Category: K9 Competition

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 … 😎🐶🐶🐶

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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 … 😎🐶🐶🐶

😉🐶🐶🐶 *****Next video- first step

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

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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. 

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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!

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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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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My Dogs – How Lucky I Have Been

the boysI have been fortunate over the past XX years :>) to have some really awesome dogs to share my life.

They have all been pets first and teammates second and they have taught me very valuable lessons and added to my life.

The first thing my dogs have taught me is that you can’t predict the details of your life. You just can’t foresee the future. Life often turns out to be not quite what we were planning and sometimes this can be a good thing.

Who would know that an out of control Siberian Husky, Rasha, would set me on the path of dog training. She would run out the front door and it would take me hours to catch her. One day she actually ran into the side of a moving car. She didn’t hurt herself but did manage to dent the side of the car. It was at that point that I was lucky to run into a person that trained dogs. I would have never dreamed that I’d fall in love with this dog and that she would become my best friend, teacher, and a gateway to a new future.

Another important lesson that my dogs have taught me is to live in the present and enjoy the time I have to spend with them and with others.

My Shetland Sheepdog, Nessie, taught me to enjoy each minute of life. She was 4 years young when I lost her to the big “C.” Nessie and I had so much fun together training and showing. She would sit on my lap so that I could hold her chew bone and she munched on it for hours. Even though my time with her was too short, Nessie guided me on the path of dog training. Through her I met new people and wonderful mentors.

My dogs seem to have the ability for a natural gift for compassion and understanding. They were deeply affected by my emotions.

Two of my dogs, Du, a Golden Retriever, and Easy, a Border Collie, helped me though a very tough break up and divorce. They could tell when I was upset and stressed and found ways to help and support me through tough times. Du was a real clown and always made me laugh even during the toughest of times. Easy was the thinker and seemed to know just when I needed a head to pet and would come and nuzzle up to me. No matter how upset I would be, they shared their patient loving nature with me.

One of the greatest joys of having a dog is that they are always thrilled to see me regardless of how rotten my day was. When I wake in the morning they greet me with excited expecting eyes and when I come home they greet me at the door and say “Hi, How are you doing? Welcome home.

It is always such a great feeling to come home to dogs that are excited to see me. When people come over or we are out and about, my dogs LOVE to meet and greet people. They have never met a person they have not liked. They just always bring a smile to people’s faces. Once, while walking through a parking lot with Du and Solo, both Golden Retrievers, a lady stopped me. She commented “boy you can tell your dog’s just LOVE life”. My comment back was “yes ma’am, they really do.” Du and Solo put a smile on her face as well as mine. Wow what an impact that one encounter and comment had. I am so glad that my dogs shared their joy with a stranger.

My dogs also remind me that we all are meant to play and have fun! Working 24/7 is wasting a big part of your life.

About a year ago I lost a very special dog, Rip, a Border Collie. Rip was such a special dog! He had a wicked sense of humor and was always game for anything as long as he was with me. His loss reminded me that there was so much we wanted to do together but “work” or “life” always seemed to get in the way. While Rip loved everything, he didn’t care about titles or winning BUT he did love showing and the special attention he always received from me and the crowd. He would work for the crowd. The more applause or laughter the more fun he had and the more he enjoyed showing. I still miss him terribly.

I have learned so much from all my dogs. It is so easy to lose sight of the important things. Life, at times can be full of negative people, comments and situations. When feeling like the walls are closing in on you, look to your dogs for help.

Whenever I’m feeling out of sorts or just need to be more centered, I look at my dogs, now Sly, Riker and Karrde, all Border Collies, and say “let’s go do something.” It can be a walk around the property or a game of ball in the field or a short training session. I just exhale and enjoy my time with them.

No matter what I’m feeling whether I am busy, stressed, anxious, or angry, just putting my hands on Sly, Riker, or Karrde’s head and cuddling up to them takes all my troubles away and helps me feel better. Petting a dog can be one of the most mindful, peaceful, and calming moments you can experience.

Enjoy your dog and the time you have with him. Never forget the bond you share, the gift each dog gives you, and the time you have together!

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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Is there a difference between a skill and an exercise?

You bet there is!

What is the difference between a skill and an exercise????

An “exercise” is something I am required to do in the ring. It is a sequence of skills.  The Drop on Recall, Heeling, courses in Rally or Agility etc.   All of these are exercises.  They are the “Things” we are required to do at shows.

Skills, on the other hand, are individual tricks that we teach our dog.  As your dog learns more tricks, you can start combining tricks that will be combined together to complete an exercise at a show.

Think of all “exercises” as nothing more than a bunch of tricks chained together! 

So…. Tricks include things like going around me for the short finish, jumping to my either my right or left hand for the beginning of the long and short finish, successful completion of weave poles or contacts, etc.

When training, teach the skills first and separately.  Break down any exercise you might need for a show and teach all the skills in that exercise separately. Once your dog is proficient with all the skills, start to mix and match what you may need for a ring performance but also mix and match the skills just to be random and test your dog’s knowledge and understanding of all the skills.

My point is for you to start thinking out of the “exercise box”.   Don’t just train exercises.   Start training skills/tricks.   Proof and perfect each trick/skill to meet your criteria (which you should set high).   Mix and match tricks/skills, to test your dogs knowledge and have fun!!!

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

Visit my Youtube and watch training videos at https://www.youtube.com/@DebbyQuigley