Clean Run - March 2012 - 62

was more like it! The quicker she gets to the thrown toy, the quicker she gets the treat out. She can also see more treats underneath and get to them too until I run up and take the toy away. So the sooner she gets there, the more treats she gets. I never help her to get the treats and I always ensure she is hungry when I train her. I did find that she would go faster in the afternoon at shows because it was approaching her evening feed time. So I changed her main meal to the morning with a smaller one in the evening, which meant that she ran fast in the mornings too. So don’t let anyone tell you that your dog has to tug to do agility because this simply isn’t true. In fact a good trainer should have other options to try, and be imaginative in her approach to each and every dog. People are all different, some preferring a bar of chocolate over and above watching TV, and our dogs are the same. What is a great reward for one dog won’t get even a flicker of interest from another. Remember too that if your dog is a “millionaire” then no reward is going to be enough to get him to work for you. A millionaire dog is one that always has plenty to eat, has access to toys other than in the agility A “millionaire” dog training ring, and has permanent access to his handler at home. Rewards are mainly food, toys, or access to you. If your dog gets all these things for free then he doesn’t need to work for them. If you were a millionaire then you probably wouldn’t bother to go to work either!

Think Outside the Box
Where motivation is concerned you really do need to think laterally. It never occurred to me at the time, but Chelsea was terrible to crate-train because she had separation-anxiety issues. She just wanted to be with someone constantly. I sorted out that problem but later I realized that I could use this enthusiasm to my advantage. So I either put her in a wait away from me while I get in line to run or I get someone to hold her away from me. The holder lets her run to me at the very last second as I walk toward the ring; I then quickly put her in a wait at the start line and move away from her. Once called, she is playing “chase me” on the rest of the course. Preparation for the competition ring will be different for each and every dog so keep trying different things until you get a good reaction from your dog.

Fabulous Fun!

You’ll refer to this book again and again…

Designed for puppies and dogs at any skill level, the Foundation Fundamentals program will help your clients build the skills their dogs need before starting obstacle training, as well as help them develop their dog training skills.

Developing Handling Skills is the most comprehensive book available on dog agility handling. It is designed to be a resource that you will refer to for many years to come. After many years of observation, study, experimentation, and practical application, Linda Mecklenburg has arrived at a simple but comprehensive approach to agility handling that is appropriate for all dogs and handlers, from the beginner to the most accomplished competitor.

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Clean Run - March 2012

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