As to going but not competing, that may be against the rules. If the dog is entered and present is should be in the ring. If it's there and not entered then it shouldn't be there.
Check to be sure about that. 07 was the last time I was in the AKC ring.

Tabatha, The Red Barn was where the competition was and I've made arrangements to go back there and train a few times, starting tomorrow. The competition this Sunday will be at the Poodle Farm, about 1 1/2 hours from Toronto towards Niagara Falls.

Bob, I entered the competition three weeks ago before I knew about the problems Sasha would have. The competition this past Friday, I signed up late just to use it as a practice run. I may change my entry on Sunday to FEO - for exhibition only. That way I can still use corrections because it doesn't really count.

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We had class tonight and did a few runs. When we got to the "360 circle to the left" I accidentaly bumped her and she started her crap. I corrected her and redid the sign and continued with no problems.

On our second run, I deliberately bumped her on a left turn and could see by her body language she was thinking about starting the crap again. I quickly put her into a down and kept her there until she was totally relaxed.

I then made her do the circles to the left again and again and again. Turns to the left are what seem to set her off. I guess when I bumped her, she thought I wanted to play. We will continue to train in lots of new places and drill the left turns with me bumping her sometimes until it's not an issue anymore.

That, and I'll make sure she's had a good run before we compete so she's not looking to play.

 Quote: Debbie Martin

Tabatha, The Red Barn was where the competition was and I've made arrangements to go back there and train a few times, starting tomorrow.

Cool!

 Quote: Debbie Martin

We had class tonight and did a few runs. When we got to the "360 circle to the left" I accidentaly bumped her and she started her crap. I corrected her and redid the sign and continued with no problems.

On our second run, I deliberately bumped her on a left turn and could see by her body language she was thinking about starting the crap again. I quickly put her into a down and kept her there until she was totally relaxed.

That's great that you were able to work through the problem. I am a huge proponent of reward-based motivational learning when teaching behaviours, but in my opinion, eventually some dogs need corrections to let them know that certain behaviours are not acceptable, or to clear up in their minds what is expected of them.

Semi-success!

Went back up to the Red Barn to train today and things went really well. When I deliberately bump Sasha on a left turn, she got a little excited but behaved herself perfectly. I have no problem with her being excited; I just don't want it out of control and I will not tolerate those teeth on my feet.

We are working on adding a new word "settle" into her commands. I'll have to do this in a sing-songy kind of voice so the Rally judge doesn't consider it a correction.

Ram, our new distraction training last night was at a small fireworks show in my neighbourhood (nothing close to the fireworks you trained in.) We just did some basic obedience; nothing fancy but I was quite pleased with how well she did.

What is the specific behavior you mark for "settle"?

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

What is the specific behavior you mark for "settle"?

I'm still trying to work that out right now. I've been getting her riled up and jumping around and then I stop and stand perfectly still. She will usually stop and stare at me and that's what I've been marking. I then give her a few simple commands like sit or touch to get her brain onto something else. I haven't named it yet and I'm not sure it will work. I'll give it another week or so and then decide if I'll continue with it or not.

Usually when we play fetch, and I want to stop the game, I'll just say "we're done" and she will drop whatever toy she has and just sit and stare at me. I guesss I'm trying to get her to relate being wound up playing fetch with being wound up and being a goof and then me stopping it. Actually now that I'm writing this down, I may just start using "we're done" instead of settle. Let me think about this.

I am open to suggestions.