Category: Performance Events ¤
  Author: Shirley Chong ¤
   Title: More on Matches ¤

   Sionag Black asked about what might be permissable at a match and
whether to ask permission.
   My take on this is that matches don't really count.  The AKC isn't
going to send me any pretty pieces of paper for a match, so why not     
use it as a training opportunity? With that in mind, I advise showing
at matches "for exhibition only." That takes the pressure off the
judge--they aren't worried that the people who are entered to compete
will complain if you do something that's out of line.
   I would NOT ask permission of the judge at any match to do
something that isn't usual. It puts the judge on the spot. If someone
DOES complain, you want the judge to be able to say "I didn't know
what was going to happen, I was just as surprised as you were." Fun
match or sanctioned match, it doesn't matter. Don't put the judge in
the position of having to take responsibility for what YOU want to do.

   Most judges will allow you to use a conditioned reinforcer in the
ring--I mean allow as in they won't immediately excuse you. If you
use a mouth cluck as your CR, even in sanctioned matches, the judge
will usually "rationalize" it as second commands. You know and I know
that it's not a second command at all--the important thing is the
chance to use it, not what anyone else thinks it is. Having said that,
I will say that if you find yourself needing to use your CR           
frequently in the match ring, it may be an indicator that you and
your dog aren't really ready to be there. Jackpotting in the ring is
much more useful, IMHO. If your dog takes the lack of a frequent CR
as meaning that you may just be getting ready to pull out a jackpot...
well, sure couldn't hurt attitude, could it? And of course, you can
train this.
   If you're at a sanctioned match and you're planning to jackpot in
the ring at some point, what is the worst thing that can happen? The
judge will excuse you. SO WHAT??? Expect to be excused! Take it in
stride, smile, thank the judge for their time, be very upbeat. You
got what you wanted, which was a chance to reinforce your dog in the
ring.


M. Shirley Chong
The Well Mannered Dog
Iowa City Iowa
tzjd72a@prodigy.com