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Fantastic! Thanks Tracy 🙂
This week’s theme was having fun with remote reward delivery! Â
I watched your video and don’t remember if you specified where the MM should be placed so I left it out in the open where Cowboy could easily see it instead of hiding it behind a wing. I started out doing a two-jump sequence and then switched to a longer one. Â
I found that having a MM randomly set in the middle of a course was a bit of a distraction at first but we worked through it. I also found that I need more practice holding the remote while moving! For the longer sequence, I set the remote control on a chair (off camera) and then ran to the chair to press the button. I don’t know if doing this added an extra layer of complexity as opposed to pressing the button at the very end of the sequence.
In your video, you stated to use the verbal marker cue (in my case “Treats”) before delivering the reward instead of a lot of excessive praise so that it was clear what was signaling the reward….well, I need more practice with that too 🙂
Video: Remote Reinforcement Procedures with Cowboy
Thanks Tracy!
I will see if I can continue to build on this. Cowboy is such a social butterfly so he still likes to visit but the nice thing is he is reconnecting with me much faster and I think these reinforcement procedures are helping 🙂
Hi Tracy,
I have been working on building more value for tugging on the leash and so I am sharing a brief video of Cowboy tugging at the end of a run.
My mechanics / timing could use work but I was thrilled that he was offering this behavior since tugging was never his thing and he really is starting to get into it 🙂
Video: Tugging on the Leash
Hi Tracy,
I gave using the leash as a toy a try. I used a rubber ball to cover the metal part and it seems to work reasonably well. I then switched over to tossing the leash and using the verbal cue “Get it”. When Cowboy realized there was a ball at the end of the leash, all bets were off and it turned into a ball retrieval thing!
I am wondering if I cut a hole on the other side of the ball and slide the leash through if that would be legal for an AKC agility trial.
BTW…the video is out of focus; when I reviewed it, I was wondering if I should make an appointment to the eye doctor.
Video: Cowboy Reinforcement Procedures using the Leash
Thanks Tracy!
I will give the leash thing a try and if I don’t forget, I will also video some of my reward approaches in class 🙂
Hi Tracy,
On Saturday, Cowboy ran in his 2nd AKC trial and his first larger scale 3-ring event.
Overall. I was very happy with how he handled the trial environment. However, we did have some challenges.
The link provided is from his Novice FAST run. The send is on the left side (jump to bilateral tunnel)
I thought there were a lot of really nice things happening in this run and even with the two ring-crew visits (off camera), he had more than enough points to qualify.
Unfortunately, Cowboy noticed a gap near the gate and ran out of the ring so we were eliminated.
I thought about it for a while and am wondering if my reinforcement approach caused this.
Currently, most of the rewards occur at the end of the run near the exit. I am sure he was experiencing some stress but based upon his behavior before, during and after the run, he didn’t seem totally freaked out.
In class/practice, I plan to start tossing the Lotus ball away from the gate at the end of the run and randomly rewarding at the other end of the ring but if you have other suggestions, I would love to hear your thoughts 🙂
BTW: There is someone who is speaking off camera; not sure who but not me:)
Video: Cowboy AKC Novice FAST
Hi Tracy,
This totally makes sense! Reward procedures are very new for me so I am still sorting out the different scenarios. So far, I think this approach to training is fantastic!
I am going to try another session with the MM and then give the Lotus Ball a try 🙂
LOL! Thanks Tracy!
I tried this exercise using the Manners Minder and at some point, would like to switch over to the Lotus Ball but am not quite sure how to do that just yet in a way that is clear for Cowboy.
Considering how obsessed he is with this machine, Cowboy did reasonably well and there was only one time when he sat transfixed while I waited for him to “focus forward” 🙂
Video: Reinforcement Procedure using the MM
Thanks Tracy!
I am always so afraid to make things harder…success on easy stuff is very reinforcing! 🙂
I am looking forward to our next training session and have just started reading the Week 3 Games package. I viewed the video where you place a toy behind and cue “Toy-Toy”. Do you only use that verbal cue when you place the toy behind your dog? Have you also done this with a Lotus Ball or Manner Minder?
Thanks so much, Tracy!
BTW..I had no idea you could use a target plate for contacts in UKI! That will be seriously helpful for UKI NFC runs!
I did another round of teeter/weave pole practice using “Catch” for the teeter and “Get-it” for the weave poles. I also brought out the magic red target plate for the teeter; it really does make a difference!
Again, our rate of success was very high. I had one mistake on the teeter when I tried to accelerate forward and something similar with the weave pole (tried to accelerate and drift laterally).
Video: Cowboy Catch & Get-it with Teeter and Weave Poles
Hah! I am food motivated too!!!!
Today I revisited the “Catch” game; this time using the teeter. I also spent some time using the “Get-it” cue for the weave poles. This was a fun session!
Video: “Catch” with the Teeter and “Get-it” with the Weave Poles
Hi Tracy,
Today I focused on the “catch” application and incorporated it into the following scenarios:
1) Sit stay
2) Startline stay with lead-out
3) 2O/2O using a travel plank.Cowboy’s success rate was very high and I kept the session short. However, towards the end, Cowboy wasn’t as wowed by the Lotus Ball. With a tennis ball, he will continue to engage with it but with the Lotus Ball, he lost interest once he removed the food (dead toy syndrome, I guess).
Video: Cowboy Playing Catch
Hi Tracy,
So here is my list covering what I would like to address using reinforcement procedures. Hopefully, I can get to most of it during the upcoming weeks:
Behaviors to address with reinforcement procedures:
1) Quickly moving into the 2O/2O at the end of the contacts (I primarily practice using the travel plank)2) Driving through the weaves – Cowboy will typically complete them if I slow down and stay behind his shoulder but if I accelerate and run past, he will pop out.
3) Start-line / Lead-outs – His start-line is generally fine until I move half-way past the first jump. Two-jump lead-outs are still a challenge
4) Visiting the judge, ring crew, leash runner, dogs (outside the ring)
5) Turns – Cowboy appears to be fine with front crosses but sometimes, will disconnect and want to visit whenever I do a rear cross… he is more handler focused than obstacle focused
6) Tugging – I have been successful with food motivated dogs but with the recent opportunities to run FEO in AKC, it would be great if I could take advantage of that option.
LOL! Yes! Cowboy loves to chase and retrieve balls. He seems to prefer tennis balls but I avoid them or only use them occasionally.
I was planning on trialing in AKC and UKI (not sure about USDAA yet) and am hoping I can build his interest in tugging to the same extent as chasing and retrieving a ball. It would definitely help for FEO runs in AKC where you can’t let go the toy.
He is starting to get the idea of tugging, though. Last weekend, we did an agility workshop and at the end of the run, Cowboy grabbed his leash and we tugged out of the ring. He also did the same thing in class. As long as he doesn’t grab it in the middle of a run (has happened) we may be on to something 🙂
