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these time-outs will be very effective, very quickly. If the dog does not have this foundation, then time-outs will be very frustrating and ineffective! When the dog is successful making these decisions away from the agility field, you can apply these rules to agility—if he ignores other people and dogs, then he wins very reinforcing prizes. If he leaves the game to visit, then he has earned the prize of a time-out. You will probably have to set up distractions in classes by having people and dogs be close to the action while your dog is running the course, or even cheering or saying his name (people outside the ring in agility might very well say your dog’s name, and that is most definitely not permission to leave you to visit). The rules of the game are the same at trials as well. If your cruise director ignores the people and the dogs near (or in) the ring, reward him! If he makes a poor choice and leaves you to socialize, you must immediately interrupt his fun and give him a time-out. Resist the temptation to call your dog back to you in a class or trial if he has left to socialize because this can set up the win-win behavior chain that will actually strengthen his desire to visit. Socializing is self-reinforcing, and if the consequence for socializing is that he is recalled to you or given the opportunity to play the game (both of which are also reinforcing, especially if he is given treats or toys for returning), then you

have accidentally reinforced his decision to play cruise director. It is important to stop the reinforcement for socializing by interrupting it and providing no further reinforcement until after a time-out.

Don’t Use Corrections
Cruise director dogs can be very frustrating to their handlers, but it is extremely important we never use physical or verbal corrections while the dog is socializing. We do not want the dog to associate the physical or verbal correction with the other dog or person, because this could lead to a negative conditioned response to other people and dogs. And a negative conditioned response could diminish the dog’s confidence around others and possibly even lead to fear issues and aggression. So remember to unemotionally and gently interrupt the dog to stop the reinforcement but do not be harsh or punitive.

to block out the distractions that are present. Also, be sure to keep the state of arousal and value for the game very high by using a high rate of reinforcement throughout training and trialing. This is particularly important in training, when you are more likely to stop after a handling error; if this happens, always turn to the dog and reinforce a fun, simple behavior. Never turn your back on the dog or let him wander away as you figure out the handling or talk to the instructor—this can be quite punishing to the dog.

Be Consistent!
As with most training problems, the self-reinforcement that happens outside the ring is usually what causes the struggles in the ring. Be aware of how your dog lives his daily life. If he has a steady stream of self-reinforcement for visiting people and dogs, then it is unlikely that he will be able to avoid visiting people and dogs while he is supposed to be playing agility with you. For the cruise director, socializing has as much value as food does for the chow hound or toys for the tugging maniac. Rather than allow the dog to have this incredibly high-value reinforcement any time he pleases, be consistent in having him earn it through self-control as well as agilityrelated behaviors. Your consistency will be well-rewarded with a dog that is social and a pleasure to be around as well as a focused agility partner. D

Raise the Value of the Game
Another way to keep the cruise director focused on agility is to raise the value of the game. Before attempting to run in class or at a trial, get the dog into a higher state of arousal for focus and learning by asking for fun, simple behaviors and then either playing tug or having the dog chase you for a treat. If the dog’s state of arousal is high enough, he will easily be able

Tracy Sklenar is the training director at Leader of the Pack (www.lotp.com) in Smyrna, New York, and on the faculty of Agility University (www.agility-u.com). Tracy specializes in positive, motivational techniques for all dogs. Competing throughout North America and in Europe, both with her own dogs and as a coach, she has had multiple placements and wins at Regional and National events, as well as medals at international events with teams she has managed/coached. Tracy shares her life with six dogs: Pierce and Samson (Dalmatians), Rebound (Rat Terrier), Export (BC/JRT mix), Matrix (BC/SBT mix), and Crusher (Papillon). Contact her at agilitydals@yahoo.com.

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Clean Run - October 2012

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