Lorrie Reynolds [00:00:07]:
Have you ever thought about how you have affected other competitors, especially the new people that we need to keep our sport going? In this episode, I'll discuss how we, as experienced competitors, can have a positive impact on the agility community and discuss how we can do our parts to make it better. Welcome to the Maximum Fun Agility Podcast. I'm Lorrie Reynolds, owner of Maximum Fun Dog Sports. We help your agility team build your relationship, communication, confidence, and fun in training so that you can enjoy success on any course. I fully believe that experienced dog sport competitors have a responsibility to the people who are new to our world. We've all heard the nightmare stories about volunteers getting yelled at, people being looked down upon when they were trying to learn one of the many jobs that keep trials running, or novices who have had less than stellar experiences going into the ring. There are many things we can do that have an impact on people, and we may not even know it. I've always been a "volunteerer" at agility trials.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:01:17]:
I started out bar setting since I didn't know very much and I wanted to watch as many experienced teams as I could. I eventually learned all of the jobs. Pretty soon, with my experience instructing and teaching seminars, I'd learned enough about course creation to be the chief course builder. I did that job for many years for all of the NAADAC trials in the area. Since I have a hard time sitting doing nothing, I volunteered for other jobs even when I was chief course builder. My favorite job is gate steward for the novice dogs. I know, the experienced competitors are going to tell me that gate stewarding for novices is like herding cats, but hear me out. Your face is the last one they see before they go into the ring.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:02:02]:
As they are waiting to go in, nervously lining up with way too many of their peers, you have the ability to either jack those nerves up higher by being demanding, rushing them, and acting frustrated, or, you can boost their confidence by patiently keeping them organized, giving them a friendly smile, and passing along a calm word of encouragement as they enter the ring. You can impact their whole experience in the ring by the way you treat them at the gate. I remember how nervous I was with my first dog. Between my adrenaline and his excitement, I'm surprised we held it together enough to do as well as we did. That didn't mean I wasn't shaking in my sneakers, though. And I sure did appreciate the gate stewards who didn't add to my nervousness by yelling at me to get to the line. Even if you're not volunteering, you, my experienced friend, have a greater impact than you are aware of. An impatient, snarky, or disparaging comment can absolutely devastate a new competitor and make them decide to never trial again in that venue, or at all.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:03:10]:
We need those new competitors to keep our sport going, and we should be treating them kindly. On the other hand, you'll likely never know how much your friendly remark or kind encouragement can mean to a new person. I've later learned about my impact on someone a few times, years after it happened. One of my seminar students told me, "I would have quit agility if it wasn't for you, but you said something kind to me when I came out of the ring after a horrible run, and it encouraged me to keep going." I'll be honest, I don't even remember saying it. If I see somebody struggling, I often make a short comment of encouragement because I remember being there. The impact on her was huge though, and she went on to earn multiple championship titles in several different venues. A casual remark from someone at a higher competition level changed everything for her. Whether you realize it or not, the newbies look up to you.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:04:10]:
They will emulate you in their treatment of their dogs, the people volunteering, and their peers. As experienced competitors, we have a responsibility to our sport, whether that is agility or trick training or flyball or disc dog or anything else we play for fun with our dogs. Here's what we can do. Be helpful. If you see someone who looks completely lost, ask if you can help. Not everyone has the benefit of an instructor who prepares them for trialing or has made friends with people who know the lay of the land yet. They may not even know how to check in. Help them.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:04:48]:
Be kind. Sometimes we feel a lot of stress at trials, usually self-induced. Don't let that stress cause you to be frustrated or impatient with other people. If they are new, they're probably way more nervous about their runs than you are. And I'm often reminded when I hear of people struggling that you never know what someone else is going through in their life. Maybe playing their favorite dog sport is the only joyful thing they get to do. Keep it a good experience for them. Be encouraging.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:05:22]:
Not everyone who enters a trial is ready to compete, but there is always something good you can say, even if it's just that their dog is adorable. I do not ever recommend walking up to someone who has had a less than perfect run and offering unsolicited advice, but if someone is bemoaning how poorly they did, find something to say that will encourage them, or don't say anything at all. Be nice. One of my students was absolutely crushed when she heard people talking on the video of her run. The people standing by the camera were making less than nice comments as she was running, not knowing the camera was recording. Don't say mean things about people, or if you absolutely must be unkind, say them in private where they can't be overheard. That student will never forget who those people were and what they said. Volunteer.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:06:20]:
I know a lot of experienced people feel like they have put their time in and the newer people should handle things, but events don't happen without volunteers. Even if you do a small job or you just work one or two classes, do your part. Don't watch the same group of people do the setup, take down, and everything in between without pitching in. Teach the jobs. Want to volunteer less? Teach the new people how to do the jobs. Then treat them respectfully. Most people are more than willing to volunteer when they feel like they know what they are doing. Offer to teach new competitors how to perform the jobs and stay with them until they get the hang of it.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:07:04]:
Take it in stride if they mess up. Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new skill. Experienced competitors should be the role models for their sport. Treat your dog, fellow competitors, the judge, and everyone else with respect. Help when you can. Be nice to the newbies. You have an impact, so make sure it's a positive one. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Maximum Fun Agility Podcast.
Lorrie Reynolds [00:07:33]:
If you would like to join our community and get free training tips, articles, and the occasional gift through email, you can sign up at www.maximumfundogs.com. See you next time.
