Loot got to do one trial this month. A single ring small CDSP trial. He was heavily managed to be in the building only right before his turns so that the odds of having a dog bark while he was there was lowered. And we lucked out. No barking. He was happy to go in the ring and while his precision wasn't there, he kept his attitude! New CDX-C title!

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Ring Confidence Group

In case you've missed it, I have a Ring Confidence training group on Facebook! Free to join and read, or post whatever questions you have on trialing or training in general!

This post on start button behaviors- little checks to evaluate how the dog is doing during work, and actively choosing to opt in to the next rep. Click here to read

Handling a focus error with a young dog to help break his habit of checking in and out of work. Click here to read

October Training Videos

Here are 8 videos from the past month's daily uploads of training. Just click on the picture to be taken to youtube. (And if you prefer the unedited versions, head to facebook or instagram!) I hope these videos give you some helpful tips to try or inspire you to train something new!

Need help not leaving the dog in the dust on about turns? The traditional "T" footwork works well, but this footwork I'm also enjoying as an easier way to collect my body and try to avoid stepping into the dog as well

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I started some movement games /2 bowl work with Ravi! He was already introduced to it as a way of learning a cone send, and I added in some foot targets this month. Actually this is also how I introduced his running dogwalk mat!

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Teaching a sticky nose touch? I like to start with a chin rest foundation and gradually change the angle of my hand. Here I'm also adding in some fast feeding to help him keep his nose there!

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I like to split down the different parts of a figure 8. Here Grace is working on various starting points going into the right and left circles

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Toy marker cues! I want him to know that opening my mouth is not the cue to go to the toy on the ground! Right now listening to my words just means he is listening to what toy to go to. Eventually I’ll add in other cues.
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I do this same game with food in my hand vs the zen bowl!
December 1st my Bye Bye Cookie class runs

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Ginny worked on right pivot in heel vs going from heel to front

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Training multiple dogs? like having the ability to train with a dog while the other dogs are out. After they get that I don’t feed the non-working dog, they usually learn I just hang out and do their own thing or watch from a distance.
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I don’t think it’s a wrong choice to feed the waiting dog. That works well for a lot of families!! And feeding the waiting dog also changes what the waiting dog is doing, and feeling, during that time. It’s the exact same as feeding the dog for doing nothing when hanging out ringside or at a patio. Expecting food creates that little bit of intensity, that staring at us as waiting for the next treat. The more the dog cares about food, the less they are to actually relax. They can’t relax if they’re watching us for any sign they might get fed!

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And finally a Freya video! She's been a bit neglected lately with all the puppy training! Here Freya is learning 2 bowl games!

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Upcoming December Classes

Registration opens Nov 22nd, put it on your calendar now!

Build up your dog's ability to work no matter where the reward is located and without any type of lid to prevent stealing! Bye Bye Cookie

Fancy pivots, pretty position changes, backing up, scent articles, go outs and more! No prerequisites. Learn how much fun obedience foundations can be! TEAM 1 Obedience Foundations!

Follow me on the social media platform of your choice to try and catch all my daily training videos. I hope they inspire you to try something fun with your dog! And join my free facebook group on building ring confidence for dog sports!

Tandem Dog Sports