Clean Run - September 2015 - 32

of that speciﬁc obstacle and improves
focus." Because the dog is more conﬁdent, he also performs faster. "I dedicate a lot of time to running shorter sequences which gives me more options
for great and accurate performance and
reward, and less opportunity for mistakes, which is always great for dogs
that need a conﬁdence boost. In training,
it is really not important how fast you
can get from start to end of the course.
What matters is what you and your dog
learn through running that course." On
course, she practices handling, and connecting everything together. "I train
longer courses before competitions."
A lot of Katarina's daily training incorporates tricks, which she says has great
beneﬁts for agility. "It creates a great
relationship." Some tricks also have the
added beneﬁt of increasing body awareness and proprioception. Through counter-conditioning, she says, clicker training can impact a wide area of behaviors,
and she has enjoyed great success with
shy and fearful dogs.
She understands that the trainer must be
prepared for the fact that not every training session will go as planned. "We are
living creatures and one 'bad' training
doesn't deﬁne your whole work. We all
have days we are not 100% and that's
okay. When we are at home, I think

about why the problem occurred and
how to make it better next time."

that you run out of colors, just mix some
on your own. Think outside the box!"

Developing Her Handling

Staying in Shape

While she attended classes early on with
Loti, Katarina has gained much of her
knowledge from her dogs and also from
watching other people run. She has taken
a total of two seminars since then. While
she occasionally trains with friends, she
prefers to work things out on her on.
"Mostly I just go on the course, and listen to my dogs."

Hers is a family on the go. It is typical
for Katarina's family-two- and fourlegged-to take two robust walks a day,
and cover 16 kilometers, about 7 miles,
on a daily hike. They travel to the mountains to walk, and go to the sea to swim.
"I hate running," she admits, "though I
know I should be running. I am so envious
of my husband who is a great sprinter."

Katarina's handling is, she admits, a mix
of everything. "You can see I am from
Slovenia with running contacts and Cik
and Cap [referring to Sylvia Trkman's
training], but I try to be independent. I
adapt my handling to the dogs I have."

The Future

Katarina is not afraid to explore new
things, or try something that somebody
else has already developed. Sometimes
they work, and sometimes they indicate
that she and her dogs have something to
learn. In the end, however, she says it all
comes down to her dogs. "My dogs are
the best teachers, and I always trust them.
If they react well, we can take it into
training." She advises trainers to think
outside of the box. "Dog training is not
black and white, like most Border Collies, but you have the whole rainbow of
colors to choose from. And if it happens

More national and international competitions are part of Katarina's goal for the
near future. Most of her wishes, however, focus on the health and happiness
of her dogs. "I hope my Papillon Energy,
who will turn 10 shortly, will stay in
such great competition shape for many
years more and that our other dogs will
also stay healthy to fully enjoy in all the
adventures that will cross our way."
Being with her dogs almost 24/7, and
being a dog trainer by profession, is a
dream come true. Katarina is looking
forward to continuing to work with her
students, meeting new ones, and successfully solving the challenges that the
students and their dogs bring to her. D

Sally Silverman is a freelance writer whose life has gone to the dogs. She and her husband share their hearts and their home with three Australian Shepherds. An avid
agility competitor, Sally is working on MACH3 with Bounce, who also has a PDCH, as well as many canine freestyle and herding titles. Java is now in AKC and USDAA
Masters and working on her PDP freestyle title. Sally is an active member of Y2K9s Dog Sports Club outside of Philadelphia, where she trains and teaches a variety of classes.

NEW

AGILITY
DESIGN

Recurve Sport Collars

Uses ergonomic modeling to relieve pressure points on dog's
throat to reduce tracheal pressure on a tensioned leash
* Low neckline for added comfort
* Curved arch for unrestricted shoulder movement
* 2-point adjustment system for perfect fit
* Made from military-grade cordura
* Side-release buckle

www.cleanrun.com
Clean Run | September 15

http://www.cleanrun.com

Clean Run - September 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - September 2015