Clean Run Magazine - March 2007 - 35

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Collars and Other Devices Whenever we are working with Sweep he has on a
collar and a leash. We only use a flat buckle collar with Sweep as well as
our adult dogs . If you are physically challenged or have a strong-willed
pup you cannot control, perhaps you might consider a training device. My
first choice if necessary would be to use a training harness not a
tracking harness that tightens when the dog pulls. You can also make a
figure-eight harness from your dog’s leash by wrapping it under your
dog’s neck and one front leg to discourage pulling. Your pup should
still wear a buckle collar while using the harness. Head halters have
enjoyed increased popularity over the last few years as the designs seem
to have improved. Head halters cause discomfort across the bridge of your
dog’s nose when the dog pulls and force him to turn his head toward you
if you are behind or beside him when you apply pressure. All training
devices should be used extremely carefully, for a limited period of time,
and only with the guidance of a professional dog trainer. The benefit of
using correction devices is that you can enter environments that are above
your dog’s threshold for distractions instead of manipulating the
environment and building your dog’s self-control over time slowly by
rewarding good behavior. Unfortunately that is the good as well as the bad
news. Introducing Introducing Distractions to to Training have had a cookie
in that hand. Target training can become difficult if the dog wants to
sniff while I am training the behavior. We started by just holding out a
hand and when he looked at it, we clicked and treated as described for
sits and downs. Subsequently he moved closer to the open palm and then we
eventually waited and did not click till he touched it with his nose. Now
if he hits it weakly we do nothing but hold our hand in place and wait for
him to hit it again hard. I use the command Here for hand targeting. I
don’t know how I ever raised dogs without this skill. Sweep learned it
at about six weeks of age; I use it daily with him and with all my dogs. S
w e e p is learning to take verbal cues and do behaviors when there are a
variety of distractions. I can have our dogs on down-stays and ask for his
attention while walking, or do short duration sit- and down-stays around
the other dogs. We interact with him while there are fun things going on
around him, but those fun activities are not personally directed toward
him. If either Jim or I have Sweep in the training yard while classes are
going on, our students are polite and basically ignore him so that they
are not sabotaging our efforts to keep Sweep’s attention on us. He is
fed and played with while he is accepting these distractions. We want him
exposed to people and places but the reinforcement for tolerating or
enjoying the environment comes from us. Sweep is moved farther away from
any nearby distraction if he is unwilling to take cues or play with us. We
move closer to the distraction as his attention returns to us. It might
take you a few minutes to get your own pup’s attention in a novel
environment, but if you don’t have it, leave the scene until you do, or
put your pup away. Sweep met one of our student’s children this past
week. Liam has no interest in looking at or interacting with Sweep, which
is just perfect! A neutral child that does not grab at him or squeal with
excitement is just what I want. I acted like Liam’s shadow and rewarded
Sweep for staying close or sitting while I followed Liam around. Stay in
charge of distractions and rewards around kids and strangers and other
dogs. Don’t depend on others to reward the correct way for polite and
friendly behavior from your pup. D Nancy Gyes and her husband Jim Basic
run Power Paws Agility in San Jose, California. She is the AKC World Team
Coach for 2006 and has been on the AKC World Team seven times, four years
with Scud and three with Riot. Nancy and Riot finished 1st in 2002 and 2nd
in 2001 in Individual Agility classes at Worlds. Nancy also won the USDAA
Nationals four years in a row, 1998 to 2001, with three different dogs,
Scud, Riot, and Wicked. In 2001 and 2002, Nancy and Riot were the 24 jump
height AKC National Champions. Scud retired in 2001 after winning the
USDAA Veterans Championship. Contact Nancy at www.powerpawsagility.com,
where you can also view other articles and videos. March 07 | Clean Run 35
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Clean Run Magazine - March 2007

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