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7. COL: Tell us how you get “the most” out of your dog in performance events.
Dr. Deanna Levenhagen: It needs to be fun for both you and your dog. If either one isn’t having fun, it will influence the overall performance. You are in the ring or on the field as a team. Don’t get stressed about the trial environment. Consider it as just another special time that you share with your dog.
Shelley Bergstraser: One of the best pieces of advice came from my friend Renate VanAllen, who said the competition ring is SACRED to her dogs and they can do NO WRONG in the there. If they stand on their head and run in circles she will tell them they are wonderful and brilliant and go home or to training class to work out problem areas. She is so right and this is BRILLIANT advice for competition. So many of us (I have shut down dogs doing this) have a novice dog . . . well, or even an experienced dog . . . do something wrong and we start getting firmer and harsher in our commands. Our demeanor changes and we get stressed and a bit angry or embarrassed or whatever, and all our dogs learn is that being in the ring is NOT fun. Renate pointed out to me that in a class or match situation we can correct the dog (even growl or grab a collar -- whatever) and THEN IMMEDIATELY help the dog to be right, to reward the dog. We cannot do this in the ring when a handler starts getting harsh or angry or upset in the ring. You leave the dog just feeling your anger and we cannot help the dog to correct his mistakes. Far better to stay happy in the ring NO MATTER WHAT and to go home and fix problems. I swear this will keep a happier competition dog for years.
Beth Elliot: I have a routine that I try and stick to. My dogs get fed at 9am, so if I know we're going to show before then, or around that time, I don't feed them, but bring the meal with me. It comes in handy for an additional reward after a run. In obedience, I take the dog out for one last chance to potty about five dogs before our turn, then do some heeling and pivot warm ups while the dog before us is in the ring. Any more, and I run the risk of my nerves affecting the dog. In agility, I again take the dog out to potty, then do some stretching and warm up exercises on the flat. About five or six dogs before me, I'll use the practice jump, then hang out by the ring until our turn, asking my dog for little things just to keep his attention on me. When the dog before us is in the ring, I'll let my dog watch it run from about a third to half-way through the course until just before we are supposed to go
to the line. In flyball, I try to bring them into the building while the race before us is running so they can watch the teams run. During the warm-up period for the first races of the day, I'll do a recall from the box, then a practice run, once in each lane. Then I'll just go to a recall for the next couple races, and for the last ones of the day, just bring them straight into the ring and wait to race.
Marilyn Clayton: I don't drill my dogs (if they do it right the first time, I praise and move
on to something else); I keep training sessions short and happy with a walk at the end as a reward;
I keep the activities varied -- a little obedience; a little herding; a little agility; a little tracking;
I let my dog know how much his work and effort mean to me through honest and sincere praise; I keep him in top physical condition, which includes proper exercise and nutrition; if something doesn't look or feel right; I look for a cause and fix it. I use a lot of alternative vet care with my dogs, especially as they age.
Carol Dunton: I attempt to get the most out of my dogs by keeping the activities fun and leaving the dog wanting more. I will try to keep the training sessions short and always end on a positive note.
Sue Larson: Before I go into a ring I try to really connect with my dog. In agility, where my focus is at the moment, it means ignoring everything else, playing with my dog, doing some fun stuff -- with
Bright I have her do left and right spins, bows, jump through my arms, hand touches -- anything that's fun for her. If you want 100 percent out of your dog, you have to give them 100 percent in return.
Vicki Loucks: I try to motivate them with whatever it is they like, either a food or toy. I may ignore a dog before a run and reward heavily after -- depends on the dog. I keep them comfortable before they run. I keep them cool in their crates or in the Motorhome. I make sure they eat while we are
traveling and make sure they have play time after a run and at the end of the day. I make sure they are fit. In addition to training, I bike all the dogs that work. Start line games are good -- whatever turns the dog on or clues the dog in. A lot of my dogs are now taught to touch at the start line before I leave them in a stay. Touch is a game to them -- usually the first behavior asked for when I start teaching them.
Jan Shields: The key to getting the most out of a dog is to understand that dog’s limits and needs. A fresh, happy, well trained dog is paramount to a successful team between dog and handler.
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