Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I should clarify–I don’t want you to wait for her to settle (stop offering behaviors) and then reward her. I would like for you to give you treat after treat after treat, with just a second or so in between the treats, so there is no space for her to offer behaviors. Does that make sense?
As she begins to understand that all she has to do is lay there, you can start building duration in between treats.
The intention is to set up the dog through errorless learning–we want to make sure she isn’t frustrated by the process because she is offering behaviors that don’t get her anything.
Let me know if this clarifies things for you. 🙂
So what I see is an excellent down stay. 🙂
I would like for you to go back to the Relaxation Conditioning exercise. Just sit in front of Avery and continuously feed per the instructions. Stay with that for a total of one week. If you do not get through all of the steps of the Relaxation Protocol during this course, it’s okay! I rather you have a dog who learns how to relax than finish all of the steps.
And doing this will not deter you from participating in the other assignments in this course. 🙂
You’re doing great!!
Love how relaxed she looks on her mat!! Keep practicing the Relaxation Protocol at home. Don’t do it in the agility context yet.
Snuffle May video
If she looks the way she does in this video- into rooting about to eat the treats, but appears calm, not frantically looking for treats, then use it at the trial away from the activity. Test it out a few times at the trial. And take video. Let’s see what works best for her.Relaxation Protocol
Yes, please tape the sessions so that I can give feedback. 🙂I’m glad she can play at the park. It seems like she can only manage if she is doing something, she can’t just relax at the park with dogs in the distance. This is good to know! The next assignment will help with this, while bringing the counter-Conditioning and desensitization process into it.
Just like with the Snuffle Mat, you skipped steps with the Relaxation Conditioning, based on Maddy’s behavior. Have I been doing the Relaxation exercises daily? Does she truly appear relaxed while doing it? If so, then start doing the Relaxation exercises in your backyard, then front yard, etc, before going to the park and doing it.
Also, be way more generous with the treats. Give them every second or so when outside because it’s more stimulating and Maddy might feel more vulnerable. And sit on the ground with her instead of crouch—you look like you’re ready to take off. Dogs know what we look like when we are settled in one spot for a while.
I have a few questions:
Have you regularly used the Snuffle Mat in the home? What’s her behavior like when she eats from it at home? Before trying it at the park, have you done it in your backyard, then your front yard, then other places that are a bit more stimulating but not stressful? You jumped many steps, I believe, if you went from indoors directly to the park.
In general, we have a lot of work to do at the park. If she cannot feel after ease in the park, then the Flyball arena is definitely harder for her.
The Snuffle Mat is easily portable and takes longer to get all of the treats. The dog get to practice rooting around, which is an important part of the exercise.
Hi Amy!
I think that park idea is a great one! Why did someone say it wasn’t a good idea? What was their concern?
I’m glad you are clear on her threshold. This is great!
I’d like for you to start practicing Relaxation Conditioning outside in your yard. Maybe there will be squirrels around. 🙂 But do it closer to the house for now.
Hi Julie.
Do the exercises when it best works for you. The Relaxation Conditioning should take about ten minutes. The Snuffle Mat should take about 5-10 minute.
Did you see what I wrote to Susan above regarding the Snuffle Mat? Post a video of your dog working the Snuffle Mat and then I will let you know when it’s time to take the show on the road. Patience grasshopper. 🙂
