Clean Run Magazine - May 2007 - 12

TB: What do you think you do particularly well as a handler and how do you feel you can improve? RM: I would say distance skills and the game of Snooker are good for me. In terms of improving I think I could certainly develop some better skills of turning with the dogs. I need to do some shadow handling with the dogs before putting them on the equipment. I need to do lots more work on the ground. TB: Are you a highly focused trainer? RM: I’ll go out there with an agenda. I could certainly beneﬁt more from a more systematic plan with long-term goals and not training for the moment. TB: Is agility a hobby or an obsession for you? RM: Well, I guess after 15 years it is an obsession. TB: Do you have a life outside agility? RM: My work takes up a lot of time, teaching in college. We also like to ski, travel around a bit, with and without the dogs, so yes, I do have a life outside of agility. Looking for New Agility Titles? You can buy them from us! Clicker Basics for Dogs & Puppies Written by Carolyn Barney, Published by Clean Run 104 pages, $15.95 (bulk discounts available) It’s a lot to manage—the clicker, the treats, the toy, the leash, never mind the dog. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what your instructor said about reinforcing recalls, what to do if your dog gets up during a sit-stay, or what to practice over the coming week. This book is written just for you, supplementing what you learn in class with an overview of the theory behind clicker training and a series of homework progressions for basic behaviors. Lots of insider tips are included to make clicker training work better for you and your dog. TB: Are there any changes in agility the last few years that you have noted? RM: When I look at old video tapes from 10 or 15 years ago it strikes me how much the training has changed. The training and handling have improved a great deal. TB: Do you have any recent agility triumphs? RM: Making it to the ﬁnals at the USDAA Nationals with Soja in 2005. Another fond memory that I have is ﬁnishing in 8th place at the USDAA Nationals in Snooker with Kita when she was nine years old. It was pleasing to me that she was able to do so well as an elderly dog. (Kita has since passed away). TB: Do you have any huge goals such as ending up on the World Team? RM: That would be nice. I have competed a couple of times at the AKC Invitational, so that would be a nice goal, but I hesitate to be presumptuous enough to state that. TB:What would you like to add to your list of accomplishments in the next two years? Flatwork—Foundation for Agility Written by Barb Levenson, Published by Clean Run 80 pages, $15.95 Flatwork isn’t about the obstacles; it’s about what happens between the obstacles. It’s about developing a communication system with your dog as you teach him each agility handling maneuver without the distraction of obstacles. As you follow this training program, you will develop a set of cues and movements that indicate speciﬁc behaviors to the dog, and you will become aware of exactly what your body is really “saying” to your dog. RM: I want to earn Hobbes’ Lifetime Achievement Platinum award and also make it to the USDAA Steeplechase ﬁnals. I would like to ﬁnish off Fate’s championship certainly. (Editor’s Note: In November 2006, Rob did accomplish his goal of achieving the Steeplechase ﬁnals with Hobbes, who ﬁnished 7th in the ﬁnal round.) D ® www.cleanrun.com 12 Therese Backowski, a former veterinary technician, has been training dogs and people for more than 30 years. She was the featured obedience instructor in the Canadian documentary, “Death Row Dogs” and Animal Planet’s “Cell Dogs,” and the animal handler/trainer for the movie, “Shawshank Redemption.” Her work with inmates and pet dog training programs within Ohio’s prisons has been featured in The New York Times, the Washington Post and French, Italian, and Australian publications. Therese is the former Editor of “Off Lead” magazine and the recipient of four D.W.A.A. Maxwell medals. She can be reached at theresebackowski@aol.com. Clean Run | May 07

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Clean Run Magazine - May 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - May 2007