Jenny Gould Sports Dog Training

05/09/2025

What would you add?

28/08/2025

This 👇👇👇

When I went to Australia recently, I felt like I’d been cast in some survival documentary before I even boarded the plane.

The organisers had thoroughly prepared me.

First came the weather warnings:
“It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s windy. Pack for all eventualities.”

Then came the travel hazards:
🦡 “Watch out for wombats. They don’t move quickly, and they don’t move for anyone. If you hit one, you’ll destroy your car.”
🦘 “And kangaroos? They’re worse. They come out of nowhere, leap across the road, and BOOM — goodbye bonnet.”

By the end of the briefing, I was imagining myself driving through some Mad Max version of Australia, dodging kangaroos like they were extras in The Matrix while wombats casually plodded across four lanes of traffic, impervious to everything.

So, when I finally landed in Sydney, I was half-expecting chaos. And honestly? The first part wasn’t far off.

The weather… yep, grey, wet, windy. But I’m British. Rain is basically our national sport. I almost felt at home, except the tea wasn’t quite strong enough. ☕

But then came the part where I had to actually hire a car.

I’ll admit — all those warnings had wormed their way into my head. By the time I got to the rental desk, I was second-guessing myself.

“What if I hit a wombat?”
“What if a kangaroo body-slams the car at 40mph?”
“Do I even want to drive here?”

It’s funny how quickly other people’s fears can become your own.

But then I paused. Took a breath. And reminded myself of some simple truths:

🚗 I’ve been driving since I was 17.
🚔 I drove professionally in law enforcement — trained to handle high-pressure, chaotic situations.
🌍 I’ve driven the length and breadth of the UK (badgers and deer are basically the British version of wombats and kangaroos).
✈️ I’ve driven abroad plenty of times, on the wrong side of the road, in the wrong type of car, and lived to tell the tale.

So why was I letting other people’s stories override my own lived experience?

That was the turning point. I stopped fixating on what could go wrong, and instead focused on what I can control. My driving, my awareness, my training, my choices.

And you know what? I was fine. More than fine, actually. I navigated Sydney’s roads, in the rain, in the dark, kangaroos bouncing about like they were auditioning for Cirque du Soleil… and I came out unscathed.

And here’s where the lesson clicked.

This is exactly like competing in dog sports.

You turn up at a show and suddenly everyone becomes a commentator:
👉 “This judge is really tough.”
👉 “Watch out, dogs always blow their stays in this ring.”
👉 “Your dog’s not quite ready yet.”

Before you know it, you’re not walking into the ring with your dog anymore — you’re walking in carrying everyone else’s fears, doubts, and horror stories.

But just like with me in Australia, those are their experiences. Not yours.

Your truth is this:
🐾 You’ve trained.
🐾 You know your handling.
🐾 You’ve rehearsed your cues.
🐾 You’ve built the skills.

You can’t control the weather. Or the wildlife. Or the judge.

But you can control yourself, your dog, and the work you’ve put in.

So the next time you feel those doubts creeping in, take a breath and remind yourself: you’ve done the work, you’ve got the tools, and you’re ready.

Because if I can dodge kamikaze kangaroos in the pouring rain in a rental car… you can definitely survive the competition ring. 😉

28/08/2025

🎉🎉🎉 Last weekend was most definitely about our Beginners!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Tracy and Tilly won their Beginners class and Ann and Moxzee won 2 Pre Beginners classes!!!

What a fabulous day for these guys! Congratulations both. Onwards and upwards!

21/08/2025

And this is exactly why my dogs are checked proactively by my rehab vet...

Chitta is only just coming up to 18 months old and she shrugged this off yesterday like it was nothing. She was far more interested in catching her ball!

Adrenalin can mask injuries. A simple fall like this can lead to chronic problems further down the line if not assessed and treated properly at the time.

Chitta is very fit and strong but she is not made of iron. We sourced a same day appointment with our excellent rehab vet who advised that all was well.

So thankful for our fortnightly checks. Tamsin can feel subtle issues before they ever show physically.

If you are competing in dog sports please ensure you arrange a professional of your choice to examine your dog regularly.

Invest as much into your dog's physical health as you do their training and you will be heading for a longer, healthier and happier working life.

20/08/2025

Just a couple of weeks ago I wrote about me being below par and one of our rounds subsequently going completely and utterly wrong!!

Dogs sports are never just about the handler OR the dog. It is totally a partnership and isn't that just the best bit? ❤️❤️❤️.

Overall my Tove is enjoying a purple patch in the first few shows of this season. 4 wins in almost as many shows! Does this mean all of our rounds have been perfect? Absolutely not! She is not a robot.

What can seem like a never ending winning streak from the outside couldn't be further from the truth. Yes we have enjoyed a flurry of wins but those do not come without the low points too.

Work through the low points and enjoy the high points for BOTH are a part of the whole picture.

Having worked through our low a couple of weeks ago Tove won her class this weekend in superb style😍😍😍

19/08/2025

🤯🤯🤯Under Pressure?

Feeling Impatient?

Frustrated at a lack of results?

🐢Does it seem that everyone around you is progressing yet you are still in the same place...or at least you feel that your progress is S-L-O-W?

You see handlers with dogs of the same age, or the same breed or worse still they are from the same litter. They are winning and moving on up the classes but you have yet to match their success?

⏰Here's the thing.....there is no perfect timing. Honestly there really isn't! This is YOUR journey with YOUR dog.

Run your own race. Each dog is different, each handler is different. Personal circumstances differ and our beliefs and goals differ.

Do I ever feel pressured by watching others run their race?

Nope. Honestly I really don't. I am incredibly comfortable with running my own race.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️I was a long distance runner in my teens. I loved the gradual slow build up and the mental game involved in being patient and knowing the exact moment to make my move! It is hardly surprising that this mindset bleeds into my dog sports.

Teams can slow burn and then suddenly progress or some teams will have progression from the get go. All differ and none are wrong.

Do not allow other teams and their progression to factor in your mindset. Enjoy your own individual, exclusive journey for there will never be another the same and it is over all too soon.

❓Are you naturally a long distance runner or a sprinter?

19/08/2025

🎉🎉🎉More fabulous success for Sports Edition & GSD Hub member Kate with Nessie winning A on the weekend!!

So good they had to do twice and run off for the win!!

Congratulations Kate. I do so love seeing these "other breeds" working their way up the classes!

18/08/2025

🎉🎉🎉 Woohoo!!!! 1st B win for Sports Edition member Tricia and Taiga this weekend!!!

How flipping amazing Tricia I am so damn chuffed for you!!!

09/08/2025

I am a big believer in giving back to the sport I love. Today was a 7 hour round trip to Essex to judge my 4th appointment this year.

I still have a couple of other judging appointments to fulfil this year and I have only just begun competing with my own dogs this season.

Everyone has something to give. Whether you judge, ring steward, table steward or park cars.... if you take you should give back.

If you compete in sports please do find the time. We all have busy lives and restrictions but if we can compete regularly surely we should also help?