H. I. T. List in dog training.

Does your dog break their start line stay only at trials? Is it because they are geeked up, ring wise, can't help themselves? Stubborn?
Does your dog miss their contacts - they don't want to stop, too excited, they know better?
Does your dog tunnel suck, bark at you, spin, ignore you? Is it because they are too excited? Just don't want to? They always do that?Are those excuses or Holes In Training?
 
Hemi-ism - No more excuses!
There have been multiple things that I have had my eye on that I need to fix with Hemi and my performance! I am calling this my H.I.T. List - Holes In Training List ....

As you have seen in my blogging and video's - Hemi is a "sasser" - "Typical of an Aussie", so I have been told many times - but is it because they 'like' to sass and bark, or because of their inherent nature to herd?  Therefore because of their instinct they aren't getting enough information quick enough, they have to get in front of you, stop you -HERD?  While it may sound the same, I tend to think it is the latter.

Here is my current H.I.T List:

1. Hemi is sassing me. Could be at a jump, contact or weaves.  H.I.T - the hole here is that I have not taught her to drive forward until she see's my body say otherwise - so by instinct she is always driving into me, trying to herd me and with that comes the sassing.
2. Hemi almost always sasses me at the weave poles. Someone commented that I am crowding her at the entries. I went back and reviewed my videos - the runs I am back further, she is taking the weaves, those that I am close to her and close to the entry, she is turning and sassing. H.I.T - She should understand the entry of weaves no matter where I am.  Back to working 2x2's entries.
3. In the trial ring, Hemi occasionally doesn't do her 2on2off. (and she is usually sassing) H.I.T - I clearly need to proof her 2on2off  better. As well as if I am going to do quick releases, go back and do 10 X 2on2off's with a pause. I want the 2on2off to be higher value.
4. Start line routine - goes well in class when it is low keyed and food in my hand. Get to the start line in a trial and it is a whole different ball game. Knock on wood, Hemi doesn't break, but where I want her to be sitting and where she ends up are usually two different things entirely. H.I.T - I clearly have used to much food in training.  My hole here is that I need to work the start line stay routine in may different environments, with and without food and with getting her excitement level way up. 

That is my H.I.T. List

What is yours? 

Ask yourself this: Have you been making excuses about your dog's performance - or do you have a need for your own H.I.T. List?

Just sayin'...

 

Real People, Real Fun, True Sport!

The trip to the Cynosport USDAA Nationals was amazing. 
I learned so much while there, got to watch some amazing handlers, amazing dogs - from all over the world. Russia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Alaska, Canada.. the list goes on. I saw amazing team support, family support - cheering - flag flying... it was a great time all around.
I saw different handling styles, what worked, what didn't - lot's of running contacts...  but overall a lot of people having a great time.
As the sign says: Real People, Real Fun, True Sport!

But now what?

A new set of Hemi-ism's to be told.

Stay tuned for the new adventures of  Hemi - with time and experience,  I know we are going to be a great team - with lots of fun in our future!

 2013 - Here we come!

Confessions of an Agility-aholic

I can't believe it, Nationals is just around the corner! Where has time gone? 30 days has now turned into 7 days in just a blink of an eye. I have some confessions about the journey to here.

Confessions of an Agility-aholic:

1. I decided in June of 2011, when Hemi was a mere 14 months old that I wanted to try to get to Nationals in 2012.
2. I created my own logo, and not only artistically drew it on my white board at work, but made it my background on my computer.(see above)
3. Although, I believed at the time this was an unreachable dream, I set forth, made my goals, small and acheiveable and started working through them.
4. About half way through, I gave up - and decided it was ridiculous and we would never make it.
5. Shortly after, I got a glimpse of hope from my girl when she had an awesome Steeple Chase run and won 1st Place. (by the way...this is what makes agility addicting)
6. Since we qualified, I still  had doubts that we should be going.
7. I have learned so much from this journey:
• There is more that meets the eye when trying to achieve a dream. It has become so much more than just going to Nationals.
• I am stronger than I imagined. Hemi is quite fast, and I felt out of shape, so I hired a personal trainer and have been working my heart out! I can't believe how much more endurance and how much stronger I am!
• That I have gotten encouragement and support from unlikely sources. They were pleasant surprises. 
• That everyone has opinions, but that doesn't mean they are right.
• That learning comes from all different sources.
• That even though there have been bumps in the road, and losses,  that I can endure and I can persevere. 
• I am thankful for so many people on this journey. My instructor, my classmates, my best friend, my sisters & brothers, my roommate and so many more. The support I have received is overwhelming.

The goal was to Qualify for Nationals - and we did it. The hard part is done and next week I am just going to have fun, love on Hemi and enjoy the experience. Wish us luck... and a safe journey.
Signed,
   Agility-aholic,
            Anne and Hemi

The countdown begins .. 30 days till Nationals!!

USDAA Dog Agility NATIONALS in Commerce City Colorado!

I am beyond excited... totally psych'd is more like it.

I have a million things running through my head that I need to accomplish in the next 30 days!

• Training with Hemi
• Workout at gym
• Eat Healthy
•  Get the car checked out - maintenance
• Make new platform in car for crates?...

OK, you get the point...
My mind is racing - but all I really need to remember I have already accomplished what  I set out to do

Qualify to go to Nationals!

I am going to the USDAA Dog Agility NATIONALS in Commerce City Colorado!

September 25th ... the countdown begins!

Did I mention I was excited?

What Boomer taught me

I had gotten the idea to write this post when I was at the Regional in Missouri not knowing then that my time with my Boomer was very limited.
Today is one week since I let him cross over the rainbow bridge, and while we are still adjusting here at the Miller residence his absence is still great.

Not all of you knew by big tri-boy.  For a "first"  agility dog, he was not without his challenges.
He was very fear reactive, so I spent much of my time managing him and not really that much time running agility.  I spent a great deal of my initial years on the side-lines - away from everyone else - just hoping to get a small chance to run an entire sequence.
But with all that said, having a reactive dog taught me a great deal.
This is what Boomer taught me:

1. Nature vs. Nurture  - While I believe that nurture plays a big part, he made me realize that nature has a lot to do with it too. I can't say I knew what I was doing when he first started his fear reactions, but this is a dog that at 8 weeks of age reacted with barking and worry when he saw his first full moon.
2. Thoughts - as much as I analyzed and tried to get in his head, I learned we will never know what they are thinking - but it would nice to - wouldn't it?
3. Startle effect - there is no way to soften the natural startle effect.  This is a built in defense in both dogs and humans (and I am sure all animals) that is there for a good reason and all the clicking in the world can make it go away.
4. Triggers - the door was a big one for him.  The opening of a door was a good trigger and a bad trigger - all depending on what was on the other side. It could mean door blast opens and we get to go play outside, or it could be a surprise that there is a stranger on the other side.  But either way,  that trigger builds up an excitement, and while I tried to make it a good thing if there was something he wasn't expecting on the other side, the excitement PLUS the startle effect came in to play.
5. Fight or Flight - dogs two instincts. But with a leash on, we have completely inhibited one of the two - this too increased his reactivity.
6. Environment - I learned as the owner of any dog, it is our job to be aware of their surroundings and see what they might see in order to protect them, especially when we are putting them in situations they wouldn't naturally be in. I realized with Hemi at the Regional that I was anticipating "scary" situations where there were none. It was then that I could see what Boomer had taught me: I had almost become hyper-vigilant of scanning the environments for scary things. Hemi was sooo not concerned.
7. Hotels -
1. That a towel laid in front of the door blocks out extra light, sounds and smells.
2. That even though I might be freezing, having the fan running on the A/C all night helps muffle sounds.
3. And if that doesn't work, a crate between two beds with the hotel bedspread over it, the towel by the door, the fan on the A/C and maybe even the TV on low, muffles all the sounds and you might be able to sleep - if those things don't keep you awake too.
4. That the second night of an agility trial hotel stay with a reactive dog, your so exhausted you pass out and you wouldn't hear your dog bark anyway.  :o)

If I knew then what I know now - he might have turned out different, but then again, if it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't know what I know now, would I ?

Thanks Boomer for a wonderful ride - I will always love you for the things I learned with you and through you.

What a JOY ride!

It has been a little while since I posted.. the last few weeks have been quite a ride.  With my kids in town, there is no doubt Hemi and I didn't get our time in like we usually did, but I was able to sneak in a Fun Match.
I was dragging, it had been a really active week, out of town weddings, dinners, Sea World, Ranger Game... it was really hot and I didn't know of anyone that was going to this fun match. {hear all those excuses?} I was wavering on even going, but I really wanted to opportunity to see how Hemi and I were coming along in a non-PAWS environment.
So I packed up - rather reluctantly - and drove out to Prosper.
There were many things I was happy about - good contacts, good weaves, tables - some - but minimal sassing. Hemi and I had a great evening.
But I was mostly proud of the fact that I went out there with a plan, goals in mind and that I didn't just take the course in the numbered order. We did a few stays with me twirling her toy in front of her, threw the ball at the end of a really good set of weaves, made her do her "job" at the end of the contacts...I took toys and treats and we worked on the things we needed.  I whooped and hollered, praised her, treated her and laughed many times - I just really had fun and I know Hemi did too. She was completely glued to me, I was the "cookie"!  I was really amazed at how many handlers went out there and all they did was run the course. No happy, No whooping, No toys, No treats. Maybe that was their goal but my thought is:
"Hey! the key word is FUN match!" 
Agility class Thursday was really fun too. My goal was to keep ahead of Hemi in every run. And - funny enough in one of my runs Hemi missed a tunnel because I was so far ahead of her, she turned when I did (way to early) and bypassed the tunnel. I was tickled pink when Debbie said - "You were too far ahead of her!" I thought "Boohya!" - silly reaction to an error - but Goal MET!
I feel if I can keep up the speed - that her understanding of my body language will get better and our timing is going to drop right in place! I love that she is making me a better handler.   I also love the fact that just like right this minute, this Hemi dog with lots of drive can curl up and be content with her head on my lap.  Vroom Vroom...  :o)

Hemi's Job is working

Just two weeks of class since I have started giving Hemi a "job" [at the end of the contacts] and I am happy to say I think so far the results are very positive. I noticed Thursday night she gave me a couple of barks, but then started her job! Hooray for her!
Due to Debbie's lil' tornado in her field, we have only been doing the A-Frame - but that is OK, we work the dog-walk in my back yard all the time.

I got her sassing at me when I have the ball in hand, which is simulating her excitement in a trial - that is awesome too - because now we can work on fixing it in the back yard. Last night I got her doing her job quietly with the blue frog ball in hand ! - Boohya!

What's next? Well, still working forward focus & "Go's" - but see some much needed circle work in the near future.
We need to get to some fun matches or some kind of trial to start putting our hard work to the test!

These next couple of weeks, she isn't going to get the lessons she needs, since my kids are in town - but I hope to throw one or two in there to keep it fresh in her mind.

That's all for now...

My Blue Eyed Boy

I had an amazing shaping session with Oreo this morning! I am just so excited!

Oreo has always been a challenge to shape behaviors with. I remember the first day I got him and I was trying to clicker train him to do some real basic behavior.  He just wasn't getting it!

Next day - I tried it again... and then he had it. I had decided at that point maybe he just needed some time to go and think about it... LOL

After absorbing and thinking about what I have learned in the seminar I recently attended - I decided I wanted to try to shape a new behavior with each dog - one new one a week. So - this week I decided Oreo was going to be play dead after I point my finger at him and say "Bang!"

The reason this shaping session was so amazing and such an improvement is because I waited... stayed patient... and continued with asking

was that average or better?

Also - I am working really hard on being a splitter - not a lumper... that comes with patience too. You want to hurry up and get the behavior so you try to get it all at once - lump lump... breaking it down into clear identifiable pieces - splitter!

Oreo has a great Spinx sit, so 

First I just had to reward him shifting to his hip. ✔

Second, shift of his shoulder down.  ✔

Third, laying flat and putting his head down..... waiting.... thinking.... waiting... 

He would put his head down... but not laying on his side .... waiting... 

I could see his wheels turning... spinning... tail was just a waggin....

Head down flat on his side !!  ✔ 

The other thing I am getting better at is rewarding where I want the behavior, so I gave him several treats with his head down  - then huge break - cheering - belly rubbing - ran to the treat container together to get some more - ran back to our spot...

Immediate shift to hip, few seconds shift of shoulder... wait for it... wait for it... *Boom!* head down!

I think that was the fastest I ever go Oreo to think through a behavior... and what did I see in him - Joy! Tail wagging in circles... prancing from foot to foot... he likes this new game.

So yes - it was amazing - because it was NEVER Oreo - it was me....  Awesome!

11 Laws of Zoning

I pulled out an old book of mine, that I have had since competing in agility with Boomer. Since he is 12 years old now, I would say this book is about 10 years old. I love it, and with each dog I have owned, I have gone back in, re-highlighted and made notes - even dated them, some in 2006 when I read it for Oreo and 2008 when I was reading it for Peanut. I even started reading in on my long flight back from Germany last year for Hemi. Each time I find a new and wonderful nugget of information.

It is called:

Agility Success: Training and Competing with Your Dog in the Winning Zone

         By: Angelica Steinker, M. ED

 It starts out with the 11 Natural Laws of Zoning... These I must share today:

1. Always take responsibility for the errors your dog makes
2. Believe in your dog
3. Have Fun
4. Care for yourself like you care for your dog
5. Practice the physical skills required for your to succeed
6. Teach yourself to focus on command
7. Wear "positive everything sunglasses"
8. Praise your dog
9. Relax your body
10. Implement your per-competition ritual

I can't wait to read on and discover some new little nuggets of information... 

Average or Better?

When you train, what is your expectation of your dogs performance? Is it an average or better effort?

What is their average performance?    What does a better performance look like? 

I recently saw this  put into action by a great trainer and it has opened my eyes to a completely different expectation of my dogs performance.
Every time my dog offers a behavior, whether we are formally training, playing with tricks or are just bumming around the house - when my dogs offer anything - my first thought response is...

"Was that offered behavior average or better than what they usually offer?"

This single change in my thought process has my dogs wanting to improve their performance.
I am no longer rewarding a less than behavior... I wait... and I am seeing their wheels spin...

"Why didn't I get a cookie or tug session for that? Let me try again.." 

Suddenly a soft hand touch, the nose barely touching my hand as they quickly look at me in anticipation of the cookie, now becomes a hand touch with pressure and intent - eyes focused on the task.

Peanut, one of my Aussies has been a master of offering as little as possible and getting a reward. Since I changed and started asking myself "Was her fill in the blank average or better?" we have made more progress in a week than we have in the last 4 years. What I have learned is she is a smart cookie and has been shaping me all this time - giving me just enough - but offering no more... and time and time again - I have rewarded her for that.

Someone recently told me this:

"In any relationship either the dog or the human is being shaped, it is your goal to be doing the shaping."

My challenge to you is this:

Challenge your dog to offer better

Watch them think

Don't guide or make it easier 

They will challenge you

But be patient 

And watch as new and improved behaviors unfold.

Workin' Hard !

At home missing agility trials...

I decided to opt out of doing any agility trials this weekend. No doubt, that as I read my friends texts or Facebook posts about how well they did - I started to wonder why I didn't enter... but it was the right choice. I didn't because I was tired -  I did a 2 day trial, 4 days of the Susan Garrett Seminar, then the 3 day USDAA SC Regional Trial... I had enough for the month.

Steppin' Back or Jumpin' around?

But to be honest - I have really been trying to take a step back and figure out how to address some of the issues we are having. As much as I wanted to qualify in Steeple and Grand Prix for Nationals - Jumping from one trial to the next with getting maybe one class in between wasn't going to address some very fundamental foundation issues we are having as a handler/dog team. Matter of fact - I think it was steadily increasing some of the bad behavior, both on Hemi's part and mine!

I stepped back, wrote down some things I wanted to address and made a plan...

Workin' Hard.

I spent some time at home teaching Hemi what I want to see at the end of a contact... reviewing video showed me two things. One: that in a rush to get to the next obstacle, I consistently released her before her feet hit the ground. A few of those and her criteria for what I want has already become very grey. Two:  at the end of the contact is where she tends to sass me  and as I mentioned in my last post I wanted to give her a job to do! - Now - I know what I have to see before I release and she has a job.

In addition to contact work my training this weekend I took two other things into consideration. 

One, working on keeping my eye on my dog as we ran (I couldn't think of any foundation to do at home to help with this.) 

Two, forward focus for Hemi.  If she sees obstacles in front her her, I need her to drive forward and not look to me - again - this is where I saw some more of the barking.  Driving forward until my body tells her otherwise should be her "job".

Gettin' er done!

I made my plan and put it into motion. We packed up our bag o' toys, video camera, treats, water, journal and headed to the field. Unfortunately - my camera was full so I only got one good video taping session.

I did some interactive playing with her (Susan Garrett calls this important moment before training 'relationship building') and did a speed circle with her on the jumpers side. Wow - it felt good.

Then we did some work on the standard side! Forward Focus - I strategically put a toy in a front of some jumps and drove toward it - falling back a bit so she would continue driving forward! 

Success! - again this time toy on the table - Success! Contact Work - nose touch--nose touch--nose touch! She did her job very well. Success! One time I got her to break her contact with throwing the tennis ball, but the next time she wasn't going to fall for it. Success!

One... I repeat... One Sass the entire 45 minutes we were on the field. Amazing! I even bobbled to try to make her sass... nope.. quiet as a mouse. I am really curious to see how that comes into play in class on Wednesday when she has an "audience".

I wrote down my notes, played with Hemi, threw the frog ball a couple of times and headed back home feeling pretty good about the morning!

A few more of those - and I think Hemi and I will be a different team to be reckoned with! Common USDAA courses - Bring it on! :o)

Hemi-ism #7 - Hemi needs a job!

Momma - I need a job to keep me busy - maybe if I had a job, I wouldn't have time to SASS!

Last week, I spent the week at a Susan Garrett seminar.  It was fabulous! I learned so many little things to fill in the gaps of my dog training. There were so many small, simple things, that just made so much sense.  I went with the intent to be a better agility handler but came out with the desire to be a better dog trainer.  One of her favorite things she said is

 "A dog is a reflection of your ability as a dog trainer." 

I love that, but that makes you realize every time your dog does something you don't like... well - you have a gap in your training...

Back to Hemi  needs a job...

I went into Hemi's agility class with the plan to work on sassing. Debbie (my instructor) made the comment when Hemi came down the A-Frame is "There she is barking at you on the contact again." (that was the cleaned up version) So, taking a step back - I am thinking I don't need to focus on stopping the sassing but looking at the cause of the sassing.
I want to focus on right now is the #1 place she sasses me - and that appears to be at contacts.


This week's plan it to create a job for Hemi at the end of a dog walk or bottom of a A-frame. No more 2on 2off - I want to see 2on 2off - I am giving you nose touches till you tell me otherwise. That will be her job. It will be hard for her to have her head up barking at me if her nose is down doing touches!!


I agree that all the rage is running contacts right now - and this "job" is going to eat up seconds that could mean the difference in speed, - so be it. I am OK with this.  This is just an idea - plan - that may not pan out - but it's something - it's moving forward - I can stop, re-analyze and at a minimum I will have more information from Hemi to make us successful!

Heigh-Ho - Heigh-Ho --- of to work we go....

Do-Land...

Starting Monday, I am going to be going to the Susan Garrett Seminar... Land of "Do" as she calls it!

I can't even begin how excited I am to attend her seminar. While she may not be for everyone, I have found an enormous amount of valuable training advice from her.  

It wasn't really till I got Hemi that I used Crate games... this is something I will forever use with any dogs I have going forward. This tool is essential. Secondly, I used her 12 weaves in 12 days 2x2 training... again - I will never go with a different way of training weaves again. Hemi has dream weaves. I never thought I could have a dog so young  - with such good weaves.

Monday I will be in her "Double Box Day" seminar, getting to have Hemi participate. Tuesday and Wednesday I will be auditing "Advances in Dog Training" and Thursday I will be in the  "Flatwork Secrets for Sport and Life" - again, Hemi will participate.  I am looking for any small clues how I can improve my training, my mechanics and my teamwork with Hemi.  I think this may help us as a team and get her focused on the work at hand and no so much about me and my hands.  I would like to find a way to minimize her sassing by living in the Do Land - no so much the Don't Land...

Wish us luck on our journey next week!

A stay is a stay... period

"Staaay...staaaay.....stay!...I said Staaayyyy....oops... ok I'll chase you!"

A stay should be a stay... period.  I get that a dog gets excited and they love agility... and want to take off from excitement, but if you are asking them to stay then they should stay.
I have been working on solid stays with Hemi (Which I call "wait") - I noticed a couple of weekends ago that when I let her get away with breaking a stay  that at that point SHE had control of the whole run. She set the stage, she said I want to go now - and I found myself chasing her!
In comparison, when she broke her stay and I reset her on the start-line - we had a nice run. We were running together, working as a team.

This past weekend - I was amazed at handlers - seasoned handlers at that... letting their team-mate break their stay. It reminded me of the ball-hog in soccer, you know that one that would never pass and was always going for the goal! If they break their stay - that is what they are saying "HEY! I got this run - chase me!"
Most of the time, I found those runs, hectic, crazy and frantic. The handler  scrambling to catch up with their dog, trying to be in the place they thought they would be when they walked the course.

I work stays with Hemi every single day.  And the reason I started this at home wasn't so much for the stays as it was teaching her self control. She is my CrAzY GiRl... and she needs to be reminded consistently to have some self control.
So at dinner, I put her in a sit while I get all four dogs food ready. If she breaks I stop and wait.  When she sits again, I continue.  She knows if she stays sitting her dinner comes a lot quicker now! Then, I leave her in the living room, walking away from her with  her food bowl in my hand and walk to the other side of the house - with one command "Wait".  Note: at this point she can't see me, so there is no body language involved, sometimes I say my release word (OK) immediately, sometimes I hesitate, sometimes I stop and talk to Peanut for a minute. Then I say "OK". She come running to the bedroom door, next to my side, where she must sit again and I say "Wait" then I open the door to her room, open her crate, put her food bowl down then say "Ok" again.

Twice a day everyday... Proof is in pudding  - this weekend at the USDAA trial, not only did she have a solid stay in every single run - but I was able to lead out two to three obstacles!

A Stay should be a Stay - so if you don't practice it, proof it and consistently reward it... then you will be chasing your ball hog.

Rewards and Reinforcements! - NO MORE EXCUSES!

I had agility class last night, and while I was in the midst of it, I was feeling pretty good about how Hemi was running. She was fast, focused, 2on2off contacts, great weaves, even did a nice lead out pivot to the tunnel, the third obstacle out and not in a straight line! Sounds great… right?

I did make a mental note, that she was as little sassier than the past classes. 

My first excuse was – “That is because we didn’t have class last week”, and second – “Oh I haven’t been practicing in the backyard quite as much due to the rain.” Third – “I haven’t thrown the ball for her enough to get the ya-ya’s out”….

I have a good 45 – 55 minute drive home to replay class – and when I started to replay I just wanted to kick myself!

Where was my reinforcement? Two places –at the start-line and at the finish line… What was I thinking? I did not once reward or reinforce during the runs!  2on2off – nope; weaves – no way; lead out pivots – not there either!  Holy Batman – no wonder she was sassing me! 

Class is class – training… and by definition is just that.  It isn’t a trial, it isn’t for having a perfect run – it is for training.  I had many opportunities to reinforce my young dog – to reinforce her that YES! That is right! YES! That was performance I wanted! YES! Great Lead out! YES! Weaves!   Ugghh… missed opportunities and too many excuses.

Driving home all I could hear was Laura Derrett: the little angel that popped up on my shoulder -- “REWARD! REWARD!” If there is anything I learned from those two seminars last year it was this:  When they perform exceptionally than REWARD!!!!! Instead I had that little devil saying “Run it out – complete it– she doesn’t need rewards – it’s more fun without those pesky interruptions!!”

I know that when we are in class, if I give her reinforcement – she runs much quieter! That should be a very clear indicator to me – REWARD!!

Lessons learned: Next week in training, have some clear goals and visuals of what I want to see from her – and REWARD IT!  Furthermore if she starts sassing me – I am going to stop, take a step back, and ask – “OK what is she not getting? What is she clearly trying to tell me?”  Go back a few obstacles – run again and ask myself – “Was that the goal? Was that what I visualized? Was it better than her average?” Then STOP and REWARD IT!! 

No more EXCUSES about bad behaviors!

From me or my dog! :o)

Is having fun a reinforcer to the dog?

This topic came up at the ORCA seminar as the panel question:

 Is the trainer having fun a reinforcer for the dog? 

I believe, with no data behind it - that the handler having fun is absolutely a reinforcer to the animal. But I also believe that a dog that is positively reinforced, therefore a "happy" dog (tail wagging, focused and with desire) is reinforcing to the TRAINER! And if you have both ends of the training having a good time, how could it be anything but successful?

"The science of dog training is important, I never allow that to be far from my mind but please don’t allow the science of “why” take away all of the joy you have when you train and live with your dog. Being aware of what is going on is the first step, then gradually replace those you don’t like with those you do. I can’t tell you how many times a day I laugh out loud because of something one of my dogs do, please don’t ever lose that."

 ~~ Susan Garrett  (http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/03/dont-forget-to-laugh/)

Well said Susan! How funny that she posted this in her blog after just hearing this question at the seminar??

In agility, those handlers that have a smile while they are running - whether it is a good run or not - seem to be the ones having a good time. That is MY GOAL --  Smile at my dog, run with intent and laugh no matter what the outcome!!

The ORCA Annual Seminar was AWESOME!

Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals -ORCA @ UNT... March 10th, 2012

This was a FANTASTIC seminar, as it is every year.  I haven't been to any training in couple of years, besides agility training.  This was a great refresher course for the basics of positive reinforcements. I got to see example after example how using this does nothing but enhance the animals lives.  For example, basic husbandry at a Zoo, how much easier it is that the tiger comes up to the cage and offers his tail for a blood sample!  Hander is outside, safe - animal is Willing to do this...it is nothing but a win/win! In the past, that would have probably required the tiger to be tranqualized just to get a simple blood sample.
Here, we have marine mamals keepers and Zoo keepers all over the world, using this technique to do difficult tasks with large (sometimes VERY large) animals... So why can't the dog world step in line?
Yes, we have come a long way - but we still have some many that think you need to use a shock collar, you need SMACK around the dog and show them who is dominate.
My Mantra:

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Could you see someone trying to show Shamu who is dominate...? Huh... wonder who would win that?
OK, enough of that subject....
I am kind of ranting here, but I have so much going through my mind. So many things I see I need to change up in my training, new things to look at and take into consideration... Wow... it was amazing!

Bob Bailey, Ken Rameriz, Steve White, Kay Lawerence and so many more - great animal behaviorist really reminded me why I do what I do.  Clicker training was so amazing to me at first, I had to learn everything about it and that in turn had me dive deep into animal behavior... I absolutely love what this has brought to my life!