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Can you take video of you guys in class? This will help me give you more feedback.
Is there a dog park near you? You can work Pattern Games near a dog park, while you guys are about 30-40 ft away from the fencing. Over time, you can move closer, but not too close. It’s another way to help reduce her arousal when other dogs are running.
Yes, it helps to let the dog know how and where they are receiving reinforcement. BUT, you were using it as a cue in the video you post. Lol! Wait for Bouy to come to you and then tell him “hand.”
This game can help address so many things!! 🙂
I think using the Snuffle Mat in different contexts is a good idea.
Let’s try breaking up your treats ahead of practicing Relaxation Conditioning. And until Bouy is showing more relaxation, yes, practice with him on your own.
Sounds good about Vet 4 Vet.
I am so excited for you guys!! Keep going with this game in different environments. Just 1-2 times per week in a new place, then 2-3 times at home. The game needs to be practiced at home so that the game remains a game and doesn’t become a predictor of scary stimuli. 🙂
You can also use this game while training now. Run a sequence at home for about 1 min, then spend 1-2 min playing the Superbowls Game, then repeat. Try this a few times in a row before ending the training sessions. Short and sweet. 🙂
Have you tried Find My Face in different environments?
Hi! I received a notification that you posted something but I don’t see anything here. Just want to make sure I didn’t miss anything. 🙂
Ok, so this is VERY important information! How often do you get to train Sprite around other dogs training?
Good job switching gears to support Sprite!
Yes, for some dogs, that is all that is needed. For some dogs, a history of cueing late can lead to frustration in being conditioned into the sport. Sometimes there are sensory integration processing issues. There are so many possibilities causing a breakdown in performance.
HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY!!! 🙂 Yes, please post that other video too.
Did you see my post about our Vet 4 Vet service? Please let me know if you would like to proceed.
For the startline, why don’t you rotate through a few different Pattern Games. Here are two more:
Pattern Games Up/Down (Leslie McDevitt)
Step One: Teach The Game
Be in a calm and low-distraction environment
Place a treat on the ground right under your dog’s nose
Wait for your dog to look at you. When they do, mark the behavior (click, “good”, or “yes”) and place another treat on the ground
Repeat
Once they are looking at you quickly and consistently, and can do so 10 times in a row, continue to Step Two
Step Two: Change the Environment
Repeat the game in a very mildly distracting environment
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 aren’t ready to be this close to distractions yet.
Your pup must be having fun in low-distraction and low-stress environments before moving to more stimulating environments.Video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8HzpFPYvko
Pattern Games: 1-2-3 Game (Leslie McDevitt)
You Need:
Treats
A leash for when you practice outsideStep 1: Teach The Game
Be in a calm and low-distraction environment
Place a treat on the ground next to your foot and let your pup eat it
Wait for your dog to look at you. When they do, walk forward and count “1, 2, 3”. After “3”, place another treat on the ground next to the same foot
Repeat
Once your pup quickly and easily looks at you after eating their treat, and can do so 10 times in a row continue to Step TwoStep 2: Change the Environment
Repeat the game in a very mildly distracting environment
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 aren’t ready to be this close to distractions yet.
Your pup must be having fun in low-distraction and low-stress environments before moving to more stimulating environments.Video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I10k84O3PzQ
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.Video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlOIEpXpwOg
Another option for the startline while we work on the Cato board training- play a Pattern Game, ask her to Sit when you think she’s ready, then release and play a bit more of that Pattern Game, then ask her to Sit. Sometimes you can release her directly into the sequence, sometimes release her from a Sit and play a Pattern Game again. She might not be ready to release right into the sequence. Asking her to Sit is the barometer. Also, it is going to take many practice sessions of counter-conditioning her current state at the Startline- and these practice sessions have to be done in different contexts. Remember what I said at the last Training Night Chat…it took a year of working with Topper on resilience building before I really could count on his behavior being consistent. And then it took another 6 months after that to figure out that Topper is heat intolerant and make a plan for that. You just started working the Startline per my suggestion for maybe 2-3 weeks. 🙂
The Snuffle Mat is one tool to help a dog feel grounded- if they are feeling stressed or anxious, this could result in shifts in their arousal. This, in turn, impacts performance. We have to practice using the Snuffle Mat at home when training before trying it at trials before and after runs.
Video 1-
This is great! When you are directly Veloz, keep moving in the direction that you are sending him. This will minimize his confusion or lack of clarity, thereby reducing his frustration.Yes, let’s use the Snuffle Mat (towel) instead of rubbing and petting to help Veloz come back down. We don’t really know if the rubbing helps him settle. I am saying this because I have not seen him ask for you to pet him and in a couple of the videos where you did, he launched at you anyway. You would know best however because you live with Veloz and interact with him daily. My recommendation is let’s use the targets from the Superbowls Game to help things be clearer for him.
Video 3-
To me, Veloz looks more relaxed than the first video you sent me. Although he is watching your hands (which is totally fine), he is sinking deeper in his shoulders and more of his chest is touching the floor. Do not touch him, just use the kibble.There is a chance that training in a sequence for more than 20 seconds is too much. You are mostly standing in the middle of 3-4 jumps, directing him about, without much movement. Do you have more obstacles that you could set up for a sequence that requires you to move more up and down your field?
I don’t recognize the medication you mentioned. Can you please look at the bottle and post it here, along with the dosage?
It’s ok if she says she’s done. It’s information.
What a great application of Shadow Handling! Yes, feel free to use it when training skills before and/or after, as well as in between. 🙂
Ok, keep practicing Relaxation Conditioning on the cot. We will build his understanding.
Snuffle Mat-
I would like for you to start using it during sequencing. 2 min of training skills or sequencing, 2 min of Snuffle Mat, and repeat this 3-4 times. Try this in class as well.Have you been practicing Find My Face?
