Archive for Dog Articles

2on-2off Contact Training Challenge – 2012

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Sunday, January 8th, 2012

Contact+Blooper+PictureIf you’ve been reading my blog over the last several years, you’ll know I LOVE give-a-ways, freebies and just about anything that resembles Christmas Day!


So I am excited to announce a 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge! This challenge is designed to help novice and experienced dogs that need refreshed or retrained contact behavior kick off the New Year with fun, accurate, reliable and amazing contact behaviors, that will last throughout their career.


Now doesn’t that sound like a great way to start off the new year?!

 


This Challenge is for EVERYONE – Beginner or experienced dog agility handlers are encouraged to enter (Click HERE) the 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge from January 9-16, 2012. Instructions for participating in the Challenge can be found on this page (Click HERE).


 

To join in on the fun, Challenge participants will upload their favorite challenging contact behavior ‘blooper’ to YouTube.com and then post it on the Spot On Agility Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/SpotOnAgility) for voting from January 17-23, 2012. The YouTube video with the most comments and likes will be the winner. It’s that easy!


 

Prizes – Now here’s the really fun part…the winner of the 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge will receive over $350 worth of prizes, that include the following:


  • a copy of Spot On Agility’s 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training DVD (don’t worry, if you already have the DVD, you’ll receive a special alternate gift),
  • entry into our upcoming 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training Webinar set to begin February 1, 2012,
  • a private remote contact training session with me (founder of Spot On Agility and creator of the 2on-2off Dog Agility Contact Training DVD),
  • and most importantly, a tug toy and treats for your dog!

 


Each Challenge participant will receive private access with Lisa Selthofer to provide a detailed and customized answer to a question to help them improve their contacts, as well as a sheet of contact training tips created by Selthofer.

 


Here’s all you have to do:


 

  1. Upload your contact behavior ‘blooper’ video to YouTube.
  2. Post the link of your YouTube video on the Spot on Agility Facebook page (Spot On Agility’s Facebook page)
  3. Enter the 2on2off Dog Agility Contact Training Challenge HERE.
  4. Receive your free link (via email) to private access with Lisa Selthofer. This is your opportunity to ask one question of Lisa to help improve your contacts, additionally, you will receive a sheet of contact training tips created by Selthofer.
  5. Tell your friends and family to comment and like your video on the Spot On Agility’s Facebook page. The video with the most comments and likes will be designated the winner. Voting begins January 17-23, and the winner will be announced on our FB page on January 24th.
  6. Have fun!

 


For a complete list of details, including how to enter, click HERE.

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Categories : Agility Skills, Dog Articles, Handler Articles, Obstacles in Agility, The Press
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As a Special “Thank You!”…

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

 It’s that time of year…time for giving thanks!

As a special thank you to all our Spot on Agility clients, followers, subscribers, and fellow agility competitors worldwide, we are offering 25% off our popular re-released Spot on Agility 2on2off Dog Agility Contact Training DVD from November 24-29, 2011!

Regularly $29.99, for a limited time you can purchase our 2on2off  Dog Agility Contract Training DVD that’s praised by dog agility trainers all over the world for only $22.50!

Spot On Agility’s 2on2off  Dog Agility Contract Training DVD provides easy to follow contact training behavior that’s fun and entertaining for dogs. It provides unprecedented ease in training 2on2off contact behavior for novice dogs or experienced dogs that need refreshed or retrained contact behavior. The lessons and exercises included in the DVD are easy to follow and make it efficient and fun for both dog and dog trainer.

Stacy Peardot-Goudy, world renowned dog agility trainer, owner of C Spot Win Agility in LaPorte, Colorado and recent 2011 USDAA Steeplechase Champion with her dog Wally recently reviewed Spot On Agility’s 2on2off dog agility contact training DVD. “It’s so easy training dogs with Spot On Agility’s Contact Training DVD that anyone can have successful results, whether they be novice or masters level dog agility trainers,” shared Goudy. “I love how the dogs instantly understand the criteria and drive to the 2on2off position you are asking of them, making contact training very enjoyable.”

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. Spot On Agility’s 2on2off  Dog Agility Contract Training DVD can help you and your dog have the successful and fun contact behavior you’ve been looking for; and it makes a great gift for agility friends and students! Click here to purchase and enter code ‘HOL2011’ at checkout to receive 25% off.

Happy Holidays!

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Categories : Dog Training, Foundation, Obstacles in Agility
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Follow Up to Dog Trainer & Cobbler’s Children

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Monday, October 24th, 2011

YouTube Preview Image  This is a follow up to Friday’s note on my Dog Trainers and the Cobbler’s Children comparison. Please read that article first.

Going into the weekend with my own ‘plan’ really made for a fun and successful trial for both me and my dogs. So what was my plan you ask?  Well, in a nut shell:

  • I wanted focus from my dogs during our runs (focus on the handling cues and obstacle criteria they’ve been taught). In return;
  • I promised myself I would focus on 1) providing clear handling to my dogs and 2) maintaining the obstacle criteria I’ve trained them for.

By working on what I HAD trained, I could easily overcome the anxiety I was having on what I had NOT yet perfected (the weaves) and it was easy to obtain a measurable and well-deserved success.  So let’s take a look at some of the runs I had with my dogs.

The first one above is with Zulu.  Some of the positives:

  • A nice stay at the start.
  • He left the start line only when released.
  • He read the rear-cross to the #3 jump nicely and drove down to the tunnel when indicated.
  • He read the remainder of the crosses really well and took every obstacle in front of him.
  • He had nice speed and showed a willingness to work (without a toy or treat on me).

As expected, I also learned a few things too!

  • Initially I wasn’t happy about the knocked bar. But after reviewing the tape, I can see he generally clears the jumps with plenty of room, so I’m not going to worry about that at the moment.
  • No surprise, he really doesn’t understand the weaves yet.
  • I’m LATE on my front cross cues!

Next, let’s take a look at one of Ru’s runs with a video below.

Some of the positives:

  • A nice stay at the start line.
  • She remained in place until released.
  • Came back after her momentary ‘visits’
  • Drove to the tunnel as directed
  • Got her weave poles!!!!
  • Great speed and enthusiasm!
More things I learned!
  • I need to practice the release and motion maneuvers at the start line.
  • I need to continue to work on the concept of ‘stay with me, we’re a team’ with Ru.
  • I’m REALLY LATE with my front crosses!

So while I did make my goals and I celebrated them all weekend, it’s now time to move forward and address a few of those weak areas. I hope you enjoyed the videos as much as I enjoyed the runs : )

 

Happy Handling!

 

Lisa

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Categories : Agility Videos, Dog Articles, Dog Training, Goals & Planning, Handler Articles, Handling in Agility, Our Dogs, Rouge - Dalmatian, Zulu - Border Collie

Dog Trainers and The Cobbler’s Children

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

My hubby and I are entered in an agility trial this weekend over in Yakima. I love this trial and especially love the beautiful fall days that generally accompany these dates as well. Last night as we were headed to dinner, Dan says “I can’t wait to run my dogs this weekend! They’re doing so good!” And you know what? He should be excited because he has two fine working dogs and they’re ready for competition. Me on the other hand…not so much.


As if sensing my thoughts, Dan says “You’re excited too…right?”


Well, the truth is, I’m not excited and I decide to carefully say so (after all, I don’t want to burst his bubble). Being the caring man Dan is, he asks “Why not?” and I truthfully say “Because I’ve been so busy with other things,” (moving into the new building, judging, meeting judging deadlines, working on a few new training projects and more) “that I don’t feel like my dogs have received the training time needed to go in to competition.”


It’s like the old story of the cobbler’s children who have no shoes…isn’t it ironic that the dog trainer’s dogs aren’t trained?


So, the situation is what it is and now I need to decide (ahead of time) how I’m going to handle it. Keeping a sense of humor is important,

  • So first, I’m doing the obvious thing which is to cram all the training I can get in over the next 2 days. While this method NEVER worked in the past, there’s always hope it will work this ONE time.
  • Second (and being serious for just a moment), I have to be prepared, which means I’m not going to blame my dogs for my lack of training.
  • Third, if I’m embarrassed by what happens well, I’ll either plan and train more in the future or
  • I’ll talk myself into…err, um…I mean accept the fact that I’m a human with a full and rich life outside of agility <g>
  • Next, I’ll reassure myself that my dog’s lives are not negatively impacted by this one single event and;
  • Instead realize that it’s only my ego and competitive nature that’s really taking the hit here <g>

Well, now that I’ve talked about ‘worse case scenario’, it has dawned on me that this isn’t such a terrible ‘bad’. I mean even if I have horrific runs with my dogs, I’ll still go back to the RV and love on ‘em and enjoy their company. I’ll still BBQ with my friends, I’ll still camp under the stars (the bonus of having an RV) and of course my dogs will still be tormented with loads and loads of kisses.


After all, winning is nice, but it’s secondary to making and achieving that special moment with your dog. In this case, I’m going to focus on great obstacle performance (minus the weaves where I’m playing around with a few training methods), fun, criteria and playing. Now that’s a goal I can get behind and be excited about.


Happy Handling Everyone!

 

Lisa

 

This blog post continues with the ‘after trial’ recap HERE.

 

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Categories : Daily Life and Agility, Dog Articles, Dog Training, Lessons Learned, Ugh Moments, Yeah Moments

Research on Training Sessions – Frequency & Duration

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
As many of you know, I’m a big believer in short training sessions. Along those lines, here is the Abstract to a great research article (available from the authors for purchase should you want to read all the details) on this topic.
Enjoy!
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The effect of frequency and duration of training sessions on acquisition and long-term memory in dogs.

Abstract

Most domestic dogs are subjected to some kind of obedience training, often on a frequent basis, but the question of how often and for how long a dog should be trained has not been fully investigated. Optimizing the training as much as possible is not only an advantage in the training of working dogs such as guide dogs and police dogs, also the training of family dogs can benefit from this knowledge. We studied the effect of frequency and duration of training sessions on acquisition and on long-term memory. Forty-four laboratory Beagles were divided into 4 groups and trained by means of operant conditioning and shaping to perform a traditional obedience task, each dog having a total of 18 training sessions. The training schedules of the 4 groups differentiated in frequency (1–2 times per week vs. daily) and duration (1 training session vs. 3 training sessions in a row). Acquisition was measured as achieved training level at a certain time. The dogs’ retention of the task was tested four weeks post-acquisition. Results demonstrated that dogs trained 1–2 times per week had significantly better acquisition than daily trained dogs, and that dogs trained only 1 session a day had significantly better acquisition than dogs trained 3 sessions in a row. The interaction between frequency and duration of training sessions was also significant, suggesting that the two affect acquisition differently depending on the combination of these. The combination of weekly training and one session resulted in the highest level of acquisition, whereas the combination of daily training and three sessions in a row resulted in the lowest level of acquisition. Daily training in one session produced similar results as weekly training combined with three sessions in a row. Training schedule did not affect retention of the learned task; all groups had a high level of retention after 4 weeks. The results of the study can be used to optimize training in dogs, which is important since the number of training sessions often is a limiting factor in practical dog training. The results also suggest that, once a task is learned, it is likely to be remembered for a period of at least four weeks after last practice, regardless of frequency and duration of the training sessions.

Keywords: Acquisition; Dogs; Massed training; Spaced training; Retention; Long term memory

Authors:

Helle Demanta, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Jan Ladewigb, Thorsten J.S. Balsbya, Torben Dabelsteena

a University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Science, Dept. of Biology. Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 København Ø Denmark
b University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Life Sciences, Dept. of Large Animal Sciences. Grønnegårdsvej 8, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

Accepted 17 May 2011. Available online 15 June 2011.

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Categories : Dog Articles, Dog Training, Research
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Equipment Make-Over

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Now that Spot On Agility is moving into a brand new building with super-duper brand new mats, it’s time to give our well-made agility equipment a make-over!

This is also a great time to think outside of the box and work to make some of the equipment a bit more user friendly.

My first mission was the broad jump.

  • I began with strips that line up so newbies would know exactly how to place the boards.
  • Next, I added board numbers so it is easy to know exactly which board goes where.
  • My next goal will be to make a small laminated cheat sheet that will be permanently fixed to board #1. This cheat sheet will tell exactly how many boards, as well as the spacing of the boards for each jump heights.
  • As with most broad jumps in competition, I also plan to make a marker string that is pre-marked for each jump height.

Here are some of our jumps drying out in the Seattle sun after a lite beautification. Once we add the colored bars, they’ll look elegant, but super-spiffy too!

While not pictured, our tire is in the midst of a complete overhaul as well. The lovely, slimming frame received a purely cosmetic make-over while the tire was stripped of the old colored tape (thanks Jill!), went in for a ‘spray tan’ (black for tires of course) and is awaiting the new colored tape wardrobe that should be arriving on Monday.

The panels (for the panel jump) also received a bit of a bowtox-like treatment and are ready for a surprise touch that we’re hoping arrives next week.

We’re still in the midst of picking out the lucky colored tunnels that will be joining us at the new facility, so weigh in if you have a preferred color choice.

Last, but certainly not least are the contact obstacles. Not surprisingly, they too are getting a bit of a touch up…as well as a little surprise in the style department.

Pictured here are the dog walk supports. Those of you who attended classes at our outdoor location may remember that they used to be a brushed aluminum look. Now they’re a sporty, sleeker black!

The teeter base received it’s touch-up a few days ago and the sides of each of the contact boards (teeter board, the dog walk ramps, etc.) received a new overlay coat more suited for the fall fashions.

Oh, and see the weave base in the background? Although these poles are just a few months old, we pulled out all the stops to give these guys a ‘facial’ as well.

Stay tuned for pictures as the revamped equipment moves indoors next week!

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Categories : Obstacles in Agility
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Dog Food Info Video – Part 2 (How To Read The Label)

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Thursday, June 9th, 2011

This is Part 2 of the Dog Food Video education post. We recommend you read and view Part 1 prior to jumping in to this post.

As I mentioned in Part 1, veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker has put together two great educational videos focusing on Dog Food. Part 1 reviewed the different types of foods that are available on the market for our agility dogs and Part 2 teaches us HOW to evaluate dog food options with easy tips that clarify the information from the dog food label.

By understanding the labels, as well as the terminology, we can choose the best foods for our agility partners.

Enjoy The Quality of Dog Food Ingredients, Reading the Label – Video

 

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Categories : Dog Health
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Dog Food Info Video – Part 1

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

As athletes, we all know that agility dogs need to be fed a balanced and nutritional diet. But with all the marketing and fancy claims being made in the pet food industry, how do we know we’re feeding our dogs the right healthy meals?

I’ve spent years reading through dog food articles, product labels, listening to dog nutrition advice, reading up on the latest research studies and trying to decipher fact from fiction when it comes to the best products to feed my dogs. There were times I found myself in dog food information overload and I still didn’t feel like a dog food expert!

Finally, a video from veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker that make things simple. Dr. Becker created a set of straight forward and educational videos that do not market a specific product and they are not sponsored by a dog food company.

In Part 1, Dr. Becker explains the differences between frozen dog foods, canned, dehydrated and kibble as well as the pros and cons of each. This video is a great place to start or referesh your education on the Quality of Pet Foods Part 1 – Video.

Once you’ve seen Part 1 and have a good basic understanding of dog foods in general, I HIGHLY recommend viewing Part 2. Video 2 teaches you how to quickly and easily read dog food labels so that you can ensure you are feeding your dogs the very best.  Thanks to her straight forward advice, reading dog food labels is far less stressful and you’ll feel a greater confident in the dog food choices your agility partners eat.

 

 

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Categories : Dog Health
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Before Your Dog Starts Agility, Part 1 – Health Check

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Monday, June 6th, 2011

One of the best parts about agility is that dogs from all walks of life can participate. However, before they can begin, your job as their dog guardian is to first ensure your dog is and remains, Healthy.

Thanks to WebMD’s dog section, we can help guide you to knowledgeable resources on some of the things to consider:

Vaccinations -

During agility training and eventually if you decide to compete at an agility trial, your dog will be exposed to potentially hundreds of other canines. As a courtesy to the other dogs and to help maintain your own dog’s health safety, vaccinations and/or titer testing is a must.

The vacinnation ‘must haves’ are:

The optional vaccination items to consider are:

Be sure to share with the vet your plan to participate in agility so you can proactively work with your vet on the proper vaccination protocols for your dog.

Flea, Tick, Heartworm and Other Worm Prevention

While fleas, ticks and other crawly creatures are not fun things to think about, pre-planning will help avoid these unwanted visitors on your dog and ultimately in your home.

Why think about these? Well, as mentioned above, agility may require your dog to be around lots of other canines, to be outdoors (sometimes in remote locations with tall grass) or indoors at animal arenas or fairgrounds. It is important to educate yourself to avoid those unwanted crawlies.

Click HERE for WebMD’s full article so you can educate yourself and make appropriate product purchasing decisions.

Eye Care -

“Man’s best friend could use a good eyeballing once in awhile-believe us, your dog won’t take it personally! In fact, giving him regular home eye exams will help keep you alert to any tearing, cloudiness or inflammation that may indicate a health problem.” Click HERE to read more on the WebMD resource which shares what you should look for to keep your dogs eyes sparkling and sharp – a must for safe agility training.

Nail Care and Grooming

To safely perform agility obstacles and to secure better traction for your dog, trimming their nails and dew claw inspection on a regular basis is a must. Click HERE for more information from WebMD.

To help you along with the nail trimming, here is a great article from Washington State University on How To Clip A Dog’s Nails.

Grooming is something that almost all dog owners will need to do. Some dogs require massive grooming (fancy fur cuts for example), while others simply require hair to be trimmed around the feet, ears and/or eye areas. Take a look at your dog ask yourself a few questions:

  • Would foot hair trimming benefit my dog by preventing slipping, the harboring of mud or other foreign objects from gathering between the pad or would it help to keep my vehicle and house clean?
  • Does my dog have hair that falls into their eyes? Should I consider rubber banding those sections back to ensure they have a clear view?
  • Does my dog have a wash and wear coat (dirt will dry and then fall off) or does my dog’s coat require a full washing on a regular basis?

Remember, the key is to determine what will work best for your dog’s safety as well as your lifestyle.

Hips, Elbows, Shoulders and Knees

Since agility requires your dog to run, jump, climb and maneuver through an obstacle course, it is always smart to check out the specific areas of their body that will be used most during your agility time. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has information to help educate dog owners on the specifics as well as answering Why it is important to know your dog’s joint health.

There is also PennHip which is a non-for-profit owned and run by the University of Pennsylvania which has excellent resources as well.

Weight and Body Condition

Since your dog will be actively participating in the athletic sport of agility, it is imperative that owners understand their dog’s body condition and weight. While an overweight dog will struggle to perform the obstacles and may cause stress on their heart and joints, an underweight or underdeveloped dog will struggle as well.

Purina has created a chart to help determine if a dog is too lean, just right or overweight. Click HERE for additional information.

Annual Vet Check-Ups

While vet check-ups for your dog may seem like a costly task,  if you plan to train your dog in agility, it is an absolute must.

Since canine athletes are different than the average house pet, it is important to find a vet who understands dog sports because:

  • An athletic heartbeat may sound different. An inexperienced vet may mistake your dog’s strong heart for a heart murmur.
  • An athletic dog will have different weight necessities. A canine athlete will be slim, trim and more muscular.
  • Nutritional requirements may be different for your agility dog.
  • While we hope our dogs remain injury-free, it is important for your vet to understand and be able to treat potential injuries properly (just in case you need it).
  • and much more…

 

As always, becoming an informed agility enthusiast is important as well as a qualified and knowledgeable vet resource to help guide you through the agility health check.

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Categories : Dog Health
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Agility Lessons Learned From TSA

By Lisa Selthofer · Comments (0)
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

Recently I had a ‘pleasurable’ weekend with the fine TSA folks at the airport. I travel a lot (3-4 times per month) and can always tell when new TSA agents are on the job. So I knew immediately that this trip was the first day for the majority of the crew.

The Situation

It started like this…My hubby and I, like usual, walk up together to the security podium. My hubby hands the TSA agent both tickets with each individual drivers license on top of the appropriate ticket (just like we always do). I park my happy little feet in the exact same spot the person prior to us had been standing.

The TSA agent first, freaks and says “Oh NOOOO! One ticket at a time!” and quickly hands back one ticket and one matching drivers license. Next, he chastises me with an “Oh…you…you need to be back (6 inches) to the front of the podium.” Ahhh…okay…

Where Did I Go Wrong?

After taking a small step backward, I look around for the directional signs I may have missed which stipulate the expectations of my new TSA agent. Hey, maybe they adjusted the rules since I’d last flown (3 days earlier). No surprise, there were none. Nothing on the podium that says “Stand Here”, nothing along the maze-like route directing me to be front and center and certainly nothing that says “One ticket at a time” (after all, it is customary for traveling groups/families to approach together). NOTHING!

Next, I check the ground for the magical piece of tape indicating the appropriate position where I am to stand and/or not cross prior to being given permission. Again, there was nothing.

I can’t help but think (in order):

  1. I’m confused…the rules just changed…
  2. How the heck am I supposed to know what my newly-hired-TSA pal expects from me when he wasn’t even courteous enough to tell me ahead of time?
  3. What a jerk for not telling me his expectations in advance.
  4. What a real jerk for chastising me on something I couldn’t possibly know.
  5. This person is in a position of authority????
  6. I don’t have faith in his abilities; and
  7. That’s unfair and I’m a little mad at that!

The Lesson Is…

So you’re asking yourself, what does the TSA have to teach me that pertains to agility? The answer is…fairness and consistency.

Let Me Explain…

If I do the exact same steps every 3-4 days for 3+ months (that’s how often I’ve been traveling and interacting with the TSA) and my actions have always been met with full acceptance, it’s reasonable to understand that I’ve come to believe my actions fully meet the TSA expectations.

Now think of me as your dog…if you (the TSA agent) has accepted certain behaviors from your dog for a period of time and then suddenly, without notice or retraining, changes those expectations (say at a trial) and then chastises said dog for not following the new-out-of-thin-air-rules, the dog is potentially going to feel the same way that I did.

How Can I Prevent Being ‘Unfair’ To My Dog?

  1. Plan ahead. Know before you train and/or practice what you want.
  2. Criteria is your friend. Understand, train and expect the same behaviors from your dog.
  3. Be Consistent. Don’t let your Criteria slide, even just a little.
  4. Be Fair. Don’t change the plan without first retraining it.
  5. Reward It! If you like what your dog is doing, reward it often and with quality. Make it clear you LIKE what they did.

So let’s learn from the TSA about what NOT to do and let’s all agree to treat our dogs better than the newbie-barely-trained TSA agent treated me on my last trip.

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Categories : Dog Training, Goals & Planning, Travels
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