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