Level 3Experienced
When should you change your strategy?
Intermediate level — “I’m starting to understand”
It is time to adjust your strategy when the same difficulty keeps coming back, when your preparation no longer brings progress or when your schedule becomes hard on your pair.
A disappointing result can trigger some reflection. But before changing everything, work out what really needs changing: the training, your presentation, the conditions of the outing or the goal itself.
Here are three tips for deciding methodically.
1. Look for a trend behind the results
A lower placing is not enough to show that your preparation is going badly. Re-read several sheets from your notebook and look for facts:
- Does the same difficulty appear in training and at shows?
- Have several judges noted a similar point?
- Does your dog do well in a quiet place but struggle in a busy environment?
- Is your presentation improving despite varying placings?
The FCI regulations distinguish between grades, placings and awards. They state in particular that a “1st Excellent” does not guarantee the award of the CACIB. [1]
The absence of a certificate therefore does not automatically mean you must change your method.
The practical tip: put the problem into one observable sentence: “My dog jumps when I speed up”, rather than “We never win”.
2. Change what matches the problem
Your strategy includes several choices. Identify the one worth adjusting.
| What you notice | The change to consider |
|---|---|
| The dog only succeeds at home | Plan a progression to other places, with few distractions at first |
| The sessions are becoming confused | Simplify what you ask and choose one goal per session |
| Travelling or waiting goes badly | Review the venue, the journey, the set-up or the pace of outings |
| You don’t understand a recurring critique | Ask for an explanation or an experienced outside opinion |
| Your goal exceeds your current possibilities | Review it according to your dog’s maturity, your availability and your budget |
If your dog regularly shows fear or suddenly changes behaviour, start by understanding that difficulty. The RSPCA recommends asking the vet for advice in case of a change, and points out the value of reward-based training. [2]
The practical tip: choose a change that responds to what you have observed. Changing the calendar will not necessarily solve a difficulty with lead handling.
3. Test one specific change and measure its effect
When the situation allows, change one element at a time. You will better understand what helps your dog.
For example:
- Observation: my dog jumps while moving.
- Change tested: I look for a steadier speed on a short, quiet route.
- Sign expected: they keep their trot with a loose lead.
Then note what changes: regularity of gait, ease of the examination, stability of the stack or ability to settle.
If several suitable attempts do not clarify the difficulty, get some support. An observer can spot a gesture, a timing or a situation you don’t notice while showing your dog.
The practical tip: first assess the behaviour you are working on. A better placing may come later; it also depends on the dogs present and the judging on the day.
Your decision sheet
- The difficulty that keeps coming back: …
- What I have already tried: …
- The change I am going to test: …
- The sign of progress expected: …