG did not apologize. At the same trial, the
same dog lunged at a BC and the owner received an apology. At a later
trial, the same dog lunged at an Aussie, and never offered an apology.
A
competitor who receives instruction from a SAG approached me at the
regional, requesting handling suggestions on a course because I have “a
small dog”.
Before
I quit taking classes, the instructor brought her BC pup to classes and
it screamed and barked the entire time. Another student brought a new
adult dog to class once and, after all the complaints, worked from her
car because of “excessive barking”.
During
the IFCS classes at USDAA Nationals, the arena emptied after the large
height dogs finished competing. No one cheered for the small dogs.
SAGs tell their students that they will NEVER accomplish things. I had two
instructors tell me that I would NEVER SuperQ with Scout, one of the
smallest P16 dogs you will meet. One went on a fishing expedition by
asking how many SQs I needed. When I replied, “One,” he snapped,
“Where’d you travel to get those?”
SAG instructors complain about the lack of competition at local trials yet
have the ability to create better competition. However, SAGs seem to
be uninterested in helping anyone else improve.
SAGs only volunteer at trials if it has some benefit, such as walking
courses before open to all competitors. I use “Volunteer” loosely, as
it may be only setting one jump.
At
a recent trial, a scribe sheet arrived at the score table incorrectly
marked “E”. The SAG complained about it well after the class completed
and another event began, despite the results being displayed
immediately upon computer entry. The SAG raised his voice at me no
less than three times demanding that I change the scribe sheet, and even
did so in the presence of the other judge. The SAG took the timer and
thrust it at me, demanding that I review all the times.
A
friend had taken a private lesson from a SAG, and he did not want to
help her because he deemed the dog as having “no drive”. At the Rocky
Mountain Regional, the same competitor witnessed the same SAG belittling the Starters and Advanced dogs to the judge. He stated that,
“None of those dogs have any business being out there.”
The number one complaint at the Rocky Mountain Regional was other competitors complaining about SAGs complaining about the order of classes.
The club for which I trial secretary has laid down strict rules about entries after competitors demanded changes up to the day of the trial. One of these rules included no late entries. I had one entry arrive late. During the test dates, I was cornered at the hotel by a competitor wanting to know WHY I denied the entry. I was further told I needed to be "more accommodating", despite the level of poop I have been through by accommodating competitors. Had this been someone NOT in the in crowd, I doubt that I would have been accosted.
I
understand that not every dog and not every handler has Nationals or
World Team potential. My agility accomplishments and titles represent
the relationship I have with my dogs, the dogs that are first and
foremost loved pets in my home. Winning, either locally, or regionally,
or nationally, or internationally is just icing on the cake.
I
have played sports long enough to understand the value of the
relationship I have with my teammates, and can certainly appreciate that
same relationship that other handlers have with their pets. It is
truly a shame that there are the unsportsmanlike few that cannot see
beyond winning at the highest level.
I have played team sports since fifth grade in 1985. At the end of a game, regardless
of your feelings towards the opponents, you always shook hands and said,
"Good game." You did not talk smack for fear of being benched. If children can be good sports, why can't adults be the same? Would I not be fired from my job for creating a hostile work environment for yelling, cheating, and being ornery to my co-workers?
Dog Agility Blog Action Day: Attitude Blogs
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