Clean Run Magazine - May 2008 - 28

Games to Play at the Trial Crate Games The best way to establish criteria for control behaviors with your dog is through my Crate Games DVD. In order to save this article space for new games I am going to assume you have bought the DVD and played many successful rounds of Crate Games ahead of time. If you are thinking, “My dog goes into his crate just fine so I don’t need that DVD,” think again. There is so much more to be learned by playing Crate Games for both you and your dog. © JOHN HILL For the high-drive dog, play Crate Games throughout the day at the trial to remind him how he can demonstrate self-control in the face of any distraction (be certain you keep the dog’s leash on while you play). Provided your dog is not disruptive, bring your crate near the ring or the warm-up jump to increase the possibility of your dog showing self-control in the face of a highly stimulating challenge. When you release the dog from the crate, do not move forward. Your expectation is that he will recall right into your Side or Close position (discussed later in this article) to earn reinforcement. If he blasts past you he is not being thoughtful of his job, so you can gently take him back to his crate to start again. Repeated failure means you have moved him into a highly charged environment before he has had enough success at home. Rehearsing successful rounds of Crate Games prior to going to the start line will serve as a reminder to your dog of his criteria. You can further this as you enter the ring. Have your dog sit and then recall him into position at the first jump, just like he was being recalled out of his crate. Again, if you are unsure of your dog’s responses, do all of this with his leash on and be certain After you have played many successful rounds of Crate Games at home, you can bring the games to a trial. that you do not hold up the judge or the ring while you are playing! For the dog that needs more drive, you should have played many rounds of Crate Games at home to transfer value to your agility obstacles. Focus on energy building games like the Changed M’Mind game where you send your dog to his crate and the moment he gets in give him a release and call him back out for a charged-up game of chase or tug. Transfer your Crate Games to a lawn chair as outlined on the DVD. Once your dog has value for this game you can play a few rounds of it at ringside. With your dog on leash, have him jump into the chair, reward him, and release him. Mix this up with having him jump into the chair, wait for a few seconds, then call his name and run away. When he catches up to you reward him. Alternatively, you can take the chair to a quiet area (such as your own crating area) and have the dog leave you to run to the chair, thus developing confidence through independent distance work. These games are great for less-motivated dogs for a number of reasons. First, you are building value for the dog bursting from a control position to chase you or work distances away from you. Second, the dog is earning high-value rewards in the trial setting which will help build value for being there. Most importantly, having your dog jump up and down from the chair will help increase his heart rate, thus helping him into the area of the arousal curve where he can give you his best performance in the ring. When your run is over, you can race your dog right back to the chair and reward him there; thus creating a circle of action, with your agility run sandwiched in the middle. However, a couple of warnings: 1. Do not allow the dog to leave the ring on his own; this is a team game and he must wait for permission from you. © YVON RIOPEL © JOHN HIL L 2. Make sure you are energizing your dog in a safe environment. The last thing you want to do is to get other nearby dogs overstimulated to the point they may want to join in and inadvertently scare your dog. © SUSAN GA RRETT 28 Clean Run | May 08

Clean Run Magazine - May 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - May 2008