First Dog Agility Competition: Creating Joy For This! By Maximizing Reinforcement #206

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In episodes 203 and 204, I shared a two-part deep dive on the metabolic and performance struggles overcome by This!, my 2.5 year-old Border Collie. After a road to recovery with dotted with setbacks, I entered This! in the World Team Tryouts for dog agility. In this episode, I’m sharing my plan, my goal, how I achieved it, and how it could impact your dog training, even if you don’t do dog sports.

In the episode you'll hear:

• My strategy to maximize joy for dog sport competitions, matches, and training classes. • Why I consciously chose a lighthearted attitude and commissioned a custom leash that sparks joy. • My planning so that This!'s first agility competition could be a success for her. • A review of our agility and jumpers runs at the big event. • My 5-step strategy for injecting joy into any activity or experience with your dog. • Step 1: Create a goal of maximizing joy. • Step 2: Know the rules around how you're able to reinforce the dog during the event or activity. • How we used a 'chase-tug-restrain' game for joy for This! at the event. • Step 3: Create a strategic plan around where and when you'll provide high value reinforcement. • Step 4: Rehearse the plan. • Step 5: Execute the plan with joy, have fun and celebrate! • How to use FEO / NFC opportunities to create joy for dogs. • How the energy of the crowd supporting me and This! moved me deeply. • Why allowing yourself grace is vital because everyone, including me, was a beginner once. • That joy results from clarity and how that boosts your dog's confidence.

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 203: Reactive, Unmotivated and Fearful: Finding Resiliency For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 1  - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/203/ 2. Podcast Episode 204: Dog Behavior And Diet: Recovery For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 2  - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/204/ 3. 4MyMerles Creations (Tug Toys, Leashes and More)  - https://www.4mymerles.com/product-category/say-yes/ 4. Podcast Episode 172: How To Teach Your Dog Anything With My Training Plan  - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/172/ 5. Podcast Episode 205: The Hidden World Of Reinforcement For Dogs And Why You Need To Know  - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/205/ 6. YouTube Video: Dog Training Reinforcement Process: How, Where and When Are You Rewarding Your Dog?  - https://youtu.be/JgmJ5f_u594 7. YouTube Playlist: Mastery of Positive Reinforcement Based Dog Training  - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy20_Ko8p2SaE6B2IT4o6g6K 8. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube  - https://youtu.be/OuGiUXUKbDw