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Hi Tracy,
Thank you so much for your feedback this morning on taking the games into the middle of the agility field during class, and my classes in general. I’m a visual learner and sometimes need to rehearse things mentally, and physically, before I do them. In my line of work this would be called “Chair Flying”.
This brings up another question as our class comes to a close 😔. I will want to re-read many things. Is there anyway to print some of your material? Print my Forum postings and your feedback? I understand your material is not for sharing. It would be for my reference and understanding.
Thank you.
BarbiHi. Replied again to your last feedback. To the April 26th post, additional reply May 7Th, reply #35702.
Thank you! BThank you.
You’ve given me a lot to think about and digest. I will need to read and re-read your feedback….something I just do.
On using my turn in class to work the environment….. would I take the games to the middle of the course and work them near, but far from what might trigger her? So far, I work the games on the perimeter while waiting my turn or take the games near a person that she might trigger on…Like when I tug with Posh close to a judge in the morning of a trial. Take those games etc into the middle of the course/equipment as my turn? I’m trying to grasp what that might look like. Can you give me an example, please?
Thank you. Barbi
Hi Tracy.
Don’t know if you saw, I added another reply to my April 26th post. It was yesterday, May 5th, Reply #35633. Hoping you’ve got time for some feedback.
Thanks,
BarbiHi Tracy.
I’ve been thinking a lot about your feedback here. Many of your thoughts were my thoughts, too.
I’d like to add some additional information…and questions 😉
The class the night before went Very well, and these videos are all from the next morning’s class, in succession.
I’m wondering if there is an element of “Depletion” of self control going on.
Posh has 4 classes/lessons/week. We Rarely, if ever, make all 4 events. My thinking is to get her to as many places as possible, experience different people, places, equipment. There are other reasons as well, but they don’t apply here. Then we might have a trial or something else on the weekend. Perhaps it’s too much.The person she barked at she’s around a lot. The person is often our leash runner at trials. We are in class often. Looks like I need to do what you said with her around this person before class or we take our turn. Sometimes that’s hard. People coming in late etc.
When I’m walking the course planning possible reward, I don’t know where the people will be. They often run out to reset bars then pick a spot to be as I’m lining Posh up, or even going out while I’m running to take a spot. It can be hard to micromanage that activity. I don’t want to be disruptive or disrespectful to the instructor or other students.
So let’s say she runs by someone and does a slight woof as she runs by, reward her then for keep coming with me or after the next obstacle. If I reward right away is that rewarding her for barking?
You said:
“You can do short bursts of sequences with no reinforcement on you – but that is less important and lower on the priority list than training the skills of engagement and getting her less anxious about the people nearby.”
This statement is SO meaningful to me! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with so much to do work on with Posh that I don’t know what to do next and get bogged down.
This morning in class we had someone arrive late who was just popping in for a make up class. We had been in a couple of workshops with them last summer, but she hadn’t seen them since then. He’s a guy who’s unaware of what’s going on around him what his dog is doing etc, and he has a Golden R. At first I was anxious, with him coming in late I didn’t have much time to pattern game Posh around him. She didn’t even want to play, respond with anything at first. But we worked through it as best we could. I made sure I went 3rd, so I could warm her up while previous dog ran. He happened to hang behind everyone with his dog on leash while we were at the start line. I went full guns with treats and balls and although she was definitely aware he was there we worked through that too. The only thing she did was a slight ‘woof’ as she passed by Kodie on our first sequence.
Sometimes the hardest thing is pulling out the toolbox, seeing what in that toolbox is working right then, when there’s limited time, or the environment changes on us.
Your thoughts?
Thank you.
BarbiHi again.
Got it.
She can tug on her leash, but then, in USDAA someone takes it away. I have seen her run and get it in the ring after I tossed it away😉. Fortunately she brought it straight back to me.
For AKC I can take it with me…need to rehearse the mechanics of that😳
B
Thank you.
No, that wasn’t Posh barking. 😉
When you suggest this:
“If you see her being caught by a distraction, take an extra moment to keep her leash on, ask for a trick or two, get her engagement – then pick her up and restart the sequence that brings you to the line and into the run. It only takes a few seconds but can make a big difference!”
Are you saying after I carry Posh into the ring and she gets distracted by something while on the way to start or set up in the ring, put her down, have her do a few tricks, get her engaged, then pick her back up and start again?
Or are you suggesting this for before we enter the ring?
Barbi
Hi.
I watched back at 1:23. I can see her shut her mouth and lower her head as if ‘locking on a target’. It’s pretty awesome to actually see that. Thank you.
Gotta capture the moment.
BHi Tracy.
Last weekend was USDAA, so I committed to all FEO runs. Very non-stress.
The judge was super nice, very benign and we were able to tug, do action pattern games, right next to her and others talking in the morning while they all ignored her. The venue was relatively open until you got closer to the line. There weren’t very many ring crew, but enough. Some wind which only bothered her on day 2 when a tent wrapped in metal mesh sun screens started billowing like a jellyfish, but we worked through it and she recovered to have a nice run. She only barked at one person, a woman, short hair, mirrored sunglasses with golden came popping out of tent when we went by. This is her worst combination. But again, just a blip, and she was able to have them around without reacting after that. She tolerated most everyone very well, even people coming over to my set up to talk when I was getting her ready.
I found heat proof high value treats that worked great and used either, APDB or ball on bungee. We warmed up with action pattern games, sniff chill (it’s so cute to see her nose twitch), and volume dial with toy, or just ruff play with my Hands. Then getting when next, had her jump in my arms for last treat while pocketing toy, or not, and carried her in, reving her up along the way. This seems to work well for us. She has much more confidence with people when she’s in my arms, always has. Then got to start line, either lead out or run with, and went. I tried Funky town dance led outs, but at times thought she might burst so I couldn’t do to much.
I also tried the different levels of FEO in succession.
This first vid is Hands Free, APDB in both pockets. Unfortunately I forgot to ask my vid person to get her face on the start. I fussed way too much with the leash runner, but had a descent start with one step of dance. I noticed her quick glance at the jump setter in the corner as we rounded the course to the teeter. I could have rewarded her there, but in that nanosecond it seemed better to not interrupt her approach the teeter. Outside of me inappropriately rewarding the AF , I thought it went pretty well. SO, in that moment I thought I was rewarding her for getting two front feet in the yellow. But what I actually saw was the Shadow of her two front feet in the yellow. 😝.
This second video is APDB in Jar in the Chair, secret DP in pocket which I loaded before I took her out of her crate, so Hands free. I thought this went well too. Dancing very minimum. My handling was very off all weekend, I’ve had a knee strain.
This third video is IN-N-OUT, no treats, no toy, hands free. The start line was extremely close to the scribe table, so I planned a Run With. Something very interesting happened. Kodie’s daughter Sharon, who is hearing impaired, was the leash runner. Posh hasn’t been closely around Sharon in awhile. Going to the line and popping off Posh’s leash, I noticed Posh kept turning to look at Sharon. I decided to ignore what was behind me and set her up, keeping my hands on her until she turned to look at the jump, and released. I didn’t realize until I watched the video back, that Sharon was ‘Signing’ to Kodie as I was taking the line with Posh. I don’t believe Posh as ever seen someone Sign, let alone the leash runner. But it went well, even with NO treats or a toy. 👍🏻😎
This last one was day 2 and I thought it was one of our best leadouts, dance moves included. Since I was going to train contacts I went in with both balls in my pockets. Posh can trigger on a stranger when I talk to them or they talk to me. So my talking to the judge caused her to key in on the judge and face her in her sit. When she has done this in the past, it’s been a clue that she’s going to leave me to visit the judge. But I decided give it a go, whisper singing early and funky dance. It kept her attention on me and it worked. Go figure?
We then did a full FEO of Steeplechase, which I used balls because wanted to train weaves. That went VERY well. And my last run I scratched. I was tired and couldn’t give her my all.
So I feel pretty good about the weekend. I know we aren’t nearly out of the woods, but are making progress and learning what works.
Thank you,
Barbi and Posh.PS. I’m SO glad Amy told me about you and this class!!😎
Hello. We’re back.
Trying Releases Part 1 here. Getting into the swing, I call these ‘Funky Town’ Releases, and dressed for the part. All my dogs have a song or two and Posh’s is ‘Simple Irresistible’, Robert Palmer.
True confessions…at night I sing and dance before bed to 70s-80s music, some dance with the dogs. 🤪. After our Zoom, I tried incorporating singing/dancing softly with pink panther type moves. And it drove Posh, and one of my other girls, coo coo crazy town. Posh got SO aroused she started barking at me, so this may be the way to get her barking with me as a trick. Then when released, Posh ran to me, jumped up and caught my arm, blood, bandaids…wowzers. A bit too much??
So I evolved all that into a modified dance move, and softly singing ‘She’s So Fine..She’s All Mine…Simply Irresistible’. And this is what these videos are of. Cookies first with Goldfish, second with APDB. My new release word is HA! Or Huzzah!
I haven’t tried calm yet. Funky town definitely keeps her attention with a powerful release, but I’m not sure how far I’ll be able to lead out with this. It’s been dicey getting distance on her with human kyptonite around.
With my first agility dog, I used to sing and dance waiting to enter the ring, put us both in the right frame of mind.
On another subject, I’ve been playing fetch with 4 APDBs and then separately 4 tennis balls. I alternate 1-4 over and over. She has to get the one I throw before I’ll throw the next. With the DBs definitely has the CO that she wants. She even demand barks at me cuz I won’t give that one to her until it’s up in turn. The tennis balls seem to have more equal value.
Thank you.
BarbiHello there!!!
Last night we went to a location we hadn’t been to in a month. There was scary and non-scary kyptonite, new people when we came in ( who left ), rooster/hen noise, kids/dogs neighbor noise, freshly irrigated and cut grass, car backfires, multiple times. So I decided not have students stand near ring and bring out all the APDBs. And, she wanted the tennis balls instead 🤪. Go figure! So we used them. I tried warm ups at her chair and carrying her to start line. She seems to respond well to this and our hour went very well. 😊
So this morning I tried the same. Warm up at the chair, ball first run in pocket with back up ball in back pocket. Second try, Ball in jar with backup ball in back pocket. She was happy to leave ball in jar for Meatballs, although her size cut up meatball pieces turn into a squishy piece of meatloaf in my pocket in our heat LOL. I carried her to start attempting to play/rev her up in my arms on the way. First 2 runs, swing start, second 2 Sit start with lead out. She seemed to respond well. Tried for a More animated leadout with sweet talk along the way, haven’t tried Pink Panther at home yet.
So. We actually caught her barking at someone on tape. I call this a drive by barking, not the leave me to alarm bark at someone.
I have a lot to say about these videos, but wisely, I’d like to hear what you have to say instead. 😉. I didn’t edit anything out, feel free to speed though anything. 👍🏻 We know you’re extremely busy and appreciate any feedback you have time for. And these are in succession.
First run, ball in pocket, swing start.
Second run, same course, ball in jar, drive by barking.
Trying to work on the barking
Third run, new course, sit w/ leadout, ball in pocket
Fourth run, same course as third, sit w/ leadout, ball in jar.
Thank you!!
BarbiHi. I got both your replies in email, thank you.
Again Great feedback. I love how creative you are.
Although, I’m going to have to eat a LOT of mayonnaise to fit the APDBs 🤪
Too bad they don’t fit in a nice gelato jar!And, I just adore Posh, so somehow finding the keys to unlock her brilliance will all be worth it. We’re already seeing improvement.
Thank you!
BYes, yes, and yes! Will do.
But now I have more questions for you. 🤪
I have at least 3 APDBs. Although they are identical, Posh wants the last one she had in her mouth, and she knows which one that it is.
In my first vid, morning, you can actually see a second orange APDB sitting naked on a brown chair in the right of the frame. She saw me toss it there, didn’t go for it, and could care less about it.
After the the APDB went on ‘sabbatical’, when I reintroduced them to her, I brought out 2 virgin new ones, in their original packaging, never touch by another dog. She picked one and that’s been her ‘Chosen One’ ever since.
Now, I can play ‘two toy’ with her to get the ‘Chosen One’ (CO) back. But when I reward her with the non-chosen one, she doesn’t want it. I can throw it for her, and she runs to it, but when she realizes it’s NOT the CO she looks at me like ‘you’re trying to trick me’. I normally make her bring it back before I give her ‘CO’. Then switch off tossing them both for her in succession. Suggestions?
So, knowing that their is a hierarchy even among identical APDBs, which do I use where? Does the CO go in the jar? And a lesser one in my pocket? Or other way around? Do I take the CO in the ring for ultimate reward? Some how make her think CO is in the jar, put lesser one in, and Surprise her with CO in the ring?
Oh, and btw, she has the same hierarchy with her yellow tennis balls, and other identical toys.
Posh is an enigma for me 🤪. She is my fourth agility mini poo to train. And yes, sometimes I over analyze and get too caught up in details. But the details and nuances seem to matter to her. Ish…
Thank you,
BarbiHey, hey, hey. We’re back! Spent a few days flat on my back after my 2nd C-19 Booster😔
Trying RR again. We had good sessions with a lesser light canvas ring toy. So…thought I’d give the APDB a try. 🤪
This first vid is this morning, before breakfast. Naked, no jar. I sectioned off the yard to help us be successful. We had already a couple of reps a step or two away. But she also stole it and took off, hence the fence. I’m using goldfish cookies, and just putting the DB naked on the chair. I can see I’m blocking her a bit wanting her to get the idea. I put everything away afterwards, then brought it all back out for an evening session using her leash and a jar. Something I noticed, the hungrier she is, the less she wants to grab hold of the toy anticipating treats, although she’ll still play with it and definitely WANTS it.
This is this evening’s session, using her leash and putting the DB in a jar. I can see my sessions are still too long, and belaboring time at the jump is unnecessary to what we’re trying to achieve. We had already played fetch a bit before we loaded the jar. She seems to bring back any toy better if we play fetch a bit before. Treats are still goldfish. It’s interesting how the bag of goldfish is open in the chair the whole time, and she never tries to dive in for them. In each successive rep, I’m consciously trying to give her more opportunity to make the Choice to come with me and use less treats to get her to come, also without her leash. With the toy in the jar, she needs me to give it to her and she seems to be waiting for permission to do so. I don’t feel I need to block her because I know she can’t help herself, but it also slows our reps down.
A few days ago we tried the something similar, same location, naked DB, but I was sitting on the ground, near but not next to the chair, and sending her to the jump. She did well. She doesn’t try to steal it when I’m near the chair and retrieving is more successful when I’m lower to the ground.
Eventually I think we can do better with the DB. But for our purposes at home, and maybe class and most trials, I can get better RR results with different/lessor toys.
I feel like I’m in a difficult situation…..I need a high value toy to curb her anxieties, yet getting them off me for RR, or delayed reinforcement is extremely hard.
Thank you!!! B & P
