Are you a GOOD Sport?
I started thinking about this topic of sportsmanship today and in the last few weeks, as it is always interesting to me to watch not just dogs, but how humans behave. But, also how humans behave with their dogs, in the context of sports. Yeah I'm usually all interested in dog behavior only, but in the context of dogs, our sports-personship (or lack thereof) totally relates. All of this relates to a Good Sport to their dogs too.
What does it mean to be a Good Sport? Is it the one who always smiles at you after a run, even if they don't have a comment? Or, the person who makes a point of saying something nice to you, even if they are 10 times better of a handler or trainer or competitor than you are? Is being a Good Sport clapping and cheering for everyone, not just your friends or people you think are important?
A Good Sport to me will praise their dog the same as they exit the ring, even if a bar came down. Does the dog "know" they took a bar? doubtful-especially a young dog, why ever make them think they are wrong, they are good sports to be out there with us, it is our job to be a good coach and have trained and validate their efforts, for us. Unless a dog is working stock or performing a SAR search, most sports are their hobby, not their "job". They have no idea what a ribbon or title is, so if we are getting a treat after a run, why shouldn't they? Good Sports pay their dogs, for their efforts.
I think a Good Sport is happy to share, not point out the mistakes, or dwell on the NQ. I wonder for some of the people that you know really need a pat on the back often and are worried or insecure about putting themselves out there, how many of them realize that all the good effort pointed their way, could also be paid forward to someone else? You yourself may need a little validating once in awhile from someone you have tried to support...endlessly. I don't think it matters if you're new or have been doing something for any period of time, being a Good Sport is validating someone else's effort, no matter the outcome of that effort. Or that run, or that day, or that month, or that year for that matter.
Paying it forward, is being a Good Sport. We all have our own journey and our way of interpreting things, but a smile or "that was nice" can really go so far for someone. Some may not care or even notice your smile, but it puts good energy out there, to be a Good Sport.
A really Great Sport to me, is someone who is truly, sincerely, happy to see others do well in their efforts. I think someone who is genuine and really takes notice and makes an effort to let you know they've noticed-even if it's just for the brief smile, that's a good sport.
There are so many people out there who will not have something nice to say to you, or about you, or your dog-for whatever reason. They may say it behind their hand, or wait until your back is turned, or even worse to you directly. Not only are they lousy sports, but they are lousy people in my humble opinion. But, people like that do not define you ever. Because if you can't be happy for someone else's efforts and validate that and praise others, or worse be jealous or envious of their success, or happy when they fail...then why do you show up? A dark cloud type is not a Good Sport, that is truly a BAD Sport. Q or no Q, We are all really out there competing and playing and having fun for ourselves and enjoying our canine teammates-testing what we have in our training and relationship. All it takes is an "atta girl or dude" to make someone's day sometimes.
Cliques tend to create gossipy crap. In dog-sports, unfortunately they are rampant. You see it at all types of venues, especially those related to competitive sports, clubs, teams and in this case obviously talking about dogs. But, it could be a Little League, it could be high school soccer, it could be pretty much anything. A good "coach" or instructor sets the tone for the "team", pats everyone on the back, or gives words of encouragement to all or constructive criticism, not just to their best players. Some people want to hang with the "in crowd" or the best players, even if they're on the periphery, because somehow they hope that that greatness will wear off on them. Or, maybe like some I know who have spent more time critiquing others, maybe they hope by association they will stay under the radar. Like the fish attached to sharks, tag-alongs for the ride, just out of peripheral view. Not Good Sports.
To me a Good Sport is also not necessarily the best at what they do, but they are out there testing their skills doing what they love and they're also appreciative of that in others. We all get nervous, or we're trying to concentrate on a run, or preparing for whatever it is we're competing in, or find holes in our foundation training as we start to run-so sometimes it's hard to put yourself outside of your own thoughts and remember to praise others. But, as much as the effort that we make to show up, just that smile for someone who might need it, especially if you are truly a good sport and truly mean it, could possibly be important to somebody's day.
For me a good sport could be the most famous person at the trial, or the least famous, and their smile is the same. I guess I'm not that impressed by status like some, maybe that is what sets the tone at different trials is how you see people behaving, that you may idolize or look up to, or watching how others behave with those they think are "important" vs not. I actually see some people that I'm rather surprised at how they behave, I think that Good Sports always have good manners.
So, what does it take for me to consider someone a really Good Sport? People that sincerely seem to care, to notice and to watch with Good Intent for you, not the opposite. A Good Sport always is GOOD to their dogs, there is no quantifying if they "deserve" a reward for their efforts. Dogs are ALWAYS Good Sports, it is their nature.
What does it mean to be a Good Sport? Is it the one who always smiles at you after a run, even if they don't have a comment? Or, the person who makes a point of saying something nice to you, even if they are 10 times better of a handler or trainer or competitor than you are? Is being a Good Sport clapping and cheering for everyone, not just your friends or people you think are important?
A Good Sport to me will praise their dog the same as they exit the ring, even if a bar came down. Does the dog "know" they took a bar? doubtful-especially a young dog, why ever make them think they are wrong, they are good sports to be out there with us, it is our job to be a good coach and have trained and validate their efforts, for us. Unless a dog is working stock or performing a SAR search, most sports are their hobby, not their "job". They have no idea what a ribbon or title is, so if we are getting a treat after a run, why shouldn't they? Good Sports pay their dogs, for their efforts.
I think a Good Sport is happy to share, not point out the mistakes, or dwell on the NQ. I wonder for some of the people that you know really need a pat on the back often and are worried or insecure about putting themselves out there, how many of them realize that all the good effort pointed their way, could also be paid forward to someone else? You yourself may need a little validating once in awhile from someone you have tried to support...endlessly. I don't think it matters if you're new or have been doing something for any period of time, being a Good Sport is validating someone else's effort, no matter the outcome of that effort. Or that run, or that day, or that month, or that year for that matter.
Paying it forward, is being a Good Sport. We all have our own journey and our way of interpreting things, but a smile or "that was nice" can really go so far for someone. Some may not care or even notice your smile, but it puts good energy out there, to be a Good Sport.
A really Great Sport to me, is someone who is truly, sincerely, happy to see others do well in their efforts. I think someone who is genuine and really takes notice and makes an effort to let you know they've noticed-even if it's just for the brief smile, that's a good sport.
A really Good Sport is always kind to other people and especially to their dogs, win or lose.
There are so many people out there who will not have something nice to say to you, or about you, or your dog-for whatever reason. They may say it behind their hand, or wait until your back is turned, or even worse to you directly. Not only are they lousy sports, but they are lousy people in my humble opinion. But, people like that do not define you ever. Because if you can't be happy for someone else's efforts and validate that and praise others, or worse be jealous or envious of their success, or happy when they fail...then why do you show up? A dark cloud type is not a Good Sport, that is truly a BAD Sport. Q or no Q, We are all really out there competing and playing and having fun for ourselves and enjoying our canine teammates-testing what we have in our training and relationship. All it takes is an "atta girl or dude" to make someone's day sometimes.
Cliques tend to create gossipy crap. In dog-sports, unfortunately they are rampant. You see it at all types of venues, especially those related to competitive sports, clubs, teams and in this case obviously talking about dogs. But, it could be a Little League, it could be high school soccer, it could be pretty much anything. A good "coach" or instructor sets the tone for the "team", pats everyone on the back, or gives words of encouragement to all or constructive criticism, not just to their best players. Some people want to hang with the "in crowd" or the best players, even if they're on the periphery, because somehow they hope that that greatness will wear off on them. Or, maybe like some I know who have spent more time critiquing others, maybe they hope by association they will stay under the radar. Like the fish attached to sharks, tag-alongs for the ride, just out of peripheral view. Not Good Sports.
To me a Good Sport is also not necessarily the best at what they do, but they are out there testing their skills doing what they love and they're also appreciative of that in others. We all get nervous, or we're trying to concentrate on a run, or preparing for whatever it is we're competing in, or find holes in our foundation training as we start to run-so sometimes it's hard to put yourself outside of your own thoughts and remember to praise others. But, as much as the effort that we make to show up, just that smile for someone who might need it, especially if you are truly a good sport and truly mean it, could possibly be important to somebody's day.
For me a good sport could be the most famous person at the trial, or the least famous, and their smile is the same. I guess I'm not that impressed by status like some, maybe that is what sets the tone at different trials is how you see people behaving, that you may idolize or look up to, or watching how others behave with those they think are "important" vs not. I actually see some people that I'm rather surprised at how they behave, I think that Good Sports always have good manners.
So, what does it take for me to consider someone a really Good Sport? People that sincerely seem to care, to notice and to watch with Good Intent for you, not the opposite. A Good Sport always is GOOD to their dogs, there is no quantifying if they "deserve" a reward for their efforts. Dogs are ALWAYS Good Sports, it is their nature.
