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Hi Ginger!
So she isn’t clear on driving forward to the bowl when working in the Running AF flatwork. I don’t want to say something different than your instructor- what did your instructor think of this performance? I also don’t know where you guys are in the training process. Do you want me to comment on this?
I LOVE how you are breaking up the course into short sequences by tossing the toy after a few obstacles!!
Hi Beverly!
Great meeting with you today for our one-on-one! Here is the recording from our session. Please review it for your homework for the next couple of weeks. 🙂
https://zoom.us/rec/share/7x6l1bP6o1SXoeGHukQ1vR_nBKhNgA2Fg8ybsjz9DwWrnGfVxauHSBUc7oRHSf20.koBvWPdQ-yt0E2rK
Passcode: @7x?pfnpOops! Just realized I hit submit accidentally, before completing my previous post. I wanted to finish giving feedback on the video. Have you done slice grids with Sprite?
Great questions about reinforcement strategy! I do what I said above in terms of how I reinforce when it comes to bars knocked. For other obstacles such as a DW or A-frame, because my dogs have a running contact, I can’t be sure what their brain is prioritizing during a training session. If Phuncky is doing a whole RDW in a session and misses the mat, I withhold the reward and try again. If he is wrong again, I break down the behavior so that he cannot get it wrong and then reward him. Then I build the behavior back up by either placing him further back up the plank. I can also play with other variables such as my position and/or motion.
Well done Sprite!
Typically on the 2 or 3, the dog is already looking at you. Ideally, you want to remain in motion. It doesn’t have to be exactly that way- do what is easiest for you. If the dog is not looking at you or seems really focused on something else, that’s when you pause the count and likely need to pause the motion until the dog looks back at you- then commence the count and motion. Does that make sense?
So in the second part, where Sprite knocked the bar, keep going next time. She is making a huge effort- so what I would do is keep going and let her take the tunnel, then toss the toy to reward her. Then try the sequence again. If she struggles at that point again, still continue the sequence and reward, then you set her up so that she can 100% keep the bar up. That could look like lowering the bar to one or two heights lower, or set her up closer to the jump so that all she has to think about is taking the jump at a slice.
Ok, let’s discuss this during our one-on-one session. We can talk about a few different ways to address this. It will depend on the context.
I will help you recognize rewarding-for-effort moments. For now, assume Buoy is doing the best he can and reward him. Speak with your instructors about the work we are doing so they understand why you will reward him even if he doesn’t get something right. There are SO MANY reasons why he might not perform an obstacle or handling skill the way you expect, and we want to keep his engagement and focus up. Rewarding for effort is one way to do that.
I remember you mentioning that Buoy doesn’t love being picked up by you. Is this correct? Or am I remembering wrong?
I look forward to your videos from The Fieldhouse!
HAHAHAHAHA!!!! If we could all just spend the winter in the Caribbean, playing agility with our dogs, enjoying the sun and cocktails, and hanging on the beach!
This is incredible, Kim!!!! I am proud of all three of you!!!
Has Dr. Haug asked you to practice the mat relaxation work in other situations, such as a park, Nosework, etc?
Do you remember the Superbowls Game? We can use this game to build into agility sequencing. This game will help Veloz by giving him a visual target that “promises” reinforcement.
Here it is again, along with the video demonstration:
Pattern Games: Super Bowls
Super Bowls is a game that comes from Leslie McDevitt’s extremely popular “Control Unleashed” series. This is a pattern game. Pattern games are simple sets of exercises that provide a structured and predictable pattern to help dogs adjust to changes in their environment.
You Need
2-5 plates or bowls
High value treats
A hungry dog!Step 1: Teach the Game
Set out 2-5 plates with a 6’ distance between each plate
Plate a treat on one plate and let your dog eat it
When your dog looks at you, return eye contact, smile, and walk to the next plate
Place a treat on that plate
When they look up at your, return eye contact, smile, and walk to the next plate
Repeat until you can go all the way down the line and back to the first plate
Once you have completed the sequence three times, proceed to Step 2.Step 2: Change the environment or stations
Repeat the game in a very mildly distracting environment. Instead of using plates, use any station outside that is naturally recurring like park benches, cars parked along the sidewalk or poured cement sidewalk blocks, trees, or lamp posts.
If your dog engages with something in the environment prior to looking up at you, just wait. Let them process the environmental change before returning their attention to you.
If your dog is unable to return to the game, they are ready to be this close to distractions yet or the environment is too overwhelming.
Your pup must be having fun in low-distraction and low-stress environments before moving to more stimulating environments.The part of the video where you are in your yard and acclimating-
So although Avery is accepting the petting and even climbing up on you, she definitely wants to play the game. lol!We talked about this during the Training Night Chat- give the Snuffle Mat before going into the training space (not the ring). Then use the 1-2-3 Game to walk into the ring. Once in the ring, you can use the Find It Game then try the Ready button exercise.
Please take video of all of this so that I can watch her behavior as you work through the new ritual. I can give you feedback based on what I see. Likely, you will have to practice this several times at home and in class before we have any solid data on its affect on Avery.
Hi Goretta!
Video 1-
Was the video taken before you started practicing to go get Bouy and bring him back without emotion?Video 2-
When you were late on the blind the first time, you did not offer his tug toy. Any reason for that? I would have given it regardless–reward for effort. Especially since he stayed in the game.Video 3-
Good job staying with the jump and showing it to him, waiting for him to take it.Bouy definitely does not like the stop-and-start in agility. When you need to start over, instead of sending him on the one jump, you might need to get him into flow by starting a jump or two before.
Video 4-
Glad to see he wasn’t too concerned about the harness. I know that this isn’t typical, but let’s build on it anyway. For each step to put the harness on, I would like for you to give Bouy a treat. It looks like there are three steps- you place it over his head, you clip one side, then clip the other side. So you should give three treats.Video 5-
Why do you think Bouys is panting in this video? Also, he didn’t touch your hand. Is that typical?When Bouy touches your hand, I would like for you to give him a treat. Then commence with the harness steps
Hi Ginger!
So when playing the 1-2-3 Game, you can feed Sprite in motion. You do not have to stop when you count “3” and give a treat.
When practicing the Superbowls Game, you can set the bowls apart a bit farther- try 8-10 ft for Sprite.
Find It Game looks good!
Keep practicing this game in different settings. You can also do things to increase her arousal, then play one of the games. If tugging works for Sprite, try tugging for 10-20 seconds, then play one of the Pattern Games, then tug again, and play one of the Pattern Games. This is great when practicing Modulating Emotions, which will help prepare her for the trial environment.
