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Spring Schedule Notes:
Evening classes in New Providence resume next week. We've added several new classes to the line-up: Beginner Novice/Rally I, Putting Novice Together and Family Manners/CGC.
Students are welcome to join any class in-progress. Drop-ins are also welcome. Suggestions for future classes are always welcome - just let us know!
The complete class schedule and registration information can be found at www.blueribbondogsportscoaching.com
Don't forget that Sandi has APDT Rally run-thrus and CDSP run-thrus every Thursday morning at Golden Rule School for Dogs.
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Blue Ribbon Brags
Bobbie Wood & Maestro - qualified for the AKC Rally Invitational with three placements
Beth Koferl & Jack - 5th QQQ for WC/APDT Rally ARCHMX with fifth place, #20 ARCHEX 2012 National Ranking, 2 CD-CCh legs with fourth place
Vic Garcia & Zak - AKC RN leg with a 99
Joy Scally & William - two AKC BN legs with third place
Sue Kander & Ellie Mae - CDX-CCh leg with HIT and 198
Kathy Kaminski & Jackson - WC/APDT Rally RL2 leg with first place
Terrie Frenson & Dasher - WC/APDT Rally RL2 leg with fifth place
Peggy Meakin & Belle - #10 ARCHMX 2012 APDT Rally National Rankings
Peggy Meakin & Cinder - #9 ARCHEX 2012 APDT Rally National Rankings
Joan Olawski-Steiner & Rio - two AKC RE legs with second place
Caroline LeBel & Scout - second UD-C leg with first place
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July CDSP and WC/APDT Rally Trials
Entries open on May 1. Both trials are limited entry.
CDSP Premium
WC/APDT Rally Premium
Hunt Test Training
The Navesink River Hunting Retriever Club training sessions are in full swing. For details:
NRHRC 2013 Training Sessions |
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Notes from the Pat Nolan Seminar
Last weekend I had the pleasure of running the second NRHRC Pat Nolan seminar. Out of the pages and pages of notes I took, here are a few of the critical points:
The Importance of a Verbal Marker - Regardless of your dog's training level, your dog must know when he's right and you must be consistent in clearly communicating this with your verbal marker. There are two types of verbal markers; one tells your dog he is correct and a BIG payoff is coming, the other tells your dog he is correct and to keep working. Pat calls this one the 'carry on'/'continue on' marker. For example, when I am lining Rudy up for a blind or a mark, the moment he is looking out in the right direction I use the carry on verbal marker "that's it". His payoff is being sent for the blind or mark and his payoff marker is his name. When Rudy is returning to heel with the bird I use the carry on marker 'good'. Your vocabulary is your own but you must be consistent and when using your payoff marker "if you say it you must pay it'.
Getting From The Blind To The Line With Focus and Control - Your dog is in drive when coming from the holding blind to the line and this little drill channels that energy, making control much easier. Hide a bumper in your back pocket and start to heel from the holding blind to the line. The moment your dog is heeling nicely, use your payoff verbal marker, pull the bumper out, toss it and release your dog to go and get it. Transition to asking for longer duration on heeling, using your carry on marker before your payoff marker, working up to the point where you and your dog have reached the line and he is going to be sent for his ultimate reward. With consistent practice in training, your dog will quickly learn that working with you on the way to the line instead of trying to race you to the line gets him the reward and you have channeled that drive into control.
And It Works For The Ring As Well 
Regardless of the sport or venue, a working partnership with your dog is based on clear communication and properly using a marker is at the foundation of success.
Your payoff marker can be verbal or it can be a clicker. You also need a carry on marker. Keep the two separate; the two training issues I consistently see are the lack of a UNIQUE payoff marker or paying the dog when a carry on marker is used.
In training (and this includes matches) apply the holding blind to the line drill by using an interactive toy or your leash. If your dog is not crazy about playing, either work on teaching your dog to play with you or use a food reward that comes from your mouth (not your pocket). Your starting point will be outside the ring; that is where it is critical that you have your dog's attention and have him under control. Not all dogs are in drive when coming into the ring but they should be and this will create drive with control. For dogs who can't wait to get into the ring, this will harness their drive.
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