Clean Run Magazine - April 2008 - 46

if you are functioning in the middle of the arousal curve. Extremes at either end will not lead to the success you are seeking. Please do not try to pinpoint why your dog reacts as he does. Although a common mistake, it can be self-defeating. People will tell me their dog has “shut down” because he was attacked at ringside; or he is out of control because he lacked social attention until he was six weeks old. These are excuses. No one among us really knows why your dog exhibits the behavior he does, and why he exhibits that behavior does not actually matter! Let’s say, without your knowledge, someone stepped on your dog’s paw at ringside, and at that exact same moment you saw an overstimulated dog lunge toward the dog. Your dog yelped and then became worried around the ring. What will your misguided deductions accomplish? If you focus on “why,” you may incorrectly deduce that your dog is worried because of the dog lunging for him. You will start to overreact if you see another dog near your dog, causing yet more stress. You will dwell on “your poor puppy” and start labeling him as a shut-down, scaredy-cat dog. And that is all he will ever be: he will never achieve anything more because you have, subconsciously or otherwise, decided who he is. Alternatively, I simply observe the dog’s worried behavior, and I come up with a plan to countercondition what I see and to create confidence in my dog. In my plan, why doesn’t have any effect on how I will overcome what I see. You have to find a way to change your thinking. Look for the positive. Become less emotional; describe what you have, visualize what you want, and come up with a training plan to get there. That is how I overcame drive problems in two of my dogs that presented the most variation in extremes of drive. Border Collie Buzz (who is approaching 12 years old) arrived at every trial “selfwound”—entering like he was stepping into a party being thrown in his honor. The very next puppy that came into my life four years later was the polar opposite of Buzz. My Jack Russell mix-breed dog DeCaff ’s struggle with confidence as a young dog was so evident to all around it prompted many people to tell me they thought I would not have the same success with her that I had with all my previous dogs. To date DeCaff has won her spot on the podium of more National Championships than any dog I have every owned, including winning two World Championships. These two dogs represent the two extremes of the arousal curve. Through each of them I learned valuable lessons in overcoming drive problems. Your dog is who he is; how he got there is irrelevant. Learn from him, love him, and work to help him. Please stop looking back for excuses or trying to figure out why. This is a waste of time and counterproductive to moving forward with a plan for improvement! © GREAT DANE PHOTOGRAPHY Lovin’ the tunnel since 1997 User-Friendly Handles Heavy-Duty Straps Fully Adjustable Durable Aqualon Fabric The Original ™ www.tunnelbags.com 507-878-3155 PULSING MAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY FOR DOGS Bio-Pulse® systems have been used by the US Equestrian Team for years, and now they are available for canine athletes in the form of beds and jackets. Safe, natural, and tested, PMF therapy helps • Relieve pain and stiﬀness caused by injury, arthritis, or hip dysplasia • Reduce swelling and control inﬂammation • Speed healing of soft tissue injuries • Warm up muscles prior to activity Low-cost rental plans available Visit the website for more information on PMF therapy and our products 1-800-722-1228 www.respondsystems.com 46 Clean Run | April 08

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Clean Run Magazine - April 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - April 2008