ROUND - SILVER

Now that the dog is able to consistently do Round, pointing in any direction at the training venue, the dog is now ready to be introduced to the distraction of other dogs running in an adjacent or nearby lane. These distraction dogs can be doing any Dog-Game in the other lane while the dog that is doing Round is being sent to run round the traffic cone (or similar obstacle) at various times, depending on which certificate it is attempting.

The introduction of distraction training is very important in any Dog-Game as many dogs (particularly those bred to chase prey or herd animals) have a very strong instinct to chase anything that moves. This instinct is even more heightened when the dog is working and excited, so the dog needs to learn that taking his eyes off the motivator and running to the netting results in him not being given the motivator and the withdrawal of his handler's attention. The dog soon realises it is far more fun to play the Round Game rather than make a futile attempt at chasing the other dog, which he can never reach due to the netting being used as a barrier between the lanes.

It may seem rather pointless to take so long over distraction training. However, this early training will be very beneficial once the dog progresses on to Bounce & Round when it has to cope with doing sendaways over jumps as well.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT A BARRIER, SUCH AS PLASTIC NETTING, BE USED BETWEEN THE TWO DOGS WHEN DOING SILVER. This prevents either dog running into the other's lane and causing it harm if it becomes over-excited or anxious.
You can use either two or three lanes when teaching a dog to do Round Silver. Three lanes is particularly useful as one dog can work in Lane One, the other in Lane Three, and Lane Two can be kept empty. This is because some dogs need to have quite some distance between them and another dog to do Silver, and the empty lane with the two sets of netting between the dogs helps them to cope better with the situation.

TRAINING

See Guidelines for a full explanation of how to set up for success. Ideally the dog should be trained in exactly the same location that it was first taught Recall.

Training and test for Level 1 certificate
Dog does a Round run to the traffic cone (which is 51ft from poles) while another dog is doing a Dog-Game in the adjacent lane - both dogs starting at the same time and in the same direction. The handler must only reward their dog if it runs around the traffic cone and returns through the poles without hesitation or being distracted by the other dog. A certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session.

Set up the two lanes (see diagram) using the first location that the dog learned Round in. Try to set the two sets of finish poles as far apart as possible so that there is the maximum amount of distance between the two dogs running. This distance can be lessened as the dog becomes accustomed to the presence of the distraction dog.

1. Begin the session with the Round dog doing a sendaway to the traffic cone over a distance of 6ft or so while the other dog is running in the other lane.

2. If the learner dog becomes distracted by the presence of the other dog in the other lane and goes to the netting, the handler should say nothing but run to the far end of the runback area ignoring the learner dog completely and putting its motivator away. The handler of the distraction dog should praise it for returning to him and give it its motivator. Meanwhile, give the learner dog the opportunity to think through how it has not been rewarded, yet the other dog has. As soon as it looses interest in the goings on in the adjacent lane, the handler should quietly approach the dog and put it back on its lead and return to the poles that are close to the cone (ie where it was last sent from) and repeat the exercise. If the learner dog is still unsuccessful, reduce the distance that the distraction dog runs and, if possible, increase the distance between the two lanes even more. The learner dog is learning by trial and error that it is far more fun to return to its handler and be rewarded, than stare forlornly at the distraction dog that it cannot reach.

3. Once the dog is consistently doing the Round run without being distracted, the handler can gradually move the poles back and increase the distance over a period of time until the learner dog is able to do a complete Round run with the poles 51ft away from the cone.

4. Ideally, the certificate should be attempted when the dog has had no practice training sessions within the past hour. The dog enters the Round lane and does 5 faultless runs in a row, without once going wrong (ie running past the poles rather than going through them; failing to run round the cone; becoming hesitant and running back to its owner before it has reached the cone;etc).*

Training and test for Level 2 certificate
Dog does a Round run to the traffic cone(which is 51ft from poles) while another dog is doing a Dog-Game in the adjacent lane - the Round dog will be sent to do its run as the distraction dog is beginning its return from the 51ft marker in the other lane (ie dogs are running in opposite directions). The handler must only reward their dog if it runs around the traffic cone and returns through the poles without hesitation or being distracted by the other dog. A certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session.

Set up the two lanes as in Level One but instead of releasing the dogs from the start at the same time, the distraction dog will run first and the learner dog should be released the moment the distraction dog begins its run back from the 51ft marker (so that the dogs are running in opposite directions). Take in to consideration the difficulties the dog had doing Level One and set the lanes up at a reasonable distance apart.

The location of the lanes in the training venue is not so important at the moment but should be taken into consideration should the dog have difficulties coping with the exercise.

5. Repeat steps 1-4, but with the distraction dog running in the opposite direction to the learner dog as it is sent away to the traffic cone. Some dogs find this type of distraction training hardest of all as they desperately want to change direction and follow the other dog to see what it is doing or the reward it will be getting. Persevere by taking very small training steps and setting the dog up to succeed as much as you can.*

Training and test for Level 3 certificate
Dog does a Round run to the traffic cone (which is 51ft from poles) ideally while two or more distraction dogs are doing changeovers in a Dog-Game in the adjacent lane. The handler must only reward their dog if it runs around the traffic cone and returns through the poles without hesitation or being distracted by the other dog. A certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session.

Set up the two lanes (see diagram) as in Level One but take in to consideration the difficulties the dog had doing Levels One and Two, setting the lanes up at a reasonable distance apart.

6. Repeat steps 1-4, but with the ultimate distraction of a variety of dogs running backwards and forwards doing their Dog-Games while the learner dog does a Round run. By this time the dog should be totally oblivious to what is going on around it and can cope with any distraction *

Having gained a certificate at Levels 1, 2 and 3 the dog has now earned its Silver Round rosette.

The dog can now progress on to Gold Round.

* With each certificate, please send in your Dog-Games Entry Form giving the details of where and when you passed the Silver Round certificate and with the appropriate fees.

As soon as the Entry Form and fees are received the Dog-Games staff will enter your dog's details on the website Roll of Honour, so that you have a record of its achievements as it progresses through the Dog-Games, and your certificate (and your rosette when you gain the third certificate) will be posted to you.

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