Transforming An Overwhelmed And Anxious Dog Into A World Champion - DeCaff’s Story Part 1

Imagine a dog or puppy so overwhelmed by everything they see, hear or feel that it causes anxiety and crushes their confidence. Before transforming into a world agility champion, this was my Jack Russell Terrier mix, DeCaff. In part one of this two-part series I’m sharing six lessons DeCaff taught me as well as a candid reflection on how I uniquely approached some of my toughest dog training challenges. DeCaff ultimately blossomed into a brilliant agility dog– as well as a loving, calm family pet – who inspired many of the renowned Recallers online dog training games being played worldwide today. This is her journey.

🐾Key Episode Moments:
00:00 DeCaff’s Story: Over-aroused, anxious Jack Russell Terrier mix to world champion agility competitor.
00:21 Lessons, reflections and a few regrets when training an overwhelmed agility dog.
01:11 How DeCaff came into my life.
01:52 DeCaff inspired several Recallers online dog training games.
02:03 When DeCaff first attacked another puppy at 9 weeks old.
02:36 DeCaff’s sensitivity to tactile stimulation and new textures.
03:17 Sounds made by wind made my dog worry.
03:38 Lesson 1: Puppy selection.
04:17 DeCaff’s stellar physiology and structure for canine sports.
05:17 My first concern when selecting puppies.
06:14 Dog training seminar trip gone awry.
07:28 Lesson 2: Importance of arousal state when training dogs.
07:40 The Yerkes-Dodson arousal curve.
08:26 Increase your dog’s joy for training in distracting environments.
08:51 Lesson 3: Create a positive environment for yourself and your dog.
09:40 DeCaff’s competition career accomplishments.
11:26 On self-worth by Elliott Connie.
12:24 How I discovered my dog’s best reinforcer.
13:29 Lesson 4: Be sure never to force what you think is important on the dog when you’re picking their best reinforcer.
14:05 Lesson 5: Transfer of value.
16:33 How DeCaff and I won the ESPN Great Outdoor Games - and $10K.
19:47 Lesson 6: Take the challenge out of your training.
20:45 Reflections on my 3 toughest dogs to train.

Resources:
1. Podcast Episode 168: Creating Confidence For Anxious, Stressed Or Reactive Dogs Part 1 -    • Creating Confidence For Anxious, Stre...  
2. Podcast Episode 95: How Playing with Your Dog Like a Puppy Can Reduce Fear -    • How Playing with Your Dog Like a Pupp...  
3. Podcast Episode 159: Help! My Puppy Is A Bully And Plays Too Rough -    • Help! My Puppy Is A Bully And Plays T...  
4. Podcast Episode 180: Taking Your Puppy To A Café Or Restaurant: Socialization Success -    • Taking Your Puppy To A Café Or Restau...  
5. Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing -    • The Thing Before Your Dog's Thing #16  
6. Podcast Episode 36: Puppy Selection: How I Do It and Why I Didn’t This! Time -    • Puppy Selection: How I Do It and Why ...  
7. Book: Shaping Success by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-...
8. Podcast Episode 13: Naming Your Puppy or Dog -    • Naming Your Puppy or Dog #13  
9. Podcast Episode 78: How to Train a Rescue Dog with Behavior Problems -    • How to Train a Rescue Dog with Behavi...  
10. Podcast Episode 221: Mindshifting Dog Behavior Problems To Overcome Extreme Training Challenges -    • Mindshifting Dog Behavior Problems To...  
11. Podcast Episode 197: Outsmarting Distractions: How To Use Environmental Reinforcement in Dog Training -    • Outsmarting Distractions: How To Use ...  
12. Podcast Episode 86: How to Train Unmotivated or Overexcited Dogs -    • How to Train Unmotivated or Overexcit...  
13. Podcast Episode 206: First Dog Agility Competition: Creating Joy For This! By Maximizing Reinforcement -    • First Dog Agility Competition: Creati...  
14. Podcast Episode 228: Navigating Failure In Dog Training: What’s Your Plan B? -    • Navigating Failure In Dog Training: W...  
15. Podcast Episode 220: Help Humping, Barking, Destructive, Reactive Dogs Overcome Dysregulation: 4 Case Studies -    • Help Humping, Barking, Destructive, R...  
16. Podcast Episode 208: Brilliance, Resilience And Gratitude: Inspiration And Motivation With Elliott Connie -    • Brilliance, Resilience And Gratitude:...  
17. Podcast Episode 25: Why All Dogs Can Bite and How to Reduce the Risk with R.E.A.D. -    • Why All Dogs Can Bite and How to Redu...  
18. Podcast Episode 205: The Hidden World Of Reinforcement For Dogs And Why You Need To Know -    • The Hidden World Of Reinforcement For...  
19. Podcast Episode 226: Safe Toys For Dogs And Why To Avoid Tennis Balls And Sticks -    • Safe Toys For Dogs And Why To Avoid T...  
20. Podcast Episode 31: 5 Simple Hacks to Help Your Dog Learn Faster (Reinforcement Process) -    • 5 Simple Hacks to Help Your Dog Learn...  
21. Podcast Episode 177: Dog Training Outside The Box: Transfer Of Value Case Study -    • Dog Training Outside The Box: Transfe...  
22. Podcast Episode 203: Reactive, Unmotivated and Fearful: Finding Resiliency For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 1 -    • Reactive, Unmotivated and Fearful: Fi...  
23. Podcast Episode 150: Adding Mindset To Your Dog Training Tools: Who Do You Become? -    • Adding Mindset To Your Dog Training T...  
24. Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? -    • Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Nee...  

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