KEEPING MOTIVATED FOR COMPETITION

... by Cathy Hughes

The observation of many "traditional" dog trainers who are in the early stages of experimenting with positive reinforcement is that the methods seem effective during training, but when it comes time for actual competition, the dogs soon become inattentive or shut down during judging.  The popular conclusion is that this is a fallout of  "cookie training."  After all, you can't take the motivators in the ring with you, -- or can you?

Many trainers who use clicker theory and other primarily positive methods to train dogs today remember the days when the use of choke and pinch collars for corrections during training was the norm.   Even with the use of compulsion, many dogs were happy and attentive in the ring back then, but the majority of competitors had lackluster performances and inattentive dogs as soon as they entered the ring.  It seems you could not take those training collars in the ring either!  The trainers that had happy competition dogs back then and have since switched to more positive methods continue to have happy and attentive dogs in the ring today.  What is the common denominator?  The answer may be that the  successful trainer/competitors are making competition as fun for the dog as their training sessions are.

In my pre-clicker years, I played games with and taught tricks to my dogs and used them as rewards and tension relievers.  This had a wonderful effect on my dogs.  They seemed to actually perk up following most corrections.  Perhaps they were anticipating the play session that would inevitably follow the correction.  Using the AKC Obedience Rules as a guideline, I tried teaching behaviors that I could use in the ring to reward good performances and keep my dog attentive to me between exercises.  Not only did this lessen the stress of competition for my dog, but I had a lot more fun in the ring as well. 

It was obvious to me that I had to offset the corrections with play when using the training methods of my past training life.  Perhaps the problem with the use of food in training is that the need to implement games and tricks is not as apparent.  After all, our dogs are already enjoying the fruits of their labors!   I know I do not have to "bring my dog up" from a piece of cheese.  Still, if attention is paid to this requirement, it takes only a bit more strategy to teach games and tricks that can be used during competition so that you are not leaving all the motivators outside of the show ring.

Initially you will want to teach games and tricks to your dog.  They should be ones that are enjoyable to the dog, possibly built on behaviors he offers naturally.  Then you will utilize play and tricks as motivators during training, in addition to the treats and verbal praise you already use.  This will make you a much more exciting trainer in the eyes of your dog.  Some of the games and behaviors you could teach and use as a reward are touch, spin, speak, tug, high-five, tag -- just to name a few. 

From the beginning you need to control when these games are played and what the rules of the games are.  Train and practice an "on/off" switch that will provide your dog with a controlled outlet for stress when on, and a state of relaxed anticipation when off.

Once these tools have been taught and are part of the training regime, you can then put them to use by including them in your routine at match and show grounds, as well as in the ring.  By using fun matches as a testing ground for extensive use of these games while training in the ring, you can lay the foundation to using some of these behaviors between exercises in the show ring during "real" competition.  The goal is to make competition appear to be little more than a training session to your dog, where games are used primarily between exercises.  The overall effect should be that you and your dog are focused on each other the entire time you are in the ring and having a good time!

Be sure to read the AKC Rules and the Judges Guidelines for the event you are training for and use games and tricks you know would be acceptable and that you can control.  Contact your instructor if you need further information or suggestions.  Happy Training!

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