
Originally Posted by
EWO
I agree. it seems there were ten different opinions in the beginning but as it was discussed pretty much everyone is on the same page. It is always best to make the decision that best benefits the dog. I would not expect to get a scratch to continue because I doubt I would be giving one if asked, but, I would ask for a cup of tea and a warm sponge bath if I thought it would get my dog in a better spot.
Later in life, after I had been schooled a little I played dumb once and it paid off for my dog. We were ahead, and pulling away early. It was some trash talk back and forth. They called a turn on their own dog and I acted like I had never heard of such. So they spent five minutes explaining and telling me how stupid I was. The ref even told me I should have learned more before I got there. That took a couple of minutes. Then he asked for a scratch to continue. I asked. "How does that work?". I took a severe tongue lashing. This explanation and ridiculing took another five minutes. I was just about the dumbest SOB on the planet. There was a guy there that if I were to call his name out would be very recognizable. He is a 60's and 70's and into the 80's guy. He spoke up as it was winding down and let the cat out of the bag. They were more concerned with telling me how stupid I was, maybe making themselves feel better, to realize they were going deeper down the hole by the minute. I bought my dog some time with him providing quality work without any let up. I made a handler's decision to let him do what he did best and that put him in a good way. It worked. Somewhat backhanded but I was trying to put him where he could do his best. EWO