Training Tips

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="097d2c03.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <center><a href="http://parthenis.com/copyrightbutton/copyright.cgi?Linda Topliss" target=_blank"><br>Click here to read how this page is protected by copyright laws.</a></center>  </B></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Linda Topliss</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Linda Topliss"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Training Days"><U>Training Days</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Profiles"><U>Profiles</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id156.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The French Connection"><U>The French Connection</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id152.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Demonstrations"><U>Demonstrations</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Otterhound"><U>The Otterhound</U></A>   |   <B>Training Tips</B>   |   <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Top Dogs"><U>Top Dogs</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Diary"><U>The Diary</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poetry Page"><U>Poetry Page</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Working Trials"><U>Working Trials</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whats on"><U>What's on</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun"><U>Fun</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Captions"><U>Captions</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Notice Board"><U>Notice Board</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letters"><U>Letters</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id157.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Switzerland"><U>Switzerland</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Guestbook"><U>Guestbook</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Food 4 Thought"><U>Food 4 Thought</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id154.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ryton on Dunsmore"><U>Ryton on Dunsmore</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crufts Photos"><U>Crufts Photos</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crufts Story"><U>Crufts Story</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crufts Two"><U>Crufts Two</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newark Show"><U>Newark Show</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All About Dogs"><U>All About Dogs</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Canine Supporters Charity"><U>Canine Supporters Charity</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Greyhounds"><U>Greyhounds</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Links"><U>My Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LDTC"><U>LDTC</U></A></div> <div> Training Tips</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> Why and How.</B></div> <div> <B>Warm-up and cool-down for freestyle dogs.</B></div> <div> <B>by</B></div> <div> <B>Attila Szkukalek</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.dogservices.co.uk/behaviourists/happypets.shtml" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.dogservices.co.uk/behaviouris"><U>http://www.dogservices.co.uk/behaviourists/happypets.shtml</U></A></div> <div> During a freestyle routine dogs perform many of the following moves: walk/trot/gallop/crawl forwards/backwards/sideways and in small and large circles, roll over, lift their paws, spin, jump in a straight line and more frequently in a circle, stand/jump/walk/spin on their rear legs. They have to perform these moves sometimes at high speed and most of the times on more (linoleum or tiles) or less (carpets) slippery surfaces throughout 2-6 minutes depending on the length of the routine. And last but not least they have to change from one move to another one in a split second at a certain beat of the music and several ten(s) of times depending on the level the team competes at and the difficulty of the routine. If the dog is not conditioned properly to the demand of the moves and not sufficiently warmed up before the exercise or routine it is exposed to the risk of injury.</div> <bR> <div> The goal of the warm-up is to tune the dog's mind and body to cope with the increased physical and mental demand in the most efficient way. With age the muscles, tendons and ligaments become stronger, shorter and more rigid and hereby more prone to injuries when they are stretched. The older the dog the more increasingly important the warm-up and the cool-down before and after the exercise become. The first part of the warm-up aims to increase the physiological and metabolic rates in the body; increasing; the heart rate and breathing, blood pressure and in consequence the oxygen and glucose (source of energy) supply and the temperature of muscles and joints. In a warm muscle the nerve impulses travel faster and the body reacts quicker also the muscles glide against each other better, which makes the move quicker and more precise. A warm muscle is less prone to sprains and ruptures than a cold one. The human muscles when cold are about 35-360C while the warmed-up muscle is 38 0C. This takes about 9 minutes to achieve and done through moves carried out at gradually increased rate. </div> <div> The second but nonetheless extremely important part of the warm-up is stretching the muscles connective tissues and tendons and the ligaments of the joints. Through the stretching exercises the muscles tendons and ligaments reach their maximum length which means that the muscles and joints will be flexible. The flexible muscles and ligaments enable the dog to spin, jump and turn quickly, smoothly and accurately without the risk of spraining or tearing the muscles, tendons or ligaments by sudden twisting or stretching moves.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The basic principles of warm-up are:</B></div> <div> Keep it light. Do not exercise the dog too long or too intensely! The warm-up is to prepare the body and not to tire it. The aim is to exercise all muscles that the dog uses during the routine.</div> <div> Do the warm-up on the same surface on which the dog has to perform. This helps the dog and also the body to adjust itself to the real conditions.</div> <div> Time it well. The dog should reach its mental and physical peaks just before entering the ring. Depending on the age, size, and physical condition of the dog and the difficulty of moves in the routine the warm-up can take 5-15 minutes. For older dogs the warm-up has to be more thorough and the build-up is slower than for juvenile and young dogs.</div> <div> Start the warm-up with the large muscles (legs, shoulders and spinal-column) and begin without straining the muscles or joints (e.g. walk, trot).</div> <div> Raise the difficulty and intensity of exercises gradually in parallel with the smoothness and ease of the dog's moves (e.g. walk, trot, and gallop).</div> <div> After the cardio-vascular system is in full action (walk, trot, walk on stairs, gallop, swimming) and the muscles are warmed up continue with stationary stretching and then with the dynamic stretching exercises that require flexibility from the joints and muscles (weaving, circles around the handler, play-bowing, lifting paws, tugging, crawling, spinning, walking backwards)</div> <div> <I>Note: proceed according to point 4. and progress from the least straining exercise towards the more demanding one.</I></div> <bR> <div> Do each warm-up exercise symmetrically Left/ Right, Clockwise/Anti-Clockwise and Forward/Backwards to warm-up muscles on all sides of the body equally.</div> <div> Warm-up the dog even before the shortest exercise which puts the muscles/joints under strain; even one wrong move can cause a serious injury!</div> <bR> <div> <B>A sequence of suggested warm-up exercises:</B></div> <div> Using your fingers a) rub the skin then b) gently move the skin in ¾ clockwise circles on the body, shoulders, hips and legs are all very important </div> <div> Massage the leg muscles Walk, Trot, (Walk on stairs), Gallop at Both Sides of the handler, Circles in both directions. Place your left arm under the dog's tummy and lift its rear end, then with your right hand gently push its left rear leg at its patella and stretch its legs backwards and hold it for 10 -30 seconds. Then place your right arm under the dog's tummy, lift its rear end, and with your left hand stretch the dog's right leg backwards. Alternatively lure the dog to the Lying Down position in a forward's movement so that it stretches the rear legs behind.</div> <div> <I>Note: do it very slowly and if the dog indicates any discomfort (tries to move) or you feel any resistance in the joints, stop stretching</I> <I>further.</I></div> <bR> <div> Hold the dog's front by placing your arm under its chest and slowly push its left front leg forwards under the elbow and hold it in the position for 10-30 seconds. Then stretch the dog's right front leg similarly. Alternatively ask the dog to Stand with it's front paws on your chest and keeping the dog in this position slowly stretch its front legs by pushing forwards under the elbows. With this exercise both the front and the rear legs are stretched as well as the spinal column.</div> <div> <I>Note: do it very slowly and if the dog signals any discomfort (tries to move) or you feel any resistance in the joints, stop stretching further.</I></div> <bR> <div> During exercises that require strength and speed e.g. jumps and standing/jumping on rear legs lactic acid is produced in the muscles which causes pain. Good blood circulation in the muscles is essential for breaking down the lactic acid and avoidance of sore muscles. Also through ageing and exercising the muscles, tendons and ligaments become stronger, shorter and more rigid. This leads to limited movement ability and increased injury risk in the long-term.</div> <div> Cooling down the body after an intense exercise gradually helps the body to remove the metabolic products from the cells and cleanse itself, hereby avoiding soreness and through the stretching the muscles, ligaments and tendons will stay elastic and flexible. This means the body will stay fit and the dog will not develop muscle and joint injuries and early arthritis.</div> <div> The cooling down follows the opposite trend to the warm-up. The intensity of the exercises is progressively decreased finishing with a walk and then the thorough stretching is an essential part of the cooling down. In this each muscle and joint used has to be stretched.</div> <div> The warm-up and cooldown programmes are essential to keep the dog in top physical and mental conditions and avoid injuries. However, practising and performing on proper surfaces are as much important. The ideal surface must be level, non-slippery and firm to allow the paws to turn and even slide, but moderately soft under the surface so that the dog lands softly after jumps and for the rear leg work. My practise surface preference is the slightly neglected cricket courses with 2-3 cm long dry grass. Non-slippery carpets with 0.2-0.4 cm (the thicker the better) rubber insulation underneath are also good indoor surfaces. I liked the children playground rubber surface indoors at the CHATS Centre in Christchurch. Linoleum and tile surfaces are a definite no no for freestyle dogs! In a short time the dog can pick up a serious injury while practising on these surfaces.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Copyright: Attila Szkukalek</B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="08d8e040.png" border=0 width="398" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Trebuchet MS" ><B>Golden Rules for Good Training</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">1. Bond with your dog - </B>the most important phase - your dog must want to please you.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">2.Teach your dog that food and toy are of equal value -</B> if your dog prefers one to another use the weakest one only until the dog is responding better to it.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">3. Remain quiet and calm - shouting at your dog will not make it obey the command with attitude - </B>firstly make sure that your dog fully understands what is expected of it - then if the dog is neither off colour or tired become more effective by not giving the dog the opportunity to go wrong.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">4. Clickers work well when used properly - </B>the clicker has got to be one of the most wonderful training aids ever invented, if you don't understand how to use one, read up on the subject first, before experimenting on your dog.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">5.  If the dog is wrong, look at yourself first - </B>most dogs don't really want to test their handlers all the time, many handlers make the same mistakes over and over again - watch your body signals, dogs are masters at reading body language. Make sure your voice is correct. Make certain your motivation level is high enough. Practice time out for wrong behaviour, be ready at any stage of the dogs training to revert to basics<B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">6. Most problems are caused by the dog being in the wrong frame of mind for the job required - </B>so make sure that you get your dogs attitude correct before you ask too many questions.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">7. Attention - </B>the problem most handlers have to a greater or lesser degree - be interesting don't bore the dog, reward when it tries, don't just wait for perfection, shape what you want<B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">8. Have a lesson plan in mind so you can see the progress you are making, </B>but be prepared to change it if the dog is not responding and you cannot put your finger on the problem.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">9. Observe your dog closely, try to discover what he really likes and dislikes, </B>some dogs love physical contact, some hate it, some dogs are rewarded by being given a rest, some are rewarded by being given the opportunity to work more.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">10. Be Fair -</B> Do not assume because the dog has got it right a few times that it really understands what you want, It's a partnership requiring give and effort on both sides. Most of all remember we don't have them long enough, enjoy them while you can.</div> <bR> <div> Linda</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="08d8e040.png" border=0 width="398" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>IF</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can overlook when people take things out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can take criticism and blame without resentment,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can face the world without lies and deceit,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can conquer tension without medical help,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can relax without liquor,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can sleep without the aid of drugs,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>IF you can do all these things,</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Scroll down...</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Then you are probably the family dog.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oldoak Sky Rocket."</div> <bR> <div>  Linda.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="08d8e040.png" border=0 width="398" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Dog towels in the bathroom! Oh! No! No! </B></I></div> <div> <I>Let me out.........Nooooo..........She won - I had a bath. Just because- </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Lets start at the beginning.</I></div> <bR> <div> Hi! My name is Wooly - posh one "Oldoak Sky Rocket."</div> <bR> <div> My mum is Susan Hughes (thank you Della for letting me choose her)</div> <bR> <div> In November 1995 Linda, who trains my Mumz (not me - Mumz makes all the mistakes) suggested we went in for a new competition/demonstration called Heelwork To Music</div> <bR> <div> First find the music, originally Mumz wanted to do it to "Teddy Bears Picnic" and Elvis singing "I want to be your Teddy Bear" but apparently the beat didn't suit her feet and my paws. So after a lot of listening Mumz decided paws and feet fitted "Anchors Aweigh." So we practised etc. Two weeks before"The Date" we showed our routine to Linda."Weeell!" she says,Oooooooohh!" says Mumz (we know what Linda's weeell's mean- they mean hard work,) so a suggestion here, a why not there - the routine was changed. Again we practised, firstly on the dog club ground, then on a pub car park. The latter having an influence on our routine.</div> <bR> <div> Part of the schedule said "Attire appropriate to music." Out came the sewing machine and she made herself a sailor suit, quite smart she looked too. Then she looked at me - you've guessed it- THE BATH!</div> <bR> <div> The great day dawned (27th April 1996 ) originally we were drawn 20 out of 35, but only 24 eventually competed, therefore we were on sooner. Off we started, funny can't remember this bit - but being the obedient soul that I am, I followed (She later admitted she had forgotten some.) Now to the pub influence, she pretended to - or did she actually drink some rum and was drunk? Oh! The shame! What's that? The audience are laughing. Oh well, so we carried on and finished with a snappy salute (right hand and right paw.) I think the audience enjoyed it as they clapped and cheered and some came up and congratulated us. How did we do? We came 13th out of the 24. We beat some Obedience C handlers.</div> <bR> <div> <B>BUT MORE IMPORTANT </B>- I can say definitely I'm the very first OES to have done "Heelwork To Music" in this country.</div> <bR> <div> When's the next?</div> <div> Wooly</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="08e8e040.png" border=0 width="398" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> opyright</div> <bR> <div>  <script language="JavaScript1.2">  </script> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="-2"> DHTML script provided by<br> <a href="http://www.dvproductions.co.uk">Fullforce</a></font></p>  </div> <bR> <div>  <script language="JavaScript">  </script>  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>