FOCUS is FIRST

If you have been attending our club meetings you may have noticed that I have really been stressing the importance of the command "look". Although it is not something that you will be asked to perform for a score in the ring, I am convinced that the best training comes when you have your animal's attention. Think about it. If your dog is so intent on trying to see what is going on across the room, is he really paying attention to you or what you want him to do? That's a no-brainer, right?

So, I will continually "hound" (pun intended) you to get your dog to "look" at you. If you don't have his attention, he is distracted. If he is distracted he is likely to disobey. I am not saying that your dog needs to constantly focus on you every second of the day. You do want him to be alert to what is going on around him. Rather, I am stressing the importance of you being so aware of what has his attention that if a squirrel were digging at the base of a tree while you have him in a sit stay, that you notice his eyes watching the squirrel and you can get him to look back at you for a glance to praise him for staying; BIG praise for overcoming that kind of temptation.

The same thing applies with the sound of crinkling potato chip bags, or sudden bangs, a bouncing ball, flying bird; any kind of distraction that can take his attention from you. You should be getting to know your dog's temptations and be ready to use them to help train him.

How do you get your dogs attention? Easy. You make him watching you one of his favorite things to do. Training is just reshaping behavior and you can do that. But it takes practice and consistency.

Step 1: Say "Spirit [Dog's Name] Look"
Step 2: EVERY time the dog looks at your face they are treated as you SMILE and say "GOOD look!"

Gradually after repeating the above you can move on to the weaning away from treats and rewarding the noncommanded performance of the task.
Step 3: Don't ask them to look, but praise them for volunteering to look by giving the treat while smiling and saying "GOOD look!"
Step 4: Don't ask them to look, don't give treat but DO smile and praise verbally only or some petting and play session.

You can reinforce this at Non-scheduled training times whenever they look at you with a smile and a "GOOD look". Watch their tail wag! It doesn't always take you asking them to look, and it doesn't always take a treat, but praise IS important in positive shaping of the behavior.

Finally -- ignoring temptation to look back at you deserves HUGE praise!! Our goal is to always have them look back at you to check if it would be permissible to go check out that temptation over there.

Step 5: Proofing: You can set up scenarios with temptations nearby and regain their focus. Of course they will look, but we want them to refocus back on you when you call them and that deserves the greatest praise of all. So let them be showered with a gigantic celebration everytime they chose YOU over some other kind of tempting thing!

Successful County Fair Show

HAPPINESS IS DOING YOUR BEST AND BEING RECOGNIZED FOR IT !

It was great to see such a good result from those who came to the Marion County Fair 4-H Dog Show. I was extremely proud of all of you. I know that the low pressure weather bothered a few dogs behaviors, but you trainers (yes, that's you) handled it like pros. It's just the way it is and you deal with what you are given.

It was sad that a couple members of our club did not come to the county show, but those of you that came shone like the stars that I know you are!!

It was absolutely button-popping to know that each and every one of you took the Top Dog Test knowing that if you don't at least try, you can't place. And, a few of you received honors because of it. ALL of you received your tests back, so learned from the experience, right?

Because, I was in charge of running the Agility portion of the show in another building, I didn't get to witness your prowess in the obedience and showmanship rings. However, I can testify to your outstanding handling in the agility setting. All of you demonstrated exactly what we worked on all year. Even when a challenge came up for your particular dog.

The other exciting thing about the 2010 year in particular was the addition of the TROPHIES. Yes, some of your parents, other clubs, and our club contributed to be able to purchase those for the winners. They were beautiful and I believe gratefully accepted by the winners. IF you were one of those who received one of those AND it had an attached envelope with the sponsors address on it PLEASE be sure to send a thank you letting them know how much that trophy means to you. Maybe you could tell them about how special that day was to you and a little about your dog.

A special thanks to Mr. Miller who helped transport the agility equipment. Those who helped set up and take down. Leader Mrs. Miller for staying with the Obedience building show, and Leader Christi who I didn't get to see but in passing, but I am sure was helping facilitate those of you getting to your classes at the appointed times.

It all gets a bit chaotic on a show day, but if we all work together, it will get done and there is ALWAYS room for suggestions for improvement.

Here are a few photos that I managed to get... I am still hoping to get some more from parents.

Above from Left to Right:
Mackenzie C. and Oscar; Melissa M. and Macy; Jennifer B. and Carlisle; and Kiersten T. and Pedey.

If the rest of you will send in photos, I would love to post them as well.

Township Show On July 1st

Our own Warren Township Dog Show was held on Thursday July 1st, 2010.
There was a nice crowd of parents and friends in attendance.
We began with showmanship competition being judged by Christine Weger's mother who has experience in judging showmanship and was able to do so without any bias whatsoever. The club treasury did award her a modest Target gift certificate for her efforts.

Leader Christine Weger was excellent at helping to register and keep record of scoresheets as the shows progressed. Thanks Christi!!

Leader Michelle Spencer judged the dog obedience classes. Then we finished up with Leader Ellen Spencer judging the agility competitions. Because we held all the competitions in one night, the show went quite late. A very special "Thank You" goes out to those parents who stayed a little longer to help clean up afterwards.

And to ALL who attended, thank you for making this a special occasion for all the kids. It means a lot to have you hear to witness them putting their skills to the test. Those of you who contributed food and funds for the sake of the club helped to make this a great event : 0 )