Advice from the crowd - What was the best piece of advice you were given when you started trialling?

What was the best piece of advice you were given when you started trialling?

- Make a personal goal with your dog. Meet that goal and your weekend is successful, whether you qualify or not. Maureen O'Donnell Burke


-‎ 1. Remember, your dog didn't fill in the entry form, you did. It's a GAME. Enjoy it. 2. Remember to breathe. Especially once you leave the Start line. 3. Repeat #1 and 2 as needed! Cathy Ammlung


- Before you enter a trial, go to one and volunteer to work. It gives you a good idea of how things run. Diann Gastley


- Dogs are born with all the legs they will need.  Sharon Harrell


- It is the handler, and not the dog that makes the mistakes on the course. Don't get mad at the dog!! Leona Hellesvig


- Agility isn't world peace." Maybe even more current today than back in the early 90s when I first heard Julie Daniels say it. In other words - it's a GAME, enjoy yourself, have fun, but don't take it too seriously. Lynda Oleksuk


-Have fun with your dog. He/she doesn't know if you've made a mistake. Susan Dickerson


 -‎"Smile at my dog when we're at the start line." I was amazed at how much difference that small act made. I hadn't realized how nervous I was and how it stressed my dog. Just smiling at her helped us both. Got that great tidbit from Barb Davis. Lori Sage


-Don't have great expectations, other than to have a great time with your dog! Melanie Behrens


- It's not cancer research, it's a game. It's not to be taken seriously. Ginny Myers


‎- 1: Go See What a Trial is Like & VOLUNTEER at One First; 2: It's a TEAM Sport and BOTH Players Must Be Ready To Compete; 3: It IS About Fun ... Set a Realistic Goal and Remember, the First Time Out is to Just See Where You Are. Joy Disipio


- When I was down about a last jump glitch that I handled badly: PERSON: " How long have you been trialing in agility? ME: About 2 years. PERSON: Don't be so hard on yourself. You're still green." Taught me not to expect too much, too soon. Sherry Rifley


Night before trial, make a check list of items you'd like to take; get a good night sleep. Ruth Sweet


"Life is lived in the process, not just the end product; enjoy the journey!" Fun, friends, play, and canine partners--a clean run is a cherry on top of a life lived well. Ruth Sweet


And Erica Ferland wrote a whole series on her blog on it.