|
The Connection As I observe classes, be it obedience or rally, it appears to me that the best working teams are those where the dog and handler have a connection to each other. What do I mean by connection? Well, the dog that lives to please its owner and the owner who truly shows an enjoyment of working with their dog.
Watching dog and handler who have the connection work in training
classes, shows me that when this is happening, the exercises that the dog has to
perform are almost secondary. It is
like the dog can read the handlers mind and will do the handlers bidding.
The question is, how do we achieve the connection? For a performance dog, the connection is most easily built at puppyhood. Total devotion to that new puppy, taking them everywhere with you, teaching them skills that will later be built on for competition. Playing with that puppy down at their level, and giving them lots of hugs and smooches. Teaching them to watch you and to follow your every move. For the older dog, I believe that all is not lost. Some dogs, even our dear Golden Retrievers may be more independent souls. Although, I would contend that this independence is a learned behavior from the habits of the owner while raising their dog, so what we need to do with the older dog is bring them back to their puppyhood and start over. If you have raised your dog to be the kind that says, yadda, yadda I am just not interested in what you are doing, try going back to some of the basics of puppy training with that dog. Find ways to play with your older dog. Search out a favorite toy or food that this older dog thinks is very special. Develop games that you can play only with this dog, such as weaving between your legs, chasing the treat, etc. Teach your dog to jump up on you! Yes, that is what I said! Teach them that it is perfectly fine and even rewarding to jump up on you! It is a great way for them to think that you are pretty special and reward them each time they do it. Let loose with your voice and sound like a happy person when you are playing. Incorporate this play into your training sessions so that it is not just another work session, but a time to have fun! The end result will be an obedience dog who loves to go to training and showing times with you, and a rally dog who says “hey mom, this is fun!” Develop the connection with your dog as your partner and the rest of what you are striving to achieve will come your way! |
|
|