Clean Run Magazine - May 2007 - 69

Review: By Martha Faulk In FOCUS: Crying for Control A DVD by Deborah Jones, Ph.D. and Judy Keller A few years ago for Clean Run I reviewed the book by authors Deborah Jones, Ph.D., and Judy Keller upon which the In FOCUS series of DVDs is based. I was enthusiastic about the In FOCUS program as outlined in the book, and I’m even more enthusiastic about the series of DVDs developed to illustrate both the theory and the practice of the program. DVDs are the perfect medium for illustrating training techniques because you get to see how action and timing affect performance. The first DVD in this series, also reviewed for this magazine, is In FOCUS: Foundation Work. The foundation work is designed to help you to understand and practice the steps necessary to build a strong relationship with your dog through reward and reinforcement. It’s highly recommended viewing before you undertake the more speciﬁc programs of “Crying for Control” and “Need for Speed.” Because Jones and Keller divide the world of performance dogs into those that are “having too much fun” and those that are “not having any or enough fun,” they have produced separate DVDs to help handlers with both kinds of dogs. In FOCUS: Need for Speed presents a training program for dogs that are tentative performers and will be reviewed in an upcoming issue. In this DVD, as in their book, the authors describe the “crying for control” dog as one that loves agility so much that his obsession becomes a major training challenge. These crying for control dogs need to learn self-control to get what they want and to be able to focus on the handler who can deliver the reward. A crying for control dog becomes extremely excited at the mere sight of dogs doing agility, and he would happily do the May 07 | Clean Run agility course on his own without any direction from the handler. Most crying for control dogs share a keen interest in movement and action, and that’s why they love agility so much. Jones and Keller further explain that just because a dog makes mistakes on course does not mean he’s a crying for control candidate. They emphasize that fast, driven dogs need expert handling, and that a lack of solid training is not the same as having an “on-theedge personality.” I adopted my rescue Australian Cattle Dog RebaRae because of her enthusiastic personality and athleticism. But, when I began to trial her, our problems included running out of the ring to steal food, zooming through the course of her choice when I lost eye contact with her, and (I hope I’ve said this delicately) goosing the judge in the derrière. The helpful advice from both the Foundation Work and the Crying for Control DVDs has resulted in a 100% qualifying rate at a recent trial. If you have one of these crying for control dogs, the good news is that it’s never too late to implement the In FOCUS program. You’ll want to preserve all the drive, desire, and enthusiasm that your dog has. You’ll learn how to do that by practicing the Premack principle: convincing your dog that his best opportunity to get what he wants—a chance to do agility—is to do what you want. Using both food and toys for the crying for control dog is important for training, and Jones and Keller explain that although physical games such as tugging are a good way to keep your dog engaged with you, food rewards can have a calming effect. Food rewards delivered in a calm, quiet manner can help lower the dog’s arousal level. Gaining and keeping control is the key to successful agility experiences as the DVD illustrates in a number of steps, which are summarized under the major points below. Impulse Control It’s vital to teach your dog to control his impulses, such as running away and stealing food. He must learn impulse control before taking food or a toy and before being allowed around agility equipment. • Gaining and Keeping Control: A solid stay at the start line, usually a sit, is essential for the crying for control dog. Jones and Keller demonstrate how to reward the position you desire even as you move away from the dog and how to proof it with distractions. 69

Clean Run Magazine - May 2007

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