OB430 Maintaining Engagement at Distance
We often have to leave our dogs in the obedience ring. They need to work at a distance from us in spite of pressure from the judge, the environment and the ring gates. We have no connection with them, they are completely on their own. No wonder they don’t like it out there! I want my dogs to not only understand they need to stay there but remain alert, engaged and confident. In this class we will teach our dogs that being away from us is safe and fun. We will teach our dogs that pressure is a cue for engagement! Through the use of tricks and games, we will create a positive conditioned emotional response to distance work. In this class we will address distance work as they relate to the novice recall and stand for exam, drop on recall, moving stand, signals and command discrimination exercises. Equipment required for this course is a platform and a similar sized rug or mat.
Course Details
Teaching Approach
This class will have written and spoken video lectures each week. There will be video examples demonstrating all exercises. Because everyone has their own learning style, I encourage students to move at their own pace. For the first few weeks, students can work in a smaller space. Later in the class, students will need access to a space large enough where they can perform a full obedience exercise. Students will need to leave their dogs repeatedly in a number of training sessions. I will work with you to modify the exercises to your abilities. A few of the games will require quick physical movement from the trainer for short periods and distances.
Syllabus
Week one
- Hand as a focal point
- Hand “touch”
- Platform/Rug tricks
- Sit
- Stand
- Down
- Front Feet on cue word +CER
- Back Feet on cue word +CER
- Positions as tricks
- Add high value to mat/rug
Week Two
- Backing in each position as a trick
- Back to the platform
- Release to hand
- Incrementally increase the distance
- Teach offering – including sit, down, stand
- Teach “bounce” in sit and stand
- Maintaining connection from precue through wait
Week Three
- Vary the distance for reward from hand
- Reward by returning
- Reward with cookie toss
- Verbal “good” to provide support
- Teach offering and/or tricks with back to dog
- Back to platform/rug as a trick
- Face dog short distance
- Ready Steady
- Offer
- What to do if my dog looks away
Week Four
- Reward from hand – release to a hand touch
- Reward with food or toy
- Turn periodically and ask for offer
- Turn and ask for backup and/or rug behavior
- Turn and face dog, add distance
- Engagement on silence
- Move into pressure using rug - barriers
Week Five
- Create a positive CER to Pressure
- Judge
- Barrier
- Environment
- Combinations
- Moving into pressure humans, environment, combos
- Pressure acts as a cue dog stationary
- Side
- Behind
- Static
- Motion
Week Six
- Working on engagement in the exercises
- Drop on Recall
- Signals
- Moving Stand
- Recall
- Stand for Exam
- Command Discrimination
Prerequisites & Supplies
Sample Lecture
Sample Lecture:
There are a number of reasons why our dogs struggle when we leave them in the obedience ring. The vast majority of their reinforcement occurs when they are close to us. So naturally that’s where they want to be. When we leave our dogs, they feel pressure from the judge, the ring gates, and the environment. It’s very uncomfortable. In addition, they are taught not to look around. This adds pressure to pressure. Finally, most dogs have learned a focal point when they are working close to us. When we turn our backs to them and walk away, they don’t really know exactly what to look at. (Trust me on that, I spent a lot of time with other trainers trying to figure this out). That causes confusion and anxiety. Well trained dogs know they have to stay there. That doesn’t mean they like it. For many dogs, the stress causes them to freeze. Other dogs “flee” by moving forward. I used to teach my dogs that they just have to stay. We would play “games” where we randomly released them to toys or food. It worked to an extent. But the truth is, my dogs never loved being out there. I really wanted my dogs to be confident and comfortable when I left them. I want them focused and engaged as I walk away, and responding confidently to my next cue. Ultimately, I wanted my dogs to have a positive CER at a distance. I found the best way to achieve that was through a combination of “offering” games, teaching pieces of the distance exercises as tricks and creating a focal point when our backs are to the dogs.
Focal Point
Years ago, we thought our dogs were just “looking” at our backs. That was their focal point. After a lot of experimentation, I realized they weren’t. They weren’t. When dogs are in front of us we make eye contact. That’s very specific. Humans do the same. If we are having a conversation, you would look me in the eye. If you break eye contact, you are looking at something else. When that happens, you are no longer 100% focused on what I’m saying. Same with our dogs. When my back is to my dog, I now give them a specific target. My hand. That makes it very clear to the dog. You shouldn’t be looking around. You should be looking right here.
Instructor
Petra Ford
Faculty
I have been training and competing for several decades in a variety of sports including Hunt Tests, Field Trials, Nosework, Agility and Rally. My first love has always been competition obedience. I have been fortunate to win the AKC National Obedience Championship four times with three different dogs. (Click here for full bio and to view Petra's upcoming courses)...