Clean Run - September 2012 - 40

Outlet for Frustration
Some dogs get very frustrated in training or trialing. This frustration is often brought on by a lack of understanding about what is expected and how to earn reinforcement, or a lack of understanding on how to handle the stimulating distractions in class or trial settings. When things go wrong in the ring or the dog gets frustrated, he might choose to work off the anxiety and arousal brought on by the frustration by zooming around the ring. Again, it is not any different than the dog that chooses to sniff—it is a similar behavior that is just expressed very differently by the individual dog. And, as with sniffing, it can be resolved by reducing frustration and keeping the rate of reinforcement high. It is important that the dog has a clear understanding of what is expected and how to earn reinforcement, especially when distractions are present. Criteria should be clearly set and maintained

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so the dog can be successful. Also, the handler must build resiliency to failure. To build the dog’s tolerance of handling mistakes (and to reduce frustration if there are errors), I recommend that the handler have a reward system in place for the dog in case of handling errors: If the handler makes an error and the dog responded correctly to the erroneous directions, then the handler should reward the dog right away. If the handler makes an error and the dog could not offer any rewardable response (and everything comes to a screeching halt), then the handler should ask the dog for a different behavior that is simple and fun— and reward that other behavior.

work through frustration in order to earn reinforcement for a correct choice. Begin these games in a controlled environment so the dog cannot seek reinforcement outside of the game, and gradually introduce distractions for the dog to work through!

More Stimulation Needed, Please
Many of our agility dogs are bred to work. Yet, how many people actually allow their agility dogs to do the work they were bred to do? My Dalmatians are bred to run alongside carriages and horses for miles every day, but they have never had the opportunity to do so. I had to find alternate activities for them to make sure they had enough stimulation in their everyday lives. This extra stimulation greatly reduced their desire to zoom and helped them focus on the game of agility with me. There are many possible alternate activities, such as swimming, hiking, free runs in the field, wrestling with other dogs, and more. A dog that enjoys stimulat-

After all, why should the dog pay the price for handling errors? In order to build the dog’s resiliency to lack of reinforcement after an error, I recommend lots of shaping games and self-control games. Shaping and selfcontrol games withhold reinforcement for a “wrong” choice, and the dog must

Clean Run | September 12

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Clean Run - September 2012

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