Learning Psychological Flexibility with Dolly: A Rally Ring Revelation

The Houston Dog Show is a massive venue, buzzing with thousands of spectators and multiple events happening simultaneously. That’s where I made the bold decision to enter my dog, Dolly, in an event called Rally. Why did I do that to myself? I knew the ring would include a “panel jump”—and I also knew Dolly was afraid of it. We practiced diligently at home. Dolly was clearing the jump with ease, and I held onto hope that her confidence would carry over to the show. Boy, was I wrong.

So how does this story translate into developing psychological flexibility?

According to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), acceptance is a core component of flexibility. Rather than battling against discomfort, ACT encourages us to simply notice it, acknowledge its presence, and use that awareness to gain insight. In that Rally ring, Dolly and I had to embody that philosophy. The moment we entered, Dolly’s head whipped toward the panel jump. I knew instantly—we were in trouble. But instead of forcing her to overcome it, I chose acceptance. I let go of the urge to control her reaction, focused on what she could do, and skipped the jump altogether. She still scored an impressive 85 out of 100 points; the jump was only a 10-point deduction. That small act of acceptance gave me clarity. Dolly didn’t just need practice at home—she needed exposure in different environments. I gained insight that would have eluded me had I pushed through the struggle. Acceptance doesn’t always fix a problem, but it can reveal whether it’s solvable—or simply something we must live with. This flexible mindset reduces anxiety by interrupting cycles of avoidance and resistance. The moment we stop fighting the emotion, we stop feeding the spiral. Stay tuned for more reflections on cultivating psychological flexibility—through the lens of ACT and the lessons learned from a Rally ring.

Author: Lydia J.