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Not too much at all. Thank you for the background information. This all makes sense.
I think she has some past trauma that causes anxiety in trial-like environments. She likely has trouble processing all that is going on around her, hence the “taffy” behavior. It’s like she gets stuck and then guesses. That has to do with resilience and multi-sensory processing. The games and concepts in this class will help.
Are you still doing herding with her? If so, I recommend avoiding working with instructors that will flood and use punishment-based techniques to train. Zing cannot handle it. Punishment–even withholding reinforcement–is something I don’t think Zing can deal with.
I appreciate you sharing your intention with me. I am here to support you!
A Training Loop refers to a cyclical repetition of consistent, predictable behaviors from the handler that helps the dog predict what is expected of them. It can create consistency and predictability, while you can build a reinforcement history. When I implement consistency in my training, the dog knows what to expect. When the dog knows what to expect, they usually offer the right behavior the first time. This reduces frustration, offering random other behaviors, and prevents the overarousal or shutting down that comes with frustration. The loop starts and ends at the same place, setting the dog up for the next repetition without unwanted behaviors attached.
We are going to train a behavior, like the platform, and reinforce in a very specific pattern. Over time, we will build in other behaviors, like the tunnel. But for now, please pause on using the Cato board while doing agility. I understand why your instructor recommended this, but there are many steps in between that Gus needs.
We will work on Pattern Games in this class. 🙂
Regarding the tunnel, did you shrink the tunnel to build value for the tunnel without taking out his frustration or redirected arousal on it.
Super cool little dog!!! I love the littles!
Can you take Watson out into the world, like into town and into the park, and take video? I would like to observe Watson out in the world and away from agility.
If you upload your videos to YouTube, you can post the links in your thread.
If the goal is to have Robbie come straight to you as part of the end behavior, let’s start working on that right away. What tricks does he know? Does he have any aversion to putting the leash and/or collar on?
We can focus on resilience conditioning for Wager, even at his age. And I recommend practicing all of the games with Spot. 🙂
Thank you for the additional information!
Hi Monica! Welcome to the course!
Thank you for the detailed description. I feel your pain. I have also had periods of time where I was not enjoying training and felt emotionally exhausted. I am here to help!
You have such a great story! Don’t Shoot the Dog is mind blowing!
There is so much happening in the adolescent brain and without resilience conditioning, there can be breakdowns in behavior during this time. The class will focus on building resilience and using various games to help improve focus and engagement, while building confidence. 🙂
Hi Liz!
I remember you! How cool that you guys are both in VA now!
Can you tell me more about the work you did in the Fenzi courses? I am familiar with all of the instructors you named, but I know they each offer a few different topics.
Great job in that trigger to a cue video! I have seen Kathy speak on this topic.
What exercises do you do before and after running her in class or a trial? What is your complete startline routine?
Welcome to the class, Ginger! She looks amazing! Now it’s time to take the show on the road. 🙂
The games in this class will help you transition her amazing agility skills into the competition ring.
Hi Diane! Welcome to the class!
How old is Danny K? How long have you been training him in agility?
It is clear that Danny K has obstacle skills and likely can run with you successfully in class. The struggle is his ability to process all of the information coming at him when in a trial environment. And a resilience issue. We address these things in this class.
In the second video, Danny K jumped at you near the table and you yelled “knock it off.” I understand you were trying to get him to calm down and perhaps you were frustrated or disappointed.
Try hard not to yell at him when doing agility, even if the is jumping at you and zooming around. What’s happening his in his brain is the stress of the trial environment is preventing him from thinking clearly. He cannot control himself–it’s literally out of his control. If you yell at him to stop him from doing these behaviors, he will become anxious or frustrated, which creates more stress, and causes a further breakdown in performance. Over time, agility will look like a hot mess, lol.
Have you considered working with a Veterinary Behaviorist? Struggling to settle in the home sounds like more than a training issue. Typically, dogs can settle in their home. Another reason I think you should consider this is the light and shadow chasing.
We will be doing exercises in this class to help reduce and manage arousal. But I think Danny K needs assistance from a Veterinary Behaviorist as well. I can recommend someone if you are indeed interested. I believe he would highly benefit from it and the work we will do in this class will only progress better.
I agree with your instructor to pause on trialing. Let’s reassess in a few months.
Thank you for this additional information, including the article. It’s hard to say exactly why Avery is struggling. Likely, there are shifts in her arousal while she is running in the ring. The shifts could be anything related to how she is processing information, how she is feeling from moment to moment, an environmental trigger, etc. What we can focus on is building her resilience, which is what we will be doing in this class. 🙂
Hi Joan! Great to work with you again!
I am so sorry to hear all of this has been going on at home. Yes, management is VERY important so that the relationship between the girls doesn’t continue to deteriorate. We can focus on the sport in this course, but if you would like help with the dynamics of the household, I am happy to do so via private virtual sessions. Please let me know. 🙂
Ruth, welcome! I am so honored to have you in this class! Taking Susan Friedman’s course has been on my list of things to do for a few years now.
The good news is Leo is ONLY a year and a half. We now know so much more about the adolescent brain. I recommend you pause on entering trials. We will do work at trials, but not yet in the ring. His brain isn’t ready. The agility environment is too much right now, and the good news is that you have plenty of time. Herding is lighting up specific neurons in the brain and for Leo, this information is easier to process. That’s okay!
I recommend you finish this course, continue applying the techniques, and revisit entering a trial to compete in a few months.
Also, regarding the work you are doing around dogs- in that first video where Leo is on a long line, I recommend moving back another 20ft. He is watching, but he is still aroused. With more distance, he can learn to watch and then self-modulate those emotions. Right now, he is choosing to reconnect with you, but the arousal is still high. You will get a dog with a trained skill, but not one that can self-modulate his emotions around dogs.
Hooray for the teeter champion!!
That is helpful information. I would consider working with a Vet Behaviorist anyway. His noise sensitivities are more than the extreme event of a thunderstorm. Silleo and the thundershirt are great options.
If you are interested in working with a VB, I can connect you with one.
