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Hi Lynne!
Incredible skills in that first video!
The second video is great! Lots of pressure from your fellow students! How did you build up to this point? Knowing this will help me give you feedback.
Speed usually comes when the dog has a full understanding of the behavior expected. Unless she stresses high and then she could be faster. But I don’t think this is the case for Journey because she typically slows down or wants to leave. And, most dogs who stress high cannot perform the behaviors the handler cues.
I believe the lack of speed in class and at home is her learning. And the speed increases with confidence and understanding. I think what we see in that last video after a 6-week break is the result of you building her resilience.
Since distance is the thing that motivates Journey–meaning she wants to get away from the judge–let’s keep using it to our advantage. Try doing this- when you run at a trial, when Journey is able to run by the judge to take an obstacle, praise immensely and leave the ring to reward. Ask the judge to stand in a particular spot so that you can plan this. Initially, the distance should be 30 ft–can she pass the judge at 30 ft. Over time, we will decrease that distance. What do you think?
In class, only one run should be a ‘pressure’ run. The rest should be without people walking around. Too much pressure isn’t a good thing. 🙂
You can ask any question about any exercise you learn in the class, anything that comes up for you while you are training your dog, basically everything the working students can do, except post videos. Does that clarify it for you? 🙂
OMG Jen I totally get your fear about physical soundness!! Phuncky got his toe caught in the crate and I thought for sure it was broken. And my brain went there instantly! I also have a long history of dogs’ careers ending earlier for physical and behavioral reasons.
Helpful to know he was having GI issues over the summer. Inflamed bowels can take a while to heal, like weeks or more if the inflammation returns on and off.
Do you have to remove the collar in CPE or NADAC? In UKI and AKC, you do not have to.
No, this is so helpful to see! Thank you!
Is Watson sound sensitive? Meaning, does he behave the way he did in this video to other sounds, or just barking dogs? Is he fearful of dogs in other contexts, or just agility?
Yes, we will be working on exercises to teach the dog how to self-regulate. 🙂
I agree with your assessments of the stressors and how long it takes for her to recover. I think it’s great that you keep going instead of asking her to take the obstacle that she avoids–that is reinforcing in and of itself because you are remaining in flow. That can help get the arousal back up.
Can you send me a video of Avery running and playing in the backyard? Not necessarily doing agility, just hanging out. I would also like to see videos of her sitting and standing up a few times in a row, walking around with you, and walking up and down stairs. The way she moves has me thinking there might be something going on with her body. I’m not yet positive if it’s her body or if she is feeling worried and so that is affecting her movement.
Welcome to class, Brandy! Thank you for the explanation and videos with the amazing editing! I love geeking out on this stuff too!
Unfortunately, frustration and anxiety have been conditioned into the game of agility. We have to untie the very big, complex knot that has been created. It’s doable, but we have to go slow and it will take time.
Besides the medication, what have you done in terms of behavior modification to address the shadow chasing?
It makes sense that Nox runs to the shadows when you make a handling error. She finds shadow chasing highly reinforcing, even if not mentally healthy for her. So when frustrated, she defaults to another reinforcing behavior. We can teach her to do something else when frustrated. Stay tuned!
Fantastic! Looking forward to connecting!
And yes, let’s build Dellie’s confidence back up. Unfortunately, anxiety have been conditioned into the game of agility. We have to untie the very big, complex knot that has been created. It’s doable, but we have to go slow and it will take time.
Thank you for posting the videos!
In the second and third video, you walked Veloz to the equipment by his collar. Is that typical? Is it because you don’t have a startline behavior?
Unfortunately, frustration and anxiety have been conditioned into the game of agility. We have to untie the very big, complex knot that has been created. It’s doable, but we have to go slow and it will take time.
In the last video, where Veloz went at you, did you say something about the bar he knocked down? Also, how long were you training in this last video? I know you edited it so it looks like it’s only a bit over two minutes.
Monica, I totally get it. Try to be easy on yourself. We didn’t know. Now we do, so we do better.
I agree with your assessment. Really great observations!
This is all very helpful information, Helen. Thank you!!
And you’re 80?!! WHAT??!!! You look amazing!!!
Let’s keep at it.
Ok good! I am glad you are not working with that instructor anymore and you are not withholding reinforcement.
Unfortunately, frustration and anxiety have been conditioned into the game of agility. We have to untie the very big, complex knot that has been created. It’s doable, but we have to go slow and it will take time.
Ok, so first thing, let’s train away some of that conditioned frustration. Unfortunately, frustration has been conditioned into the game of agility. We have to untie the very big, complex knot that has been created. It’s doable, but we have to go slow and it will take time.
First, train the Cato board indoors, away from agility. Train a sit-stay on the board in your living room or bedroom–somewhere you don’t do ANY agility training.
Second, shrink the tunnel so that it’s completely compressed. And I am going to ask you to do something totally crazy- bring the tunnel into your home. We have to change the context (the environment). Your yard is associated with agility. Do you have space in your house for a tunnel that is compressed? If you cannot bring the tunnel indoors, then move it to a part of the yard that doesn’t have agility equipment.
What is more exciting for Gus, food or toys? Use the less exciting reinforcer. Toss the reward after he goes into the tunnel. Do this 10 times in a row, twice per day, for 5 days with a compressed tunnel. Please take video.
This is all GREAT!! Cross-training to help build confidence is an excellent action to take! The games you will learn in this course will help as well. 🙂
Ok, please email me at Bobbie@BehaviorVets.com and I can set you up. I just learned that Behavior Vets has a service called Vet 4 Vet.
