Stepping into the ring and leaving the food behind

I often hear the comment "But you can't take food in the ring", or I find a student preparing for a trial by suddenly moving to "show mode" (no food, no toys, no corrections, etc) days before the event. I've struggled to explain how to move towards the show without the dogs behavior declining. It seems to me that people think in black and white. A trial is coming up and the handler wants to get ready for it. In doing so the handler either panics and really stresses the weak areas of a dog performance while working the dog, or starts treating the dog like they are in the show ring a day or more before the trial. I've tried explaining how to keep the dog from knowing that you won't use food in the ring. A savvy handler learns to use food, toys, and play interchangeably. The experienced handler knows how to utilize training aids in such a way that they are a reinforcement that magically appears rather than a lure/bribe to entice the desired behavior. I've told my students that my dogs think I'm a cookie dispenser able to produce treats from the sky (and my hand, pocket, mouth, etc)! I've also explained to use food right up till the minute before you step in the ring.
In catching up on some reading today, I came across a quote from Patty Ruzzo (a highly successful obedience competitor who used positive food based training) that really stuck in my head and I wanted to share it with all of you. Patty, who was frequently asked how to work away from food in preparation for a trial, stated this "If you knew a famine was coming, would you starve your children to prepare them for it?" Neither should the dog trainer "starve" their dogs prior to a trial, be it with an absence of treats, toys, or corrections!
Remember in preparing for a trial, keep "show mode" to a very small percentage of your overall practice and never right before you go into the ring. Instead, try Upping the level of reinforcement and see what happens! This relates to proofing as well. I've said this before, but I think it bears repeating. When facing a particularly challenging distraction up the level of reinforcement in terms of both quality and quantity! Feed for instant focus. Feed for 1 second of focus, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, etc. This method has a name. Ask me about it in class this week!

Upcoming Match Shows!

SUNDAY SEPT. 6th- Conformation Match

This coming Sunday, September 6th is the Lancaster Kennel Clubs match show. This is a conformation match only (no obedience or rally). However if you have an obedience or rally dog, attending the match as a spectator is a great way to get your dog used to a show environment. You can always practice on the sidelines while watching!

Sunday Sept. 13th - Doberman Pinscher Match *Rally Open to All Breeds!

The Metropolitan Doberman Pinscher Club is hosting a match in Westminister, MD. Conformation Classes for Doberman Pinschers, no experience necessary. Obedience classes for Doberman Pinschers. Rally and CGC open to ALL BREEDS. Click here for more information:
http://mbdpc.net/events.htm
*I will be attending this event and am happy to assist any students who enter.

Play Day at the Park Cancelled

Todays Playday at the Park has been cancelled due to a lack of participation.

Stay tuned for the next bonus training session!

Thursday night class

Just a quick announcement regarding tonights class. We will be having class as usual, at Kaye Ames School for Dogs. 7:45 pm.

Practice at the Park!

This Saturday, August 15th I will be offering a practice session at Long's Park. We will meet at the far end of the park, near the last small pavillion on the right. (This is on the barn end of the park) 10:00 am. We will be doing obedience run-thru's and maybe some additional training. This session is free to call current competition students. However I will only be holding the session provided at least 5 students plan to attend. Email me at wescotdobe@hotmail.com to reserve your spot! Please check this blog Saturday morning for any last minute changes or cancellations.

I came across an interesting article while surfing the web. It applies to dogs who shut down due to ring stress. Read it and give it a try. There are no big revalations in the article, it's fairly short and simple. But it may make a difference. http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~may/judy

Keep in mind that although the Author uses a leash correction, you might be able to get an acceptable response with behavior shaping. However so many of us tend to guide/lure/beg with our voice and our body language rather than shape in a positive fashion or deliver a correction if needed. So positive training or negative just be sure you are not still luring/bribing through past the distractions.

More on Treats and Leash Pops:

As most of you know, I have switched over to the positive side of training these past few years and it has worked quite well. What hasn't changed in my training is the insistance of a response. And I can still deliver a well timed correction if needed. Luckily with behavior shaping my dogs have learned that it's too their advantage to work with me and they are eager to comply. And yet when I do have to utilize a correction or leash pop, they don't shut down. They learned early on to respond positively to a leash pop. If your dog hasn't learned this, we can still teach it. Ask me about it in class. I personally hate to deliver a leash pop, particularly with my Dobermans. But a mild leash pop on a rare occasion probably isn't going to cause any more harm than the rough play they engage in together.

I am heading out this afternoon to do some training in a new location. A stressful, challenging location. I'll let you know how it goes. I challenge you to do the same!