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CONNIE'S CORNER

Training Q&A - Unwanted Sniffing & Multiple Failures preparing to show scent articles Jan 26, 2023

Recently, I hosted a webinar- Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Your Goals. 

The first question in this video involved a dog that is sniffing the ground on his way to the scent...

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Are You 100% Prepared to Compete? preparing to show proofing Jul 12, 2022

It is extremely disappointing to be in the ring and have something unusual occur that derails your performance.

I teach seminars all over the country, and I hear the word “proofing” a...

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Choreographing Your Performance preparing to show Jul 05, 2022

As a child, I did a lot of acting so I know that every movement on a stage is planned. The same can be true for your obedience performance. 

In last week's blog post I suggested that...

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Creating a Warm-Up that Works! preparing to show warm-up Jun 27, 2022

It certainly seems that after you teach your dog to perform the obedience exercises, you should be able to enter an obedience trial and earn your title. 

However, simply learning the exercises...

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Disappointing Ring Performance? Utilize the Fix n’ Go! fix n' go preparing to show proofing Jun 02, 2022


There is nothing more frustrating than a mistake your dog only makes in the ring.

The AKC recently amended the Obedience Regulations to include the Fix n’ Go.
Do you have the tools to...

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The Perfect Performance- Animated and Accurate! inspirational preparing to show May 17, 2022

When we are competing in obedience, our dog's mindset should be both, animated and accurate.

I don't think our dogs can be in that perfect balance at all times. If training has been...

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Herrnstein's Matching Law preparing to show reward markers Jan 20, 2022

Last fall, M and I made our Utility debut. In this video, she failed, and this performance offers me a great way to bring up and explain Herrnstein's Matching Law, which says;

"When there are...

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Warming Up Using Your Reward Marker preparing to show Jul 01, 2021

Warming up, before your performance, can be difficult due to limited space and Covid restrictions.

If you use a Reward Marker (clicker or word), and your dog has a powerful response to that...

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Proofing is Not Just Adding Random Distractions preparing to show proofing May 04, 2021
Proofing Part II:

The word, proofing, is bandied about, and there are even “proofing classes” being taught. This makes me nervous, as extreme distractions can easily make a dog...

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What is Proofing? benefits of mistakes preparing to show proofing Apr 28, 2021
Proofing Part I:

One of the greatest frustrations for obedience competitors is failing.
Not earning a green ribbon is a drag.

Years ago, I had a dog that was very inconsistent. He would go from...

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Never Waste A Mistake! inspirational preparing to show Apr 05, 2021


When you are competing, no matter the level, it is easy to let the cloud of disappointment overwhelm you when our dog makes an error in the ring. A failure can feel like a waste; a waste of time,...

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Judges' Perspective: an evening with Bob & Cathy Knight obedience preparing to show Aug 30, 2020

On August 25, I had the pleasure of conducting a webinar with judges, Bob and Cathy Knight.

Bob and Cathy have been training dogs together for nearly 50 years. Together, they have earned 7...

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UDX or OTCH? goals inspirational preparing to show Feb 18, 2020

A friend called the other night to tell me she'd gotten her third UD leg. "I'm going to start entering Open and Utility now, and I'd like to try for UDX legs." She told me.

"Hold on," I told...

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The 70/30 Split obedience preparing to show Jan 08, 2020

It certainly seems that after you teach your dog to perform the obedience exercises, you should be able to go to an obedience trial, and earn your title.  Unfortunately, simply learning the...

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