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helpful ways, you take the first giant step focus on that, you won’t be focusing on your
towards conquering your inner dragons.
This concept of looking at your brain as
your tool instead of as yourself is based in
the study of neuroplasticity, or the ability
of your brain to rewire itself when the need
arises. Researchers began their investigation
with stroke patients, learning how they could
regain abilities lost during the stroke. Over
time, many of the same concepts have been
used to help people create better thought
patterns in order to create less stress and
anxiety, and that work has been expanded
even more to spotlight success and happiness
creation, simply by becoming aware of
thoughts and feelings and using simple tools
to change unhelpful thought patterns.
If you’re experiencing fear as you head into
the show ring, you’re telegraphing your
anxiety to your dog. And if you’re anxious,
your dog will also be anxious, which can show show with you. When you learn to reframe
up in a variety of different ways–none likely
to help you win. Here are three things you can fall by the wayside, never to wreck your dog
do to slay any or all of the inner dragons that
rear their fire-breathing heads when you enter
the show ring:
1. On the way to the show, while you’re
grooming your dog, while you’re ex-ing your to create happier hospital cultures and more resilient
dog, and while you’re headed for the ring,
remind yourself that no matter what else
happens, you’ll take your favorite dog home
with you. You and your dog are going to have
fun, and it’s your job to ensure that your dog
is set up for success. Make the day about your
dog’s physical and mental comfort – when you
own anxieties.
2. As you’re standing outside the ring with
your dog, waiting to go in, remind yourself
that the people watching are focused on the
dogs, not the people in the ring. Promise
your dog (inside your head is fine– you don’t
have to do this part aloud) that you will
do your best to showcase your dog as the
fabulous representative of the breed that it is,
and that the two of you will go in and have
fun, no matter what else happens.
3. While you’re in the ring, focus on your
dog, not the people outside the ring or the
other handlers and dogs in the ring. It’s just
you and your dog, dancing the beautiful dance
you’ve practiced before. Love your dog while
you’re in the ring–try to radiate your love for
your dog so hard that it penetrates your dog’s
skin and goes straight to their heart so they
can feel it, too.
This reframing work is designed to help you
approach situations that cause you anxiety in
a new way that is less likely to trigger a fear
response. “Simple but not easy” is used to
describe this work because it looks too simple
to be effective. The “not easy” part is because
the brain is extremely resistant to changing a
long-held pattern. Again, that’s part of how
the human species has survived–find patterns
that work, lather, rinse, repeat. The more often
you’ve walked into the ring feeling anxious,
fearful, and maybe even on the verge of panic,
the more you’ll need to focus on reframing
your thoughts leading up to ring time.
Next time you’re headed to the dog show, try
it. Think about your dog’s comfort, happiness,
and success instead of focusing on the inner
dragons that usually hitch a ride to the
unhelpful ways of thinking, those dragons will
show day again.
Sandy Weaver is an author, consultant and
professional speaker who works with veterinarians
teams. She also judges Junior Showmanship and
some Working and Non-Sporting breeds. When
she’s not traveling to consult, speak or to judge, she’s
spoiling her Siberian Husky and Standard Poodle.
Find out more about her at:
https://www.centerforworkplacehappiness.com
Originally published May 2022 in The Canine
Chronicle - www.caninechronicle.com
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