My name is Skylar Sowiecki and I am a 15 year old junior handler. I train dogs and compete with my own in various sports. The biggest thing that people seem to forget about when training for dog sports is that having a good relationship with your dog will always make your ‘performance’ better. Having a genuine bond, where handler engagement is very visible, is the key to doing well in AKC sports.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I feel like people always forget what it’s really about, even though ribbons and flashy rosettes are nice to have, it’s truly about YOU as the handler having a fun time with your dog. When I first introduce a dog to events, I make it as positive as possible. Though events can be distracting to most dogs, having a good bond will help your dog focus more on you. Through hand-feeding you can help build your dog’s handler engagement, but attending local classes with your dog is a great idea if you’re looking into a new sport, that way you can teach your dog appropriately.
The post Junior Report: Skylar Sowiecki appeared first on American Kennel Club.
