Clean Run - November 2017 - 18

Drills that promote successful performance and are focused on
building confidence are encouraged.
Some dogs may seem to respond to jumping grids, but keep
in mind that many fail to perform them successfully and lose
confidence. If dogs prone to ETOs are schooled over the same
sequence or grid of jumps several times, they often do improve
on that sequence, but the most likely reason is because the
dogs have figured out the jumping pattern. If the sequence
changes so that the dogs can no longer predict the striding,
the dogs revert to ETOs again. This can result in a loss of confidence, which will likely make the ETOs worse.
It is advisable to consult a trainer knowledgeable about ETOs
before embarking on a jump retraining program. If your dog
has ETOs related to vision as described in this article, you
should proceed with caution. You should not expect retraining
to resolve ETOs. No matter what is done, your dog's jumping is
unlikely to improve in the long term, and working jump drills
that your dog has difficulty performing is contraindicated.
Management of dogs with ETOs, rather than retraining, is the
best way to help them perform with confidence and to the
best of their ability.

MANAgEMENT OF dOgS wITh ETOS
ETOs as described here result from vision impairment; they are
not a jumping problem that can be expected to resolve with
jump training. Ideally, the cause of your dog's vision impairment
can be successfully diagnosed and treated. In most cases, however, this will not be possible, so your goal should be to manage
your dog's ETOs.
Because every dog is different, you must experiment. Using the
suggestions included here as a guide, identify what improves
your dog's performance and maintains his confidence. Many
dogs can continue to compete successfully and enjoy active
performance careers.
Consider the following ideas to help your dog with ETOs
perform to the best of his ability.

Promote Confidence in Training and Competition
First and foremost, you should work to build your dog's confidence and maintain his desire to jump. Set realistic competitive goals and maintain a positive attitude both in training and
competition, even if your dog encounters problems. Be sure to
keep your stress level in check to avoid transferring it to your
dog. Because stress can exacerbate the problem, some dogs
have been treated with anti-anxiety medications. To date, this
has not proven to be of much benefit for dogs with ETOs.
Here are some things that may help a dog with ETOs:
* In training, use sequences that set up your dog for success, and keep training sessions simple and positive. Difficult jumping drills are contraindicated because they may
worsen ETOs. If presented with jumping challenges he is
incapable of solving, your dog may get discouraged and
lose confidence, making matters worse. Often the last thing
you should do is try to "fix" ETOs because the more you obsess about the problem, the more worried your dog may
become.
* In training, the more often the dog is successful and is rewarded, the more confident he will be. Usually treats are
preferred as rewards rather than toys to help your dog focus
on the task of jumping.
* In training, use displaceable, lightweight bars that cannot
injure your dog if he misjudges a jump. Foam bars may be
indicated for drills being introduced for the first time. See
Figure 13.
* In training and competition, use the lowest jump height
possible. Switching to lower jumps helps most dogs, but
not all. If you make any changes in your dog's jumping routine, be sure to give your dog a few sessions to adjust before
making a judgment about the effect of the change on your
dog's performance. Do not abruptly drop your dog's jump
height in competition without giving him several training
sessions at the lower height. Lowering the jump height may
change the relative spacing between the jumps and affect

Most dogs with ETOs will have a "normal"

eye exam. A normal exam simply indicates there
are no clinically detectable abnormalities of the
eye that could affect vision; it does not mean
the dog's vision is normal... There are many
aspects of visual function required for
successful performance.
This jump has a displaceable foam bar.
18

Clean Run | November 17

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - November 2017