When competing, we put our ego and our emotions out there to be judged. We take a risk every time we say the word “ALERT!” or “FINISH!”. When our risk turns into a “I’m sorry, No.” it can be crushing and defeating. We saw it, we thought we understood it, and then we were “wrong”. It sucks. THEN… the judge tells you “You should have called it the first time”. Thanks. Or perhaps you have a struggle-bus of a search and you know it’s not happening. When you call finish, your judge sees a small moment that they can praise, let you know what you did right, or give you some amazing insight that you didn’t realize.
Any judge comes into this sport either as a professional or as someone who competes or trains. They usually have hours of observation, helping them understand and see the search in terms of odor and expected paths for the teams. They are able to watch dog after dog work the same search, seeing patterns and understanding what is odor information and what is distraction. BUT they also will be watching it with those rose-colored glasses, seeing only what IS, not always seeing the extra COBs you see as someone who doesn’t know the search.
When a judge offers (or just tells you) their comments after a search, it can be a little biased to where the hides are. They understand their way of training and possibly their own style of searching. What they have to contribute to your search will be with their own Point of View. This webinar looks into those comments, and what you can do with them.
Are they excellent training tips? Are they confirmation of what you’re currently doing? Or are they a sign that we need to throw out the whole book and start over? Join Aleks in breaking down this after-search moment and bring more confidence to yourself as a handler. Know what you can say, what you can do, and how you can move on from a helpful hint.
