The Game of Lacrosse & Aggressive Dogs: Two Things That They Have In Common...

Posted by jennifer on January 26, 2009 in Training & Behavior Tips.

Back in Boarding School, I traded my saddle in for a while to play team sports. Accepted into one of the best riding programs in the country, there was something that was calling my name when I started kicking around a soccer ball one day. With that said, within my high school career, I was fortunate to play three varsity sports, win many awards and team captainships as well as become a New England Lacrosse all star player. I played on the field at times but my home was in the goal box and as a lacrosse goalie, the hard balls can come flying at you at extreme speeds from close range. Accepted into college, I was recruited to help start a women's team at Chapman University.
The history of Lacrosse is quite fascinating. It is considered to be our nations oldest sport dating back to early Native American times when men would prepare for battle using the game to develop strength, speed and agility. Lacrosse was also used to resolve conflicts and heal the sick. The first women's lacrosse game was played in 1890 at a school in Scotland at it is considered to be one of the fastest growing sports in our culture today.
The ability to catch a ball moving at high speeds develops one's reflex action. By watching body language, you may anticipate a move or a direction of throw. Not wanting to get hit by the hard ball kept you on your toes and fast with the net. In goal, I had been hit so hard that the padding wore out in certain areas on my equipment and when I blocked the ball with my body, there were permanent black & blue marks.
None the less, when I handle aggressive dogs, it is the same quick reflex that gets me out of some sticky situations. Handling techniques are very similar to playing a sport- even dogs and wolves know this. As much as they practice their coordination through play, I practice my coordination through playing with them. Throwing around a lacrosse ball and catching it in a net develops my speed and quickness the same as when a dog misses a bite because I got out of it in time.
When you play ball with your dog, watch them as they progress through puppy hood, into adult hood. You will see their ability in reflex with their mouths, timing, speed and quickness develop. A dogs mouth, is our hands. They use their mouth like we do our hands. If you make your hands fast as they make their mouth's fast, you are both playing the same sport with just different equipment.
There are always ways in which you can pull from experiences in your life to help make and create techniques and tools that keep you on the field on not sitting on the bench. Each and every day I strive to earn my success by pulling from many different experiences in my life to always stay one step ahead of the pack...
Until next time,
Jennifer

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