Susan Garrett, world-renowned dog trainer, multi-time champion of dog agility, and leading educator on all things canine shares everything related to dogs! Susan understands dog behaviour and wants you and your dog to have the best life together possible.
https://shapedbydog.com
episode 206: First Dog Agility Competition: Creating Joy For This! By Maximizing Reinforcement #206
Visit us at shapedbydog.com
In episodes 203 and 204, I shared a two-part deep dive on the metabolic and performance struggles overcome by This!, my 2.5 year-old Border Collie. After a road to recovery with dotted with setbacks, I entered This! in the World Team Tryouts for dog agility. In this episode, I’m sharing my plan, my goal, how I achieved it, and how it could impact your dog training, even if you don’t do dog sports.
In the episode you'll hear:
• My strategy to maximize joy for dog sport competitions, matches, and training classes.
• Why I consciously chose a lighthearted attitude and commissioned a custom leash that sparks joy.
• My planning so that This!'s first agility competition could be a success for her.
• A review of our agility and jumpers runs at the big event.
• My 5-step strategy for injecting joy into any activity or experience with your dog.
• Step 1: Create a goal of maximizing joy.
• Step 2: Know the rules around how you're able to reinforce the dog during the event or activity.
• How we used a 'chase-tug-restrain' game for joy for This! at the event.
• Step 3: Create a strategic plan around where and when you'll provide high value reinforcement.
• Step 4: Rehearse the plan.
• Step 5: Execute the plan with joy, have fun and celebrate!
• How to use FEO / NFC opportunities to create joy for dogs.
• How the energy of the crowd supporting me and This! moved me deeply.
• Why allowing yourself grace is vital because everyone, including me, was a beginner once.
• That joy results from clarity and how that boosts your dog's confidence.
Resources:
1. Podcast Episode 203: Reactive, Unmotivated and Fearful: Finding Resiliency For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 1 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/203/
2. Podcast Episode 204: Dog Behavior And Diet: Recovery For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 2 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/204/
3. 4MyMerles Creations (Tug Toys, Leashes and More) - https://www.4mymerles.com/product-category/say-yes/
4. Podcast Episode 172: How To Teach Your Dog Anything With My Training Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/172/
5. Podcast Episode 205: The Hidden World Of Reinforcement For Dogs And Why You Need To Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/205/
6. YouTube Video: Dog Training Reinforcement Process: How, Where and When Are You Rewarding Your Dog? - https://youtu.be/JgmJ5f_u594
7. YouTube Playlist: Mastery of Positive Reinforcement Based Dog Training - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy20_Ko8p2SaE6B2IT4o6g6K
8. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/OuGiUXUKbDw