Clean Run - January 2009 - 33

Incorrect Learning for the Dog Dogs might learn to go slower on course We should all agree that most dogs are faster than their handlers. When handlers continuously use early front crosses, you will likely see the dog start to slow down to allow the handler to stay in front and make it to the proper position for the cross. From the dog’s perspective, it is better to slow down and allow the handler to stay ahead for an early front cross because the dog only gets rewarded (or not punished) for tight turns when the handler is ahead. The dog often turns wide when the handler can’t get into position for an early front cross, which also encourages the dog to slow down. As the dog goes slower, he can turn tighter, which again gets more reward (or less punishment) so he backchains the behavior to slow = good. Dogs might learn to ignore arm changes Over time, the dog’s response to arm changes appears to get weaker and weaker. Because most often, when a dog sees an arm change, it does not mean turn in to the reinforcement zone (as shown in my article in CR November 2008). It means take an obstacle and then turn back to the handler. The short-term solution for the handler when the dog starts to get a little bit unresponsive is to do a front cross even earlier. Remember the example in Figures 1 through 3. This can be the start of a vicious cycle. Signaling early can lead to extra problems on very technical courses because you can end up with several handling maneuvers compressed within a few obstacles. Look at some of the trickier FCI Agility World Championship courses and think about changing arms one or two obstacles early. Choosing which arm you should use starts to get confusing. Think about the picture the dog sees. Dogs might learn to do a blind cross By using early front crosses you are teaching the dog the first part of a blind cross. Figure 6 is from my last article’s discussion about blindcross-body-line theory. Remember, both of these dogs are demonstrating blind-cross behavior. The difference is that the dog on the orange path has not completed the behavior, but is still driving toward the no-go zone. 4 BCBL RZ BCBL When a dog does a blind cross, he is aiming for the BCBL rather than the reinforcement zone. This can cause wide turns. Figure 6 To see why this can encourage blind crosses, let’s add jumps to this scenario as shown in Figure 7. The dog must go behind you to make the turn. It won’t take long before he might start to do a blind cross when you don’t want him to. BCBL RZ 3 BCBL 2 1 Figure 7 for Dog Agility, Training, Daycare, Shows TRAC-ROLL oﬀers a solution to working dogs on unforgiving cement by providing an attractive, durable, easily maintained, and non-slip cushioned surface.  Excellent traction wet or dry  Made of recycled tire rubber  4’ wide, any length, 8MM thick  Easy to clean, just mop and go Top Dog Flooring Your dogs will love you for it! Top Dog Flooring at BRAG Training Center Columbus, Ohio Photo by Marie Ewing, Paws the Moment Photography Dandy Products, Inc. 3314 State Route 131, Goshen, Ohio 45122 (513) 625-3000  www.dandyproducts.net January 09 | Clean Run Call or write today for your free sample. Available in black with 10% blue or grey color fleck or in black with 20% multi-color fleck 33

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Clean Run - January 2009

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