I feel a little stupid even going to the trial today. It was so hot (I know it hit 100 and was humid today) and open ran at 1:30 so we had been sitting in the heat for hours, the rings were running slow so we ended up sitting in the sun for a long time. I really thought we would be going in a lot sooner then we did which would have helped. This was the first time I have seen Breeze just really look totally not into things and she was really not committed to the course. Of course I was not thinking that clearly....I should have scratched the run but I was there and it looked like a course that was very do able. First run was Open JWW. Breeze was a little weirded out running in the heat and would not play which should have been a clue.. and then having to start next to me did not make her happy. Shooting out of the tunnel she missed the weave entrance, then she was not sending like she usually does so I was totally off trying to figure out how much to push to help her out with each jump-- I have never run with her when she was like that. The real tough part was the jump 12 to 13 jump which was at an almost perpendicular angle and really close to the 16 jump-by the time they landed the one jump they were committed to the next jump, well, Breeze read a deceleration to do that but I did not trust her which totally messed her up--I said her name, ughghghghg, why do I keep doing that????? I was worried about that turn, and the only thing calling her name did was cause her to look back at me, and I am sure that was a refusal. I did not even bother to go and look.
I REALLY feel stupid even admitting I went ahead and did the standard course, but it looked like fun and I thought we might be able to do it and after sitting in the shade and drinking a ton of water it all felt better. I guess it is hard to just say that I just decide to not do something I signed up for, how silly is that?
Breeze missed the entrance to the standard course weaves and by that time I knew she was not feeling that good, if I had been thinking straight I would have skipped the run, but greedy me, I thought we might actually be able to do something with the course. It just feels so funny to chose not to run a course, but think that is what is going to happen tomorrow if it is not a lot cooler and we don't run a lot earlier. I did have the sense to not even try to fix the weaves and just figured it was a training run and went on. The jump right after the Aframe was close to the off course jump and almost all the fast dogs took the off course jump...including Breeze. We got the tunnel discrimination's correct. Breeze did her contacts well. On the table Breeze left the table when the judge said GO. I thought no not today especially since we were just training at that point so I did not know if it was legal but when Breeze jumped off the table and had been told go by the judge I made her jump back on and wait for me to release her. I figured the worst that could happen is the judge whistling us off the course, but she was great and nothing happened. Other then the weaves, the table the off course it was a better run and Breeze looked better physically then she had in jumpers.
After we got off the course I checked and Breezes little belly was so hot, I was really worried about her-she looked ok but she was really hot. We are supposed to go back tomorrow and I have some friends coming so I think I am going to go but I am really not sure if I will run-chances are really good we will just sit in the shade and visit and watch the trial. If I do run I am only running in one run. Hopefully it will be a little less hot tomorrow. I am taking the suggestion and frozen some liter bottles to stick in the crate too. The temps really did not feel too bad as long as we were sitting and just watching, it was just when we went out to walk and then run that I thought we were going to fall straight over!
10 comments:
Trialing in the heat is a challenge. Our last trial was in a super hot building with NO ac and just had 2 metal fans running which were pointing towards the ring. At one point I had to take Sagira out to the car and turn on the a/c for awhile. Taking some time off during the heat doesn't sound like a bad idea and that way you can fine tune some things as well.
It was so crazy because normally there would be access to a hose to wet the dogs down which helps so much, but they had marked all the hoses with signs saying they could not be used. They had put a little kiddie pool that was just mudd by the time we got there, almost no water in it.
Don't beat yourself up too much. We've all been there, doing things we probably shouldn't be doing. I do it all the time! LOL. Life goes on, despite the weather, and sometimes you just have to deal with it. When you sign up for the trial, you have no idea what the weather is going to be that day.
Good luck today, if you decided to do a run.
I agree with Sara and was going to say something similar! It's really hard to figure out what to do at the time (run or not, etc.) and when you think about it later, it all seems so obvious. This happens to us all the time!
Sorry about the extreme heat! That's no fun at all. Good luck today if you guys run!
If I lived in one of the southern states, I would probably take a break in the summer too. I guess it's like how we have to take a break in the winter!
Don't be so hard on yourself though. We all make mistakes! Think of it this way; mistakes are part of the brain's learning process and eventually, even though it might not happen right away, you will learn and won't make the mistake as much. I try to tell this to myself (although I don't always listen!) when I'm beating myself up about a mistake.
Have a good time today and try not to worry! :) (Yeah, me of all people saying this!!)
Yeah, I always regret it when I push too hard. You're not alone! It is just too hot - we can't even walk outside here right now, let alone do agility - it's been cancelled for WEEKS! Breeze is a trooper for sticking to the course as best she could, and you are a trooper, too! I hope maybe it'll be cloudy or something tomorrow so you can squeeze your run in, but if not, just stay in the a/c and COOL OFF!
Boy, I can't believe they did not provide a hose. That sucks! Next weekend we have a trial but the dogs will be in an air conditioned building between runs and we have a hose and stream to cool off in. Sorry you had to go through that.
I feel for you with the heat. Thats how it was at our trial. As long as you just sat there and didnt move, you were ok. But as soon as you started walking, you were miserable. Yuk! Sorry for your terrible day. It will get better ( hey I can say that because I read the next days post first. LOL) Diana
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