Clean Run Magazine - December 2009 - 48

Self-control Games Bobbie Anderson provided some great reminders for trainers of all dog performance disciplines. As instructors, we need to inform students that their dogs’ learning potential in class is based on the dogs’ respect for the trainer as the leader and controller of all resources and games. Respect is achieved through fairness, consistency, and being the active leader of the relationship. Further, “school” is always in session, whether at home or at the training facility: what happens at home can affect what will happen at agility class. Also, training is repetition and consistency, which takes time. But handlers can get in a hurry and want to push the dogs too fast through the learning process. This can cause confusion for the dog and affect his relationship with his handler. Take-home: We now spend time reminding students about motivating their dogs and show them how training and playing games go hand in hand with the learning process. By explaining that our dogs are a reflection of what we have or have not taught, we remind handlers not to blame the dog. Other important reminders for new and returning students are that they need to be careful not to nag the dog, and that control does not mean to dominate the dog. These mantras oftentimes have to be repeated to classes but, incorporating them into the training process positively affects the dog and handler relationship and positively impacts learning. Let’s Play Games Play and toy drive is key in training the fast, responsive agility dog. But often trainers find using food easier and more convenient and they don’t understand how to incorporate toys and play into training. In this presentation, Mary Ellen Barry emphasized that stationary position exercises should be rewarded with food, but behaviors requiring motion and speed should be rewarded with toys. A toy increases the dog’s drive, interaction, and relationship with the handler, whereas the food is momentary and calming. Key points Mary Ellen emphasized are: • Toys and food should be delivered at the handler’s side, not in front. • The handler should not be mauled for food or toys; these are given when the dog completes what the handler is asking for. • Distance exercises are enhanced by toy throwing, which also strengthens obstacle focus. • Turning behaviors are enhanced by toy delivery at the handler’s side, which strengthens handler focus. Take-home: We have integrated these principles into our foundation classes. Students are asked to bring treats and toys to training class, and we teach appropriate use of each and how to flow from one to the other. Food and toy respect is also emphasized. This effort yields some very positive and respectful training sessions that are highly beneficial to the dog/handler relationship and that produce a dog that wants to learn and be trained. By explaining that our dogs are a reflection of what we have or have not taught, we remind handlers not to blame the dog. take control… Learn how to turn stress to conndence and distraction to focus so that your dog can work oﬀ leash reliably in either stimulating or stressful situations Clean Run | December 09

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Clean Run Magazine - December 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - December 2009