Clean Run - July 2012 - 28
Training the Over-Aroused Agility Dog
By Tracy Sklenar Nowadays there seems to more and more dogs in agility that are over-stimulated and cannot focus on working with their handlers. These dogs are so highly aroused by the environment and/or the game that they are likely to be found at agility classes or trials lunging, spinning, pulling on lead, panting, drooling, barking, chasing anything that moves, etc. These dogs often won’t tug with the handler, will often spit out treats, and are unable to tear their eyes away from the distractions in the environment or from the motion of dogs and people around them. This over-arousal does not translate into success in the agility ring; these dogs cannot work thoughtfully and tend to break start-line stays, jump off contacts, drop a lot of bars, bark at their handlers, and even bite their handlers!
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Higher Than a Kite:
Many people seem to think that overarousal is desirable and a sign of high drive. I disagree. Over-arousal impedes learning and diminishes the dog’s ability to execute learned behaviors properly. While he might still be able to move fast, he is unlikely to be accurate or focused on his work. The over-aroused dog needs to learn self-control in distracting environments while learning to focus on the game with the handler. This is really no different than the dog that is distracted by scents or is under-aroused for the game; both of these types of dogs must be taught to ignore the distractions, whether that distraction is a great smell or the sight of a running dog. However, the high levels of arousal add a different flavor to the training; therefore, some different approaches are necessary.
For the over-aroused dog to be successful in class or competition, the handler must embrace the issue and train through it, in very much the same ways we teach a dog to ignore any distraction in the environment.
Know Your Triggers
The over-aroused dog surely does not spend 24 hours a day in a state of hyperarousal. There are certain triggers that send him to the moon. Is it the sound of a dog running through a tunnel? The sight of dogs jumping or weaving? The handler running a sequence? A high value toy? High value treats? Another dog tugging with his handler? Or simply entering a room full of dogs? Be a student of your dog’s responses; write a list of everything that triggers him to become over-aroused. Initially, you will
Clean Run | July 12
Clean Run - July 2012
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - July 2012
Clean Run - July 2012
Contents
Editorializing: Children at Agility Trials
Tip of the Month
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Backyard Dogs
The History of the Virtual Agility League
Agility Mind Gym: See Success
Agility After Joint Replacement
Power Paws Drills: On the Diagonal
Higher Than a Kite: Training the Over-Aroused Agility Dog
From Hoof to Woof: What Riders Can Teach Handlers
Not Your Normal Agility Dog
Building Blocks: Building Hands-on Confidence and Control
Principles of Self-control on the Agility Course
Chute Straight
Small Dog vs. Large Dog Handling
I Decided to Be Happy... and Then I Was! Tips on How to Get a New Attitude
Footwork for Agility: Front Crosses
What’s in Your Toolbox?
Clean Run - July 2012 - Clean Run - July 2012
Clean Run - July 2012 - 2
Clean Run - July 2012 - Contents
Clean Run - July 2012 - 4
Clean Run - July 2012 - Editorializing: Children at Agility Trials
Clean Run - July 2012 - Tip of the Month
Clean Run - July 2012 - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Clean Run - July 2012 - Backyard Dogs
Clean Run - July 2012 - 9
Clean Run - July 2012 - 10
Clean Run - July 2012 - The History of the Virtual Agility League
Clean Run - July 2012 - 12
Clean Run - July 2012 - 13
Clean Run - July 2012 - 14
Clean Run - July 2012 - Agility Mind Gym: See Success
Clean Run - July 2012 - 16
Clean Run - July 2012 - 17
Clean Run - July 2012 - Agility After Joint Replacement
Clean Run - July 2012 - 19
Clean Run - July 2012 - 20
Clean Run - July 2012 - 21
Clean Run - July 2012 - 22
Clean Run - July 2012 - Power Paws Drills: On the Diagonal
Clean Run - July 2012 - 24
Clean Run - July 2012 - 25
Clean Run - July 2012 - 26
Clean Run - July 2012 - 27
Clean Run - July 2012 - Higher Than a Kite: Training the Over-Aroused Agility Dog
Clean Run - July 2012 - 29
Clean Run - July 2012 - 30
Clean Run - July 2012 - 31
Clean Run - July 2012 - 32
Clean Run - July 2012 - From Hoof to Woof: What Riders Can Teach Handlers
Clean Run - July 2012 - Not Your Normal Agility Dog
Clean Run - July 2012 - 35
Clean Run - July 2012 - 36
Clean Run - July 2012 - 37
Clean Run - July 2012 - 38
Clean Run - July 2012 - Building Blocks: Building Hands-on Confidence and Control
Clean Run - July 2012 - 40
Clean Run - July 2012 - 41
Clean Run - July 2012 - 42
Clean Run - July 2012 - Principles of Self-control on the Agility Course
Clean Run - July 2012 - 44
Clean Run - July 2012 - 45
Clean Run - July 2012 - 46
Clean Run - July 2012 - Chute Straight
Clean Run - July 2012 - 48
Clean Run - July 2012 - 49
Clean Run - July 2012 - 50
Clean Run - July 2012 - 51
Clean Run - July 2012 - Small Dog vs. Large Dog Handling
Clean Run - July 2012 - 53
Clean Run - July 2012 - 54
Clean Run - July 2012 - 55
Clean Run - July 2012 - 56
Clean Run - July 2012 - I Decided to Be Happy... and Then I Was! Tips on How to Get a New Attitude
Clean Run - July 2012 - 58
Clean Run - July 2012 - 59
Clean Run - July 2012 - Footwork for Agility: Front Crosses
Clean Run - July 2012 - 61
Clean Run - July 2012 - 62
Clean Run - July 2012 - What’s in Your Toolbox?
Clean Run - July 2012 - 64
Clean Run - July 2012 - 65
Clean Run - July 2012 - 66
Clean Run - July 2012 - 67
Clean Run - July 2012 - 68
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