Clean Run Magazine - July 2008 - 54

Travel Problem #2 On the Road: Dog gets loose in a dangerous or high-traffic area. In the Ring: At the end of your run, your dog doesn’t come back to you or leaves the ring to run into the high-traffic exit area. Solution: “Put It Here, Partner” and “Collar Grab” games. There is nothing more terrifying than a dog slipping his leash or collar and running loose in a parking lot or truck stop. These games will enable you to get your dog back on leash immediately. The “Put It Here, Partner” game teaches the dog to run to you and put his head through the loop of his leash or collar. Begin by holding open the loop of a slip leash or by making the dog’s collar bigger than usual. Shape the dog to put his head through, using successive approximations and by delivering the reinforcement through the open loop. He will very quickly begin to understand that the open loop is an invitation to stick his head through to earn rewards. As the dog catches on to the game, you can start further away (so he has to run over to the open loop) or raise the loop up higher (so he has to jump into it.) When the dog understands the behavior, you can add a verbal cue: just say “Put it here!” before opening the loop for the dog to put his head into. The “Collar Grab” game is even easier: simply reach down, grab the dog’s collar, and then give him a treat (while you are still holding the collar). If your dog is sensitive about having his collar touched, you can start by just resting a ﬁnger on the collar and giving him treats. Over time, you can progress the game to where you can move fast, shout, and even grab some of his coat along with the collar. You’ll see that the dog will start offering his neck for you to grab. If your dog likes to play tug, you can incorporate toys by grabbing the collar and then playing tug (while still holding the collar). You can use these games in emergency situations when traveling. If your dog gets off leash at any point, you can hold open his leash or hold up his collar so he can jump right back into them. Or, you can reach for his collar, knowing that he is going to help put it in your hand rather than dart away. These are useful games at the end of an agility run, too. Many venues require the dog to leave the ring leashed and under control. However, people and dogs often congregate near the exit area, so it is critical that your dog has one more fun job to do after he crosses the ﬁnish line. I pick up the leash and cue him to put his head through the loop, then we exit together to get his reward. Or, if the leash is not within easy reach, I can reach for my dog’s collar (or his neck, in the “naked” venues) and take hold of him so that he cannot leave the ring without me. Travel Problem #3 On the Road: Dog bolts out of the crate, car, or motel room when you open the door. In the Ring: Broken start lines stays, not stopping on contacts, and not holding position on the table. Solution: Crate Games. Crate Games are more than just a fun way to teach your dog to love his crate. These games are very handy for keeping your dog safe when you travel by car or by air, and when you stay in hotels or motels. The ﬁrst few steps of Crate Games are the most important for your travel training. The following are what the dog learns to do through Crate Games: 54  Sit in the back of his crate when you put your hand on the door  Hold his sit while you open the crate door  Hold his sit while you put his leash on  Wait for your verbal release cue after his leash is on, and focus on you after he has exited the crate Clean Run | July 08

Clean Run Magazine - July 2008

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