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Post by Aussienot on Mar 13, 2005 17:33:21 GMT -5
In Focus - Developing a Working Relationship with Your Performance Dog by Deborah Jones & Judy Keller
This slim (100 pages) quick read book is for people who are trying to develop "focus" or work ethic in their sporting dog. The dog knows the technical skills of agility or flyball, but just doesn't seem to concentrate on the task at hand for an entire session. The book suggests training tactics and exercise for " dogs that have too much fun" and dogs that "Are not having enough fun". Also how to tell which one is your problem.
Also covered are topics such as varying the reinforcement schedule and shifting critera, signs of stress and how to counter them, teaching On and Off behaviors, and general basic clicker training.
Most of the Too Much Fun ideas I had already figured out with trial and error, so I was a little disapointed that there is no magic answer. And I'll throw in my standard criticism that the dogs used are the normal agility breeds. There is a picture of a Bull Terrier missing a contact on the cover - and guess which dog is used to show a missed cue for a right turn? Still, it's a good practical book for those looking for extra help in improving the 'mental game' in your sporting dog.
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