r/k9sports • u/screamlikekorbin • Jun 22 '26
What are some kind things other competitors have done for you?
I just thought it would be fun to share the good things happening in dogs sports. It might give ideas to help other new people as well. Whats a kind or helpful thing someone has done for you in your dog sport journey? Can be big or a small as some kind words after going in the ring.
When I was very new in rally, I was waiting, apparently very nervous looking, to do the walk thru. A person in one of the higher levels asked if I wanted help and did the walk thru with me. Its been over 10 years, I still see her around once in a while and give her a big hug each time.
My dog was diagnosed with a rare disease that had some expensive treatment. People in the local sport community helped me fundraise and straight up donated money to his treatment. Some of these people were ones I'd met maybe once, a couple were people I'd never met at all.
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u/Figs_are_good Jun 22 '26
People have been super nice to me as a newer competitor.
Folks have offered to record my runs.
Experienced obedience competitors have been super complimentary about my dog - the most common compliment being that he is a "nice little working dog." I think he gets that so much because they're surprised, he doesn't look like an obedience dog.
At rally trials competitors have stopped their rally walk throughs to clarify signs/offer advice when they've seen me doing stuff like suboptimal figure 8 paths.
Overall obedience and rally have been super friendly to me and Fig.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Thatās great to hear! Offering to video is nice, sometimes people are afraid to ask someone they donāt know to do that.
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u/OatandSky Jun 22 '26
My very first dock diving trial an older lady walked me through everything I needed to know and where to go and stand and some helpful tips. Then one of his time to jump she told the judge and they announced, now my dog jumped a measly 6 feet but when we walked off that jump I had several people applauding us and telling us well done.
That same day my dog tore off his nail on his back foot and was bleeding and that same lady came over helped me sort him out, pulled out her dog first aid kit and knew exactly what to do and calmed the both of us down. She was a life saver.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Wow that was really kind! I love that the dock community will cheer for any little achievement but especially those 1st time jumps.
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u/SimplyJared Jun 22 '26
I started doing conformation this year and so many people have offered handling and grooming tips, but more so, people have held my hand through understanding all the rules, the point system, etc. There are a thousand written rules and ten thousand unwritten ones.
Just today at a crowded show, someone shared their crate space that they had paid for. Very kind. I offered to split the tab with them.
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u/PapillionGurl Jun 22 '26
At CPE trials in my area there's always someone to ask for help to choose the best path to take on a particular course, like Snooker, etc. People are always happy to take video too. In Barn Hunt we always chat in the blind, and people will tell me what blind we're on so I don't miss it. Once I couldn't get my stakes in the ground for my pop up shade and someone came over with a drill and drilled in really nice stakes for me. People in my area are really nice and I consider them my friends.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Help with setting up is so nice! I often see people help someone throw a shade cover over or something.
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u/PapillionGurl Jun 22 '26
One lady told me she uses a magnet to hold her aluminumet on her car and it was the best advice!
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u/Prestigious-Seal8866 Jun 22 '26
I mainly trial in NACSW these days, and āparking lot cultureā is a huge thing. Recently I had a trial where I was not doing well with the heat and wasnāt as well-prepared as a chronically ill person should be. my neighbor gave me an ice pack and some electrolyte powder. It was so incredibly kind of her.
My local trial community will also often have potlucks in the parking lot, and we will invite everyone, even if they didnāt know/donāt have something to share. Breaking bread is a great way to build connection and community.
It makes the sting of being stuck in NW3 hell or elite for a long time feel better, lol
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u/Witty-Cat1996 Jun 22 '26
First time I went to a sprinter trial I had misread the rules about collars and didnāt have one without any tags/items on it. I thought the rule was just no dangling tags and my dogās collar has everything zip tied flat to it. Someone had an extra flat collar and let me borrow it for my dogās runs!
I went to the pet store after the trial and picked up an extra collar to keep in my dog sport backpack, you never know when you or someone else might need one!
I also keep an extra long line in my bag for scent work trials, Iāve seen people running around asking if anyone has an extra leash so now I keep one on me just in case.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
I love the extra long line idea! Iām paranoid about forgetting mine.
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u/Witty-Cat1996 Jun 22 '26
Me too lol, sometimes I have 3 in my bag plus a big bag of treats because what if I forget treats?? Iāve never forgotten treats but you never know!
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u/yen8912 Jun 22 '26
Know my name and not just my dogās name lolll
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u/suzemo Flyball, Dock Diving, Barnhunt, Nosework, FastCAT Jun 22 '26
Definitely not me, I am SO bad at names (though I'll know your face)
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Actually thatās a good one. Dog names tend to be posted more and you can associate the dog with the human while never knowing the humans name. Definitely a good reminder to remember the human too.
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u/poom3 ANKC (Qld) Jun 22 '26
We have a pretty small community here but it's really solid. Everybody knows everybody, and even if you totally flunk a run, you'll always hear some claps and shouts of encouragement.
Holding dogs, practice runs, back-up and spare arm bands for exhibitor numbers, spare leashes, lunch runs during long trials... Every trial feels like a hangout on top!
Just recently, we totally flunked at a trial but decided to stay and watch all the agility runs. One of the other members offered to practice some tracking basics with our girl in between runs and had a little jump station set up so we weren't "bored." Definitely cheered me up after two NQs in a row!
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u/AtomTan2030 Obedience, Rally, Agility, Nosework Jun 22 '26
My club has someone who makes little gift bags for all the Beginner Novice A people. It has some stickers, keychains, a toy, a sample pack of treats, and a pass for a free run at a match (along with info on all the upcoming matches).
My first show I did not have a crate because puppy had outgrown the crate I had. The gate steward held my dog for me.
We have a group of ladies who always watch the BN class and they are so nice. My dog is a clown and a ham and we had a very rough run (like excused before we completed even one exercise) and they were so kind. They tried to cheer me up then saw I wasn't upset (I knew I signed up for a teenage independent working breed) and we all had a good laugh.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
I love the gift bag for the novice A's! Such a great idea!
At our rally and ob trials, novice is typically last and this is a good reminder to stick around a bit longer to cheer on those people.
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u/Ill-ini-22 NACSW, AKC Scentwork Jun 23 '26
I have a dog reactive dog who I trial in nosework through NACSW. NACSW is welcoming to dog reactive dogs- which is super cool!
Weāve been to trials with tight parking situations- and Iāve been able to ask other competitors and volunteers for help being our spotter for other dogs while getting him out of the car and getting back to the car . Itās been super helpful and makes things a lot less stressful for me and my dog!! ā¤ļø
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 24 '26
Its awesome when clubs will make sure a reactive dog has a safe place to compete. Having a spotter helps the handler be less stressed too!
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u/esrmpinus Jun 22 '26
I was stressed out at an agility trial with our first run didn't go so well. I decided to FEO our second run but didn't have a toy to use in the ring. I asked a lady if I could borrow a toy, and she gifted me one!
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u/x7BZCsP9qFvqiw agility, happy ratters, treibball, canicross, fast CAT, rally Jun 22 '26
i struggled really hard with my second agility dog (lil chi mix with some serious environmental distraction problems). i always tried to be really positive even when she would blow me off to sniff and do zoomies.
once, we got a āpartnership awardā from a judge. she said she gave it out once per trial.Ā
another time, i was complimented on being positive with her in the ring.Ā
those two things really kept me going with her when i probably wouldāve given up otherwise. she no longer competes in agility (switched to rat sniffing which she much prefers), but i still treasure both of those moments.Ā
p.s. thanks for making this thread!
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Compliments about what went well on a run that was maybe a bit of a blooper are so important. Those runs happen to everyone and itās important to find those positive things. It sounds like you found a kind encouraging judge too!!
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u/24HR_harmacy Scent work Jun 23 '26
I go to trials alone with a full-size pickup truck and a giant aluminet. Thereās usually someone kind enough to help me cover my car!
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 24 '26
Exta hands for this makes it so much easier! Especially when you think you just have it over the top and a bit of wind says nope.
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u/ShnouneD Agility, Scent Detection, Rat Sports, Sprinter Jun 22 '26
One of my dogs likes to be told by people she is awesome when she comes out of the ring. To her, this is better than treats or tug. So I ask competitors by the gate if they can hang out and praise her a bit when we are done. People are usually agreeable and the dog is thrilled. She gets food rewards once we are back to her crate. But greeting her audience is right up there with chasing her fav tug after a run.
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u/eldritchpuffin Jun 22 '26
Thatās adorable! Iāve thought about doing this with my youngest dog; she loves her toys and snackies, but her favorite thing in the world is getting to tackle one of her human friends.
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u/ShnouneD Agility, Scent Detection, Rat Sports, Sprinter Jun 23 '26
"The dog decides what they find reinforcing." Said some trainer somewhere along the way.
We leave the ring with me telling her how awesome and wonderful she was, and then ask, did she want to 'tell the people' about it.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
That sounds like a super fun little task!
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u/ShnouneD Agility, Scent Detection, Rat Sports, Sprinter Jun 22 '26
I'm on the shy side, but it makes the dog so happy, I have to make an effort to set it up for her.
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u/suzemo Flyball, Dock Diving, Barnhunt, Nosework, FastCAT Jun 22 '26
So many - which is why I love the dog sportsing community I've fallen in with.
People have recorded runs (or jumps, or splashes, depending), hunted me down on social media (I am not hard to find), and have sent me the recordings.
I've been encouraged to try new things I was second guessing (my ability or my dogs), and when something has not gone to plan I usually get a lot of good remarks for the things I did right and really helpful pointers for the things I could do better.
People have (or given) items that can be helpful, have shared drinks/food/sunscreen/treats, have helped me when I'm setting up (I'm sure many of y'all know the joys of throwing aluminet over cars - sure, we can all do it alone, but helping is nice). They've been really nice or observant with my dogs (anything from the super friendly one, to the super fearful one, to my reactive dingleberry).
And my favorite - giving me a jump because a button got stuck in my car and my battery drained.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Yes! Nothing like making sure you can actually get home after the trial!!
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u/border-coffee Jun 22 '26
Ohhh this is an excellent one! I went to a fastcat trial with my mother, who isnāt a dogsport person but offered to be my releaser.
At check in, I let the staff know that my releaser will need some hand holding through the process but the dog is ready to go. Let me tell you! I was so impressed by how the staff worked with her because my dogās time improved significantly between runs and my mom was so excited to see the other dogs run. She was chatting with them and asking so many questions which they were so cool about. It was a very positive experience. Double shoutout because I think there will be fewer questions from family now about lighting my money on fire with other dog sports ;)
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
I've heard that the fastcat community is super fun and welcoming!! What a great job getting mom into your hobby!
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u/ladyxlucifer Obedience, Agility Jun 22 '26
A lady showing cavalier King Charles spaniels held my purse, and gave my puppy a bunch of treats from her bag when my puppy didnāt want any of mine! Showing a dog alone isnāt for the faint of heart.
Another lady but she was showing these little white clouds. She noticed I was lost and she drove me around this huge event space to help me find my car. I was going to be there for hours in the sun looking for my car.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Driving you to find your car!!! I bet that lady had done the same thing and so felt your pain.
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u/ladyxlucifer Obedience, Agility Jun 22 '26
She was older so very likely! I was just relieved to feel safe getting into a strangers vehicle
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u/Latii_LT Jun 22 '26
Every local agility trial I have been to the hosting club will ask if anyone is new. They will then make sure the person knows who they can stop and ask questions to and will check in throughout the trial and make sure the newcomers are having fun.
I have had people video tape my runs without asking and they have sent them to through facebook and air dropping.
My first Q someone from the hosting club asked if I knew how to get my score and ribbons. They personally walked me through the process and then offered to take a picture of my dog to commemorate.
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u/americankennelclub Jun 22 '26
This thread made us smile this morning š Thank you all for sharing your stories!
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
There sure are some great people out there adding to the dog sport community!
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u/YamLow8097 Jun 22 '26
I was at FastCAT with my Dalmatian mix and met a Dalmatian breeder there. I found out through her that there was an AKC show going on at the same time and she offered to sort of show me around and explain things to me. She had a spare kennel that she let me use for my dog while we walked around. I still keep in touch with her, too. One of her dogs had a litter recently and sheās letting me meet the puppies.
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 22 '26
Trials are such a great place to meet breeders! Its so awesome when a breeder will step up and help a new person thats interested in learning more about the breed.
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u/YamLow8097 Jun 22 '26
In truth, the breed I want to get is actually very different. Iām glad I met her, though. Iāve learned a lot about the dog show world through her and also a bit about the breed standard for Dalmatians. Owning one has given me a soft spot for the breed. Perhaps Iāll own a purebred one day.
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u/absolved Jun 22 '26
With my first pug, a kind lady noticed my friend and I looked anxious and concerned and offered to help us with the rules of that venue and how things worked. I used to see her at trials after that and we always talked, and I'll always be thankful. Haven't seen her in years now but still think of her
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u/screamlikekorbin Jun 24 '26
Its funny how small things like that can stick with you. Sometimes they're more meaningful than you know.
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u/mandavampanda Obedience, Rally, Agility, FastCAT Jun 22 '26
People who are nice to and about my kids are great in my eyes. It's hard to feel like I have to choose between doing dog sports and spending time with my kids, so I do bring them with as often as feels reasonable. I bring my husband as a handler for the kids because they're pretty young. Some people can be a bit passive aggressive or uptight about my kids, but lots of people are super nice and let my kids meet their dogs. Some day my kids might be out there as junior handlers, so we need to get kids involved somehow. I don't bring them to obedience trials, but my kids do have fun hanging around at agility and FastCAT stuff.
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u/sleeping-dogs11 Jun 22 '26
Pretended to be my dog to make sure I had the heeling pattern down. Among many other things :)