Those last second, pre-run distractions.

All the annoying, disrupting things that  could possibly happen 5-40 seconds before you take the first jump.  As competitors we learn to ignore these things and work through them, but they can still sometimes be a royal pain in the butt!

1) People standing right smack dab in the center of the ring entrance, it's like 3-4  feet wide and out of all the places in the show and this person chose to stand there?  Just, UGH.

2) Overly enthusiastic gate steward that INSISTS you go in the ring exactly at jump 15, yard 120 or the world will end. Competitors are responsible for getting themselves and their dog in the ring in a timely fashion, no need to yell.

3) One of my favorites is when they have you go to the line, then you sit there for 5 minutes while approximately five girl scouts attempt to set the double jump. The best is when 2 adults come over and they still can't figure it out until the judge helps them.  At least you have extra time to memorize the course though, right?

4) Kites, it's a training issue I know, but how is it possible that exactly 5 seconds after I give my dog the last treat a kite magically appears in the sky, or a bird, shadow, plane or butterfly. For those of us who run a dog that's overly enthusiastic about these peculiar distractions, we know that once the focus is gone...the run is pretty much screwed. One butterfly man, that's all it takes.

5) For us weekend warriors who have and probably still venture to outdoor shows, rain. Not just like normal rain, but when it starts pouring buckets just as you walk to the start line. I swear every time this happens my sheltie, Jenna, just glares at me with a look of hatred that seems to say, "Bitch, my hair is going to be all frizzy now, there better be A LOT of hot dogs after this, or else."

6) OR when it's too, too hot to be standing out in the sun and there are extra people standing in the tent shade designated for the dogs about to run. My dog likes to eat hot dogs, but she does not want to be a hot dog, please don't hog the shade?

7) This one has happens far too often. Getting in the ring, handing the leash runner your leash and then the dog in front of you decides to do five solo victory laps around the ring, which was a practice my lhasa quite enjoyed. Or when the dog finishes a run with extra laps and decides to aggressively charge your dog in the process.  

8) Being rushed into the ring early. They say, "5 minutes to first dog" every class, but sometimes it gets cut back a minute or two, and boy oh boy do those extra seconds matter! Warming up your dog on the jump and being screamed at that you're supposed to be in the ring this second is VERY unpleasant.

9) When you get to the start line and the person running in front of you neglected to tell you they earned a MACH, then you have to make the hard decision of whether you should leave the ring and come back in or stand there awkwardly clapping while they do their victory lap... Please, please, please warn me if you're going to get a MACH? I'll clap for you either way, but my dog and I would be much happier outside of the ring while you celebrate.

10) When the dog in line behind you tries to eat your dog, or when your dog tries to eat the dog behind you... Personal space people. We all know that not all dogs are going to be up for a friendly visit, don't assume my dog, that is completely under control, isn't going to want to take a bite out of yours and I'll show you the same courtesy. Thank you!

11) Getting bumped in the running order as you're walking to the line, "No, no, no! Fido is running before you as of twelve seconds ago." Really I understand emergency conflicts, I run multiple dogs in multiple heights and classes, but still a three dog minimum warning would be much appreciated. Those 120-150 seconds will not kill you, plus it's your job to manage your conflicts effectively, your fellow competitors deserve a heads up. 

*Please understand this post is meant to be humorous, not meant to antagonize fellow competitors. These are things we've dealt and I hope everyone is enjoying themselves at shows enough to see the humor in these moments. Agility is just a game after all :)