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!