By the St. Hubert's Dog Training School

You work very hard -- and very long -- in class and in training preparing your dogs and yourselves to compete. How do you know when it's time to send in your entry? How do you set reasonable goals? This is particularly difficult for Novice A handlers since it's the first time for handler and dog. Of course, the answer is not simple and there is no easy formula. Instead, there are a number of issues to consider. Let's think about them, especially for the Novice A team.

Let's begin with your performance as a team. How close can you hope to come to that elusive perfect 200 score? Be realistic when you consider how good your half of the team can be. Consider your resources of:

• Time
• Effort and energy
• Self Discipline
• Dog training talent
• Patience and endurance
• Physical abilities

Most of you have ample resources in most of these areas, which is terrific. Some areas may seem like a total loss, but are they really? I've seen determined students make tremendous strides, defying all odds to improve themselves. Perhaps you can, too!

Now for the canine half of the team. How large are your dog's resources of:

• Genetic predisposition for training
• Working drive
• Desire to please
• Play drive
• Food Drive
• Intelligence
• Mental Endurance
• Emotional endurance
• Physical abilities

Aim to train your dog to reach his potential, whatever it is. It is unfair and perhaps cruel to try to make your dog into something he cannot be. Your goal should always include the happiness and enjoyment of your dog. Also remember that top competitors often spend years searching for the perfect puppy for this sport. You, most likely, got your dog to be your pet and then drafted him into this sport. If you can bring out his best, then you have succeeded.

So once you've set some reasonable goals as to what kind of performance you think your team is capable of in competition, how do you prepare to compete? First, of course, you and your dog must perform at your desired level consistently in everyday training. Consistently doesn't mean he "does well" on a good day. It means he always does that well -- it's his normal way of working. When this is achieved, then you must take your practice performance and make it a competition ring performance. At this point, a number of critical factors must be addressed because of the conditions under which we compete.

You and your dog must be able to perform at your desired level in any new location. Judges don't offer to come to your backyard where your dog is comfortable and works his best! In fact, the difference in performance in a dog trained in one location gave rise to the term "backyard genius." Is this your dog? I know it takes time and effort but good competition dogs are trained in new locations constantly. I have about ten outdoor locations where my dog and I train regularly. I keep a utility "ring" (gates, jumps, etc.) in my car and we train at these places at least two or three times a week. To train in new locations indoors, arrange for ring rentals at other schools or clubs. I have about eight places where we train indoors. The travel time and money can add up, but it's worth it if you plan to show indoors. A great idea is to get together with others and rent facilities together. You can share the cost, help each other train, and have more fun!

You and your dog must be able to perform at your desired level with distractions that occur at dog shows - people, dogs, noise, food, etc. Is your dog a vacuum genius? Attention training maximizes dogs’ ability to focus, but dogs need varying amounts of distraction work. Work your dog with distractions to the degree that he needs to be reliably focused on his work. When you go to new locations, distractions are often waiting for you which are much more realistic than "set-ups."

Your dog must be able to perform at the desired level with no help from you. Many handlers do not realize how much help -- often quite unconsciously -- they give their dogs in training. How often do you give a verbal cue (easy) (hurry) or a body cue (tapping your leg to straighten a front, using your foot to fix a sit? Do you help your dog using the leash with a tug here and a tug there? Dogs depending on such aids are lost in the ring when the aids are suddenly gone.

Your dog must be able to perform at the desired level with no motivational aids except for the brief praise allowed between exercises. How long can your dog heel accurately and confidently with no praise? How fast is his recall when he knows there is no food? How many exercises can he do in succession with no play? You have only moments between exercises to praise your dog as you are moving to the next setup pint. Can your dog perform the entire class confidently and accurately with only this praise?

As a team, can the two of you move through the class smoothly and confidently? Do you have clearly in mind exactly what is expected at each step? Is your handling as flawless as possible? Is your dog experienced in moving between exercises and doing each exercise only once before moving on? Most of this experience comes from doing run-through and going to matches. How many matches have you been to? Novice A handlers need lots of matches to really get comfortable. It may not be tops on your list for your weekend, but do it anyway! A lot to think about? Yes! A lot of work to do? Probably! Well, put your dog and your stuff in the car and just do it! The rewards are great and are well worth the effort. And, when the judge asks, "Are you ready?" you will be able to answer with confidence, "Yes!"