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Parallel Path, Countermotion and Rear Crosses
To some extent we did them all but clearly too long a session for Rusty. Notice his enthusiasm for pouncing on the prop in the beginning of Parallel Path. That dwindles. So in the future, I would try these in separate sessions or just do way fewer reps of each. This time I was also working on what I should be doing. Now that I have that mostly figured out, it should be easier next time. He did do a few of the rears ending on the proper side without the spin but I got the sense that he thought the prop was his cue to spin. What is the best way to address this issue?
Look forward to your feedback.
Stealth Self-Control Novel Exciting
First I used Rusty’s food bowl, then put a ball in it followed by two different treat containers – the second one with treats in it (smell factor).
Getting into the rhythm of the game definitely helps him to ignore the Novel Exciting item.
I definitely need to up the ante here to make the game somewhat more challenging.
Look forward to your feedback.
Turn and Burn 2
I tried three different toys – food pouch tug toy, the lotus ball and a black furry tug. You will see the results. The lotus ball is the winner. Then at the end, keeping in mind your statement about using what the dog finds reinforcing, I just used food. I would have to say that I think the food won though I do like the lotus ball. At this point I am reluctant to use the toys for which there is little interest because I think it will dampen his enthusiasm for the work. On the side, not associated with these agility exercises, I will continue to work on toy play but at this point I think it is detrimental to mix the two.
Look forward to your feedback.
Resilience Game 3: Patterns
I made the criteria of looking in my eyes, which is important in my obedience work. Unfortunately I hadn’t pushed record the first time I tried this game and Rusty wasn’t quite sure what was up. I guess it seemed too simple to him so he was offering behaviors to earn his treats – quite cute – backups, spins, twirls, sits.
Look forward to your feedback.
Backup 2
We tried backing up again per your recommendations plus one. This time I was on my knees so Rusty’s focal point to my hands was closer to the floor than when I was standing. I think it was easier for him to organize his body with his head in this lower position. I think his backing up is looking much better.
Look forward to your feedback.
Turn and Burn
Tried a few of these. Deleted a few where I was throwing with my dog side arm. Thought I would take the opportunity to get some feedback on these before going on. Yes, I am using the lotus ball and not a conventional toy. I did try those but they did not create any drive. At least with the lotus ball, Rusty is eager to be in the game. I am continuing to work on play with toys – had a very good session this morning.
Look forward to your feedback.
Backing Up
I initially shaped backing up a couple weeks ago and have since added a verbal. Here is where we are at the moment. Should I be concerned with his erratic movement? He obviously understands the concept but it seems to me that he needs additional work to smooth it out. How is that best accomplished?
Look forward to your feedback.
Stealth Self-Control Folding It In! 2
This time I introduced another Reward-Specific Marker that I have been using in obedience – ‘bowl’. Then, as you suggested last time, I did a send followed by the reward-specific marker. Not so sure that the best send word in this situation is ‘Go’ but it worked for now. And we did it from both sides.
Look forward to your feedback.
Toy Races 2
This time I included my attempts with a variety of toys. It is not that Rusty can’t play tug. He does so with our older Golden Folger often. He and Folger have tugged for an extended period of time with the first toy in the video. They both seem to love it. Other than that one and the white one, he had absolutely no interest until I brought out the lotus ball. So what do I think is going on here? I think Rusty has outsmarted us. He knows that I have access to food whereas Folger is only a play partner so if I don’t have food involved in the play, he refuses to participate. He just doesn’t see it as worth his while. Fortunately he seems to like playing with the lotus ball and can open it himself.
Look forward to your feedback.
Wing Wrap 2
Per your suggestions, I used a taller object and set the food targets farther back. He likes this game.
Look forward to your feedback.
Plankrobatics 2
Every time we go to the basement Rusty runs over to the teeter. The fact that it isn’t totally braced so bangs and moves a bit doesn’t seem to phase him. So I used it as is. He seems to love whatever we do on it. If he missteps off, he carries on as if it is no big deal.
Look forward to your feedback.
Tracy – I think my Wobbleboard 2 posted on February 1st got missed. Given what transpired, I am interested in your feedback. TIA
Reinforcement Strategies
I started with food in palm or between fingers. In palm seems more natural to me. Then I proceeded to toys. I began with toys I see him playing with in the kitchen. No interest. Then I proceeded to the black furry tug which he does seem to like, then on to a bit of two toy work and lastly some alternating toy and food. The funniest part is that in the end I threw out Folger’s hard plastic dumbbell, too big and technically not a toy. Surprisingly to me, Rusty had significant interest in playing with it.
Lots more work to be done getting Rusty to play with toys but at least I have a start.
Look forward to your feedback.
Wobbleboard 2
Well this was interesting! I had only used the Wobbleboard previously on the mats so per your instructions I tried a harder surface. The concrete was a new experience. This whole session was 4 minutes and 19 seconds. It is in three parts – beginning, middle and end. I deleted a potion of the middle just to keep it closer to the 2 minutes mark. In the beginning he seemed comfortable playing on it. Then I threw a reset treat toward the dryer. His return after that was anything but confident. I kept encouraging, at times thinking that maybe I should have stopped. Little by little he got back on and after the second reset treat toward the dryer, he was back to where he started in terms of willingness to work on the board. I have no clue what changed. I thought that when I reviewed the video that I would discover that the board had pinched one of his back feet but couldn’t find the evidence.
On another day or two we will revisit the Wobbleboard again in the laundry room.
Look forward to your feedback.
Stealth Self-Control Folding It In
Talk about the inconsistent use of marker words! I vow to do better! I think in this situation, I would/should use ‘yes’ as I did a few times. Once again I started with a toy and wasn’t getting much of anywhere.
I should add that I discovered that I had posted two previous times to the header for the exercise, not under Rusty and Sally. Can you correct that?
Look forward to your feedback.
