Welcome to the October 2016 newsletter for TEAM!

What's In A Name?
 

TEAM is an acronym for Training Excellence Assessment Modules, but it means so much more to us!    The dictionary defines "team" as a number of people working together in a joint activity.    For our purposes, it is a dog and handler that form the TEAM and the key words are "working together".    Dog training and competition can be super fun and rewarding, but it can also bring frustration, anxiety and a range of other emotions, especially if you don't feel you've formed a true team with your dog.   One of the primary goals of the TEAM titling program is to ensure that both of you are having a wonderful time with the process of training and competing , and we hope you will join our friendly, supportive community in the TEAM Players Facebook Group to help you with that process of becoming a true team.   In this group you can share your brags, shed the occasional tear of frustration and help to support others in their training adventures.  

To help you with your training process, TEAM founder Denise Fenzi will host a Facebook Live session to answer your training questions for levels 1-3.  We will post notice within the group a few days prior so you can work on your questions!

The ten specific skill areas that are assessed in TEAM include:  Engagement and Focus, Heeling, Recalls, Fronts & Finishes, Distance Work, Targeting, Jumping, Retrieving, Scent Work, and Impulse Control.   The first skill listed is Engagement which is a huge topic and may overwhelm our handlers.   The TEAM program stresses Engagement, because we want you thinking about how to keep the connection with your dog while not actively performing a cued behaviour.   Connection is important for dog sports!   We need it to wait our turn, transport to a start line or between obedience exercises, keep our dog with us during judging delays and to manage our dogs in a training or competition environment.   There is no perfect formula that works for every dog.   Some need quiet, easy interaction and others need happy, active play.   Watch your dog and do what works best for your TEAM.  If you're struggling, post your efforts in the Facebook group and you just might get some answers!

Back It Up!
 

Fenzi Dog Sports Academy instructor Hannah Branigan recently posted a blog on her website on teaching a dog to backup.   If you want some great tips to teach your dog this behaviour which is found in many levels of TEAM then check it out.   Click to view the blog for part one and part two. 

NEWSLETTER TIP OF THE MONTH
TEAM Excellent levels:  Taking the Show on the Road
by Denise Fenzi
 

 
You’re zooming along through your levels, making excellent progress on your behaviors, and you’re starting to think more about taking the show on the road.
 
Great!  The basis of the initial “TEAM+” levels is working away from your familiar environment.  But how do we do that?
 
When you arrive in your new location, assess your dog’s behavior. Is your dog ready to do something with you? Don’t train a dog that doesn’t want to work! Just don’t.  You’ll end up begging and bribing - neither of which are going to get you through 13 behaviors in level 1 and 10 behaviors in level 2.  Walk your dog through the training area for as long as it takes for your dog to get bored.  When your dog starts to look to you for direction, THEN you might consider a bit of training.
 
Test your most simple behaviors before attempting more complex chains.  For example, at home you may well be working on Level 3 behaviors, but those will not be appropriate in a new public park - at least not initially. Instead, select four or five behaviors from Level 1 and see how your dog is working for you.  Keep in mind that the entire design of TEAM exercises is to make the initial Level 1 and 2 behaviors your foundation - you can never do them too much!   The more time your dog spends finding front, pivoting in heel and practicing going away and then returning (circling a cone or nose touch), the better!
 
How did your TEAM1 review go?  Did your dog perform quickly, with single cues and with a bright attitude?  Did you have to call your dog back to you between behaviors? Did you find yourself using excessive body language?
 
If your dog’s behavior was not up to par, then it’s time to change something.  But what?
 
1.  Change the location!  Maybe you selected a place that was too busy, or with too many interesting smells, or where your dog was feeling a bit fearful.  or….
2.  Change your expectations!  Maybe the environment really is fine, but your dog needs to be warmed up with even simpler behaviors. or….
3.  Change your attitude!  Are you being too stiff and formal?  Not much fun at all?  Forget training - get your dog back in the game and re-engaged.  Maybe a quick shaping session or “doodling” with a series of popular behaviors might do it.  For example, if your dog enjoys tricks like spin, sit up, back away, etc - try that.
4.  Change your motivators!  Kibble might be fine in your yard, but when you’re moving away from home, you might have to offer something a little better.
 
As a general strategy, work down one level when you are away from home.  For example, if you are training TEAM3 behaviors at home, then focus on TEAM2 skills at the public park; that’s a decent rule of thumb when you take the show on the road.
 
Remember, you’re a TEAM.  Make sure it’s working for both of you.
 
Click here for more information about the excellent level requirements.