"Whenever I get to a low point, I go back to the basics. I ask myself, why am I doing this? It comes down to passion." Lyn St. James

Issue: October, 2002

Publisher & Editor: Diane Peters Mayer
Co-editor: Vanessa Klapper - Director of Fitness

A. PeakSpeak
B. Training Tip of The Month
C. Second Chances
D. BookPicks
E. Announcements & Coming Events
F. Invitations

A. PeakSpeak

Hello and welcome to all our readers and the many new subscribers who have signed on.

PeakNews offers a range of information about ring nerves, the ways to conquer it, and how to really enjoy competition. Also, your questions, comments, stories, poetry and more.

Can eating certain foods help ease performance anxiety? This month's Training Tip takes a look at this possibility.

Second Chances features rescue poetry .

Sue Sternberg's work is featured in BookPicks.

PeakNews aims to serve as a worldwide forum for dog handlers, and our readers hail from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland and South Africa.

November's issue is the last time this year, dear readers, you'll be able to submit stories, questions, poetry, ISO and comments. Your confidentiality is assured if you request it, writing experience is not necessary, and length is unimportant. PeakNews will be on break in December for the holidays. Submission deadline is November 20th.

Please join us to become the handler of your dreams. Your dog will thank you!

Enjoy.

Diane & Vanessa

B. Training Tip of the Month

Can Bananas Help Ring Nerves?

Though there are no formal research studies that we could find (so far), bananas are being eaten by some musicians and athletes to ease aspects of performance anxiety. Reportedly, general nervousness and shakiness are lessened by eating one or two ripe bananas about a half hour before performing.

Bananas contain potassium and B vitamins, and seem to act as natural "beta blockers" for some people. Beta blockers which are drugs like Inderal, "block" the fight or flight response, that adrenaline rush with its host of uncomfortable symptoms, such as, rapid heart beat and trembling. Also, bananas, which are smooth and thick, may act as a natural coating to ease stomach queasiness and upset. The "banana effect" may last for a few hours.

Other Food Tips

• Grape juice reportedly has a similar effect as bananas on reducing performance anxiety.
  
  
• Chocolate helps some people feel less tense and anxious during competition-but others experience increased tension and nervousness due to the sugar and caffeine content.
  
  
• An old-fashioned remedy, hot water and lemon juice, can quiet stomach upsets. Add honey to coat stomach.
  
  
• It is highly recommended by sports coaches that light balanced meals be eaten the night before competition, and if possible, the morning before the event.
  
  
• Be sure to take healthy snacks along to munch throughout the day, to keep insulin levels balanced, and mental and physical energy high.
  
  
• Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated, and keep fatigue away.
  
  
• It's usual to recommend an absence or decrease in coffee or tea: caffeine and ring nerves usually don't mix. But if you "need" your coffee or tea to get going, then drink it!
  
  
• If you have favorite "comfort foods", eat them the night before, in the a.m., or even at the show.

By all means, experiment with food combinations to see what works best for you, and when, and add these to your tools in your fight against "ring nerves".

If any readers use food or drink to help ring nerves, please let us know, we'd love to share this information with other subscribers. Readers, if you try the "banana effect", please do us know the results. Thanks.

C. Second Chances

October is Adopt a Dog month. This month's column is in honor of all the amazing dogs and their human companions we have featured in Second Chances over the year. And to all the wonderful dogs waiting to be saved and loved and the people who work tirelessly trying to make it happen for them.

Please rescue a new friend, volunteer, advocate for spay and neuter programs, and donate to your favorite shelter or rescue group. Every act or donation, no matter how small, helps.

Following is a poem posted on www.birchgrove.net with permission from the author to reprint:

Rescued Dog
by Arlene Pace

Once I was a lonely dog,
Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate whatever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat
Or gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
Was really lots of fun.

And then one day I heard a voice
So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
And took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you,"
Was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear."
"You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat."
"And rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet."

I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
A human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds
And bathed and brushed my fur
She told me 'bout the rescue group
And what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle,
A line that never ends."
"And in the center there is you
protected by new friends."

"And all around you are
the ones that check the pounds,
and those that share their home
after you've been found."
"And all the other folk
are searching near and far,
to find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family,
that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and see."
"And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go."

I waited very patiently,
The days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think
It wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting
for a special dog like you."
Now every night I say a prayer
to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live
and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the dogs
in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet."

Have a story, poem or comment you'd like to share? Please send it along and we'll make a donation to the shelter or rescue group.

Note: Please send us the story of your rescued dog and how it became or is becoming a competitor. As a thank you for your contribution, Competing At Your Peak Inc. will donate $25.00 in you and your dog's name, to the shelter or rescue group of your choice. To submit a story, please write to us at: CAYPNews@aol.com

D. Book Picks - This book can be purchased from www.Dogwise.com.

Sue Sternberg Presents A Guide to Choosing Your Next Dog from the Shelter.

A super guide for the reader in quest for that perfect pound puppy. Includes tips and techniques for temperament testing. A must if your next dog is going to be a rescue.

Also by Sternberg: Great Dog Adoptions: A Guide for Shelters; and Training for Dogs in Shelters.

Check out www.Dogwise.com for a list of all of Sternberg's booklets.

E. Announcements & Coming Events

Seminar-Combating Ring Nerves for All Dog Sports
For Handlers and Dogs.

Saturday, March 1st, 2003
From 9:00 am - 4:00 pm in Blairstown, NJ.

Learn great exercises and techniques to conquer ring nerves. Plan to attend our popular six hour seminar now!

$135.00 for seminar and materials.

See the difference a day makes!

Read more about it or click to register

or call Diane at (215)348-8836.

Site: Positive Motivation Dog Training
187 Route 94, Blairstown, NJ 07825

Can't Make a Seminar?

STOP RING NERVES FROM HOME! with our Audio Ring Nerve Program.

DO YOU EXPERIENCE?

• Rapid Heartbeat
• Shaky Limbs
• Loss of Concentration
• Panic
• Negative Thoughts
• Transmitting Anxiety to Your Dog
• Disappointing Show Performance

TAKE COMMAND!

• Show Without Panic
• Remain Calm and Relaxed
• Be Confident
• Move Smoothly in the Ring
• Connect with Your Dog
• Project Success

THE AUDIO RING NERVE PROGRAM WILL HELP YOU DO IT!

• Great Exercises & Techniques.
• A Super Quickie Stress-Buster
• Guided Imagery to mentally rehearse your perfect performance
• Terrific Training Tips.

To read more about it/order click here
or call Diane at 215-348-8836. $29.95 plus S&H

A Program for Handlers with Aggressive and/or Reactive Dogs
will be offered in a four hour Workshop on
Saturday, March 22, 2003. (No dogs, please).

You can become a calming influence for your dog!

Workshop site is in Blairstown, NJ.

To register for this workshop, or for more information and details about all our programs and products, click here or send an email to Diane Peters Mayer at:

Dpetersmayer@aol.com or call 215-348-8836.

F. Invitations

We invite you to submit your questions to Ask the Coaches and your stories to Handlers Tales and Second Chances.

Please share your experiences and questions with your fellow readers, to help make PeakNews a dynamic arena in which to discuss the various aspects of "ring nerves" with handlers from all over the world.

We'd also love to hear from you with topics you want to see covered in future issues, and any comments you have about PeakNews.

Please send your stories and questions to CAYPNews@aol.com

Thank you! See you next month, and —

**Note: Columns may vary from month to month.

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