Sad excuse for a post

But Smartdogs has a GREAT article about Self Control, and you can read it here.

I will write more on this later when I am not at work, getting the evil eye from my boss.

Wordless Wednesday - 9/9/09

Kaylee on our hike last week, chronicled on Going Back Out, at Cleburne State Park, Cleburne, Texas.

Five things to remember when walking a reactive dog

It's easy to lose your head when your dog is acting like a bass in a fishing tournament on the end of her leash - especially around other dog people who all seem to have perfectly trained, well-behaved dogs who are appalled by the screaming alien monster who has mysteriously replaced your dog's behavior.

1. Everyone is NOT looking at you and your dog the entire time. They're watching their own dogs (and probably hoping they continue to act like well-behaved dogs.). Keep your body loose and relax- tension travels STRAIGHT down the leash, and you can make things MUCH worse by being tense.
2. Hope is not a coping strategy. Neither is denial. If you think a situation might upset your dog, don't put him into it, or come up with a management strategy that will let it be a positive training experience for both of you. This may mean crating your dog away from the rings or in the car, playing focus or relaxation games, or feeding him in the presence of mild stressors- or leaving him at home for especially busy events. Setting your dog up to succeed by choosing low key trials and events will be more rewarding for both of you in the long and short-term.
   
3. Don't give up. Reactivity is common, and most people who are active in dog sports have dealt with it in the past, are dealing with it currently, or will get theirs in the future. :) Some people can be jerks, but most people will be understanding if you're taking good steps to manage your dog, minimizing conflict, and not letting him upset other dogs.
4. Most- but not all- dogs are less reactive when they're in motion. Keeping your dog moving can be a good management strategy. If you initiate it early enough, you may be able to head off a reactive episode with cued behaviors like hand touches, tricks, and puppy pushups. If not? Your dog will probably be willing to run with you past most distractions if you're willing to go fast.
   
5. Even adult dogs have a finite attention span. It's always tempting to keep training when you're having good results, but learn to quit while you're ahead and give the dog a break!
   

Starting 9/18/09 - Unleashed

Fridays from 8-9PM
Starting date: 9/18/09
7 weeks
$120 per team
Location: Best Friends Fun Farm in McKinney

3 Spaces remaining
1. Bauer the GSD & Annette
2.
3.
4.

Based on the book "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt, Unleashed is a class about teaching focus and attention as a default behavior, desensitizing and counter-conditioning your dog to respond to an exciting environment with renewed focus on YOU.

This will be our first fall session of CU and the second to last for 2009. It's a great class for puppies and dogs of all ages, and it's designed for dogs who are reactive or fearful in high-distraction environments.