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Summer Schedule Notes:
New this summer: Summer Sampler on Thursday evenings at 6:15 is all about fun and games!
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
Sue Kander & Ellie Mae - UD-C leg with fourth place
Eva Smith & Bud - AKC JH leg
Pat Salvatoriello & Corrie - CDX-C leg
Michelle Ostrander & Sawyer - AKC GN leg with first place, two CDX-C legs with first and second place, two CD-C legs with HIT and High Combined, AKC Group 2 placement Owner-Handler Sporting Group
Beth Koferl & Jack - CDX-C leg with first place
Linda Sperco & Rudy - first AKC RN leg with second place
Terrie Frenson & Dasher - ARCHX double q with second and fourth plae
Judy Sullivan & Lola - CDX-C leg with third place, CDX-CCh leg
Bobbie Wood & Maestro - two ARCH legs, CDX-C leg with first place
Bobbie Wood & Emmy - two CDX-CCh legs with fourth place
Joan Olewski-Steiner & Rio - RL1X leg with first place
and.......Rye and Zeke earned their second AKC Master Hunter pass
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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
August Platform FUNdamentals Seminar
Two sessions: Beginner and Advanced
Saturday Aug. 3
Registration and additional information
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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More from the Pat Nolan Seminar
Mystery and Certainty.....at its essence, this is very simple. A reward based approach to training requires that your dog be certain he is going to receive a reward (this is when you use your payoff marker) The mystery - not knowing exactly when he is going to be rewarded - motivates the dog to keep working (this is when you use your carry-on maker)
Think back to last month's 'approaching the line' drill. The first time you toss the bumper for your dog when he is walking nicely by your side, you've established the certainty that this behavior gets him a reward. The next time you bring your dog from the holding blind and start to walk to the line, your dog may think the bumper is going to be tossed at a certain point. If you delay the toss and thus ask the dog to work a bit harder, you are introducing mystery - as a motivator -to the training process. Randomize the process and you will have a dog that is happy to work WITH you because while he's certain he's going to be rewarded for his efforts, he's not sure exactly when the reward is coming.
The Less Said The Better 
One of the reasons exhibitors enjoy showing in the rally ring or CDSP obedience ring is the fact that you can talk to your dog. However, this oftentimes results not in better teamwork but instead in a lack of teamwork because the praise and enouragement deteriorates to nagging. When that happens, your dog tunes you out.
For the past several weeks I have had my students say nothing to their dogs after the initial cue to heel until right before a halt, change of direction, pace change, rally exercise, etc. This is where I have them use their 'carry on' marker. The result has been dramatic! Better attention, smoother executions, happier dogs and happier handlers!
Admittedly, breaking the habit of idle chatter is hard. But it can be done!! If you keep your praise and encouragement timely, relevant and sincere by using your 'carry on' markers appropriately it's an easy transition to substitute a smile as your marker for those venues when you cannot talk to your dog.
Here's a little challenge: try using your 'carry on' markers appropriately this month and stop all the chatter - you can do it! Let me know by June 30 how it works and you will be entered in a drawing for a free entry for an upcoming BRDS CDSP obedience trial or an APDT / WC Rally trial; your choice.
Safety at Hunt Tests.....a little rant
Our dogs' safety should be first and foremost at hunt tests. The possible pass and ribbon should be secondary and in my opinion, not worth the risk of putting our dogs in harm's way.
At a recent hunt test I was horrified to see that the judges had set up the water series in deep but running water the consistency of thick elmer's glue. The dogs were expected to pick up three marks and run a blind in this. The conditions were so bad one of the gunners thought he was going to have to go in and pull out a dog who had gotten stuck. I watched as another dog sucked to the shoreline in an attempt to get out of the muck only to find it was much worse there and he could not move. The conditions screamed INJURY.
What horrified me even more was that while handler after handled complained about it, not one put their dog's safety first by refusing to send their dog into it. If asked, I'm sure each would have said their dog is definitely worth more than the $70.00 entry fee and in a real life hunting situation would not have sent their dogs.
There should not be a pass, ribbon or title worth a dog's safety. There will always be another test. |
