Stacking the Deck

There was some interesting, shareable discussion on one of the Fenzi FB groups this weekend. But, if you wanted to share one of the posts, the author requested that both were shared.

These really resonate with me.

Denise Fenzi
Admin · November 12 at 3:43pm

Here is why I don't think anyone can ever tell another person that their dog is, or is not, suited for dog sports or a particular dog sport.
Because no one can know how good of a trainer another person is - or how good they might become.
No one can know how important it is to another person. Commitment and determination are a big deal. That is for the person to decide.
No one can know how happy/unhappy their dog can be before they decide it's time to throw in the towel for ethical reasons - also an individual decision.
No one can know what level of achievement they would need to attain before they can feel it was "worth it". My goals and expectations are mine - yours belong to you.
No one can know, for sure, what the future holds, based on better/different training options, the effects of maturity, changing sports, etc etc etc
So it must always remain up to the person - how far are they willing to go? Is their dog happy enough to keep at it? It's just not my place to make those determinations for another.
The only thing another person can do is tell you what route they would take. From there, the owner decides if/when/how much they can put into it.

Denise Fenzi

Admin · November 12 at 9:50am
A meme here got me thinking. What have my current dogs taught me?
Well, a lot of dog training. But that's not what I want to talk about.
What have I learned from Lyra? I have learned that I don't enjoy training her because she has no passion for working - and that's okay. I didn't do something wrong - she comes with opinions and her own interests, and they don't happen to align with mine. If I stand back and consider the route that I think I would have to take to change that? It's way beyond my level of time, energy and commitment. She is a fantastic pet dog. That's fine. We are both much happier with this lack of expectation. If she indicates a desire to work - we do some stuff. Otherwise, no worries if she is happy to watch. Yeah, I can make her look good but it's a glass house - it would fall apart in the face of serious competition and I don't believe all of the best training in the world could fundamentally change her to the level that I would need to enjoy working with her
And Brito? I have learned that if my training is exceptionally good - we can make progress. That is intriguing to me and keeps me in the game for the sake of understanding, so I like to train him. He likes to work and frequently asks, so we train, and it's all good! He has also pushed me dramatically in a variety of training areas, and as a trainer, I truly value that. But if I had serious competition goals - to the level of expectation that I hold for competition readiness? Not fun then - our progress is way too slow and would be exceedingly frustrating. And that's fine.
I no longer beat my head on the wall trying to figure out what I need to do. I just accept that other beings have opinions. As long as I am entertained and the animal is willing - I will train and see what I can do. And if that changes - I'm not having fun or the dog is opting out - then I'm not going to push through. It's okay. I can move on. I don't believe that great training guarantees anything at all - animals come with innate qualities.
If I ever get serious about dog sports again, which isn't looking too promising at this time, then I will specifically look for a dog that will want to play my games without jumping through million of hoops to get us there. With that dog, I would work to create amazing behavior chains that can hold up under specific stressors and without a high ROR at a very high level of accuracy. I've done that before and that's cool too. But I would start with a dog that was just as eager to master this as I was to teach it.
In the meantime, I got the dogs I needed. Because what they taught me - what I wrote above? I could not have truly internalized that if I hadn't gone through it. I needed to learn about slow/forgetful learners, low drives, high environmental interests and...at the end of the day....why I do dog sports. And what I found is that it only interests me if the dog and I are on the same page. And all of the best training in the world may, or may not, turn any given dog into a highly engaged and willing partner that can compete at the levels that would interest me.
And I guess I had to learn that so that I could better help other people. So that they could accept that maybe they weren't going to get there with their own dogs either and it's not just a matter of learning more or trying harder.
The animal has an opinion too. Great training can maximize a dog's potential, but it's not going to turn them into something that they are not because innate temperament is a real thing. Just like you can't "will" your human child into being a great football player when their heart lies with chess, there is no reason to believe our dogs are any different. There's no reason for guilt or self-doubt simply because the dog you haven't isn't quite right for what you had in mind.

Penny doesn't play dog sports because agility is my sport. I could potentially train her to play something else, but lets be realistic here. She's a Chihuahua with depth perception issues. They're not exactly known for drive, and she specifically doesn't have a lot of drive - except maybe to find another patch of sun, or cuddle on your lap. And that is fine. That is what and who she is. 

Spencer can have fun playing agility, but being around other dogs in a trial environment is incredibly stressful for him. So we play when he wants and train bits and pieces here and there. He's an amazing little dog. He's an awesome little agility partner on the days he feels comfortable, and on the days he doesn't - we don't need to prove anything. He's happiest chasing his frizzee in the field and running like a wild thing, or swimming in the lake retrieving his bumper, or even just hiking with his humans. And that is also fine.

Baxter is my rock. He is my first everything dog. First dog I've owned. First dog I competed in agility with. First dog I put a title on. This weekend we received the "Picture Perfect" veteran dog award at the CAA Remembrance Day Agility Trial for the photo of him I took @ Island Lake. I was pretty emotional. He's going to be 10 years old in a few months and his career is winding down.

He is so full of try. Yes, I wish I had done some things differently when we were starting out, but all in all it's been an amazing journey and he has been an amazing partner on it. We may not be in THE competitive height classes in AAC Agility, but we've done pretty well where we are at. 

Nike is a work in progress and while I won't quit working with her, I'm still working to find that key to unlock the drive to want to play my games with me. She's very smart and super sweet, but also so very soft and so very independent. 

Agility is my game. I wouldn't mind competing in some other sports, like Rally-O, but Agility is my game and I want a dog with the drive to WANT to play my game with me.

Baxter wants to play with me. Spencer wants to play in training. Nike does sometimes. But what could I do with a dog who really wants to work with me? It's a thought in the back of my mind for now, and I won't feel like a failure if my current young dog isn't quite right to be super competitive in the sport - she's got an opinion too. No amount of pressure is going to make that come if it isn't in her temperament, pressure will only suck the fun right out of training and trialing.

But for the next time... Next time I'm stacking the deck in my favor.

Mish Mash of Goals & Ramblings

Ugh. Winter.

Our least favorite time of the year. The cold, the dark, did I mention the cold?

Winter looks almost pretty here, but it's a lie ...

During the blizzard on Monday/Tuesday this week I had to put pee pads down in the garage because neither of the Chi’s could go out in the crazy wind and potty in the back yard. Poor little naked dogs.

Winter is terrible, she puts coats and boots on me!

Winter isn’t very inspirational for dog training, especially since I like to work on things that are “fun”  (ie lots of motion and excitement – like agility!) However, in the name of being a better dog trainer and having dogs that are a little more well-rounded, this winter is going to be a little different.

Instead of being sad that I really have no where to train in the house (and no where to train outside of the house because it is too freaking cold and snowy) I have re-vamped the carpeted living room that really wasn’t being used for much into an area to use for training. Some of our agility equipment will even fit!

The focus this winter tho, will be going back to the basics with all 3 dogs. Foundation fun! Actually working completely through some of online course material I haven’t and participating in the Puppy Peaks Challenges. It’ll be good practice to work on training the foundations BEFORE I look at getting another puppy – so I can do it right then, or at the very least, more right =P

Last weekend I worked a CGN test put on by Kim & the Flyball Team. I’ve never actually seen one before and being me, didn’t want to enter the dogs in one without having watched one first. Now I’m a little sad that I didn’t at least bring Baxter to see where we are on things – may not have passed, but it would give me a good idea of where he is at, especially with being handled/groomed by a stranger. Ahh well. Having now seen one (and how basic it really is) I would like to work towards getting it – which means I really have to fix loose leash walking (among other things!)

This week we hit the local Pet Planet and worked on loose leash walking/attention and being happy in new/scary places. 

Anyone who has only met Agility Baxter doesn’t realize how uncomfortable he is in some places (like Pet Stores.) Tail down, unresponsive and trying to pull me out the door – seriously.  The reasons why he is stressed don’t particularly matter here, but I had 100% improvement over that  in one session with a clicker. Some good walking and attention. Some good choices in when to pay attention. Oh, and happy boy. So happy, me and treats and a clicker, he’s a happy dog, and he tries. 

(Just a note of interest here- the clicker is integral to a happy Baxter, I’ve tried to counter condition using a verbal marker in the past and treating for the same things I did this time, but he still wants to leave and doesn’t care about the cookies, the clicker seems to override that worry and give him something else to think about ?)

Spencer tried too. He is more uncomfortable in strange spaces and will take more work than Baxter to overcome that. So we’ll work on new environments and trusting me. Different stage of the journey, same path eventually tho! Also need to work on loading value into the clicker - or discontinue it's use with Spencer - he is uncomfortable with it being in my hand.

This weekend also marks the start of Spencer’s “Specials” agility career. We’re in the 2x4 Trial at WetCreek and I’ve got both boys running in 6” Specials. 

If we don't freeze to death in the -30 degree cold it should be a good time.

2012 Year in Review

Ahh yes, New Years. Looking back at the last year and making plans and resolutions for the next.

It was a good year, dog wise.

Spencer was diagnosed with a luxating patella, but only a grade 1, so no where near as sever as it could have been. Otherwise health issues haven't been an issue as everyone is still pretty young (under 5.) I'm exceedingly thankful for this.

Lots of trialing this year and lots of progress with Baxter. So many firsts! It's very exciting with your first dog in your first sport!

We got 5 titles this year, moved from Starters up to Masters in everything and have gotten Qualifying runs in all his Masters classes (Snooker, Gamblers, Jumpers and Standard.)

We were inches from getting his MADC on Dec 28 at Training Troop's final Whee Wed (on a Friday) of the year, but missed it. Not over his weaves, or his dog walk contact, but on silly handling on my part. I think we might have gotten his first Steeplechase Q as well, but the SCT numbers look a little funny so we may not have.

We traveled for our first agility trial and stayed in a hotel over the weekend.

Sometimes you've gotta work for it.

Baxter also got his PEN as a Tibetan Spaniel so we can play in CKC agility now too. Now to hopefully get Spencer one so I can play with both boys. Opens up the door to more sports as well, like CKC Rally and Scent Hurdle.

Spencer had a amazing year as well, as I didn't really start his agility training until this spring. He's got many baby dog moments yet, but lots of potential and he tries very hard. He got his first Steeplechase Q on the 28th of Dec, and started/finished his Starters Games Dog title in 3 weekend trials only running partial days.

Spencer is doing very well learning to play Flyball as well, and it's been a lot of fun practicing with the Go All Out Dog Sports crew. I love that they aren't exclusively a Flyball club, it makes for a much better fit for the dogs and I, I think.

Life is a balancing act.

Goals for 2013? In no particular order:

Keep training random tricks and body awareness skills. Not only is it good for them, it's fun and it helps build the relationship that I have with each dog.

Distance skills for agility!

AAC Regional and National Championships are around Edmonton area this year. I'd like to try to go if we're ready. I think we are! Hopefully life cooperates and I can swing it with Baxter at least if not with both boys.

Baxter's ATChC.




Actually attend a seminar/workshop/camp this year. In person, instead of the distance/internet ones I've done so far.

Have fun with my dogs and love the time I spend with them, they're not going to be around forever. Cherish the moments with them. I'd like a better handle on Spencer's reactivity and snarky-ness but at the end of the day I love my naughty dogs. They make me laugh, rotten behavior and all.

Run a dog in a new sport, or 2. Like Flyball and Rally-O. Don't just think about it. Prep for it and do it!

Continue to grow as a dog trainer and a handler.

Sometimes to win, you've gotta pull with all you've got.

The best things in life are worth the effort.

Addictions in Dog Training

It's not so much the competitions, the trialing, the "winning" or the ribbons and titles that keeps me so interested in dog training. Those are like icing on the cake - they just make it a little sweeter that's all!

The fun is in how you can teach something (with shaping/clicker training and reinforcement) to a dog that wants to learn and work with you, and how absolutely awesome and cool that feels!

Take a step back from what is broadcast on national TV about being "the leader" and physically controlling or confronting the dog.

When you were a kid, did you listen better to your parents when the yelling, ultimatums, punishments and "physical corrections" got tossed around? Or did you listen better and do what they wanted if there was something in it for you? Which did you enjoy more? Was it fun wincing away from your parent if/when they raised a hand and you knew you were gonna get smacked for something? Remember, you at least spoke the same language as your parents and could actually understand what they wanted.

Or work. How many people are going to work hard  for a "good employee" and a pat on the head once when you do good? You're really going to keep working hard and toeing the company line? Even if the job is something that you LOVE I highly doubt it. Heck, even if you would, I sure wouldn't!

Anyway - off  the soapbox.

Once you have something that your dog is motivated for - food, a toy, chasing the broom, your cat (okay, maybe not the cat, but you get the idea.) You use it to reward and reinforce what you want, you don't bribe them with it.That means Fido doesn't see the treat until he does what you want. You're paying him for a job done well, not begging him to do what you ask!

Rewarding a dog for what you want is positive training, it's easier to ask them to do something than to tell them "no." Don't do this, don't do that - they don't know what they're supposed to do! It's your job to show them what you want.

Positive training is not permissive. There are still consequences, they just don't look like what is shown on TV. Chase that cat, and the dog calmly taken and put in a time out in a kennel. Look at the cat calmly, get a treat or maybe grab a toy and play for a few minutes. Pull on the leash and instead of walking your human does a impersonation of a tree until  the leash is loose.

Oh right, soapbox ...

Seriously though. It's amazing what you can teach your dog once you have a reward they'll work for. You don't speak a common language (mostly not anyway, dogs are very good at reading body language and humans can get good at reading the dogs body language with practice, but I digress) However, once you teach them that people are fun and you get awesome things for paying attention to them they're game to try provided you reward them for that effort.

The biggest  (lowest?) low in dog training is when you have something your dog is struggling with. They just do not understand what you want. Or they can't do it, for a variety of reasons. You break it down into little baby steps and teach the dog each step, not perfectly, but roughly what you want. Then slowly chain it back together. Still nothing.

You make it fun! As Susan Garrett says, work is play, and play is work. Other top trainers like Silvia Trkman and Denise Fenzi have slightly different takes on the same things. Building your relationship with your dog, playing with your dog and getting what you want through that.

Sometimes you might come at it from a different angle, with a different plan of attack, but always remember; your dog is doing this because they do not understand. Maybe they're worried and concerned about what you're asking for, maybe they just don't know how to do what you're asking for. Your job is to help them understand what you want, that they don't need to worry or be afraid and that this thing you want them to do is fun.

 Landing and then bouncing back off with all 4 feet on a vertical incline that makes noise and moves was very difficult.

This was an intermediate step toward the end behavior.

The biggest high is that light bulb moment at the end, when they understand what you want and they NAIL it. It's when you feel like a million bucks and it is ABSOLUTELY worth all the hard work =D

Project puppy, but not "broken"

I have to let Spencer's past go. Yes he had some issues when he was a puppy and that was sad. I don't want remembering that to subconsciously change how I treat him and hold him back from what he is capable of. He isn't my "broken baby puppy." What's in the past is in the past. Maybe he's a bit of a project dog, but aren't they all? It might just take a little longer to teach him some things, that's all.

Who, me?

I need to expect more out of him, in respect to just general behavior. He can absolutely do it. The other day at agility class he was wiggling and rolling on the ground for people who were essentially strangers to pet him and rub his tummy. That's huge!

Instead of waffling and dithering about what to do, we are going to go out and do things instead of just thinking about them.

1) Once a week Spencer and I are going somewhere to work on focus for work. Could be a pet store, or a mall parking lot, or something - but if I want him focused, relaxed and not worried about his environment it means I have to teach him to generalize.

If I can get play and tug, that's fantastic. If that is too much to ask initially, then nose touches (he loves them) and eye contact is good enough. Work through shut down if possible and then reward by leaving that environment. And then jackpot with playing fetch. He is crazy obsessed with playing ball, to the point of turning down food.

2) Get serious about his agility training and focus on foundation work. Left, right, switch, go and get out. Working on him reading my handling (double box work.) Contacts. Wait for the teeter for now.

3) Body awareness tricks and games. Teach these, don't just think about them! Perch work. Backing up. Sit pretty. Ladder work. For all 3 dogs not just Spencer.

4) Record keep and stop being a slacker.

5) Do my job and keep him safe from other dogs. He needs to trust me to protect him from them, and I need to not drop the ball this time or ever again.