Author: debby quigley

The show is over – NOW WHAT!

Now is the perfect time to evaluate your dog’s and your performances. 

Make some brief notes on the things that went well and those that need improvement. Once you have your list, think about possible solutions of the areas you feel need improvement. Then make a plan that incorporates those solutions for the things your want to improve.

Anyone who is committed to showing well can end up sabotaging their confidence by being too harsh about their dog’s and their performances. So take a serious look at things that worked well and things that need improvement.

When assessing your performance, do you:

  • Only focus on your dog’s and/or your mistakes?
  • Nit-pick your dog’s and/or your performance?
  • Remember any improvements?
  • Ignore any positive accomplishments?
  • Feel dissatisfied even when you did well because you feel like you did not perform up to your expectations?
  • Want to perform perfectly and consider anything less than perfect as a failure?
Instead of looking at the negative aspects of the show, turn your performance into a positive learning experience and start making a plan!

Making a plan

Here are a few questions to answer that will help you begin to improve your showing and planning your training:

  • What is your main reason for participating in your sport?
  • What do you consider the three biggest accomplishments your have had with your dog? (this could be learning a specific trick to a title to winning a show)
  • Name three of your psychological strengths that help you in your sport? (Mental toughness). These could be your stamina, your work ethic, your enthusiasm, etc.
  • Identify three areas of your mental game that you would like to improve and how to improve them. This could be increasing your focus during a run, improving concentration on your dog’s performance, learning to remain calm while showing, etc.
  • Name 3 areas of training you want to improve with your dog. These could be perfecting front and/or rear crosses, fine-tuning heeling or turns, etc.
  • List any goals you want to achieve.

Mental Training is a BIG part of showing

Here are a few mental game strategies to consider:

1. First, be objective about your performance. Avoid letting the emotions take over, such as frustration and anger.

2. Be your own best teacher. Always leave the show with two positive things about your performance. What would help you feel satisfied or more confident?

3. Instead of thinking about all the reasons you failed or messed up, think about what you want to improve in your next week’s training sessions. Be confident knowing that this work will improve areas and help you perform better in the next competition.

4. Stay positive. Do not ruin your confidence with criticism and regret after you compete.
Staying positive and in the right frame of mind will increase your confidence and enjoyment while showing.

How to plan and improve your training: There’s always more to learn.

Place a check next to the activities you do to improve your training and skills:
_______Consistent training and taking classes
_______Watch videos of yourself training and showing
_______Read magazines, articles, online group lists (educational learning)
_______Attend seminars and workshops
_______Log your training sessions and show results. Don’t rely solely on memory to evaluate your progress.
_______Pre-Plan your training sessions. Organize your thoughts and how you are going to train!

The more you practice and study the better you will become!

think mind

 

Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life

 
 
 
 
 
 
winning

 

 

That Winning Feeling!: Program Your Mind for Peak Performance

 

 

 

 

Establishing Goals can be a great motivator:
1. What are your goals for the next year?
2. What are your long term goals? 5+ years
3. What events or shows do you plan to attend in the next year?

While you set your goals keep in mind that they can be adjusted as needed. For example, you want to show at your breed nationals in 6 months. As the entry deadline approaches, you realize that your dog isn’t consistently performing a specific skill to your criteria. Rather than showing and possibly setting your training back, push your goal back to the next show or future nationals. That way both you and your dog will be ready.

After the show, take time and think about yourself, your dog and your performance. What did you do well? How can you improve the skills you feel are needed to help your showing become more what you would like. Developing training logs and goals as well as logging valuable skill information will help you organize your thoughts and improve your training.  Showing after all is a great time to make an assessment of your training.

Show to Train!

Visit https://debbyquigley.com/classes/  for Free classes on foundational skills. 

Please leave comments or email me with future article ideas at Ask DebbyQ. 

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #2

heeling 2
Heeling Tips & Tricks #2
 
Rapid Fire Eating &
 
Adding Motion Heeling

 
This Video includes Rapid Fire Eating & Adding motion Heeling
Poe and I are doing Rapid Fire Treating in the session as well as starting to add the one step value building at my side.

Problem Solving – Dog dropping head to eat treats 
.. rapid fire feeding – If your dog drops his head to eat the treat, work on this before proceeding with value building. Deliver the treats making sure the dog’s head remains UP. Deliver the treats very quickly one after the other so that you are continually encouraging your dog to eat the treats quickly one after another. Make it “urgent” for the dog to eat quickly. For added success, make sure the dog is hungry, that the treats are very high value, and the treats are small, soft, and easy to swallow. All dogs CAN eat treats with their head up!!!

Make sure you LIKE & Subscribe to Poe’s channels – helps build desire đŸ€ŁđŸ¶

đŸ˜‰đŸ¶đŸ¶đŸ¶ *****Next video-starting rear end awareness

Visit https://debbyquigley.com/classes/  for Free classes on foundational skills. 

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Heeling Tips & Tricks series video #1

heeling video 1
Heeling Tips & Tricks series video #1 . ..
 
Getting a new series launched today!

This video is an introduction –
How I hold treat and the basics needed for a pup/dog to get started ….
How to build DESIRE and Value for being on your left side.
LET me know your thoughts … đŸ˜ŽđŸ¶đŸ¶đŸ¶

đŸ¶ Like the videos and Subscribe for new video release notices..đŸ€©

This video is an introduction …
How I hold treat and the basics needed for a pup/dog to get started ….
LET me know your thoughts … đŸ˜ŽđŸ¶đŸ¶đŸ¶

đŸ˜‰đŸ¶đŸ¶đŸ¶ *****Next video- first step

Visit https://debbyquigley.com/classes/  for Free classes on foundational skills. 

Please leave comments or email me with future article ideas at Ask DebbyQ. 

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Scent Articles

Whether you have a new puppy, are just starting in novice or have already obtained your CDX, training scent articles is something you will want to start. Training scent articles generally takes time and patience to end up with a reliable exercise. There are many methods to train articles. The method you choose is up to you however, it is worth looking at the variety of methods.

Methods of teaching articles vary, but they can be grouped into three main types There is the tie down, treat based or shaping method. Here is a brief description of each of the three but other alternative methods might be in the training community.

Tie down method. In this method, the articles are placed on a board or mat. Each article is attach the board or may by a string, wire, etc. The article that you scent will be placed on the board but will not be attached to the board. Over time and repetitions gradually un-attach an unscented article one at time until all articles are loose on the mat.

The Treat based method is comprised of placing a treat on the scented article for your dog to find. Over repetitions your dog learns which scent to look for and bring back. Over many training sessions you make the treat on the article smaller and less obvious.

Shaping the dog to take the article and finding scent is the third method. Clickers are most commonly used with this method. Shaping requires that your dog is already trained to pick up and bring you an object on command. Click and Treat when your dog touches or picks up the scented article. After multiple training sessions you add additional articles that have no scent or another person’s scent on it.

Some important tips about training scent articles regardless the method you choose;

1. Be aware of when you praise your dog. Let the dog commit to bringing the scented article back to you before giving praise. It is tempting to tell your dog he is great when he sniffs or begins to pick up the correct article, but this makes your dog dependent on your telling him that he is correct.

2. Never correct your dog verbally when he picks up the wrong article. Remember if your dog picks up an article he needs to bring it all the way back to you. If your dog brings back an incorrect article, thank him for his effort, take the article out of his mouth, and take him back to the pile. Holding his collar with your left hand and light holding his muzzle with your right hand slowly lower his head and point his nose to the correct article. Praise him and tell him to take it.

3. Rotate which article you use and wash your articles periodically so that the old scent is removed. Water and mild soap work well.

4. Air out your articles between training sessions so that they have a chance to get rid of the scent. Rotating which article you use is important as well. I use the #1 article on Monday, #2 on Tuesday and so one to keep easy track of which ones I am using.

Once your dog has mastered the concept of working the pile and choosing the correct scented article reliably, it is time to add proofing. When adding proofing and challenges for your dog, start easy and only increase difficulty after your dog has had a number of successes. Use environment, sounds and people for your proofing.

Take your time while teaching and proofing your dog. Most problems begin when proofing starts. This is not a bad thing. It is simply letting you know your dog is still not confident on his job. Over time and with patient, your dog will become a very reliable.

Want detailed instructions on “How  to Train” Scent Article?  Check out my DIY Scent Article class.

Visit https://debbyquigley.com/classes/  for Free classes on foundational skills. 

Please leave comments or email me with future article ideas at Ask DebbyQ. 

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Do you want to be successful when showing?

Your approach to dog training has a big impact on the actual show results that you will get. 

As long as you have the right mindset about training, you can be sure that your dog will become a confident partner.

Here are a few tips that will help you and your dog become a great team!

1. Show your dog that you are the leader. Be confident when training and showing. When at home control your dog’s resources and have your dog work for everything he receives whether it is food, play or attention. While showing, be confident in what you have trained and trust your dog!

2. Use motivational methods and have fun during training by adding spontaneous games. Be imaginative and think out of the “box” of normal boring training such as sequencing. A boring training session is no fun for your dog or you!

3. Set realistic goals. How much time you spend and the quality of your training impacts the end results. High goals take more time and effort. Take time to plan your goals AND your training sessions.

4. TIMING, TIMING, TIMING. It IS all about the timing! Learn proper timing, video tape some of your training sessions to check your timing and make notes on ways to improve it.

5. Improve your “eye”. It’s all about seeing the little things that add up or magnify when you show. Videotaping and reviewing your training sessions is a GREAT way to show you what and how your dog is reacting to you while training. The “eyes” have it!

6. Be patient and consistent. Losing your temper will set you back weeks in training and ruin trust with your partner. If you run into an issue that you are not sure how to fix, put your dog up. Go call a friend or have a drink and think about a solution. Don’t worry, the problem will still be there the next time you go out to train.

With proper thought and planning, YOU TO CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN YOU SHOW!

Visit https://debbyquigley.com/classes/  for Free classes on foundational skills. 

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Catching in the Act!

To be an effective trainer, correction or praise should occur when the dog is in the act of the behavior you are trying to eliminate or reinforce.

That way, the dog can connect his behavior to your reaction. Most dogs want to please their owners and if your timing is spot on, your dog will quickly learn how to act like a perfect pet!

If your dog does something wrong and you don’t catch him in the act then do not correct him. Dogs have short term memory, very short. If he does something wrong and you come in even a few seconds after the fact (even if he “looks” guilty) and punish him, he will have no idea why he is being punished. In other words, if you don’t catch him in the act, you’re out of luck!

If your dog has a tendency to get into trouble when you aren’t looking, put him in a crate or on leash when you can’t devote 100% of your attention to him. This way if you get distracted, are answering email, gardening, etc., you’ll still be able to keep an eye on him and catch him right away if he gets into mischief.

Always be aware of what your dog is doing. Be PROACTIVE and reward appropriate behaviors rather than waiting until your dog is doing the unwanted behavior and correct. It’s far better for you both if you do some preventative training and management for you dog.

The best training is always preventative training!!!

Visit https://debbyquigley.com/classes/  for Free classes on foundational skills. 

Please leave comments or email me with future article ideas at Ask DebbyQ. 

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Gurrrrr. Summer is here.

sun
Don’t know about y’all during the summer months but it gets really HOT here in the south.

During this time of year, I need to plan my dog’s training sessions and conditioning so that we can get the most “bang for our bucks” yet not over heat our dogs.

I know you ask yourself “what is there to do to keep my dogs busy and keep them in shape during the long, hot, dry weather”?  YES, you want to have something up your sleeve to keep your four-legged friends busy, in condition, and out of trouble.

The first thing on my list to do during the hot summer months is to review foundations with my dogs. These are skills that are needed for the venue in which we are getting ready to or are currently showing.

For instance, if I am showing in agility, we will review our contact behavior on a board or the stairs. We can work on start-line stays or simple jump drill skills with one to three jumps.

If we are showing in obedience or rally, we will review pivots which are the foundation of all heeling turns. We can do “Get It” Games to improve any going out and coming back skills such as a dumbbell retrieve or the turn for go-outs.

We can review all the foundation skills that I have used to train my dog. Take a few minutes and remember where your dog’s training started. Write a list of all the foundation skills you used with your dog. If you are having issues when showing, NOW is a great time to brush up on those important skills.

I love to teach my dogs Tricks in the summertime!  Why?  Because Tricks are a great way to exercise my dog’s body and mind.

Tricks such as spin or twirl can help with my dog’s flexibility.  Sitting up and begging can improve my dog’s core strength.

Walking backwards can improve rear end awareness. Picking up toys or dog bowls will improve my retrieves. Whatever you decide to teach your dog will benefit you in some way. Get out your bag of ideas and tricks and train away. Besides, tricks are a super way to impress visitors, kids, any anyone who will watch. Furthermore, they are fun and your dog will enjoy them.
Another area I look at is ways to Exercise my dogs. Keeping fit during the off months is very important and will help prevent injuries in the future. Also, exercises improve balance, endurance, and body awareness. Get pods or foam pads for your dog to stand on for balance. A dog treadmill is great for staying cool while working on endurance and conditioning.

Ladder work teaches your dog how to use his feet. If so inclined, you can work on your balance too.

Let your dog have time off to just be a dog. This is important for your dog’s mental health as well as his physical health. Just like humans, it is good to take a vacation from training and work. Hahahaha. Just take time to let your “hair or ears” down. Activities such as swimming, hiking, going to the beach or just plain “ole” lying around with your feet up in the air make great breaks from training. Find activities that both you and your dog will enjoy and just “DO IT”!

Any of the above suggestions can be built upon and ideas added. Look on the Internet, or buy a book for more ideas. There are LOADS of ways to keep you dog busy and in condition through-out the HOT summer months!

Visit https://debbyquigley.com/classes/  for Free classes on foundational skills. 

Please leave comments or email me with future article ideas at Ask DebbyQ. 

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Why Teach Tricks?

trickTrick training does provide many benefits – to you and your dog:

  1. In the process of learning new tricks you establish a way to learn to communicate with your dog.
  2. Trick training helps to build confident dogs and teaches your dog to experiment and offer behavior  – which is important.
  3. Tricks are a great way for your dog to stay flexible and warm-up before showing.
  4. Trick training is a wonderful way to energize, build attention and focus on your dog.
  5. Tricks can be used to replace bad behavior. For example, if your dog is barking at the door, you could ask your dog to do the trick “get on your bed” to redirect his behavior.

Trick training is important and useful for many reasons.  Always keep in mind that every skill or exercise you teach to your dog is nothing more than a trick.

Teaching your dog to remain next to your side, heeling.  Learn to bring something to you, retrieves.  Getting on and remaining in position, a stay or 2o2o behavior for contacts.  Offering behaviors becomes drive, attention and focus.

So go out and have fun and train a trick TODAY!

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PLAY! Pt 2


 
How to Teach your dog how to play.
 
Here are a few simple guidelines to help
 
you on your way to a tugging fend!

 
 
*DON’T LOOM OVER YOUR DOG WHEN TUGGING:
Bending over your dog can intimidate and even squash his desire to play. For a small dog or puppy beginning by sitting on the floor. If needed, tie a string or light rope to the toy so you don’t have to bend over. Stay at your dog’s level when trying to get him to engage in play.

*MAKE YOUR DOG WORK FOR THE TOY.
Resist the urge to push the toy at your dog. Having to chase and work to get the toy is MUCH more exciting than offering and hoping your dog will take the toy. After all, how many times have you seen a squirrel run across the yard and jump into your dog’s mouth?

*PERPETUAL MOVEMENT OF THE TOY WILL FRUSTRATE THE DOG:
When playing, make the toy act like it was a live. Enough motion to tease your dog yet not so much the dog can’t successfully grab it. Once tugging, move the toy back and forth to engage the dog instead of up and down. This is more natural for your dog and less stress on their necks.

REMEMBER THIS IS PLAY NOT WORK:
Be light hearten and have fun, enjoy the journey. Be persistent, don’t give up too early in the early stages, it can take quite some time to get some dogs to engage. Always keep sessions very short and remain patient.

TUGGING IS A REWARD ONLY WHEN THE DOG CAN SEE THE VALUE:
Keep your tug work and your training separate from each other initially. The dog must see the VALUE in playing BEFORE it will become a reward. Do not integrate tugging into your training too early.

With some time, patience, and persistence you CAN have a TUGGING fend.

 

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PLAY! Pt 1


So your dog won’t tug and you want to teach him?

Having a dog that loves to play with toys is a huge benefit when training your dog.  The tug game is a great way to reward behaviors, is an interactive experience with your dog that burns energy and builds rapport, and while tugging your dog’s main focus is on you!

Teaching your dog how to play ~

*MAKE YOURSELF THE BEST GAME IN TOWN: Limit your dog’s access to reinforcement and fun, pick up all toys at home. Limit your dog’s playing with other dogs and keep the fun only playing with you.

*PLAY WHEN YOUR DOG IS FRISKY: Watch for the times of the day when your dog is the most the excited and engaged. Use these times to work on playing. Get your dog engaged, awake, and excited before you start a play session.

*YOU CAN’T HAVE IT: Hide a toy around the house like on top of the counter or refrigerator and tease the dog with it every time you pass by the toy. Play with the toy by yourself, get the dog crazy over it but don’t let him have it. Put your dog in a crate, tie your dog to a fence and let your dog watch as you play tug with another dog or even by yourself. Until your dog is CRAZY your dog does not get to play the game. Tease your dog and make him crazy for the toy.

*A TOY CAN BE ANYTHING YOUR DOG WANTS TO PUT IN HIS MOUTH: Experiment with different types of toys. Take some time and really study your dog. What does he like to put into his mouth? (Size, shape, texture, flavor, paper, plastic, round, leather, etc.) Does he like squeaky toys or crunchy toys like water bottles? Put a pile in the middle of the floor and let him check out and pick a few toys. Let your dog show you the best way to get him interested in play.

Stay tuned – Part 2 coming soon!

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