| Dog Shows are Fun.com |
Welcome to DogShowsAreFun.com! This project was created to
promote the use of positive reinforcement training methods to the
training of show dogs AND to apply the same principles to the
people who are using those methods! For most of us, dog shows are
a hobby, so of course they should be fun and enjoyable for people
and their dogs. Training and handling a dog for the show ring
should be a partnership. If either partner is not enjoying the
process of training or the actual shows then something is wrong.
The goal is to get more people interested and excited about using
positive methods for show dogs.
Positive Reinforcement Methods
Why positive methods? Put simply, because they work so well.
Professional animal trainers have found over the years that positive
reinforcement methods are extremely effective, this is why these
methods are used to train so many animals including large,
dangerous animals all the time. If a killer whale can be trained to
swim away and touch a ball suspended high above the water with
positive reinforcement methods, then surely we can train our show
dogs to stand correctly in the show ring. And, if a fearful Rhino can
be trained to sit, lie down and accept handling by humans using
positive reinforcement methods, then surely it should be no problem
to teach a show dog to gait around a ring. The truth is it can easily
be done and once you learn how, it's not difficult to do. And, the
best part is it works! The really great side effect is that because no
force, pressure, pain or intimidation is used, the animal learns the
behaviors with good associations attached to them and that will live
with those behaviors forever. In other words, if a dog is trained to
show with positive reinforcement, he feels good about doing those
behaviors, which means he feels happy and relaxed, which means he
looks happy and relaxed, which means he is more likely to win!
The Reward
If you are on this website, it is probably because you were given a
charm or some other reward with a card attached from a stranger.
This reward was given to you because something that you did at a
dog show was viewed as positively reinforcing to a dog. You may
have rubbed a dog's ear in the ring, you may have given a dog your
full, undivided attention in the ring, you may have moved a dog
away from other dogs when he or she was uncomfortable, you may
have chosen dog friendly equipment or you may have simply showed
your dog without using force or physical corrections. Whatever you
did, it was viewed by someone as a good thing for a dog! Good for
you! You are looking out for the dog you were showing! And that is
the mark of a truly good dog person!
The Challenge
If you enjoyed receiving your reward then you may want to join in
the fun! When you see someone using positive reinforcement with a
dog at a dog show, simply give them a reward and a card! All we
ask is that you only reward positive reinforcement behaviors (this
means doing something good to or for the dog) and no punishing
behaviors (this means doing something aversive to the dog such as
yelling, jerking the leash or reprimanding in any other way) and that
you include a copy of the reward card (which can be printed off of
this website) so that the person receiving the reward can join the
game as well! You can choose whatever you like as your reward and
feel free to be creative. Collar charms, chocolates and dog treats
are all great ideas! Click here to print out challenge cards.
What you get out of it
Some people will ask, why bother and what do I get out of it? Once
you start doing this you will find that you get a few things out of it.
First, it encourages you to look for good things happening to dogs
which will end up being reinforcing in and of itself. You will also
find is that it is highly reinforcing to be able to simply recognize and
reward something that someone else has done. Seeing someone else
grateful, happy or proud will make you feel good about having
created those feelings in someone else. Most importantly, it will help
make dog shows a good, safe, fun, rewarding and enjoyable place
for dogs!
Want to learn more?
We hope that you do! If you are interested about learning more
about positive reinforcement training please check out our resources
below.
Books
Positive Training for Show Dogs by Vicki Ronchette
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
Reaching the Animal Mind by Karen Pryor
Websites
www.positivetrainingforshowdogs.com
www.clickertraining.com
promote the use of positive reinforcement training methods to the
training of show dogs AND to apply the same principles to the
people who are using those methods! For most of us, dog shows are
a hobby, so of course they should be fun and enjoyable for people
and their dogs. Training and handling a dog for the show ring
should be a partnership. If either partner is not enjoying the
process of training or the actual shows then something is wrong.
The goal is to get more people interested and excited about using
positive methods for show dogs.
Positive Reinforcement Methods
Why positive methods? Put simply, because they work so well.
Professional animal trainers have found over the years that positive
reinforcement methods are extremely effective, this is why these
methods are used to train so many animals including large,
dangerous animals all the time. If a killer whale can be trained to
swim away and touch a ball suspended high above the water with
positive reinforcement methods, then surely we can train our show
dogs to stand correctly in the show ring. And, if a fearful Rhino can
be trained to sit, lie down and accept handling by humans using
positive reinforcement methods, then surely it should be no problem
to teach a show dog to gait around a ring. The truth is it can easily
be done and once you learn how, it's not difficult to do. And, the
best part is it works! The really great side effect is that because no
force, pressure, pain or intimidation is used, the animal learns the
behaviors with good associations attached to them and that will live
with those behaviors forever. In other words, if a dog is trained to
show with positive reinforcement, he feels good about doing those
behaviors, which means he feels happy and relaxed, which means he
looks happy and relaxed, which means he is more likely to win!
The Reward
If you are on this website, it is probably because you were given a
charm or some other reward with a card attached from a stranger.
This reward was given to you because something that you did at a
dog show was viewed as positively reinforcing to a dog. You may
have rubbed a dog's ear in the ring, you may have given a dog your
full, undivided attention in the ring, you may have moved a dog
away from other dogs when he or she was uncomfortable, you may
have chosen dog friendly equipment or you may have simply showed
your dog without using force or physical corrections. Whatever you
did, it was viewed by someone as a good thing for a dog! Good for
you! You are looking out for the dog you were showing! And that is
the mark of a truly good dog person!
The Challenge
If you enjoyed receiving your reward then you may want to join in
the fun! When you see someone using positive reinforcement with a
dog at a dog show, simply give them a reward and a card! All we
ask is that you only reward positive reinforcement behaviors (this
means doing something good to or for the dog) and no punishing
behaviors (this means doing something aversive to the dog such as
yelling, jerking the leash or reprimanding in any other way) and that
you include a copy of the reward card (which can be printed off of
this website) so that the person receiving the reward can join the
game as well! You can choose whatever you like as your reward and
feel free to be creative. Collar charms, chocolates and dog treats
are all great ideas! Click here to print out challenge cards.
What you get out of it
Some people will ask, why bother and what do I get out of it? Once
you start doing this you will find that you get a few things out of it.
First, it encourages you to look for good things happening to dogs
which will end up being reinforcing in and of itself. You will also
find is that it is highly reinforcing to be able to simply recognize and
reward something that someone else has done. Seeing someone else
grateful, happy or proud will make you feel good about having
created those feelings in someone else. Most importantly, it will help
make dog shows a good, safe, fun, rewarding and enjoyable place
for dogs!
Want to learn more?
We hope that you do! If you are interested about learning more
about positive reinforcement training please check out our resources
below.
Books
Positive Training for Show Dogs by Vicki Ronchette
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
Reaching the Animal Mind by Karen Pryor
Websites
www.positivetrainingforshowdogs.com
www.clickertraining.com
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