Level 3Experienced
Turning a defeat into a work plan
Intermediate level — "I'm starting to understand"
You were hoping for first place or a certificate, and you go home disappointed. After all the preparation and travelling, this result can be hard to accept.
Let the disappointment settle, then look for what this outing teaches you. It can help you prepare some specific work, without calling into question your whole journey.
Here are three tips for moving from the result to the next goal.
1. Take stock using facts
Go back over the exact result, the judge's comments if they are available, and your own observations.
Tell these apart:
- The grade: the assessment of the dog against the regulatory criteria.
- The placing: its position among the dogs shown in its class.
- The awards: any certificates or distinctions that may have been given.
A dog can get "Excellent" without finishing first. The FCI rules also allow minor imperfections to be tolerated in a dog graded "Excellent".
Then write down two things that went well and one specific difficulty:
Successes: my dog accepted the examination and rested while waiting. Difficulty: he jumped several times during the up-and-back.
You end up with a much more useful review than "We got everything wrong".
The practical tip: re-read your sheet with a clear head. Your first emotion and your analysis may be different.
2. Choose a priority you can act on
A remark about the dog's proportions and a remark about your handling speed do not call for the same work.
Judges must refer to the breed standard. Training can improve presentation and make the examination easier; it does not change the dog's anatomical characteristics.
To choose your priority, ask yourself three questions:
Did I understand the remark? If it remains unclear, look for an explanation before deciding on an exercise.
Has the difficulty happened before? Compare your latest observations, taking the context into account.
What concrete change can I prepare? Your speed, your gestures, how long he holds the stack or preparation for the examination may give you some leads.
The practical tip: settle on one main goal. If your dog was jumping during the gaiting, start by understanding that movement before changing all of your preparation.
3. Build a plan with a sign of success
"Do better next time" expresses a wish. To guide your training sessions, specify the action and what you will look for.
Here is an example to adapt to your team:
| Step | Action | Sign of progress |
|---|---|---|
| Observe | Watch a video of the movement, if you have one | Spot when the jumps appear |
| Simplify | Work a short route in a quiet place, adjusting your speed | The dog trots steadily, on a loose lead |
| Build up | Gradually add a turn or a distraction at a distance | Steadiness is maintained in this new situation |
Plan short sessions, reward successes and simplify when the difficulty becomes too high. Also note what you changed in your own handling.
The FCI rules recognise that constant jumping or attempts to leave the ring can prevent the gait from being assessed. Calmer movement is therefore a useful goal in itself.
The practical tip: at the next show, first assess your presentation goal. The placing remains a result to analyse, without being your only indicator of progress.
Your bounce-back sheet
- The result I got: …
- What worked well: …
- The difficulty I noticed: …
- My next exercise: …
- The sign of success I expect: …
You will then have a clear direction for getting back to work with your dog.