Now this article is not a lesson on Carol Dweck’s work, but it does shed some light on why we use the word so much and why it is so highly valued as a concept. Attitude , per definition, has an inter- esting range: Relating to a person’s physi- cal posture or state of readiness; a men- tal position or state of emotion that can be both positive and helpful, or negative and hostile. 2 When attitude is related to behavior, the term can also be linked with physical behaviors. As Merriam-Webster defines, “The arrangement of the parts of a body; a position assumed for a specific purpose; a bodily state of readiness.” Isn’t that an intriguing definition in the context of per- forming in a show ring? When attitude is related to a men- tal position or a state of emotion, it can drive an exhibitor’s performance, and as we know, influence that of their dog. In contrast, mindset as a driving behavior is often understood as subconscious and psy- cho-emotional. In our case, both the atti- tude and the mindset can make or break our own ring experience as well as that of our dog. Let’s apply the term. The word “atti- tude” has a range of connotations. In a negative context, the classic situation that comes to mind is a parent reprimand- ing a teenager with a call to, “Watch that attitude of yours.” Or, alternatively, who hasn’t approached the ring with a highly spirited 18-month-old dog whose attitude needs an adjustment? Then again, there’s the attitude of, “You think you’re hot,” or “She’s got attitude!” Exhibitor to exhibi- tor, there could be some resentment in that “attitude.” On the positive side, let’s look at the stellar dog that is praised with, “That dog has attitude!” This last one has multiple layers as it implies that the dog is very showy and confident. The dog physi- cally presents with a “bodily state of readi- ness.” 3 Merriam-Webster’s sixth definition of the word attitude.
you get that she has a growth mindset. “I kind of got in my head today and started doubting myself,” Biles told reporters. “And you could see that in her gymnastics. But just go home, work harder. This is just the beginning of the journey.” 6 With every competition, she raises the bar higher and higher. I find inspira- tion in such excellence, the mindset, and the focus. I draw great insight from elite athletes ranging from football players to sprint runners. Who are your competitive heroes? As you know, Simone Biles is just
BUT WITH A POSITIVE MENTALITY, PLUS
ATTITUDE, WE ARE IN THE ZONE! WHICH IS EXACTLY
WHERE A GROWTH MINDSET GETS YOU.
mentality?” That phrase gives the impres- sion that it’s just so much “old news.” But with a positive mentality, plus attitude, we are in the ZONE! Which is exactly where a growth mindset gets you. Why is this so important? It’s impor- tant because, as in any competitive sport, there is always something to overcome. For example, let’s look at the story of an Olympian who faltered in the trials; one who does not usually falter. AN OLYMPIAN’S MINDSET: LET’S LEARN FROM THE BEST The most decorated American gymnast, Simone Biles, has secured her spot on her second Olympic team. She is an athlete who consistently sets the bar high and delivers. Biles has won five Olympic medals, four of which are gold, and twenty-five World Championship medals at the age of twen- ty-four. It’s worth every minute to watch this awe-inspiring athlete in action. Why? Because she creates a Stellar Presentation nearly every time. 5 Even when she does fal- ter, she regroups and comes back stronger. As we saw in the June 2021 Olympic Trials, Biles had a rocky start. She literally fell off the balance beam and stepped out of bounds on the floor. These are mistakes that carry heavy deductions of 1.0 point for every infraction. How did she bounce back from those losses? She regrouped for her final routine on the floor apparatus and dazzled the crowd with her performance— which was awarded the highest score of the night. Significantly, Biles performed her signature move, a double-double dis- mount, a move that was named after her, “The Biles.” Let’s look at her mindset. What hap- pened when she finished the first day of her trials in second place? Did she stop compet- ing and give up, thinking, “Aw, dang, I’ll never make the team?” or “Oh, I don’t want to try because I can never win and if I’m not really trying, then it won’t count if I lose.” Of course not! That is a fixed mindset. Nope, she took it as a challenge. And whenyouhearher interview, youreallyget it;
one of my heroes outside of dogs. HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO DOG SHOWS?
With a growth mindset and a posi- tive attitude, you too can make it to the podium. I have intentionally set up the Dog Show Mentor program as a strategic approach and mindset academy, rather than a skills-based program. OK, so you have a growth mindset in the dog show arena, and you set your sights on your dog and his capabilities of win- ning Bests in Show; you have to practice, and groom, and train your dog. Embrace it every day. Showing dogs is a competition. Yes, it is a show. Yes, it is fun. But I call upon you to treat it like it really matters. It’s a way of life and it’s a way of thinking. We live and breathe dogs; our Olympian counterparts live and breathe gymnastics. Develop constructive habits. Practice to create a team with your dog and think in terms of what your expectations are for your canine companion. That’s what the Olympians do. They set goals—big goals! They create a plan to get there. Execute. Review. Repeat. My goal is to influence your mindset in a positive way and to give you the tools to compete on the world stage. I want you to have a ripple effect on the dog show world, just as Biles has had in her sport. Biles is going into this Olympics with four moves named after her. (She has shared with reporters that there may be a fifth after the Tokyo Olympics.) It’s this growth mindset of being the best she can be, knowing what she’s capable of and where her talents lie, that drive her success. She knows exactly what she has to do to create that spectacular performance! She is changing the sport of women’s gymnastics! She is super competitive! She has mental steeliness! Do you have a fire in your belly like Biles does?
THE DOG PHYSICALLY PRESENTS WITH A ‘BODILY STATE OF READINESS.’
Mentality , per definition is, “A person’s particular way of thinking about things.” 4 When we think about the word men- tality, there is often a derogatory conno- tation. What about the up-and-coming young handlers who scorn the “old-school
1-4 Merriam-Webster dictionary, Accessed 2021 5 Dog Show Mentor motto 6 NBC News
230 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JULY 2021
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