Clean Run - October 2016 - 16

result. The dog learned that once he has stopped he must wait to be released by you. The dog doesn't know that having his feet in the right spot trumps waiting for the release. Don't be too upset, you trained the "don't move until I say so after you have stopped" part very well. Digging in your pockets as the dog is coming down is one way to distract them. Save that for later, (for advanced proofing when he is ready for it), don't do it while the dog is learning. (I often yell "don't be playing in your pockets while you are training!") * The handler is repeatedly using the contact word (verbal command) while the dog is breaking his stride to stop. This is naming a behavior as it is happening and it backfires. Remember how you named "sit" after you taught the dog how to sit? You got the behavior and then you named it. If your dog is hearing his contact cue toward the end of the board, while he was braking to stop anyway, he will learn to break his stride when he hears the word. Say your contact command while the dog is running, full stride, so that your contact word means go, not stop. If you forget to say it, I recommend not saying it at all to avoid the risk of pairing the cue with the wrong behavior. I say my cue when my dog is on his way up the obstacle, not on the way down. * The handler makes hard eye contact with the dog. I have a photo of my JRT Quill stopped early on the dogwalk and I'm staring hard at her. Both of our mouths are wide open. That photo rocked my world, and was a game changer for me. Quill could have had a text bubble over her head reading, "How can I do my job and drive down there and look at you, too?" I realized that when I make hard eye contact with my dogs, I expect them to look back at me! I can be really dumb sometimes. That one adjustment changed everything. I never look hard at a dog's eyes when I want him to not look at me. Duh. Look where you want your dog to go. Leaving Early (Self-Releasing) This happens when the release word is not proofed and also happens when owners are sloppy with the release word in everyday life. Your release word is sacred! Protect it everywhere, every day, not just during agility training. My rule is that I do not ask for any stationary position unless I am committed to seeing it through to a formal release. What to Do When You Don't Get What You Want These are guidelines for the average dog. Softer dogs might need to be handled differently when mistakes happen. * Stopping short: In training I take the dog off the side of the board by doing a front cross; I just turn into the dog and say "come" in a nice way. "Fixing it" (unless the dog is just learning) never seems to work long term, and we really need the behavior done correctly the first time. By taking the dog off the side, he is not getting to the place where reinforcement happens (whether he is released to the reward or handed it). This means I do not repeat his contact cue again and I definitely do not point at the end of the board-the last thing I want is his contact command to be a hand signal! I will try again twice, but if the dog keeps stopping short, I have to go back and re-train-training is fun, remember? I will do a few "short ones" on my training plank (my back to kindergarten move). Only in trials will I repeat my command to get the dog down the ramp; it is the lesser of the evils of my options (ignore the error and go on or scold the dog). Leaping Oﬀ This is just lack of training and proofing. I would start over and re-train. Don't worry; the training will go faster than it did initially. © cLeaN RuN What a Flirt! The Flirt Pole is the ultimate chaser toy, designed for strength, durability, and ease of use Easily change out the lure to any toy with a handle * Made in the USA * 2 sizes available * 1-year guarantee ® 16 www.cleanrun.com Clean Run | October 16 http://www.cleanrun.com http://www.cleanrun.com

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