Jen Pinder Seminar

On Friday and Saturday I took Shelby to Riverside Canine in Nashua for a 2 day seminar with Jen Pinder. There is a CPE trial coming up there in Jan, so it was good to get Shelby used to the facility, if nothing else.

I was on the fence for a while because I wasn't sure if this was too advanced for us, even though it was an intermediate session. Just because we're competing at the novice level and are pretty inexperienced, in relation to a lot of people. I got an e-mail saying a couple of spots had opened and asked if we would be ok and they said yes, so I signed up, and it wasn't cheap. Most of the people there were very experienced and had been doing agility for a while. Plus, it seemed most of them had taken a private lesson with Jen on Thurs, which I don't think is really fair because then they're ahead of the other people who just take the seminar.

Well, I think I wasted most of my money. Don't get me wrong, I got some good handling advice, but Shelby was only really interested in participating half the time. She did what she hasn't done in a while, which is work for 2-3 obstacles and then disengage and check out other stuff. So I got the usual "you have to be more exciting" advice. Then that stopped working and I got advice to be more forceful, which worked a little. Then Shelby stopped even wanting treats, so I got criticized for not working hard enough to find a toy that motivates her. Shelby has never been one for tugging or other treat toys, but of course she was all for it when the instructor tried it, so I looked like an idiot who doesn't know anything about her own dog. Plus, since she was so detached, I wasn't really able to send the way I know she can, etc. and it made me feel like I haven't accomplished anything with Shelby. Oh-Shelby also decided to go after another dog in the seminar. This is a new thing since last weekend. Now she goes after small light-colored dogs and attacks them. Just what I need!

I do think Jen is a good instructor because she tailored her advice to each participant and was able to break down problems to see exactly which part needed working on, and things to practice.

So, maybe in a year from now, we'll try again and have a better experience. I think this was a long seminar for me and for Shelby, since we've only ever done 4 hour seminars before and this was 2 eight hour days. I just don't think Shelby loves agility enough to be "up" the whole time.