You know, all I wanted to do with my dogs are give him a wide variety of experiences. I got his CGC because I needed to be able to control him with at least some certainty as we did new things. This herding thing was a one shot deal when I went into it and it was indeed fun. Is this something I want to pursue? I doubt it.
The next thing planned is a long hike in the mountains. We have not done that yet. Would we do that often? I doubt it.
The herding test was not unlike all the things I do with my dogs. We walk city streets, and mean downtown downtown not in neighborhoods. We go to arts and crafts fairs, outdoor rock concerts, we visit friends and family together, we do many varied things and don't focus on just one.
To me it's not about the destination, but the journey and have a well rounded dog in a variety of situations. Having ribbons and titles are not important to me, I understand they are to some people and I support that, but it's much more important to me, just to be with my dogs. If it's herding or us just taking a nap at home, it's all just as good to me.
Fact is, we all have lives outside our dogs and more often that not, those take priority out of necessity. The time and monetary restraints do play a role.
I have to be a realist here. I'm a city guy and have city dogs. The things we do together can be just as rewarding to all of us in the city as those out in the country. I'm just trying to set reasonable expectations for myself as their owners.
I like to go to the theater when I'm in NYC. I also like to go to Central park for a Picnic and visit the museums. I love to eat a NYC hot dog on the city streets and equally as well fine dining at the Waldorf. For me, life is about experiencing many different things and that's what I try give my dogs. The herding test was just that and nothing else.
Did Jax love it? Well, duh, but he also loves going to the dog park. He should do both and he has. Today I found another HIC test coming up next month. We "might" go again just for fun, but to sign him up on the spot for a long term herding training and neglect his other activities is not in the plan.
I could see us doing agility, it's in the city and I think both Jax and Peyton would love it. Would that substitute for going to the DP or out and about on the town with Dad, of course not. Agility would just be one more thing for my dogs to "experience" and never an end all be all, or win at all cost kind of thing at all. I want my dogs to experience many things and they can be a champion of none as far as I'm concerned.
Whether I make bad choices or good choices it is never without forethought. Could I have done better, evidently, did I know I could do better, well now I do. But that still does not diminish the fact that Jax got that experience and that was my only goal and in that, it was a success for all. You can say what you will about the tester, but "I know" my intentions with my dogs are always very good and I have longer term well rounded plan which is my main focus.
I hope that clears things up. Sorry if I went off. You guys should know me pretty well after 450 posts. I do NOTHING that will hurt my dogs.