Clean Run - September 2012 - 42

When your dog understands the Go for a Run cue and will recall back to you, you can also use this permission to zoom as a high value reward.

Victory Laps and Return for Pit Stops
I teach all of my dogs that they can have big, fun zooms—by permission only! I develop a cue called Go for a Run so they can enjoy a big victory lap and get some stimulation from running. I also practice recalls as “pit stops” during these big runs. When the dog responds to the recall, I reward him with a cookie or toy then send him back for another big run. When your dog understands the Go for a Run cue and will recall back to you, you can also use this permission to zoom as a high value reward. After great work in a training session, I will often hand my dog a toy and tell him to go for a run as his reward—and he will gleefully run in circles around the field for a few moments until I call him back. This provides a nice break to balance the focus and control of the teamwork with a big rip-snortin’ good time.

to have any understanding on how to resist the zoom, or any interest in doing so. If they have hours every day to zoom around the property without the handler, there is likely very little the handler can do at agility classes or trials to convince the dog to give up his freedom to run a course. These dogs require a lifestyle change; their freedom to zoom must be restricted so that they earn all privileges through self-control and response to the handler. Some of these dogs need to go back to being treated like an eight-week-old puppy—on leash and closely supervised, with tons of interactive time with the handler. Many handlers feel guilty about revoking some of the dog’s freedoms; however, done properly, the dog will actually have far more reinforcement in his world, and far less frustration and punishment.

having a big zoom. However, it doesn’t teach the dog how to control himself when he is rested, peppy, and in the mood to run. I prefer to train my dogs when they are on the edge: rested, excited, and maybe even a little bit wild. This helps me build value for the game with me, in the face of the distractions and frustrations that might lead to zooming. Also, it gives me an idea of what the dog will be like at a trial, where it is often impossible to tire out the dog before a run. I encourage handlers to embrace the wild side of their canine partners and teach the dogs to work with them when they are high as a kite, rather than choose to zoom! If there is a chance the dog might make a mistake and have a zoom, you need to be sure that you can quickly interrupt the dog. Stopping the zoom is an important element to stopping the self-reinforcement and making sure the zooming doesn’t continue to build in frequency and intensity. Working in an enclosed space is helpful for quick collar grabs. If there is a lot of room, keep the dog on leash until there is less of a chance that he will have a racetrack moment. D

Embrace Life on the Edge
Some handlers of zoomers try to tire out the dogs before going to classes or trials, and the results might be deceptively good. If the dog has run for three hours in the heat before going to class, he is likely not going to be interested in

Life Skills and Too Much Freedom
Focus and self-control is not an agility skill, it is a life skill. Some dogs have too much freedom in their daily lives

Tracy Sklenar is the training director at Leader of the Pack (www.lotp.com) in Smyrna, New York, and on the faculty of Agility University (www.agility-u.com). 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 six dogs: Pierce and Samson (Dalmatians), Rebound (Rat Terrier), Export (BC/JRT mix), Matrix (BC/SBT mix), and Crusher (Papillon). Contact her at agilitydals@yahoo.com.

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Clean Run - September 2012

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