05/30/2026
Sometimes trainers need to put their training hats down and become students again.
This afternoon, Mandy and I had the opportunity to do exactly that.
We attended an introduction to the sport of Hoopers, taught by Nell Hamilton, who is heading to Europe this summer to compete at both the SAO and EO, with Nancy by her side. Needless to say, we were in very capable hands.
For two hours, we got to focus on our own dogs, try something completely new, and simply enjoy the process of learning.
And we had an absolute blast.
What made it especially fun was watching how differently our dogs approached the same challenges. Mandy’s Freya and my Keziah are complete opposites. Freya is thoughtful, methodical, and steady. Keziah is a little firecracker who prefers life at full speed. Yet both found success in their own way.
As trainers, we spend so much time teaching others that we sometimes forget how important it is to keep learning ourselves. There is something refreshing about stepping outside your comfort zone, making mistakes, laughing about them, and working through the process alongside your dog.
Keziah knows her role as a demo dog incredibly well. She has helped teach countless dogs and handlers over the years. But if I’m being fair, the routine can sometimes get a little repetitive for her. Today, I got to watch her think, problem solve, experiment, and genuinely enjoy learning something new.
That may have been my favourite part of the day.
It reminded me why I fell in love with dog training in the first place. Not because of ribbons, titles, or perfect performances, but because there is something incredibly rewarding about learning with your dog and discovering what you’re both capable of together.
A huge thank you to Nell and Nancy for a fantastic afternoon. We learned a lot, laughed a lot, and left with a new appreciation for the sport of Hoopers.
