Clean Run - January 2009 - 13

Glenda Timmerman To train a dog to wait quietly while the other one works is a challenge. To begin, I would work in the house and have the dog that is not working in a pen or crate. Ideally, it would be easier to work with another person; but in case you live alone as I do, I will give suggestions that do not include an extra person. Start by having the working dog at a fair distance away from the dog that is in the pen while you stand next to the pen. Ask the working dog for a behavior (for example, give the Down command). As you give the command, click and treat the nonworking dog for being quiet while you give the command. Reward the quiet dog in the pen and then walk to the working dog and reward. If the dog in the pen is handling this well, you can up the game a bit by asking the working dog for a more exciting behavior that has movement (like a left or right turn). Always reward the quiet dog and the working dog. When the nonworking dog is handling this behavior without any problem, move the working dog closer and closer, and ask for more exciting behaviors. You can even work play into this. If the dog in the pen is being quiet, you can tug with the working dog and keep clicking and treating the quiet dog. Keep making the game more challenging by having the working dog move more quickly, such as retrieving a toy or chasing a piece of food. Just remember to keep clicking and treating the quiet dog in the pen. After a while the dog in the pen will be focused on you and not obsessing about the moving dog. Once training is going well in the house, you can move the game to your backyard. Keep the dog confined until he is successful, then you can let him out of the pen and ask for a sit-stay while you do the same activities with the working dog. Always reward the quiet dog that is not working. If the nonworking dog can be quiet while the working dog is doing simple things (chasing a toy or even tugging), then you can take the game to the next level. Have the dog in a sit-stay and send the other dog through a tunnel while you are clicking and treating the quiet dog. Just keep it simple at first and gradually add challenging behaviors. Running, doing weave poles, and moving rapidly is much more challenging for the nonworking dog so don’t move too quickly through the steps. Once your dog can handle this at home, you are ready to take it to a fun match or a class. Go through all the same steps and if your dog is doing well, try to do a lead-out with the working dog. Have another person reward your dog for being quiet. If he is okay, then have your working dog do one or two jumps. Keep adding more and more behaviors, but make sure you have someone rewarding your dog for being quiet. It may Glenda, who trains at Power Paws in California, is a 2004 and 2005 AKC World Team member with Shetland Sheepdog MACH8 Bailey, UD (Mini). Bailey is also a 2003 AKC Nationals finalist and the 60-weave-pole challenge record holder for 8”, 12”, and 16” dogs for 2003. Contact Glenda at crazy4baileyandshelby@yahoo.com. take many sessions of having someone reward your dog while you run your other dog, but don’t be in a hurry. Most people who run multiple dogs have this problem, and it sometimes takes a constant effort to get through class peacefully when one dog has to wait quietly. If your dog gets excited and barks but doesn’t lose his mind, you can try easier things. Bring a really good bone and leave it in the pen with your nonworking dog; or fill a Kong with peanut butter or any favorite treat and put it in the freezer for a few hours so it will be hard and take longer for the dog to eat. I was at a fun match with my dogs a few months ago and nonworking dogs were required to be quiet. Instead of having someone stuff food in my dog’s mouth, I just had her take him for a walk and that was all he needed. Experiment with as many ideas as you can come up with to find the one that works best for your dog. D Brenna Fender is a freelance writer with an undergraduate degree in mass communications and a masters degree in elementary education. She lives with her husband, two young children, and a Whippet. Over the years, Brenna and her dogs have earned titles in agility, obedience, conformation, hunting, rally, and lure coursing. The husband and children are far less impressively titled. Contact Brenna at BrennaFender@gmail.com. “It’s official: my entire crew loves this toy!” © DOGHOUSE ARTS The Crunch ‘N’ Tug “Most dogs love to crunch on an empty water bottle, others love the feel of a fleecy exterior. This toy has both. I love it because once you remove the water bottle, it folds flat for easy packing. Plus the bungee makes tugging easy on my back (and I’m sure on my dog’s body as well!).” Susan Garrett,Twister, Buzz, Decaff & Encore Bunny Toys, Magic Pockets, Fleece, and More! January 09 | Clean Run Made to Last www.dogdreamstoys.com 13

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Clean Run - January 2009

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