WHERE & WHEN TO TRAIN
DOG-GAMES
| ENVIRONMENT Ideally, the initial training should be done in the dog's own environment (eg in its garden, a quiet field or park that it is used to walking in, a regular training venue, in fact anywhere where it feels relaxed and at ease). If this is not possible, and the dog is being taught in a new and strange location or environment, it is very important that it is allowed to explore the entire training area before training begins (see reading the newspaper). It can then reassure itself that there are no hidden threats or dangers (eg the sudden appearance of another dog or stranger, sudden sounds or unsettling visual distractions) and that it can safely relax and enjoy the new games. This is best done by surrounding the training area with plastic netting, so that the dog can explore the area freely off the lead. |
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If you are using netting, we strongly recommended that the bottom of it be held down with metal tent pegs so that the dog cannot learn to push it up and wriggle underneath. Dogs are very clever at testing boundaries, especially if they see something out side that they want to chase. If they find an escape route they will never forget it (ie. environmental photo) and will try again and again to see if they can repeat the escape. Another area to make secure are the entrances to the netting (usually where two rolls of netting meet). As this is where the dog enters and leaves the training area, it remembers the weakness in the "barrier" and is likely to run to it if it wants its freedom. I recommend the use of plastic plant ties to hold the two pieces of netting together - they are quick to fasten and undo yet dogs are unable to prise them apart. |
All these precautions may make the training area sound like a prison camp! However, it must be pointed out that the area itself (approximately 80ft x 15ft or 25m x 4.5m) is bigger than a dog's usual comfort distance from its handler, and there is a much higher concentration of dog smells in this area than it usually finds. Its inquisitiveness and desire to explore all these scents is usually so strong that the dog is quite happy to be given boundaries in which to concentrate its search. Certain dogs find great comfort in having the netting around them as they do not have to make decisions on whether to stray too far from their handler or not, while others feel secure from the distractions of the outside world and are able to relax, knowing that no other dog will invade their space.
FREEDOM OR A LINE?
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It is quite acceptable for a dog to have a long line attached to its harness if it has a history of "always being kept on a lead". However, experience has taught us that dogs become very frustrated and claustrophobic with both the line and the netting and so the line should not be used for more than one or two sessions, without very good reason. |
A trainer should always ask whether any new dogs are used to being
off the lead. Some handlers are too embarrassed to admit that
their dog has never been allowed off lead, allowing the trainer to
release the dog only to watch the dog leap over the fencing and run
for the sheer pleasure of being free at last - the dog needs to be
given its freedom in stages. This is done by attaching a 50ft
(15m) cotton washing-line to the dog's
harness (plastic lines burn the hand and are too slippery to
grab hold of).
It is very important that the dog is not attached to the line by its collar, as the sudden jerk of coming to the end of the line will cause severe damage to its neck, as well as causing a great deal of pain. The harness overcomes this problem as it disperses the sudden impact over a wider area of the dog's body.
A clip from an old lead can be knotted securely to one end of the line so that it can be quickly put on or taken off the harness, while the other end can be tied in a loop to make a handle for either the trainer or the handler to hold. They can then keep this loop in their hand and put part of the line under their foot to stop being pulled over in an emergency if the dog makes a sudden dash to escape the netting.
Allow the line to trail along behind the dog as it wanders round the training area. It should never be allowed to go taut as it is long enough to drag along the ground and for the person holding it to quietly and unobtrusively follow to make sure there is plenty of slack on the line. The dog should feel as though it is walking around freely, yet the humans know that they have a way of preventing the dog from being totally out of control.
ALONE & WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS
There should be no distractions while the dog is in the
training area ie. No dogs nearby, or spectators moving or looking
directly at the dog as both can break a dog's concentration and
cause apprehension as well. Containers of food should be
tightly shut so as not to distract the dog with their tempting
scents - you will be amazed at how sensitive a dog's nose is,
especially where food is involved!
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While the dog is exploring the training area, the handler and trainer should stand still and calmly talk to one another, pretending to ignore the dog, but keeping a discreet eye on the dog and its behaviour. Although this "waiting time" seems time wasting to the humans, it is in fact one of the most crucial parts of the dog's training. It gives both the trainer and the handler the opportunity to watch the dog's body language (see Calming Signals as described in Turid Rugaas's book "On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals" in the Dog-Games Shop) and movements as it begins to relax and explore. By doing this they will be able to start to build up a character sketch of the dog's personality and temperament. For instance: - |
- Does it keep close to the handler and seem nervous of straying too far away?
- Does it run around excitedly, perhaps barking uncontrollably, and seem unable to concentrate on any particular scent or object, even after ten minutes or so have passed?
It is quite normal for a dog to be stimulated by the new surroundings when it first arrives, while others have learnt to be anxious of new situations and need more time to relax followed by calm and confident handling. However, a dog with long-term stress levels is unable to settle down and explore properly. Its hyperactivity is caused by high levels of adrenalin that make it almost impossible not only to concentrate on what it and its handler are doing, it will also be unable to retain the memory of the training session. It would be far kinder to the dog to take it away from the training area and concentrate on having a Personal Life-Style Management Programme developed for it, to help it reduce its long term stress levels (see Sheila Harper Canine Education for more advice on stress related issues).
When to startMany dogs have working lines in their blood and have a strong desire to start "work" as soon as possible. These dogs can often be seen pestering their handlers, or barking at them, in an effort to begin the game on their terms. In this situation it is important not to reward the dog's behaviour by giving it attention and starting the training. Once the dog has realised that there is no reward for showing this behaviour, he will give up and begin to explore the environment. As soon as the dog has relaxed, the training can begin as the dog is now being rewarded for being calm and quiet. It will quickly learn, over subsequent lessons, that in order to earn the reward of beginning training it must learn to control itself and remain calm and focused.
| Another benefit of allowing the dog to explore its environment before starting the session is that the dog will not be tempted to run off and explore an interesting smell while doing the Game. Also the dog will have become bored of investigating its surroundings and will be keen to start training once the handler has given the "start to work" cue (see Dog's dictionary). |  |
This is only a small sample of the different behaviours that dogs show in the first lesson. It would be impossible to describe the many variations that there are - each dog is unique because of its breeding, how it has been brought up, and the experiences that it has had. However, every time you observe your dog, and others, you learn more about dogs and can start to trust your instincts in what you and the dog should do. That is why dog training is so interesting and varied and really should be a one-to-one experience.
By the second and subsequent lessons you will find the dog relaxes far more quickly in the training area and will soon be ready to start the session. It has built up strong positive associations with the environment and is keen to continue the game that it learnt in the previous session.
If you wish to train with other people who do Dog-Games, look at We Do Dog-Games for more details of dogs that do the Games in your area. Please email us if you want the contact details of local dog owners and we will ask their written permission to pass on their details to you.
Remember, Dog-Games have been specifically designed so that they can be taught and practiced at home with the help of friends and family acting as helpers, as well as being done in groups or club situations.
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