Some of us are taking the “sport of dogs” way too seriously, and I’m ashamed to admit that sometimes I’m guilty, too. I confess that I seldom wear a smile on my face while I’m competing. Most of the time, I’m either too nervous or too intent on showing my dog(s) to best advantage to remember that a sport is “a physical activity engaged in for pleasure.” I’ve had my fill of hearing that “the judge was looking at the wrong end of the leash,” seeing obedience dogs perform mechanically with tails tucked, and viewing the suppressed anger of handlers who’s runs have gone horribly awry and I don’t want to be remembered that way. I’ve made a conscious effort to behave better.