Clean Run - March 2011 - 20

In a perfect world, all handlers would be quick learners who accept critiques and then immediately and effectively implement changes to their training and handling.

is a malicious endeavor by the student, but rather an attempt to get as much knowledge as possible by a student who is really motivated by the class. Doggie Difficulties: Again, difficulties can run the gamut here. Some dogs will lose drive due to too many repetitions, while other dogs will appear to be just fine. The main problem here is not a dog-training problem, but a difficult balancing of class dynamics. Challenge: Group class instructors need to maximize the learning experience for everyone, and give each student equal amounts of time. It is easy to get caught up with a time monopolizer, but it is important that the instructor be aware of this and not give one student too much time over the others. Time monopolizers can really tip the balance of a class by creating frustration in the other students. How to Help: A simple way to solve this is to time everyone’s turn on course. For example, everyone gets 2 minutes to work through a sequence, then they must leave the course whether it is finished or not. The student can choose to spend that time working the whole sequence, or just fixing a problem; but her time is up at 2 minutes. Sometimes a student will monopolize class time by conversing with the instructor while other dogs are working. Instructors need to give their full attention to the working dogs, so it is perfectly fine to ask other students to hold their questions until after all the dogs have had a chance to work. I even suggest that they write their questions down so they don’t forget. After everyone has had a chance, you can have a quick group discussion before moving on.

Who: This student brings with her a dark cloud of negativity to each class. This negativity can include negative self-talk, or being mean to her dog, or being rude to the other people, or trash-talking about people who are not in the class. Doggie Difficulties: These are the dogs that can struggle with drive. If the student is stressed and negative, that energy can travel down the leash and into her canine partner. This can cause stress behaviors in the dog, causing him to slow down or become tentative. And if the handler is mean to her dog, the dog will be more tentative and less likely to offer behaviors with speed. Challenge: Negativity and meanness have no place in agility class. Unfortunately, it is easy for folks to get caught up in it, and pretty soon the dark cloud has spread to the whole class. Instructors must set the tone for the class. How to Help: In my classes and clinics, I do not allow anyone to be mean to dogs or to people. I also try to get people to refrain from trash-talking and negative self-talk that can be so prevalent in agility by redirecting their conversation, or asking them to reword a question or statement positively. Sometimes the negativity is rooted in something outside agility. Perhaps these students are going through a difficult time at work or in their personal life. Don’t be afraid to take this student aside and ask if everything is okay in their world. A few private moments of kindness and understanding can go a long way to clearing the dark clouds.

The Dark clouDS

Who: This student allows the dog to do whatever he wants in class, including wandering around, getting into the other dogs’ faces, jumping on other handlers, grabbing cookies, toys, and so on, while the student is not paying attention or engaged in conversation elsewhere. Doggie Difficulties: These dogs are likely to leave their work on course to check out distractions in their environment. This can also include arousal and aggression problems that arise from being allowed to obsess on dogs that are running or rehearsing poor social skills when visiting other dogs. Challenge: These students need to understand that not every dog or person is interested in having their dog visit or steal things. How to Help: An easy way to teach handlers is to institute some class rules designed to help students take responsibility for their dogs. For example, dogs can either be crated or on a 4' or 6' leash when not working. Or, dogs can be taught to lie on a dog bed and the handler has to reward the dog for holding position. Happily oblivious students quickly come back to the real world by taking charge of their dog’s behavior. Instructors also encounter other types of existing handler personalities (and combinations) that may not be named above. Dealing with the challenges they present is a learning opportunity for us, both as students and handlers. The reward for helping students to overcome the obstacles presented is a valuable lesson in creativity, kindness, and understanding and makes a happy ending for all. D

The happily oBliviouS

Summing up

Tracy Sklenar is the training director at Leader of the Pack (www.lotp.com) in Smyrna, New York, and an instructor at Susan Garrett’s Say Yes Dog Training (www.clickerdogs.com) in Canada. 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 five dogs: Pierce and Samson (Dalmatians), Rebound (Rat Terrier), Export (BC/JRT mix) and Matrix (BC/SBT mix). Contact her at agilitydals@yahoo.com. 20 Clean Run | March 11
http://www.lotp.com http://www.clickerdogs.com
Clean Run - March 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - March 2011
