A few weeks ago, I judged 9 dogs in Senior Earthdog. Three dogs passed, six had various non-qualifying problems. For several reasons, SE is often considered the most difficult level in AKC earthdog. A couple of the dogs I judged are new to SE, couldn't negotiate the more complicated tunnel, but continued to search. Most of the weekend's non-qualifying dogs have tried to pass senior many, many times, and have quit trying.
This reminds of the old saying "If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll get what you always got." In this case, you get a dog who is confused and frustrated. A frustrated dog isn't going to perform well, and a confused dog usually wanders around the test area, avoiding his handler.
One dog this weekend ran down the hole and just stayed there in an attempt to stay away from her person. She didn't even try to find the rats, just stayed underground until I told her handler to leave her leash with me and go back to the parking lot.
What can be done? First, take pity on the poor dog and stop putting them in a test that they are not prepared to deal with. Yes, the dog might have two SE legs (usually gained very early in the dog's earthdog career) but that doesn't mean that confusion and frustration haven't entered the picture. If you enter tests because you want to support your local earthdog club, just give them a donation and leave the dog at home.
What re-training can be done? Depending on the problem, I have several options for training for AKC earthdog tests. Here are some examples:
Common problem #1) Dog runs around avoiding the tunnel entrance. Possible solution: The Where's That Rat? Game. Place the caged quarry just inside the tunnel entrance. Don't help the dog find them, just let him run around until he catches the scent. If the dog still avoids the tunnel entrance, perhaps he isn't interested in finding the rats. That would require more basic training, or maybe even conceding that the dog doesn't have the go-to-ground instinct. If the dog finds and works the quarry, praise like crazy! Whoop it up! Get just as excited as your dog! Try to make it fun when you gently pick the dog up and take him back to the start line and let him find them again. Don't overdo this (or any earthdog training session). In the next session, put the rats further inside the entrance, so they are not readily visible. Continue in short sessions, until you can put the rats in the quarry end of the tunnel and the dog will quickly commit to finding them below ground.
Common problem #2) Dog runs above ground to the judge, and works the quarry from above ground. Possible solution: The Disappearing Rat Game. Set up a situation that looks like a real test, with someone acting as a judge. Do NOT place the quarry in the quarry end of the tunnel, but have them in a secure bucket away from the test area (in a nearby tree is good). Release the dog at the normal point, depending on the test. IF the dog goes in the hole, quickly pop the rats in the quarry end of the hole, so they are there when the dog arrives. IF the dog runs over to the judge, let him. There are no rats there, and no reward. I don't use corrections in training, ever, but I have no reservations about manipulating the environment to eliminate inappropriate rewards. If the dog leaves the quarry to come out and run to the judge, the judge should quickly remove the rats from the area. I would be very likely to play Where's That Rat a few times to get good drive to the hole.
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