Nervous before a trial

[mahhi22]

On trial day I am always nervous/anxious before going in the ring. No matter how much I tell myself to calm down for cripes sake it's only a dog show, no matter how many deep breaths I take, no matter how many drops of Rescue Remedy I take, I'm a nervous wreck. You'd think I was sitting for the BAR exam. So today I receive the judging program in the mail for the trial this weekend and I'm already nervous. We're in obedience novice A.

Any advice from the veterans out there on what else I can do to calm down and focus? I ask that of my dog but I can barely do it for myself

[ShatteringGlass]

I've showed in obedience about 20 times, and I still get nervous! Even when we are just getting bumper legs, meaning we already have the title for the class we are showing in. Im not a nervous wreck, but i still do get nervous and nothing really gets rid of it all.

It would throw Sydney off, I could tell the difference between practicing outside the ring and when we stepped in. Im hoping Shane is less intuitive to my nervousness because I really think he has SUPER potential to do really well and I dont want to ruin it for HIM! LOL

BTW, one time I started getting nervous with Sydney when I got my number and judging program in the mail, I was secretly wishing that the entries where full and that my entry got denied, I had this feeling and worry that she wasnt ready. Well, we showed and we got 1st place in Novice A with a 194!!! So trust your dog, have fun, and good luck!

[codmaster]

Mostly, just to relax and remember that it is fun to show.

Either your dog will do well and you will enjoy it, OR your dog will do something silly and you will think that it is cute and thus enjoy yourself anyway!

In one of my first shows a long time ago my dog (who I thought was rock solid!) decided during off lead heeling (Novice A) that the two little kids along the ring rope were more interesting than simply heeling along and went over to visit a moment with them (about 7 or 8 yo),PLUS they had ice cream cones and she actualyy took a quick lick of each one before she then ran and caught up with me back into a perfect heel! I laughed out loud and so did the judge! not to mention the two little kids!

[middleofnowhere]

I always did best when I was convinced it was a lost cause. 1. driving through a miserable rain storm to arrive after dark to a muddy site & a torn up motel parking lot. 2. on vacation, place we were staying turned out to be in turmoil a bit, rainy venue, outside on grass with train passing every few minutes. 3. thwarted attempt to get crate in evening before & check out venue, decided not to get upset that we'd probably blow it but I'd paid my fee and it wasn't far to drive so we went ahead. On each of these lost causes we qualified. On many more ideal circumstances we did not. Totally due to my nerves. BTE would do anything to calm me down but those "anythings" usually blew the trial.

[G-burg]

Invest in an ipod, download all the music you love and jam out! Best darn things for relaxing and tuning out the world before a trial!!

[JakodaCD OA]

The ring that made me a nervous wreck was the conformation ring)


Anytime I show in obed and/or agility, I honestly think of my trainer's words "just view it as a run thru" )) So I get myself into that "mode" where I tune EVERYONE and EVERYTHING OUT, just me and the dog, and go into the ring as a run thru at my trainers place))

OF course I DO admit, when I'm standing on the line,,I ALWAYS have to pee! of course there is no time, I run and then I don't have to go anymore ))) LMBO

[LuvourGSDs]

Well, this past weekend after having maybe 10 or so trials under my belt this yr (just started), I find myself still have a bit of nervous sleeps (not as bad) & getting real nervous before I go in the ring............ my heart is pumping out of my chest ! I hate it. I'm not a med taker & never have been, but have been wondering if I should take something just to ease this b/c I know the dogs read it. When off lead it just stinks when a door opens, etc & you lose them !

My GF had some RR at this last show & I tried it, not 100% sure it did anything as I was still very nervous.

I always think..... FUN, FUN, FUN, & just a dog, but I still fret ! I'm just an Agility/Rally gal at this point. I have fun & do enjoy it, but hate the nerve part !

Glad this was asked, THANKS !

[mahhi22]

Thanks all! Will now be adding fun, Fun, FUN to my mantra and bag of tricks.

[Branca's Mom]

A beta blocker will help control the physical symptoms of nervousness, if you chose to go that route, your doc can prescribe them for you. However, the best way to control nerves is probably to be 99% confident that you and your dog are ring-ready. KNOWING you and your dog are going to go into the ring and have no issues will take a lot the edge off.

Also, you can just sit down and play with your dog beforehand, run and stroke him, act silly then 5 minutes or so before your turn do a little practice and practice deep breathing..... controlling your breathing is very doable and will tell your body that there is nothing to be nervous about. If you feel yourself breathing shallow mentally remind yourself that it is "JUST" a dog show and go back to deep breathing again!!