Water test=High Anxiety!

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

I entered Traveler in the water test for this coming weekend because I thought he'd be ready by the time it rolled around. Boy, was I wrong! The last 3 days he has been a natural disaster. He won't do anything he knows how to do. I'm having anxiety attacks, can't sleep, have doubled up on my Paxil..... The thing is do I still go ahead with him for the experience or pull him? I don't relish being the laughing stock of the meet, but I just don't know what to do with him. (doesn't help that his twin sister got her WD a couple of weeks ago on her first try). Am I taking this too seriously? I so want to enjoy things with him and I love him to pieces, but I'm getting too stressed to enjoy anything. Any words of wisdom?

 

[Angela]

Go try!

 

[Jeannie]

Go and have fun while he has a learning experience. Could he be feeding off your anxiety? Go drink a beer then go to the test or do like I do and take some rescue remedy. It really works.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Go and have fun while he has a learning experience. Could he be feeding off your anxiety? Go drink a beer then go to the test or do like I do and take some rescue remedy. It really works.

Thanks, Jeannie & Angela....does Rescue Remedy come in gallon jugs?:tequila:

 

[wrknnwf]

Yes...Go. Don't ever worry about failing, just have fun with your dog. Think of this as dress rehearsal.

You may get some really good advice from others and the camaraderie is worth the going. Traveler will get the experience of working with new distractions and you will learn as well.

And remember, everyone there has gone through what you are going through. You aren't alone. Also remember that everyone there, including the judges, is rooting for you.

You should be exceptionally proud of your boy no matter how he does in the test. Think of all the dogs that never get this far or have the wonderful experiences you are providing for him. He's a lucky boy and you are lucky to have him.

I would give anything to have Hugo back here to fail a zillion water tests. Enjoy every moment you have with him.

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

I vote you go for it, too, and here's why.

A year ago Willis had TPLO surgery. He had complications and had a plate removed at Christmas. It was a long, hard recovery, and we're still working through some stiffness. We swam and water trained this summer for fun and for continued rehab. He enjoyed it, but I never put him through each exercise like you would at a test. Just had fun. We entered our first water test this summer and went in expecting to fail but have the time of our lives. Guess what? He surprised me and passed. He was having the time of his life and that is ALL that mattered. I was so happy to watch him having fun after the last year he'd had. That was so much better than any title he could have earned. So go out there and have a ball with no expectations! (sorry for such a long post)

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Dear EVERYBODY,
Thank you for pulling me back down to earth and getting things in perspective. I don't know why I went off the deep end like that (no pun intended). Sometimes I drive myself nuts with unrealistic expectations and forget about just having fun. As goofy as he is, I wouldn't trade Traveler for anything and I was just being neurotic. Will report in next week. Bless you all for the kindness and advice. I love you all!!!