Problem In Trial Ring On The Day Only

[Rusky]

I think she needs more real situation practice. Without reading all the replies so I am not sure if it has been suggested, do more at club level with a 'judge' and correctly set up ring, ignore her when training except for specific instructions, no chat no correction no reward... I mean exactly as a trial situation.

It is my guess despite your friends comments that you are the one giving off signals, dogs pick up our body language and change of disposition much easier than we can of people. So for you whistle a happy tune in your head in contrived practice and do exactly the same in the ring, sometimes when as a steward on the figure of 8 I can feel the tension the handler is giving off, dogs are much more perceptive.

[Arya]

Ayra,

Your training friends and yourself have provided explanations, especially related to training.

Another question, sorry.......but what do you do through the week with her, day to day? Maybe further socialisation in new situations may help? Maybe, not doing any obedience training for a while? Has she ever had (training) time off?

Day to day she goes everywhere!!! I train her around at different parks and ovals where i live and also take her up to busy situations at shops and stuff. I do think though that after taking her to a larger ob club on the weekend than the one close to where we live, she needs more time in real trial situations with lots and lots and lots of strange dogs and people around. I am just doing basically everything to socialise her to the situation that I can. I do give her training time off but she really hates that! LOL. Plus I vary her training extensively with the aim of not letting her get bored doing any particular thing. This is how we have ended up with a whole tricks show and training exercises up to UD so there is always something new and fun each week, interspersed with lots of ball, tug toy and treats.

I am now really looking forward to the next trial to see what happens this time after all the advice!!!

[MrsD]

I am now really looking forward to the next trial to see what happens this time after all the advice!!!

Hey Arya, I just thought when I was re-reading some of this thread, when I mentioned taking her to as many trials as you can, I didnt mean just ones you entered, go to ones you havent entered too & do some heeling close to the ring ropes & the gate into the ring, that will quickly show whether it's you & your vibes or the actual ring scenario that is the problem .

[geof]

Now ,16 years later , i have the same problem. My dog heels very well outside the trial ring but just turns off when he gets in the ring. Have tried all the recommended things plus others to no avail.

If Arya solved her problem and still uses this site I would be interested to hear how it worked out - and if anyone else has a recommended solution I would like to hear it also

[Boronia]

On 18/11/2023 at 4:27 PM, geof said:

Now ,16 years later , i have the same problem. My dog heels very well outside the trial ring but just turns off when he gets in the ring. Have tried all the recommended things plus others to no avail.

If Arya solved her problem and still uses this site I would be interested to hear how it worked out - and if anyone else has a recommended solution I would like to hear it also

@Arya are you still around?

[DogsAndTheMob]

On 18/11/2023 at 5:27 PM, geof said:

Now ,16 years later , i have the same problem. My dog heels very well outside the trial ring but just turns off when he gets in the ring. Have tried all the recommended things plus others to no avail.

If Arya solved her problem and still uses this site I would be interested to hear how it worked out - and if anyone else has a recommended solution I would like to hear it also

It might be worthwhile to consider this online Fenzi course, which starts on the weekend. The instructor is knowledgeable about canine behavioural science, dog training and dog sports and has some very useful insights on managing our sensitive dogs for optimum performance in dog sports. However, it looks as if all the working spots have filled and only audit spots are available now.
https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/33389

[Mairead]

I trialled with sighthounds and had to discard a lot of methods that wouldn't work with three very different dogs, all using their brains in ways that didn't always suit trial rules.

But I would be asking - just how important is it that the dog gets those titles? The training may benefit the dog, but the titles only benefit the owner.

Find something the dog enjoys and you are not so invested in.