About Agile Paws Training

Agile Paws - K9s & Agility is run by me, Christin Fritzler (Swetnam). I am a small town farmer's wife in Northern Colorado who has been training dogs and competing in agility for 10 years. I currently have 5 dogs of my own, 4 of which are active agility dogs. Cody, Indie, Millie, Aleo, & Yahzi.

This blog was created to show people the process of my training methods, thoughts and ideas I have, and general doggie fun. It will show day by day videos and/or blogs about what we have done and our progress. Here is a little bit about why I chose this method and what this method is about.

I first decided to completely change my method of training when my oldest agility dog almost completely shut down. She seemed very depressed and was not excited to run in agility. She started to slow down and would pass by obstacles and blow me off. I could see it in her eyes and she was no longer enjoying herself. This is when I decided to change the way I trained. (This was about 7 years ago with my first competitive
agility dog - Skye).

While researching, my friend, Hannah, gave me a link to Silvia Trkman's website to learn how she gets her famous running contacts. I was so inspired by all she has achieved and the dedication she has to her dogs that I looked further into her training. I was so amazed by her success that I began looking up more World competitors. I also looked on Clean Run for some videos or books by famous handlers. I came across Susan Garrett's 2x2 weave training. I didn't know much about it, but it really caught my eye. In February 2009, I got her DVD and watched the whole thing. The way she trains her dogs made so much sense to me. If you punish a dog for something they don't understand, it only makes them not want to work for fear of failure. Teaching them that failing is okay is something we teach children, so why wouldn't we want to teach our dogs that!?

The method I am using is commonly known as positive reinforcement and shaping. For some tricks, I may have to shown the dog what I want, but for others it is something that they can figure out on their own. It works by introducing the dog slowly and encouraging any kind of behavior that may lead to the final trick you want to accomplish. You then begin challenging their minds by asking for more. This teaches the dog to think through each process and keep thinking about what I want and how to get that treat or toy.

Instead of corrections when the dog makes a mistake, a laugh or a "whoops!" or "oh no, try it again!" with a still happy, but not praising voice will teach the dog that failing isn't bad, but it isn't what is wanted either. They then try again and if they make the mistake, do the same thing. This will teach them that training and working is fun and failure is okay. They learn that if they do something wrong, it's okay, just try again and when it is right, they will get the toy or treat. When they catch on, they will continually repeat what is wanted with joy and pleasure because the behavior was reinforced, not corrected.

I have been training this way since I first learned about it and have had tremendous success! All my dogs LOVE training and love me and it's so fun for all of us. I can have all my dogs off leash together on the farm and they are all looking at me for something to do because they know how fun and rewarding working with me is. This is so much better than correcting a dog for every little mistake.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Foundation Training Day 3

March 3, 2009:

Foundation Training Day 2

Skye is probably doing the best at this point. She is responding well with the treats and positive reinforcement rather than corrections. Swift is also doing well, just working on focusing on what is at task, then ball and play. Indie is well in the morning, but did a lot worse in the afternoon. She did not respond well at all.
I am adding challenges to the ones who are improving consistently. Right now mainly Skye and Swift. I am asking for a "hand" when my hand is above their head, I am doing their other tricks then asking for a "hand" to see if they are understanding the concept, and I am putting them in a stay in an area where they can't see me then releasing them and asking for a "hand." Skye is responding very well to this and showing me that she knows what she is doing.

Trick: Hand Touch
Command: "Hand"

Skye (Australian Shepherd-4 years)

Skye is doing awesome, by Session 5 she already knows what she is supposed to be doing and is working on the actual command now. She is doing an excellent job, I am very proud of her! Skye had the highest success rate and the least number of stalls today! Go Skye!

Session 1 (5:30 am)
Stalled Out: 4 times
Success Rate: 78%

Session 2 (4:30 pm)
Stalled Out: 1 time
Success Rate: 92% (14% increase!)


Swift (Border Collie-10 months)

Swift is showing improvement and catching on quickly as well. She is being very responsive. She is beginning to focus on the task rather than the ball, but still has her moments. She is doing great though!

Session 1 (5:30 am)
Stalled Out: 2 times
Success rate: 85%

Session 2 (4:30 pm)
Stalled Out: 4 times
Success Rate: 80% (5% decrease)


Indie (Border Collie-2 years)

Indie is very good this morning, but not so well in the afternoon. I think the biggest reason is there wasn't enough value in what was being asked and she wasn't motivated and driven enough to try. Session 1 I used treats and was in a small room. Session 2 I used a ball and was outside. I like to vary what kind of treats and toys I use so they don't associate one toy or treat with that trick. So I varied it up for Indie and she must not have liked it so much. I will use treats for awhile and occasionally throw in a ball when she is motivated to work for a toy.

Session 1 (5:30 am)
Stalled Out: 3 times
Success Rate: 83%

Session 2 (4:30 pm)
Stalled Out: 4 times
Success Rate: 63% (20% decrease)

Click Here to see a video of today's training

Thanks for reading!! Feel free to contact me about any questions you may have.
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