Clean Run - January 2009 - 11

Trainer’s Forum By Brenna Fender I train two dogs in the same agility class. One gets overexcited and he barks and lunges when I’m working the other. He is fine when other people run their dogs, but he can’t handle it when I’m running my second dog. I must work them in the same class so both need to be in the practice area. How can I teach my dog to wait quietly? Anne Andrle I’ve been most successful with keeping my other dogs quiet and in control of themselves while working with my third dog by making them responsible for their behavior. I find dogs that are mechanically and physically restrained (tied up or in an ex-pen, for example) turn their brains off, since they have no responsibility to keep themselves contained. The leash or the ex-pen is doing the thinking for them. Teaching the dog to control his own actions works better than physical restraint. Start teaching self-control in small increments at home before you take it to agility class. Put dog #1 in a down. Move just a few feet away and then ask dog #2 for simple behaviors, such as sit, down, or any tricks he knows. As long as dog #1 does not move from position, intermittently leave dog #2 to click and treat dog #1 for holding position. The first time you start this exercise, make the interval between when you first start working with dog #2 and when you reinforce dog #1 for holding a down very short (seconds, really). Try to click and treat often at first to reinforce that staying put is when all the good stuff happens. If dog #2 gets up to take the treat while you are moving toward him to deliver it, stop moving and freeze in place. Wait for the dog to resume his down position. You can use a no-reward marker if desired. If he doesn’t resume the down position or he continues toward you, gently place him in a down, exactly where Anne is a bronze medalist and 2008 IFCS/USDAA World Team Member with her Border Collie, MACH ADCH Ski. She instructs all levels of agility and teaches seminars throughout New England. Contact her through www.xtremeagility.com. he was originally. Do not give dog #2 a reward at this time, because you would be rewarding him for “breaking” his down. Ask for the stay again, rewarding the held position much faster, and more frequently. If your dog repeatedly breaks position or gets up as you come back, you may need to take a step back and reward more often. When you are done working with dog #1, go back to dog #2, click/treat the held position, and then verbally release dog #2 to you for his turn. Next repeat the process for dog #1. As the dogs become savvy about this game, begin to lengthen the interval between clicks and treats for holding position. Put this on a variable schedule so the dog will not anticipate when he is getting a treat next, but work to lengthen the time between treats. Also start to increase your distance from the dog in the down. I find it helpful to say the name of the dog I’m working with before I say a command; it helps the other dogs to better differentiate that it clearly is not their turn. You can do this same exercise with a crate. Susan Garrett’s Crate Games DVD gives lots of training tips. The most effective and easiest training is to make your dog responsible for staying in his crate with the door open. If you click and reward your dog for going into and staying in the crate (with the crate door open) and always go back to the crate to click/treat the choice to stay in the crate before release, the dog will choose to stay there on his own. Dog Tested, Human Approved Agility Flooring © WWW.MATTALLISONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM RB’s canine rubber mats are used by top trainers to provide a durable, resilient surface for dog play, agility practice or competition. Anti-fatigue qualities reduce stress on joints, back, and muscles while providing a non-slip surface. Fewer Injuries • Added Traction Joint Protection • Easy to Clean The ﬂooring choice for the 2005 and 2006 AKC Agility Nationals 800-525-5530 • www.rbrubber.com Up to 97% post-consumer recycled content National Distribution Centers January 09 | Clean Run 11

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Clean Run - January 2009

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