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We went to the barn today and worked on last night’s assignments. Suzie helped me a lot, but we had a question. Until he understands to come in on the threadle, should I sound the MM right after the nose touch so he understands to complete the task?
We went into the barn without any other dogs. He first had to run around and make sure there were no cookies on the floor, I had to get him engaged by running him through the tunnel and then I took off with the long tug toy for him to chase. He thought this was fun and actually tugged a little but when he “caught” it. He did this for about three times through the tunnel and then wasn’t interested in tugging anymore . . . But hey, it was a good start. I will continue with this as a routine to start out practice/lesson and see if we can build even more value. Thoughts.
Suzie was a great help today, got a bit of video I will post later, need to go pick up Joe from work and get his dinner first.
>>Will he chase a frisbee as part of training? Or tug on it? I use frisbees a lot in training because they are super high value!
Frisbee and holy roller are super high value and, yes, I do use them. I just had a tug toy with small holy roller and 6″ handle made and being sent to me. I want to get some high value on that if possible.
>> want you to get involved so he learns to play directly with you without the stimulation of the others around.
Morning play is just Brisk and I, evening is the pack.
>> Is he able to play at trials? If he cannot play while other dogs are working (it might be too distracting), you can try it when it is his turn.Yes, he is able to play at trials, but we usually have a fair amount of distance between play area and ring craziness. I will keep that up and aim for moving closer as his behavior permits.
Should play at practice be first? Short as to not tire him out too much?
Thanks for everything! I can get the other two on a toy if I NEVER bring out treats . . . but they MUCH prefer the lotus ball.
We are under a winter storm warning, 9 a.m. today until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, ugh. Hopefully it will fizzle out, but you just never know (Better than I95 in Virginia; however).
have you tried letting him win the toy? That can increase tugging too!
We play lots of tug games at night (since it so darn cold, we can’t go out and chase the frisbee so we play tug and chase the toy/bring it back, tug tug tug, in the house. Everyone is involved and it gets supers crazy . . . he loves it, lots of different kinds of play, but the others are involved too. Should I focus more just on him, or is this increasing value as well? (He didn’t want anything to do with tug when I got him, so we have tried to put a lot of value on the game.)Thanks for the input. I will let you know. We are working big dogs first, so maybe while others are working I will play with him a bit and see how that goes. We do that at trials, but we are further away than the barn would allow.
Here’s a view into our after breakfast routine. Thought I would add the barrel to play to get him excited about chasing the toy or should I be throwing it? I have a couple small ones I can throw. How would I incorporate that without a ton of room. Come he’ll or high water (or dumps of snow), heading to the barn Wednesday. I can incorporate throwing and playing with the toy then? Let me know what’s best. He really enjoys tugging and chasing, but we haven’t really done a lot when working, just playing (trying to build lots of value).
Okay, f*#&ing MM keeps sticking and I have toy breed kibble in it. I may take it apart and see if I can make it work better.
Next time I work him I will just try to use toys. I haven’t done that with him because I want him excited to work (that has taken work) and he is so food motivated.
I’m really hoping to get to the barn next week, but stupid storms are lining up again starting on Tuesday 🤞🤞🤞🤞 if the canyon stays open (it’s already been closed twice this week, ugh) and road conditions permit, we’ll hit the toy play hard. Will work on it here too. I have found a smaller tug toy he seems to like. Thanks!!! Happy new year!
Here’s the box work, sorry
There wasn’t a jump bump at the barn, I spent a ton of time trying to find something and struck out. Suzie will be home next week.
Glad to hear it’s okay to have the lotus ball in my hand, I debated there too.
I will practice with lots of cookies in my hand. I tried, but was dropping more than rewarding, lol. Bailey had so much fun before I got her back in the crate, so many cookies on the floor, lol. I do much better with longer sequences, I promise I’m not always so sloppy. This has been such a struggle for me, I’m not used to multiple rewards, quickly. I promise I’ll get better, may walk around with lots of cookies in both hands and practice tossing 🤦♀️
Went to the barn today, everyone bailed on me, lol, so I lost my videographer. I had the wrong shoes on and it was just sooooo damn cold. Was bundled up and awkward.
Here’s some barrel work no repeats (sorry, Bailey broke out). I would like to see more drive. Is it because I’m not really moving? We need more practice?
Here’s some Get Out in a larger space. He figured it out quickly, I think?
More strike a pose practice. Realized my feet were wrong, then it got really awkward. Me balance is not the best (ask poor Donna, she thinks that’s why I always have my “wings” out, lol). I may need to reup the value for the prop.
And last but not least some box work in a large space (sorry, Bailey broke out, little stink). I was really pleased with his enthusiasm and he was seeking out the box (only one time he didn’t). I think this goes super well because treats aren’t on me. I’m super excited to start working on “let’s go ,” I think it is going to help me a ton. I’ll try and get some video on that tomorrow.
It felt so good to get out and to have a place to just let the dogs run. Joe’s surgery is on the 13, I’m hoping I can get someone to come in on Wednesdays so I can make my 4 hour commute to practice and have Suzie help.
Thanks for everything.
Here is some strike a pose part 2 practice, I tried to get lower. Found out the stay I have most times goes out the window with cheese, lol.
I uploaded video and looked up to a broken dog, lol.
I was going to video our “get out” practice, but it looks like maybe I will wait, lol. He’s had a busy day following me up and down stairs 400 times today to see what Joe needs, and been playing in the snow. Apparently brain work makes you Uber tired.
It was soooo cold yesterday, lol, 19* when I walked out my door and barns are always much colder. The poor little guy’s fur was cold to the touch 😱.
Thank you so much for the detailed feedback! I need so much help and will incorporate it into our next session. I probably won’t get to the barn until next week, weather permitting, as storms are lining up 😭😭😭. In the mean time, should I concentrate on distance with one barrel until I have more room?
I’m super pleased with his work ethic, as I was a little concerned in the beginning. It has me wondering what will come after this course for him and will it be in this same format? I am willing to hit the road a couple of days a week if needed.
BTW, if I don’t talk with you before, have a merry Christmas.
Thank you for the feedback. I went to Suzie’s today and worked the rocking horse before reading your message (two hour commute one way and no service at her house, then two hours back – I’m just getting home). I will wait on the clicker mat and just use it with Chewie for now and Brisk and I will work on back and forth with MM.
We worked rear crosses mostly today as I was really struggling with them. I think he is beginning to understand and I am getting a better feel for what he needs. I have a friend that cues a rear with “switch.” Thoughts?
I didn’t get video, will work them at home and do some videoing here.
Here is the video for the rocking horse work (before I read your feedback, but I think he is doing better). I am moving to only rewarding from the ball or floor, he keeps looking at my hands, so he was leaning about the ball here too. He was pretty tired at this time, but wanted to work. We figured out adjustments that needed to be made, I think, anxious to hear your thoughts.
Here’s some sideways and backwards sends. I think we need more work and distance. I moved to quickly a couple of times, gotta get better at freezing.
Refreshed mat work from your pre-contacts class.
Placed the box over the mat for introduction.
First time using the box. What the best way to transition running through. Build more value first or start walking with him and throw treats in front?
I have ordered a clicker mat from Alan Tay, hoping to have it in January so I can add that to the center of the box.
Lap turn w/prop practice
Tandem turn w/ prop practice
Will get as much done as possible, my life just got a little screwed, ugh. Joe fell Saturday and pretty sure he tore his ACL, we see the surgeon this afternoon to see what is next. My plan is to keep him in the basement (it’s really not as bad as it sounds, there’s an 84” high def tv there, lol) so I can continue to practice upstairs. Hopefully it won’t goof up barn time . . . Stay tuned 🤷♀️🤦♀️
@kyjdean thank you so much. I just ordered some. Hopefully they will be light enough to see on my carpet. I’ve not had issues before, but this guy is so much smaller than my other guys, I have really struggled.
