| BTCA
Performance Committee Seminars at Silverwood 2010
The BTCA Performance Committee is pleased to offer seminars on Attention
as a Behavior, Show Handling, and Heeling/Basic Agility at Silverwood
this year. Working spots are limited so let us know if you wish
to attend. Here are the details:
The seminars will be divided into two parts.
Part one will be the Attention as a Behavior seminar,
which will be a prerequisite for attending one of the other two
seminar segments in a working spot. You do not have to attend the
Attention seminar as a participant, but you must at least audit
this segment in order to attend either of the other segments in
a working spot.
If you choose to audit only, you may choose to attend any portion
of any seminar while we recommend you attend the attention seminar,
it is not a prerequisite for auditing one of the other segments.
For part two, participants will have a choice of
attending either the Show Handling or the Heeling/Basic Agility
seminars. Due to time constraints, these seminars will run concurrently.
The fee for a working spot is $25, and this entitles you to a working
spot in one of the “Part 2â€
segments. There are only 10 working spots in the attention seminar,
so ten of you will have working spots in two seminars, and these
will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Part 1: Attention as a behavior, Presented by Jane
Killion
12 PM to 1PM Grand Ballroom:
Before you can teach your dog to do anything, he has to be paying
attention to you. Attention is a behavior, just like sit, down,
or any other behavior and you can teach it. Learn how to train your
dog to pay attention to you, and how to make checking-in a default
behavior. Right now, the world is full of distractions for your
dog. Learn how to turn those distractions into things that make
your dog just focus harder on you.
After completing the Attention as a behavior seminar, either as
an auditor or a participant, you may take your new attention skills
and apply it to one of the following seminars:
Part 2A: Show Handling Presented by Mary Remer
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM Grand Ballroom
AKC guidelines give a judge approximately 120 seconds to evaluate
a dog â€" are you using your 120 second wisely?
Learn how to efficiently present your dog to his best advantage
and make the most of your time in front of the judge.
Part 2B: Heeling for Rally and Obedience and Basic
Agility Presented by Jane Killion
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM Grand Ballroom
Heeling is really just a moving version of attention - learn how
to take attention skills and set them in motion.
Finally, learn how to take of the leash and have your dog stay with
you throughout an agility course. Teach your dog the concept of
working space and how to cue your dog to automatically look for
the next obstacle, instead of looking to run out of the ring.
For more information,
please contact Cheryl Vincent at cmvinc@comcast.net
CANINE
GOOD CITIZEN &
THERAPY DOGS INTERNATIONAL TESTING
Silverwood 2010, Pittsburgh, PA
PRE-REGISTRATION
Watch
for pre-registration on the BTCA & Silverwood websites. We will
schedule the test based on interest and will plan for an even flow.
There may be room for a walk-in IF there is a cancellation, but
don't assume this will happen. Don't let the 2010 CGC/TDI fill up
without you!
MORE
INFORMATION
Our
evaluators are Linda Maddox (CGC & TDI) and Paul Jordan (CGC).
Please contact them with any questions about the CGC, TDI or training.
You can also contact members of the Performance Committee and the
bull terrier training lists for help with training. Linda Maddox:
stellarbt@charter.net Paul Jordan: ironsides_bullterriers@yahoo.com.
CALLING
HELPERS & FRIENDLY DOGS!
We
need people to help act as "the crowd" as well as other
helpful tasks to keep the CGC running smoothly. We also need to
recruit friendly dogs to help with the test that involves meeting
another dog. To participate, your dog should be able to approach
another dog from about 20 feet, stop with you while you shake hands
and exchange pleasantries for a short time with the team being tested,
then continue on for about 10 feet. Neither dog should show more
than casual interest in the other, or in the other handler. More
than 1 dog and handler would be helpful, it's a lot to ask of a
dog to work a whole test session as it's tiring for them. We want
all of our helpers, human and canine to have a good experience.
If
you would like to help, or you would like to help with your dog,
please contact Linda Maddox at stellarbt@charter.net. THANK YOU!
HELPFUL
HINTS AND POINTERS
Preparation
before the Test
These tips and pointers will be helpful. Be sure to go over all
aspects of the test and ask questions as you prepare. You have many
resources in the Bull Terrier community.
Train
and Practice for the Test
Review and practice all tests with your dog. Do so in different
settings. Don't assume that since your dog can sit/stay at home
that he will be able to do it everywhere! Dogs (and people!) need
help building skills in different situations and environments. If
you are taking the TDI test, make sure to practice the additional
tests. Test information is at
CGC: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
TDI: http://www.tdi-dog.org/
Jumping
It is especially important to have many people pet and interact
with your dog. NO JUMPING is allowed in the test. If your dog jumps
on you or anyone else at any time during the test, they will not
pass.
Train
and reward behaviors are incompatible with jumping. Use an event
marker (clicker/verbal Yes") to capture a stop action "picture"
of your dog while his feet are on the floor and deliver a treat
at nose level so he doesn't have to jump to get it. That's a great
trick called "4 on The Floor". In addition, teach your
dog to sit when he approaches people or when people approach him.
Use good rewards for appropriate behavior, and don't let him make
contact (use your leash for management) or get attention for jumping.
You
can also make sure that you "field" an eager dog in like
a ground ball (yes, you are the Bull Terrier shortstop) by leaning
down to guide him and pet him before he jumps. It is helpful to
slip a thumb into the collar passively so that jumps are managed
and you don't get bopped in the nose. Pet and massage the neck while
the feet are on the floor. Use relaxed strokes and learn what kind
of touch helps your bully relax.
It's
much easier to get a dog to keep his feet on the floor when he understands
what to do instead of jumping, and likes doing it. Be proactive
rather than reactive. Assume he's going to jump and turn an approach
into a mini-training session for the behaviors you want. If you
allow him to jump by watching the scene unfold (being a spectator
rather than being proactive), or waiting to see if he'll make a
mistake, you are setting him up to make mistakes rather than helping
him learn self control. Set your dog up to get it right. Then let
him know how well he did by rewarding and praising.
Approaching
People & Dogs
Your dog will need to remain with you while others approach a number
of times during the test. The evaluator will approach your dog in
Test 1, pet them in Test 2 and do handling and grooming in Test
3. In Test 5, you and your dog will walk with people moving around
you and in Test 8 a handler with another dog will approach, meet
briefly with you and move on. Your dog will be with another person
during Test 10, and will be approached by you on your return. Use
treats and positive training, plus management to train your dog
to sit or down by your side and pay attention to you - more than
the approaching stranger or dog. Teach them to keep 4 on the floor
as you approach.
Supervised
Separation
It is also important to let different people hold your dog for the
separation part of the test. This will insure that your dog is comfortable
with men, women, younger and older people, people with hats, sunglasses,
etc. Choose bully savvy people to help you prepare. If your bully
is not comfortable being left at first, have them quietly praise
and/or reward the dog for quiet behavior. Use praise and rewards
that help the dog stay calm, not get revved up. Phase this out -
there is little or no interaction in the actual test. The helper
may talk to the dog, but not to manage or calm them. If your bully
is relaxed, don't introduce praise or rewards from the helper. Start
with short periods for all dogs and build to the three minutes required
in the test. Building to four minutes will give a nice cushion.
Leave calmly and confidently, and return in the same relaxed manner.
Loose
Leash Walking - No Pulling!
Heeling / walking patterns directed by the evaluator do not have
to be perfect in the "Out For A Walk" section, but no
pulling, dragging or out of control behavior is allowed. There should
be no tension in the leash either from the dog or from the handler
tightening up on the lead. Practice walking with the leash clip
hanging down and a J shape in the leash. Do know how to execute
a right turn, a left turn and an about turn. It helps to practice
with a friend calling a pattern for you so that you and your dog
get used to being able to follow directions while moving.
Noise
& Visual Distractions
If noise or movement startles or excites your dog, practice ahead
of time. Your dog may appear slightly startled, but should not panic,
try to run away, show aggression or bark. In the test, something
may be dropped to make a sound, something like a wheelchair or dolly
may be rolled by or a "jogger" may run by. Dogs can learn
to handle this, if you need help, ask for guidance with your training
and preparation.
Using
Your Voice
Using your voice in an easy, smooth and relaxing manner will help
your dog maintain self control while understanding that he is doing
a good job. Lower tones with decreasing pitch and inflection are
very helpful. Sounds that are faster, higher pitched and more intense
will rev up most dogs. Calm, sincere praise is very effective; avoid
monotones. Using tones that sound questioning or worried tends to
be ineffective. Your voice is something you can take into the test
and use to your advantage.
Be
Sure To Bring
Brush or grooming equipment
Flat buckle collar or harness (no martingales, slip collars or other
type collars)
Treats or toys for before and after - not during the test!
$12 cash (exact change please) for the TDI test
Copy of current vaccination records for the TDI test.
During
The Test
Have Fun!
Breathe (if you remember to exhale, inhaling will happen) and relax.
You may talk to your dog as much as you want. Stay connected and
let them know they are doing a good job. Once a test section has
been completed, you may pet your dog.
Finally,
it's great to pass, and we believe that every bull terrier can achieve
the CGC, but don't take a non-pass as failure. Not passing an aspect
of the test is information about where further training is needed.
We are there to support you and help. Do prepare and do your best!
|
