Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Ok, so let’s use just the toy, no bowls. But for the next few weeks, throw the toy every 4-6 obstacles that you do. It will keep the rate of reinforcement high and minimize the possibility of handler errors.
Tracy tells me off too for stuff! lol!
Hi Susan,
Apologies for the delay in responding. It’s been a difficult week for me personally.
The genetic connection to several dogs in the line with similar issues has be wondering why the breeder continues to breed that line. It’s frustrating for the handler and difficult for the dog.
“Unfortunately, “practice” in the trial environment is not something that works readily for Avery. I took her to a CPE trial on Saturday for two runs. The first run of the trial was Jumpers. Because of the poles in the building and the placement of the broad jump (I did not want to take it in the wrong direction), my options for designing my own course of under seven obstacles was seriously limited. I picked an easy sequence of five obstacles that ended in the middle of the actual course. Avery reacted exactly as she had in the past – she never really built much speed, she was confused by why we stopped running in the middle of the course layout, and she thought it was really weird that we had to go half the distance of the ring to get to the exit gate. That type of “practice” sequence feels unpredictable to her in my opinion, and I wonder if that creates some negative fallout for her.”
>> There is a building-block process that we can do so that she is comfortable with practicing in the ring. This includes weaving in the Remote Reinforcement game that Tracy teaches. I would have to continue working with you in order to take you through the process. The way we set her up to go back into the competition ring didn’t work for her, so we would have to make adjustments and tweaks. There comes a point in the dog’s training program that we have to do the work in the competition ring itself because that’s a state of arousal we cannot duplicate anywhere else. We can get close when training in class and at home, but it’s still not the same.
What Remote Reinforcement class are you taking?
I understand wanting to pause on going back into the trial environment. Definitely do what you are most comfortable with. And yes, there is a lot you can still do outside of the competition ring.
If you’d like to continue working with me, I would love to. If you would like to try some other things, I understand. 🙂
Hi Kathleen!
Video 1-
Do you see how frantic his sniffing is? It’s GREAT that he can focus on the Snuffle Mat. Over time, you will likely see the intensity of the sniffing decrease, which is good!For how long did you keep him in the building? What did you do with Vinny after leaving the building? Can he do the Up & Down Game in this setting?
When Vinny is sitting and looking at you while eating treats, what was going on around you guys?
Video 2-
While sitting and watching agility from the distance you are in the video, try doing the Up & Down Game instead of just letting him watch. Let’s see if we can help Vinny practice dividing his attention.About a minute in, when Vinny is not responding to you with a food prompt, it’s time to leave the building. By pushing at his hip or pulling by his leash, it’s just going to build the arousal over time. He is in Zone 4 and cannot respond to you. Forcing him to stay close to you and in the building only builds frustration.
Yes, definitely bring him in with the Snuffle Mat. Take video of your runs, including what you do before you go into the ring and what you do after. That way I can give you feedback.
Also, please take video of doing the 1-2-3 Game at home, in the house and in your yard so that I can give feedback. Also, I agree, build value for this game away from the other dogs. We can likely bring the dogs into the picture sooner than you think. Also, use people food, if your dog doesn’t have any food allergies. The higher-value food will capture his attention better and make more of an impact in learning the game.
I asked because I thought he was brilliant. The behavior was so different from what you have shared in the videos at the beginning of this class and your experiences since. Even though you were sore, you moved and he kept the bars up!
Let’s build on this. How about running him through 10 jumps (feel free to throw in a tunnel or two), at his jump height. Sandwich the sequence with 1-2 min of Snuffle Mat time before and after.
Please take video.
Are you practicing the other games that I have posted in this course?
Ok definitely practice Find My Face at home as per the first stage of the exercise. Practice if daily for the next week before trying it at class.
Why don’t we alternate to see what seems better for her- after one training session, take a sniffari (sniffing walk); after another training session, offer the Snuffle Mat for 2-3 min.
Hi Susan,
I wanted to take a couple of days to write a well-thought out response to our session last Wednesday. And with the conference this weekend, I didn’t have the ability to write it until tonight.
We talked about Avery having the choice to opt out if she doesn’t weave or do the teeter, for example. The amazing thing about allowing the dog to opt out is that over time, as you continue building her resilience, the dog will choose to opt in. I have seen this in Topper and many other dogs.
In addition, if there are underlying problems (physical) the dog can’t opt in to weaves. Anxiety can be as problematic as a physical injury in these cases. I know you said Avery has been cleared of anything that could be painful. The thing is, pain is a complex issues. Have you ruled out all pain sources? X-rays, Soft tissue, etc? As you know, pain can increase and decrease moment by moment, influencing behavior. And with anxiety, pain and anxiety become a vicious circle.
If you speak with Tracy Sklenar directly, she can share many more stories than I can where pain was an issue in dog sports. In the Behavior practice I work for, one of our doctors recently reported that 80% of the behavior cases she has seen have been rooted in pain.
Opt out doesn’t mean she never does it. When Avery slows down or doesn’t want to do something, the goal is not to completely avoid it. First, we break it down, the way I described the teeter games. And you would do this in class when she looks like she is avoiding. Then we build from there. That being said, we can’t be positive if it is anxiety-based. There could be a pain issue.
We would have to look at each time she does this and make a plan accordingly. It’s about controlled exposures. And practicing and practicing and practicing in the trial environment. Practice = plasticity.
I understand that Tracy Riley has been so supportive of you and Avery. With that, I can say that I specialize in behavioral problem-solving for sport dogs whereas Tracy Riley is an excellent instructor and trainer in agility. Likely, Tracy Riley is thinking of things the way we used to think about it but now we have a much deeper understanding of neurobiology and behavior. This is where I specialize. And after the Engagement Conference this weekend, I am even more sure of the path we have been on and the one I encourage you to continue to take.
I really love what you did in the video! You kept it light and helped her re-engage. This is an example of allowing her to opt out and then trying again without pressure.
How do you mean, “link up” when you are referring to the Superbowls Game in the post above?
What is he sitting on? Is it stable? As long as it’s stable, it can work. And just make sure to secure the the yoga mat so that it doesn’t move.
Great job moving in the video!! Just make sure to stay connected, like Tracy said in the webinar today. 🙂 Try not to let your arm get in the way of your connection with Veloz.
Video 3 appears to be the same as Video 2.
You can use two chairs instead of bowls. But first practice it at home and in your yard so that it is familiar to Sprite. Also, you don’t have to play it at the trial. The Up & Down Game is fine to use in a trial environment.
Feel free to use the Superbowls Game in other environments where having two plates on the ground is safe and allowed.
Sprite looks amazing! Really proud of you guys! It’s been a pleasure!
Yes, anything that you can do to amp her up. If ball play works, that’s fine. You can also run back and forth while talking to her, then ask her to settle. Anything to rev her up. 🙂
Great! I would like for you to practice this daily for 2 min away from agility equipment with JuJubee in a sit. Practice it in different environments. Put her on a long line when you practice in spaces that are not secured by a fence. Spend 3 days practicing it this way.
On day 4, spend 20 seconds playing with JuJubee to get her aroused and excited, then practice the Cato board sit-stay for 60 sec. Repeat this three times, then offer her 2 min of Decompression.
This will help JuJubee learn how to hold a sit-stay when excited.
Yes, let’s set them at 16 while you continue supporting her in arousal management, resilience conditioning, and building engagement. 🙂
I look forward to the Cato board training videos!
