Training for a Happy, Confident and Motivated Obedience Dog
Beckett's first Utility Run.
Since he had not shown for over 6 months we decided to enter him in Preferred Utility and to use this Chino Valley show, October 9 and 10, 2021 as a match. Beckett had 2 lovely Utility runs, qualifying in each. He will move up to regular Utility B in a few weeks at a 3-day show in Nevada.
Below are videos of his first 2 Utility Runs. His score on the first was a 194 1/2. He lost points for not being quiet in heeling, sniffing at GO OUT, probably not going straight since as you can see the ring was quite unusual and dogs wanted to go to the orange rebar stake. Also for FRONTS and Finishes. In the 2nd Utility run he lost 3 points not doing his finish for scent articles; otherwise would have had a 195 which was high score from a very seasoned dog from California. Very happy with his first time out.. Out goal was TEAM WORK, SUPPORTING BECKETT, and building his CONFIDENCE.
Since he had not shown for over 6 months we decided to enter him in Preferred Utility and to use this Chino Valley show, October 9 and 10, 2021 as a match. Beckett had 2 lovely Utility runs, qualifying in each. He will move up to regular Utility B in a few weeks at a 3-day show in Nevada.
Below are videos of his first 2 Utility Runs. His score on the first was a 194 1/2. He lost points for not being quiet in heeling, sniffing at GO OUT, probably not going straight since as you can see the ring was quite unusual and dogs wanted to go to the orange rebar stake. Also for FRONTS and Finishes. In the 2nd Utility run he lost 3 points not doing his finish for scent articles; otherwise would have had a 195 which was high score from a very seasoned dog from California. Very happy with his first time out.. Out goal was TEAM WORK, SUPPORTING BECKETT, and building his CONFIDENCE.
In this NEW section (Nov. 2021) we will look at building TEAMWORK, SUPPORTING YOUR DOG and building a CONFIDENT, HAPPY obedience dog
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VIDEO 1: Pre-ring Preparation for FOCUS, ATTENTION & CONNECTION
Beckett has spent a lot of time in his doggie gym learning tricks, working on balance discs, tugging with sister Myst and just thinking this is so much fun since it is highly rewarded, light and happy. I have also incorporated during this time, the Utility SIGNAL exercise, fronts, finishes, dumbbell pickup to fronts, dogs taking turns for double article piles and much more. All of this has built great value for our pre-ring entrance where Beckett is focused, happy, connected and attentive. You will see that there are people with their off leash dogs off to the side talking loudly; not once does Beckett look at them or get distracted by them even though he has never seen them before. He has great value for what we are doing outside the ring.
A pre-ring program that one does every time before they go into the ring for chaining or run throughs. By doing this the dog knows what to expect and is already connected going into the ring. My eyes are never taken off my dog during this time even with ring entrance as you will see in VIDEO 2 and the above videos of our first ever Utility run. I am communicating to him that he is the most important thing to me at this time and is getting my FULL ATTENTION. Once one looses the dogs attention it takes at least 3-5 seconds to get it back if that.
How do Dogs Learn?
Example: Teaching the DOWN from the SIT in the Open Command Discrimination.
Goal: Dog moves back into the DOWN position and does not jump forward.
NEW: 3/13/2022: Applying Pressure in the Obedience Ring --- Tips for Improving Performance and Scores. See BLOG writing