Clean Run - July 2018 - 17

If we are trying to persuade the dog
that we are irrelevant so we can
achieve independent contacts, how
can we convince him of that while
we are running toward them bearing
gifts of food and toys? Sometimes we
are digging in our pockets as we are
running in toward him before, during, or after he has performed the
behavior. For many dogs that is distracting, if nothing else. But it also
creates handler focus instead of the
obstacle focus that we desire. As the
dog is expecting his reinforcement
to be delivered, he is unintentionally
being encouraged to keep an eye out
for the delivery boy or girl to arrive.

The other "biggie" to consider is that
this process of coming in with the
goods is also providing an "adrenaline break" in the action for both
of you (see my article "Adrenaline,
Friend or Foe" in Clean Run October 2014). These mini adrenaline
breaks at each contact obstacle with
a 2-on/2-off performance requirement prevent the dog and handler
from getting in sync fully and from
practicing how to perform full
courses without these adrenaline
breaks. This is why some dogs (and
handlers) meltdown in competition.
They can't think with full throttle,
non-stop adrenaline happening
for a full course; they have not had
enough practice doing it.

Here is what I believe happens when we
run in to reward the dog when he is in
2-on/2-off position on the contacts:

Handler focus during a 2-on/2-off performance rather than obstacle focus we desire.
My maintenance program teaches the dogs not to expect room service from the handler,
but to look ahead for reinforcement, which is a critical element to success. Once dogs
have acquired the basic 2-on/2-off skill, I will stop rewarding the dogs while they are
in position on the board, and I will start rewarding the release. Once this happens, a
beautiful thing can occur. As we begin to reward the release, instead of the position, we
are building so much value in the release behavior that the release command becomes
a reinforcer in itself. When the dog is working to receive the release command, because
the release command has been, and continues to be, so heavily reinforced, we have a
dog that is eager to stop! How sweet does that sound? Once we have that, we will also
reap the other rewards of clarity, like speed and consistency.
Next month we will look at the prerequisite behaviors needed and the initial steps of
the program. Your homework is to read my article "Please Release Me" in Clean Run
October 2017. It is a comprehensive look at the many aspects of the release command
and its importance in your contact training program. D

Sandy Rogers has been teaching obedience and agility since 1991, and founded ACE Dog Sports in San Francisco, California in 1999. Her dogs have competed in the
USDAA and AKC national championship finals multiple times in four jump heights. Sandy and Jack Russell Terrier Quill competed on Team USA at the World Agility
Open in 2011-2013, winning individual gold and silver in 2012 and bronze in 2013. Quill won the 2013 USDAA Grand Prix Finals, and placed second at the 2012 and
2014 AKC Nationals. Sandy has two DVDs available: One Jump Two Jump and Feet First. To contact Sandy, email sandyrogers@acedogsports.com.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - July 2018