Click and Play Agility for Successful Agility

by Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C., CAP 2, NADOI endorsed

Copyright © 2006 by Angelica Steinker

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Courteous Canine, Inc. Publishing 3414 Melissa Country Drive Lutz, FL 33559 www.CourteousCanine.com

First Edition: 2006 Photographs by Joe Canova Andrea Davis Allison Marsh Carol Murphy Action Shots Suzanne Rider Tony Rider Spot Shots Angelica Steinker Saby Rochon /Sport Photography Tien Tran Todd Van Buren

Editors: Diana Bird, Mary Ann Campbell, Andrea Davis, Brenna Fender Layout: Andrea Davis Cover design: Watermark Design

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publishing Data

Steinker, Angelica. Click and play agility : clicker training for successful dog agility / Angelica Steinker. – 1st ed.

ISBN 978-0-9679202-2-1 1. . 2. Dog. 3. Agility. I. Title.

Printed in the United States of America

This book is available in quantity discounts for multiple copy purchases.

ii Thank you to my husband, mom and dad and friends – I love you! A special thank you to Diana Bird, Mary Ann Campbell, Andrea Davis, Jean Donaldson, Dr. Rachel Kelly, Kay Laurence, Karen Pryor, Dr. Pam Reid and Dee Zurburg for their help with learning theory, thoughts, editing and support. You guys rock! Also thank you to Chris Bach and Chuck Tompkins who have both profoundly influenced my learning and this book. Many people have contributed to this book, indirectly or directly, thank you to Sue Ailsby, Robert Bailey, Rob Bitler, Guy Blancke, Brenda Buja, Elicia Calhoun, Rhonda Carter, Jan Casey, Diane Conroy, Ray & Lorna Coppinger, Dede Crough, Julie Daniels, Barb DeMascio, Greg Derrett, Beth Diehl, Dr. Jean Dodds, Beth Duman, Darlene Durham, Rachel Page Eliot, Kathleen Fahle, Ann Farmer, Helix Fairweather, Brenna Fender, Steve Frick, Dee Ganley, Susan Garrett, Bud Houston, Maren Jensen, Anne-Claire Jolivot, Deb Jones, Kathy Keats, Silvia Kent, Joyce D. Kresling, Kevin Krueger, Lisa Laney, Thad Lasinack, Terri Latronica, Sharon Loftly, Pati and Stuart Mah, Allison Marsh, Theresa McKeon, Adina McRae, Linda Mecklenburg, Joan Miller, September Morn, Jacque Munera, Leslie Nelson, James O’Heare, Brandy Oliver, Nancy Ouellette, Joan Orr, Chris Parker, Emma Parsons, Chris Peach and Bernie of Bordering on Insanity, Stacy Peardot-Goudy, Monica Percival, Jen Pinder, Val Ruthledge, Susan Salo, Rachel Sanders, Jane Stash, Ken Ramirez, Jesús Rosales-Ruiz, Suzanne Rider, Jo Sermon, Lynn Sickinger, Attila Skukalek, Sue Sternberg, Sally Treat, Ted Turner, Shannon West, Julie Weir, Steve White, Katie Wiles, Kim Wilson, Gayle York, Chris Zink and my favorite teachers, the !

iii About the Author Angelica Steinker, M.Ed. is the author of "Agility Success" and articles on clicker training, canine behavior and human sport psychology. Her writing has been published in the clicker magazine Teaching Dogs, the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) Newsletter, Dog and Handler, Animal Trainer, Dog Fancy Clicker Training special issue and Clean Run. Angelica Steinker is endorsed by the National Association for Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI), is a Certified Consultant (CDBC) through the organization International Applied Animal Behavior Consultants. She is also on the advisory committee of the Cynology College, an accredited online dog trainer education school committed to ethical force-free dog training and behavior modification. Angelica has special interests in clicker training, TAGTeaching, human and canine cognition, neuropsychology, psychology and aggression. She has testified as an expert witness in cases.

Angelica started competing in agility in 1992 with her Jack Russell Moose and Junior, and she currently competes in AKC, NADAC and USDAA. Angelica owns and operates Courteous Canine, Inc., a clicker training school in the Tampa Bay area. Angelica has presented at Camp Gone to the Dogs, Karen Pryor’s Clicker Expo, The camp and has given seminars nationally. She shares her life with a Miniature , and three Border Collies. She is happily married to the world's most supportive husband, Ted.

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Dedication To Moose and Junior, my best teachers!

v Table of Contents

Thank You iii

About the Author iv

Chapter 1 Click! Let’s Get Started 1 How to Use This Book – Terminology – Agility Photos – Agility Diagrams – Why Click? – Click and Play – The Proofing Game – Stress – Stages of Learning – Overshadowing – Blah, Blah, Blah – Does a Hammer Work? – Fluent Responses – A Good Behavior Chain Gone Bad

Chapter 2 Click! And Play Pyramid 21 Click! And Play Pyramid – Attention Games – Consistency Games – Attitude and Motivation Games – Self-Control Games – Win/Win Training Game

Chapter 3 Click! And Play 37 Attention Games – Consistency Games – Motivation Games – Self-Control Games – Achieving Win/Win

Chapter 4 Click! Speed and Motivation 81 What is Agility Motivation? – What Affects Your Dog’s Motivation? – Cost and Benefits of Crating – Mild Deprivation – Perceived Value of Reinforcement – Satiation – Misconceptions – Tips for Motivating – Loving What Is – Exploring Motivational Challenges – Maintaining Motivation and Speed – Motivational Games – Enhancing Speed

Chapter 5 Click! And Play! Training Games 123 How Do You Get Your Dog to Play? – Assessing Your Dog’s Play Drive – Why Play with Your Dog? – Building Reinforcement History with Your Dog – Three Types of Games – Become a Kid Again – Creativity Guide – A Note on Safety – Teaching Your Dog to Toggle Between Food and Toys – Click and Play! – Six Categories of Games

Chapter 6 Click! Ground Games 155 Sit Game – Okay! Game – Down Game – Does the Click End the Behavior? – Finishing Touches on the Lead Out Game – The Start Line Challenge – Start Line in the Ring – Target Stick Game –

vi Stand Game – Hand Targeting Game – Running Side by Side Game – Magic Flashlight Game – Name Game – Forklift Game – Jump in Chair Game – Left and Right Game – Out Game – Go Game – Balancing Handler and Obstacle-Focus – Body Position Recall Game – Back Game – Turn on the Forehand Game – Look Game – Self-Control Games – The Leave It and Get It Games –Competition Obedience – Behavior Problems – Agility Specific Challenges

Chapter 7 Click! Contacts 197 Different Strokes for Different Folks -- Making Contact with the Up – Before You Start Contact Training – Backchaining the Contact Obstacles – Fun with Flat Boards – Cavaletti Games – The Nose Touch Game – The Position Game – The Hold Game – Proofing the Hold – The Slide Game – Slat Games – Fading the Target Game – Contact Obstacle Proofing Games – Click Speed Over the Contact Obstacles – What Part was Excellent? – What If? – Reactive Dogs and the 2O2ONT Position – Converting 2O2ONT Into a Running Contact – Contact Obstacles in Competition – Time Out – Maintenance Training for Your Contacts

Chapter 8 Click! Jump Training 245 What Influences a Dog’s Ability to Jump? – Words of Caution – Introducing Your Dog to the Jump Obstacles – Click Commitment – Strides – Gait Variations – The Goal of Jump Training – Potential Challenges -- Striding at Top Speed – Trajectory – Body Awareness – Cavaletti Games – Jump Chute Games – Jumping and Turning Games – Preparing for Competition – Fun Jumping Drills – Maintaining Your Dog’s Jumping

Chapter 9 Click! Obstacles 287 Obstacles Training List – Jump! – Big! – The Double – The Triple – Broad Jump – Panel Jump – Tire – Table – Weave! – Tunnel! – Chute! – Obstacle Challenges – Proofing Obstacles – Sequencing

Chapter 10 Click! Handling 337 What is TAGTeaching? – Handling Moves – Handling Moves That Turn the Dog – The Dog’s Path – Proofing Handling Moves – Potential TAG Point Challenges – Peripheral Vision – Does the Dog Know This Move? – New Handling Move Game – Verbal Cues – Body Overshadows Verbal – Head Check Addiction – Name Recall – Timing Game – Common Agility Course Patterns – Handle at the Dog’s Speed – Course Analysis – Handling Seminars – Flow

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Chapter 11 Click! The Adventure Begins 399 The Best Teachers – Responsibility is Power

Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms 405

Appendix 2: Recommended Resources 435

Appendix 3: Training Plan Ideas 449

Appendix 4: Explanation of Titles and 459 Tracking of Legs

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