Clean Run Magazine - November 2006 - 5

Editorializing... It All Starts at Home By Lori Westling I was attending a
club agility practice a few weeks ago continually or lunge while watching
another dog work and noticed an out-of-control, barking dog. This dog or
to get what they want. Rewarding for quiet behavior could not stay at the
start line and was leaping off is important, and if this does not work,
the dog should contact obstacles while barking continually. He was also be
removed to an area where he cannot watch other barking in the crate and
pulling on the leash. I admit to dogs work. I've had to change my
expectations for my feeling especially sensitive to this since my breed
often young dog because he still cannot watch my other dogs has a bad rep
for this kind of behavior. I thought, It work without becoming very vocal.
He is doing well in all starts at home, which means that good boundaries
class, though, because I have spent lots of time paying and expectations
for appropriate behavior should all attention to and rewarding quiet
behavior. begin at home. When bringing a new dog into an exciting venue,
it is Although this may seem like old news to many people, best to first
let him look around to see where he is. Once I think it is something that
needs to be addressed in he is acclimated, you can ask for a lot of quick
behaviors beginner agility classes. sit, down, stand, look, back up,
close, side, and so on and reward with food. The dog can also be released
to A good way to start teaching self-control is to have the a toy for a
nice tug session. If you can't pay attention to dog wait before going in
and out doors: house doors, what the dog is doing, he is put in his crate.
By crating kennel doors, car doors, ex-pen doors, and crate doors. him you
avoid his standing around on the end of the This behavior does not have a
command, but rather leash practicing inappropriate behaviors while your is
an unspoken expectation that can be taught from attention is elsewhere.
This routine also teaches the dog puppyhood. This exercise is an easy way
to establish that when he is out, he will be working; and when he you as a
leader and the one in charge of resources. My is in his crate, he can
relax. As the dog gets older and young dog learned this quickly; it helped
that he had has more self-control, I let him spend some time just two older
dogs as examples. He is almost two years old hanging out and taking in the
environment. now and will rarely charge ahead of my older dogs when going
through doors. This exercise also teaches respect Think about what you are
allowing your dog to practice. and will help to keep your dog safe. What a
dog is allowed to practice, he is learning to repeat. If he is allowed to
bark all through a class or Another routine for teaching self-control is
on/off an agility session, he is practicing or rehearsing bad games. Let
the dog get really involved in a game of behavior. If he is kept in a
crate or car and rewarded tug, and then quickly ask for a behavior watch,
sit, for quiet behavior, he is rehearsing good behavior. Dogs down, close
. This exercise teaches the dog to quickly get good at what they practice.
Also, think about what transition from play to a formal behavior. It can be
behaviors you pay attention to. The behaviors you pay useful for start
lines, contacts, and so on. You can start attention to and reward will
continue. this with a puppy once he knows a few commands. Gradually make
the game harder and harder by playing The above routines create respect
and a good relationship more exciting games and then asking for a
behavior. You between you and your dog, an important foundation to can
also add more complicated behaviors for the dog to starting any
performance sport. Remember that a good perform. Some good friends use
this method with their relationship is the basis for anything and
everything obedience dogs and it works quite nicely. They have a you do
with your dog! lot of motivation in their dogs, as well as precision. Good
luck and have fun! Managing a dog's behavior is also an important part Lori
Westling of self-control. Dogs should not be allowed to bark Lori has been
training dogs for about 15 years and started out in 4-H obedience with her
little family dog. She competes in AKC and USDAA agility now but has done
lots of NADAC in the past. Her dogs have competed and titled in agility,
obedience, and tracking. Her eight-year-old, Zeke, recently completed his
MACH and is tied for the first Australian Shepherd to complete an AKC
VCD3. | November 06 Clean Run 5
Clean Run Magazine - November 2006

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