Overcoming Nerves

[Alice]

Can anyone give me some top tips to try and stop being so incredibly nervous about events? I've only run in tests so far, but it's still like I'm going to the gallows every time, I really wonder why I put myself through it when I feel as terrified as I do at the moment!

I know in my rational brain that there's no reason for it, it certainly won't help the dog go any better, and that the judges aren't there to ridicule you if it all goes wrong, all that sensible stuff...but the physical terror is still there!!

[romanriver]

if you think tests are bad, wait until you get to the Championships

[trekmoor]

I never really had much trouble with nerves Alice. I'm one of those strange people who liked that tiny feeling of fear prior to exams or tests or trials. I liked it and used it to boost my awareness and speed of reactions.

My attitude to tests and trials was sort of "sh*t or bust !" I enjoyed the sensations right up to the moment when I got chucked out ! I see trials as being a bit like a boxer going into the ring for a big fight . They get the advice to "leave it all in the ring." In other words don't leave the ring/trial thinking that you could have done more to win.

Just get in there Alice and start swinging your punches, then keep on punching until you either win or lose.
There is only one person in a trial that you have to beat and that is the person who will be first if you are not.
Drive home later knowing you "left it all in the ring."

Wullie

[Dawnrazor]

Wine........

[Naj]

I am not overly competitive and had a dabble at trialling but didn't enjoy the experience so stopped. Why continue if you don't enjoy it? There's a lot more to Gundogs than competition. And when I used to train to competition standard I frequently came away from training or shooting in a foul mood and blaming the dog, and this seemed common to most of my competitive friends. I see the same with fishing friends who compete and no longer enjoy going out with some of them because they take the whole thing too seriously. It's easy to forget that IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN !!

Naj

[ips]

I am not overly competitive and had a dabble at trialling but didn't enjoy the experience so stopped. Why continue if you don't enjoy it? There's a lot more to Gundogs than competition. And when I used to train to competition standard I frequently came away from training or shooting in a foul mood and blaming the dog, and this seemed common to most of my competitive friends. I see the same with fishing friends who compete and no longer enjoy going out with some of them because they take the whole thing too seriously. It's easy to forget that IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN !!

Naj

This is exactly like competitive trapshooting. I have shot one thing or another since I was eleven and have shot competitively to a reasonable standard for thirty years. On two occasions in that time I have had a year or so off due to it having become a chore. I am having a semi break at the moment. As for nerves, I think its fear of failure that drives this. Someone always wins and someone is always last no one actually cares who comes last apart from the person who does so on that basis you can but do your best on the day and try to enjoy it and if it goes wrong the most important thing is to learn something from it for next time.
Ps
If we compare trials with shooting then after a particularly bad result on Sunday, Monday morning you would chop your dog in for a new model:)

[Alice]

if you think tests are bad, wait until you get to the Championships

hahaha I'm never gonna get there, but just imagining the fear level makes me want to faint!!

[Alice]

I never really had much trouble with nerves Alice. I'm one of those strange people who liked that tiny feeling of fear prior to exams or tests or trials. I liked it and used it to boost my awareness and speed of reactions.

My attitude to tests and trials was sort of "sh*t or bust !" I enjoyed the sensations right up to the moment when I got chucked out ! I see trials as being a bit like a boxer going into the ring for a big fight . They get the advice to "leave it all in the ring." In other words don't leave the ring/trial thinking that you could have done more to win.

Just get in there Alice and start swinging your punches, then keep on punching until you either win or lose.
There is only one person in a trial that you have to beat and that is the person who will be first if you are not.
Drive home later knowing you "left it all in the ring."

Wullie

I know what you mean, I wrote all my essays for my degree VERY last minute because the panic made me come up with stuff I never would have done, so I do sort of get it. I will do my level best to leave it all in the ring!

[Alice]

Wine........

Oh yes! Shame about the 2hr drive either way...

[Alice]

I am not overly competitive and had a dabble at trialling but didn't enjoy the experience so stopped. Why continue if you don't enjoy it? There's a lot more to Gundogs than competition. And when I used to train to competition standard I frequently came away from training or shooting in a foul mood and blaming the dog, and this seemed common to most of my competitive friends. I see the same with fishing friends who compete and no longer enjoy going out with some of them because they take the whole thing too seriously. It's easy to forget that IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN !!

Naj

I know what you mean, I DO enjoy it when I'm there, it's just the pre-match jitters that do me in! Just been out training and it was all rubbing off on the dog so I just let him have a swim and stopped. Whatever will be will be.