You asked, we answered! Ali and Shay tackle a burning question for all aspiring agility handlers: when is the right time to enter your first trial? Dive into a discussion about the delicate balance between preparedness and potentially denting your (and your dog's!) confidence. They dissect the risks of jumping in too early,  the differences between age and skill readiness, and why your initial trials shouldn't be all about the Q. Get ready for real talk about setting realistic expectations, building a confident partnership, and why patience is a virtue in the wild world of Border Collie agility. Plus, hear about Eden's upcoming UKI debut and Ali's reflections on Maya's early trial experiences!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• ​Prime Time: Age restrictions vs. skill readiness – what truly dictates when you're ready to trial.
• ​Confidence Killers: The long-term impact of early failures and how to avoid a confidence crisis for both handlers and dogs.
• ​Trial Mindset: Shifting your perspective from winning to learning, and using trials as valuable training feedback.
• ​The Power of Planning: Everything from your setup and rewards to your "what if" scenarios when things go sideways.
• ​First Trial Tales: Ali shares memories of her first agility trial (the good, the bad, and the slightly chaotic!)

See Ali running her instructor's Master-level agility dog, Fionn, here!

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