Less stress, more silverware
RELAXING a bit more, and strong support from friends helped Dunedin dog trainer Nicky Rutherford scoop many of the top prizes at a recent National Dog Obedience Assembly.
The Mosgiel woman has been competing in dog shows, national and regional, for at least 25 years but scored by far her biggest win, gaining five trophies, over Easter weekend, at the annual Christchurch event.
Her 31⁄2year old border collie Easy won the top dog in show prize and three other trophies, and the dog’s father, 7yearold Wicked, also gained a prize in the contest’s highest grade.
‘‘I was so excited,’’ Mrs Rutherford said.
‘‘I’m still buzzing. It was just an awesome event in so many respects.’’
The success has yet to fully sink in.
‘‘I haven’t had time to come down yet,’’ she said yesterday.
Since her success, she has been showered with congratulatory messages from friends in the New Zealand dog community.
When Mrs Rutherford competed in Christchurch, she was accompanied by 10 people she had previously helped with dog obedience training in Mosgiel.
She was delighted that many also gained places or wins.
‘‘Eleven of us went up; nine of the 11 ended up on the podium.’’
The travelling group from Dunedin had all been ‘‘really supportive of each other’’.
‘‘We were all in a very good head space,’’ she said.
‘‘You’ve got to have a good relationship with the dogs.
‘‘You’ve got to motivate them to really want to work with you.’’
She had always enjoyed the company of her dogs, and mixing with other dog lovers, but earlier may have been a bit too ‘‘intense’’ when competing, perhaps putting too much pressure on the dogs and herself.
Because of other demands on her time, including from her dog obedience training business, about five years ago she had reduced the number of big events she had participated in, before returning to national contests two years ago.
She had benefited from that break, ‘‘sorted out my priorities’’, gained some valuable advice, and learned to relax a little more.