Are we just a "Treat Bag"?

Recently, on one of the several dog-group email chat lists, a post came up that someone considered that to dogs, most people are just "Treat Bags". This got me thinking quite a bit. Are we?

Bottom line, we are if we LET ourselves be. IF we insist that dogs only learn and do things that we ask if they see the treat in line, then yes, we are only treat bags. I have let my Pug be this way. I have not worked with him enough to show him that he CAN work and have fun with the treat not in sight. Who's fault is that? Mine. For me, he was the 'house dog' who just worked for fun. I did not have a goal in mind for him - no shows or anything. He is a wonderful family dog. Could he be a show dog and really compete in freestyle, obedience, treibball? Yes - If I showed him how!

But, with Pippin and Geneveive (and Toby), dogs who I have trained in earnest with a goal in mind, I did show them that there is something special past the treat bag ... ME! We have worked together building a sound foundation called our RELATIONSHIP. Do I have that relationship with Pug? Yes I do. But, I have not shown Pug that the relationship can exists past the treat bag. With the others, I have.

In my classes, I have tried to always emphasised to my students that the basis of a great freestyle is the relationship between dog and handler, i.e. the two partners. While we may start teaching the moves to our dogs with treat lures, I try to take the treat away fairly quickly and move on to praise and partnership. We also do a lot of work at the beginning and during each class on partnership & attention with different exercises using play, praise and treat. There are some students who have a VERY HARD time letting go of that treat bag (like myself and Pug), claiming that their dog will only work for treats. And, in a sense they are right. At this point in time, Pug works great with the treats in sight. But, every dog can be re-taught or taught from the begining that the relationship is the praise. If we, the humans, let go of the treats, then the relationship has a great chance to build up.

How can we do this? I believe that each behavior is defined and confirmed. The 'confirmation' (or rewards) are a mix of treats, play and praise. The more we work, the less treat and more play and praise. By mixing the rewards, the relationship builds up from both parties. Pippin has also discovered that some of the moves (such as pushing the ball in Treibball) is in itself a great reward.

Today, for example, I am sick with a flu but needed to do something with him. So, I took out the ball and had him push it throughout the house. His main "work" was to line up properly (opposite of me) so he would push it in the right direction. I only clicked and rewarded on the line up - the push was its own reward. After about 10 min of pushing the ball around corners, hallways, in/out rooms, we played and he was totally happy. Was our relationship at all involved here - by all means. He listened, his reward was the push, play and praise. Very little cookie involved.

I would love to hear more discussion on this. What do you think?

What is Enough Training?

School has started. I have started a new part-time job and I still substitute teach. I take care of house, kids and mom. What happens to my training time?

In summer, while I was recuperating, I had time to train. While I did not do much personal movement, Pippin and I trained several times a day, for about 20 min at a time. We also spent time playing ball and taking short walks. As I got better, the we went back to our Tolt Pipeline off-leash walks and ALL the dogs were real happy. But, then my time at home became short and not dog-available. YIKES! I can tell this has quite an effect on my little Pip here.

So, how do I balance this? I know many people have the same problem. I find that I will do some of my training on the walks. Yes, I carry the clicker (my tongue) and cookies with me. On the off-leash walks, I MUST be better than the squirrels, horses, other dogs, and other great things out there. So, currently, Pip gets lots of rewards for good COMES. The rewards will lessen over time, but re-enforcement is the key here. We also do some freestyle tricks, directional commands, and loose-leash work. This last one is the hardest. He sees another dog about 200yds away … and wants to RUN up to greet. Not every dog wants to be greeted this way. So, on goes the leash and we work attention and walking on a loose leash. Genny, Michette and Pug all have no issues here and stay with me. As we get closer, we ask the owner if the dogs want to play, and if the owner say’s “Yes” then they meet and then the leash goes off and they play. If it is a “no” then we move on. Pip is learning. Learning by practice and praise when doing it right. So, there is training on the walk.

But, of course, Pip wants more. How to fit it all in? At first, I didn’t. But now we play indoor games if I can’t get outdoors. Find the cookie in the cupcake tin that have toys in it: hide 2 or 3 cookies in 2 or 3 cups, cover all 12 with dog toys that fit, and let the dog search for the cookie! At first, start with a cookie in each cup, then reduce. This is Lots of FUN! Push the big ball around the house (Treibball). Pip is getting very good at lining up in the proper position and then pushing the ball around corners and out of jams! I decided to teach all the dogs to push the big ball. Small Freestyle moves as position placements (heel, strut, etc) in the living room.

Not sure if it is enough. In Pip’s eyes, no. But, when I watch him, he is learning. I am hoping that in a month or so, I can actually start DANCING with him! Then we will pick up the pace. Until now – we cuddle and do the best that we can.

Do Dogs listen or watch?

So - I am teaching Pippin "left" and "right" and to be honest, I am surprised he knows his directions as I think I keep screwing up!

As long as he is facing the same direction as I, I get it correct. To send him out to the right, I direct my right hand/arm to the right and send him out "right foot". Same with the left. He does great. (I use "foot" to tell him to go out to a platform.)

Now - for Treibball - he is facing me on his platforms and if I want to send him to HIS left (my right) I use my right arm to send him out to the next platform to his left and say "Left Foot". After all - this is his left. He goes to the correct platform just beautifully.
note - we started this with two platforms that located about 5 feet in front of me and on either side of me, about 8 feet apart from each other. Today, I added a 3rd platform so there are three to choose from. He would have to figure out if he is on the center platform, which way to go.

Today - as we were doing this exercise - I was saying "right foot" when I should have been saying "left foot", yet, Pippin followed my hand and went to the correct platform! So - is he listening to me? I am thinking that he is following my hand, understands the exercise and hears the LAST word of the command "Foot" and knows to move to another platform. Bit by bit, the platforms will "shrink" to just a paper on the ground and then to nothing but by then, he will learn to place himself behind the ball correctly. Do I worry? I don't think so as in this sport, I will be using my hand signals as well.

How will this work in Freestyle? In freestyle, I want him to LISTEN and really not always watch what I do so I can dance. Will that really work? I think it will up to a point. There will always be that "hidden body/hand signal" that is choreographed into the dance. He is learning how to "look right" and "look left" but still relies on body signals. So, as long as the body signal is choregraphed to not look like a hand signal then it should be just fine.

I feel as long as I can understand HOW Pippin learns, then I can best help him learn what I am trying to teach. And what I have also discovered is that Pippin learns differently than Genny (somewhat), than Pug (very much so) and from Toby.

I think everyone should have several different breeds to teach!

Training Distractions! YEA!!!

This has been a very interesting last few weeks. We got busy here at home with vacation plans and then went away for a week. Pip’s training has been minimal. I did try to make a point to always work on something with him, even when it was during ball play. But, we did not concentrate for an extended period of time. Yet, he has always retained what we worked on and I could tell that his learning continued to grow. Progress can still be made in small steps – the trick is to incorporate the learning into the everyday events.

So – we get home from vacation to what? Street repaving in front of our house. You know what that means – LOUD Trucks! Lots of BEEPING! House RUMBLING! Pug would just BARK all day (very tiresome) and Genny became my “shadow”. I did notice that when I took everyone out back to play, even with the noises, they calmed down. SO – Perfect time to train. Took Pip to the side yard (where lots of our training happens) and where he can see the street – people and trucks and noise. And we worked.

At first, the attention was split, but quickly he gave me full attention. And we had FUN. Worked: directional go-outs (for freestyle and treibball), platform position work, ball pushing, agility box-work jumps, freestyle moves from beginner to more advanced. We had fun! The louder the noise, the better the attention (and more the cookie!)

I was so please with him. But, I also took him back out when it was quiet. All trucks and people gone, just us and the normal sounds. What was great was the solid attention. Equal attention now with or without the ball. I am sensing progress.

Next step – when I can handle him on leash (he does not pull unless he sees another dog and I am not ready for that pull yet) we go to the park and work there. Then we find another park and work some more. Hmmmm better try and do this soon before the weather turns!

Pip’s Tough Lesson

Tonight Pippin learned a very tough lesson: When I ask for attention – I mean it.

Some background here:

The backyard is Pippin’s play area as well as training. Well – he plays ball (fetch) when we throw his ball into the ravine area of our yard. He trains on the sports court that is off to the side. When my hubby and/or kids go out in the yard, they usually play with Pippin if they are doing yard work or just hanging out.

So, tonight, I take Pippin to the sports court planning on trying a new treibball training move. Pippin sees my hubby working and I see Pip’s attention flying back and forth between me and hubby. Now – here’s is another point – I always reward Pippin after “working” with some ball throwing. But he has to wait. Tonight, he decided that he was not going to wait,so he ditched me and ran to hubby – who looked at me with a big question on his face. He asked “is this my fault?” OF COURSE NOT! Pip made a decision – and he will be finding out it was not the right choice. Can dog’s make choices? I believe that they can, and do. Pip made a choice to ditch the cookies and big ball that he loves for the little ball that he loves more. Bad choice.

Called to everyone to ignore Pippin. We all left the yard. Finally, he came in the house, sulking. I just took him, and sat him in front of me, not really petting, but just holding him. The boys and hubby went out back to finish their work. I could feel every muscle trembling – he was dying to go out back to play ball. Nope – can’t ditch me in work and get away with it.

That’s the tough choice. Did he know that his choice earlier led to this? I truly am not sure, but I held on and talked to him calmly (explaining what I was doing. Who knows if he understood). Finally, calling out to family to ignore Pip, I let go and followed him (who raced out in a flash) to the yard to try SIMPLE work. After running around the boys a bit, he realized that they were not going to throw the ball. I went to the sports court and waited.

Now, little Pug was watching and raced to the court. What the hey! Let’s Work! So, Pug and I worked, Pip was ignored, Genny watched and … Pip finally seemed to get it. He came to the court and watched. I tried to include him in but he tried to ditch again, so we went on without him. He came back and this time I put him in a down stay (had to place him) and kept working with Pug (he was having fun). Then I sat in front of Pip, told him to sit. He did, but his attention was not on me – it was on the boys (“were they going to ever throw that ball????”). So – we did attention work. That is all. When he looked at me, click and cookie. Then I gave the command and he caught on real quick. “Ready” LOOK click-cookie. We did this many times. Tail starts to wag. Then I do a simple go out and around exercise with the chair. That is it. We do it a few times. This time, he is focused on me, and totally ignores the family. I think we have it. Lots of praise. Lots of fun.

Then, I get the ball.

I see the “light bulb” go off. We play a bit and go inside.

This Border Collie is really thinking and he is trying hard to make sure he understands what choices are. He wants to be in charge, but there are times when he can be, and then times when someone else has to be.

I have to be in command here. When we are in the ring, the family will be around (they video our freestyle competitions). He has to be able to ignore them. He has to know, when we are working, even if the ball throwers are around, we are working. Then, after work, comes play.

Pippin teaching me

Hmmmm …. Poor Pip.

First we had a special house guest and then I have not been feeling well. What does this add up to? Not much work. We have worked a bit … and I mean just a bit … and we have played and taken walks. And so – what has happened?

I have noticed that Pippin is so wonderfully patient. He comes up and gives hugs and kisses. If I go to do something with him, he is immediately grateful, but never reproachful for what I can’t do. Why can’t people be like dogs.

I do have to write about something else – I have noticed some special things going on between Pippin and the other dogs. Pippin has different relationships with each of the other dogs in the family. He recognizes their differences and their needs.

With Genevieve – he loves to play with her in the house. He has realized that as much as he wants to rough house with her outside, she just can’t do it. She wants to, but her hips just don’t let her. So, he plays gently with her in the house. He grabs a toy, and prances over to her. “Take it” he seems to say and shows her the other end. When she grabs it, then a tug of war starts. One that he could win, but he plays to her strength. And they play and play. This is one of his favorite games.

With Truffles our pug – he is a 11 year old pug and is usually “aloof”. Does not interact with the other dogs so much. Except Pippin. Pippin looks after “Uncle Pug”. Example – Pug likes to play with his bedding in one of the dog beds and one evening, Pippin was laying in that bed. Pug comes up and starts to pull at the bedding. Pippin just watches. Pug pulls and pulls and pulls. Bit by bit he is getting the bedding out from under Pippin. Soon, the bedding is almost out – and Pippin grabs the bedding gently and holds on to it. Pug starts to tug and play and tug and play. Pippin just holds on as he senses this is as much as he should do. If Pippin were to tug and play the way he does with Genny, Pug would get whipped around the room! So, Pip just holds on. Then Pug tires and Pip lets go – Pug will either lay down on the bedding there or trot away with the bedding to go lay down somewhere else. One time, Pug was tugging with my son and my son got tired so he handed his end to Pippin - who then just held on and sat down!! What a love!

With Michette – he knows that at home she watches over “her mom” so at home they play just a little. But on the walk – different story! Michette is not watching but walking – and then they run and play and play and run. Pippin keeps it at Michette’s level (okay, a couple of times he has “bowled her over” but he learned what he can and can’t do!). They get lots of good running and playing like this.

I have not noticed to such extent the other dogs working with each other this way. I am finding that Pippin has such a loving, gentle soul not only for us humans, but for his fellow dogs and cats. I hope that I can be that way with each and every person and animal as well. What a teacher!

Giving Exact Instructions

Today I was trying to teach Pippin to put his chin on my shoulder. He knows how to put his chin on my lap or on an object such as a chair or table. So – I struggled, by trying to get him behind me and then with a cookie lure, have him “chin” my shoulder. He was running in front of me, kissing my face, putting chin on my leg, etc.

DUH – forgot one important thing – I had to tell him to be behind me. Now, I have been using platforms to teach him positions and he is getting very good at this. So – I just need to give him the command for standing behind me. But – he could not get this as I was sitting down on the floor. You know – dogs are very situational and sitting on the floor is NOT standing up. So for him to do the command to stand behind me, I have to be STANDING.

Okay – take out the platform, and stand in front of it. We do the command and then after a few successful commands, I kneel and repeat the command. His nose comes poking around the side of me. “HUH?” I give him a cookie behind me from the other side. Repeat command several times with good success. Then I sit on floor. This time he understands and it is no issue. Lots of cookies (and clicks) for successfully standing behind me as I am sitting down.

Now – keep the platform. Give the command for chin. Neither of us have moved. Wait a moment. I point to my shoulder. “Chin” I repeat. Slowly, his chin comes down to my shoulder (I am a bit lower than he is). The second he touches – CLICK and cookie. YEA! Tail starts to wag. Repeat “Chin” and point to shoulder – chin touches shoulder! CLICK and cookie!! More tail wag! We repeat this several times and are both very happy with the success.

My husband who has been watching was real impressed how I was able to break apart the steps to put the 2 movements together – and how quickly Pippin then got the whole thing once the platform showed him where he was supposed to be.

Naughty me for not remembering to do this at first: I was just thinking of the behavior as one movement – put chin on shoulder. What I did not think about is that the movement is really TWO behaviors – stand behind me then chin.

Which now has me thinking about something else; I tell my dog to “Chin” and point to what he needs to put his chin on. Should I be giving names to objects that he may be “chin”ing often? Such as – if I want him to “chin” laps often – should I say “Chin lap”? Or “Chin Shoulder”? OR is this an overkill?

Sometimes we can over-instruct … sometimes we don’t give enough information. I guess for Pippin – if I have him stand behind me and I am in a sitting position – and I ask for “chin” then he will default to my shoulder as that is what I taught him. So – what if I am in a standing position – what will he do? Maybe if I offer my hand, he will chin my hand. So the deal is – what do I teach my dog as default? It is all based on my position. If we are in a group of people and I want him to put his chin on someone’s lap, that will have to consist of “go out to that person” “chin on lap” – at least 2 commands. I think with dogs, we must give EXPLICIT instructions. It is not a matter of over-instructing or not enough, but giving exact instructions. That’s the tough part for us.

Oops -stepped on paw!

Oops – stepped on paw by accident!!

I was teaching Pip how to get the newspaper. Well – cute pup that he is – got the idea to get the paper, but then decided that it was a play toy! Grrrrr – shake shake, paw on the ground, chew, chew!!!

Okay Pip – “Give” “Give!!” “GIVE!!”

Try it again! (as I can’t bend over, getting the paper from the mouth is no easy feat. And I want him to learn to give it to me).

Pip – fetch paper – Good boy! – Give! Give! GIVE!! Oops – stepped on paw! YIP!!

Calm down, kneel next to him, gentle talk, it was an oops. But you know – I see it in his eyes that he is taking this as a punishment. Okay we try again – but he won’t go near the paper. Genny, the good ‘ol lady, comes in and shows him what to do – she gently gets the paper and gives it to me. Lots of cookies. We repeat this a few times. Genny really happy as she is working and getting cookies – Pip carefully watches. I am waiting for him to try again. I can see he wants a cookie. After a good Genny praise, I tell her to lay down and try Pip again.

Cautiously, he sniffs at the paper and then takes it and looks at me. I take the paper and YEA!! BIG PRAISE! Cookies!!! We try again – and end up almost back at the paper game, but just as he is about to start the play he looks at me and I quickly grab the paper and PRAISE!!! COOKIES!! We do this one more time with the same result.

Result of this period – I think he is confused as he thinks he got a big correction with the paw step. As he does not understand that it was a mistake, I am trying to make the paper fetch a good thing. He is careful and unsure. I decide to stop then and will pick it up again tomorrow.

Off to another game. That is the thing with dogs – I find that short and sweet (the sweet being the important part here) works best. If we push and push too much – hammer in the behavior – then we lose them. They try but it is too much. I want my pup to have joy in all of his work with me. Not to do it because he has to. I wonder if that can also work with kids in the classroom?

We are getting somewhere.

Today Pippin showed excellent progress. With my log in hand we went thru and “reviewed” several exercises. Because of the ball and attention issue, we went outside. Today was much better. As Pippin saw the platforms and other training stuff come out, he was focused and excited. We were able to go thru all the “heel” positions with the large platforms and what was so great was his attention. He knew what to do and he was focused on me. We had fun with things we have not done outside yet – fetching the dumbbell and a metal article. For the second time with the metal article, he did very well. Gloves, direction work (right, left, away-to-me and come-by) all went smoothly. Then “Dad” came in the back yard to work and I lost him to the “possible ball thrower!” Great time to come in and get my pup back! I used some quick figure 8 exercises to get him back and then I set up some jumps, grabbed the ball and we did some agility work. Totally ignored Dad!! So, in training and at home, I still "have to be better than the squirrel!" HA!

He is now pooped, and I know that I am now going to be moving on to more complex exercises.

It is an interesting concept of having to teach someone something that does not understand your language. That is what we are doing with our dogs, right? We find a common ground – the lure – and then attach words to the movements and reward with the cookie when the movement is done correctly. Harder than it sounds – because we have to be exact as to when we reward. I wonder if there is a way to bring this into a human classroom where someone does not understand the language. As a substitute teacher, I am always looking for ways to reach each and every student. A bit harder as many times I am only with them for one day, yet, I don’t want that one day to be a “lost learning” day. So, how to use the concept of clicker training in the classroom – you have to find the right “lure”, right steps of the process and then “click” and reward at the right moment. Harder with humans, but intriguing still the same. A great challenge. Something to think about this summer.

Outside work - competition with the Ball

I have not been writing as much, but we have been working bits and pieces each day. As the weather is (finally!!) getting nice, we have been working outdoors on our little sports court in back. So – lately in the last few months – Pippin has been playing mainly ball in the back. I would work agility mostly with the ball throwing and some freestyle moves. Jeremy would also have Pippin work (one trick gets the ball thrown) but Peter just gives Pippin the free play time. All are fine. Peter does not think that Pippin has to work every time. Jeremy and I like to have him use his brain more as he is so OCD on that BALL!

So, when I bring the training stuff outside these last couple of days – big confusion!! He will work, but he keeps looking out into the ravine in case I throw the ball. The last couple of days has been a bit more frustrating for me as I feel that I am competing with the ball. But, patience is paying. The end of the sessions is ball time. But, we have fun during the sessions – great cookies – fun jumping – super petting.

I have been using my log to help me plan my sessions. He still loves platform work and today I was noticing the split attention that dogs can give. We were working on back paw work (3 & 4) and he can lift his back right just fine, but the back left gives him trouble. Here is the kicker – he is looking off into the ravine or neighbor’s yard while working. I am watching closely. He IS paying attention to me, yet he is also paying attention to over there. He does not miss a beat with me. Hmmm – while I am not thrilled with this, I do see that this can help with ring side distraction. If he can learn to give me the attention needed to work with me and still have that distraction – that can be really helpful. Yet I really NEED him to have 100% attention given to me and to learn to ignore that side yard. So – we are going to work in the back yard more often until I get that 100% and more. And then, when I can, move to other areas!

He loves movement work more than stationary work. Heck – most of us do. I remember in ballet as a kid – bar work was okay (stationary stuff) but what I really wanted was the center movement stuff where we really got to move. That’s Pippin as well. Yet – the stationary work is so important to get to the big movement stuff and I realize that I have to mix it up for Pippin so that way I don’t lose him. I can see why some people drop it as it is not as fun in their eyes. So – if we do some stationary work right into movement, back to stationary, etc then I can keep and build the attention and excitment (hopefully). Well – I tried this today and by the end of our 30 min, Pippin was tired, HAPPY, and he worked well with lots of good energy.

I am happy with my log. I am happy with my dog. What more could I want? (okay a back that can bend, but heck that is coming!)

New Training Log

I am not the most organized person. I am also finding out that when I start my training session with Pippin, I have a general idea in mind of what I want to do, but then I sometimes forget, get side-tracked, or end up repeating myself. Thus, I did what I should have done a long time ago – I created a training chart. This chart now shows the behaviors that I would like to work on with Pippin this summer. It has behaviors that we have been working on and he is doing well, and brand new ones as well. I got a great list of behaviors that I can work with him during this time from suggestions from people on one of the freestyle lists. Right now, there are 56 behaviors listed with room to add 18 more. While I am working on the “heel” position, I am not working on “heeling” as I can’t move at his pace yet. Some of these behaviors I can’t work on yet, such as crawl, BUT I am hoping to get creative and see if there is a way that I can do this with him while standing.

Okay – so I am thinking that I will start at the top of the list and each day work on 10 behaviors. Don’t know if that is too many or not enough. And I will work my way down the list, each day working on the next 10 behaviors. I may find that after a few days, this is not the best approach and will rethink my method.

Gotta love the dog – he is so workable and willing to work anyway that I am working!

Outside Training with the Ball!

Sunny Weather – Weekend Family Time – We find ourselves out in the back yard.

I can’t help with the gardening so I am playing and working with Pippin.

Ball crazy Pippin!

We bring out the simple agility jumps and I keep them at 16”. And for each ball throw, he has to do a short series of jumps with turns either right or left, and can be a figure 8 between 2 jumps, a circular pattern, or just a pattern of sort. After a short warm-up with lots of false “runs into the ravine after the ball … that was not thrown … darn” “okay mom”, Pippin gets the message that he has to do something before I throw the ball. We end up having lots of fun on Saturday, with so many jumps and runs and such.

Then I try to do something different – I ask for a “spin – jump – spin – jump”. He does the first spin into the 1st jump nicely, but he cannot get the idea that I want to do it again! He is quite OCD in regards to the ball and it takes lots of re-tries to get that full combination. What I find fascinating is that when he is waiting for the ball to be thrown and he is not sure about the command, he performs the movement ever so slowly, as if always asking “is this right?” So, those first spins were ever so slow, then quick jump, then s_l_o_w s_p_i_n then quick jump into the ravine even as I just start to throw the ball. Yes, I did click on the second jump.

Sunday we find ourselves in the yard again (who can resist that Seattle Sun??!) and this time, I set up the weave poles and the jumps. This time, the jumps are three in a row with short platforms on each end. I have him start on the platform with both front feet on to help solidify the “wait” as he breaking that to get into the jump to get the ball. He puts his feet on the platform ever-so-slowly and then we work on the jumps. I walk to along side the jumps to just past the 2nd jump, give the command and … he runs past the first jump, does the 2nd and 3rd! NOPE! Try again. After another run-past, this time I walk over the 1st jump, past the 2nd and stand inbetween the 2nd and 3rd. Release again (yes, the platforms are helping on the Wait command), and he does all three jumps beautifully – click and ball! Happy pup. We do this a few times in both directions. I have to walk over the 1st jump several times. This surprises me. He does finally get it, and he is able to run past me to the 3rd jump (which was my original goal).

Thinking back on this, I realize that while I thought he “knew” this sequence as the only new thing I added was the platform, he copied my behavior – walking past the 1st jump. But, if that is the case, why not run past the 2nd jump as well? Was that because I was standing fairly close to it?

What I was happy about is that the platforms seemed to help him with the Wait. We did a simple “foot” command and from time to time, I would break up the jump sequences to do some pivoting or bowing which he loves. And of course, the ball would be thrown instead of the cookie.

While I like training with the ball (keeps dog fit), what I don’t like about it with Pippin, is that he is no longer the “eager-beaver” who will try anything to get the reward. He does the movement ever-so-slow as if questioning WHY must he do this to get the ball?? To get my eager-beaver, I need to bring back the cookie. Interesting. I wonder if I will ever see more eagerness to do obedience or freestyle for the ball? He does relate the agility training and ball very well as we started this at an early stage. But … we also started the other at the same early stage. Hmmmm. Have to think about this.

Relationships

Outside of training – what is our relationship? Okay, so with my dogs, I have my goals; I want to train to succeed in a freestyle and/or agility relationship. We enjoy the sport, we enjoy the training. Great! But, outside of that, what do my dogs and I have together?

When I thought about this, I realized that the beauty of having more than one dog is that I get to experience more than one relationship. Each one is so different.

I would like to start with Genevieve. I call her “My beauty”. She is a beautiful dog with gentle eyes. Loves to please, but will leave the area if she senses any sort of tension. Too often, she will be sleeping near me while I am on the computer, and if I get mad at the computer (who doesn’t) she will get up and leave. And often, I find myself getting up and apologizing to her! Then I am more careful with my emotions. Hmmm – healthier for me, healthier for her. She also wants to be in the same room as me, but she is not a cuddle dog. When I came home from the hospital, she was right there. She sniffed me and then stayed in the same room. Slept right next to the couch or bed, but, did not want to be right next to me to cuddle. In fact, the only “cuddling” she likes is when I kneel next to her and put my arm around her and she pushes her head into me. I think of that push as her hug.

Puggles, or Truffles the Pug. Now there is a cuddler! If you sit on the couch, there he comes and he wants to be right next to you! Loves to push himself in between David and I on the bed. Loves to work – but only for the cookies. If the cookies get too far away, well then he just stops and stares! Loves to walk, but only in the afternoon! These early morning walks I do with the dogs are just not Pug’s style. He is a cuddle buddy, a gentle soul, a special companion. I just love having him as part of our household.

Michette – she is really my mom’s dog and at home, that is where you find her, where ever my mom is. She is a very special companion to her, very protective and easily jealous of other dogs. Barks every time one of us goes into my mom’s rooms! Yet, When my mom is not here for a few days, then she can blend into the rest of the house very nicely and be a great part of the pack, and a full member of the family. She has that split personality almost. In the last few months, I have found that she really does enjoy coming up to me and getting special pets and attention. After so many years, is she mellowing??

And Pippin. He loves to work, needs to work, has so much physical and mental energy that work is a joy. He can work all day. Oh – I wish I could give him some sheep or something to watch over! Has become a ball fanatic!! When we come home he runs out back and waits – will we go out and throw the ball for him???? But, I have found another side of him. That side that greets me every morning with a climb on the bed and a special lick “Hi Mom! I am so happy to start the day with you!” The side of him that stays with me throughout the day and gives me hugs and attention, not asking for anything, just attention. The special part of him who became a “nurse” for the first 2 days when I came home from the hospital. He stayed with me, right at my side on the couch or bed, nose touching me, making sure I was okay. This guy is the one who COMES when there is some tension (me yelling at the computer for example) asking “what’s wrong???” and gives me that special hug and kiss.

There is more to our world than training. When we looked for a dog to join our family, we did not look for the dog that had the best physical built, the one that would run the fastest, the breed that “learns the best” (is there one??). We looked for personality, WHO they were, for their soul. They joined the family as a family member. We train as an extra bonus.

RESULTS!

I am very excited! Today, I saw that Pippin has a very good understanding of “right” and “Left”!

First – when playing ball, I brought out a jump and had him jump the jump in a figure 8 by calling: “jump” “right” “jump” “left”, and with minor body movement from me, he would jump, turn around the pole in the direction indicated, and jump the pole again, and turn correctly again!! Yea!!!

Then – using my small “foot” platforms, we would be standing between the two and I would call out “foot right” and “foot left” and without ANY body indication (no hands or leaning. Can’t tell you if my head tilted or not), Pippin without hesitation, when to the correct platforms! Every time!!

Last – using the “foot” platform and the upside-down laundry hamper, starting in a prance position (standing between my legs), he could go out to the platform and stand directly behind it going in the proper direction indicated. This time, I am using “come by” and “away to me” to prepare for treibball. This last set he is not as confident, but I could tell that understanding is coming along.

Needless to say … both of us are very happy!

And … I am still in my back brace and getting good at standing straight. My head – well, still looking down. My goal will be to look out, but I still want to look at my pup.

Tomorrow's goal - look for confirmation of learning. And then go further!

Can't Bend!

I am recovering from a back surgery. Basically, while I am on the pain pills, I can’t drive. I can also only walk so far, have to sit straight, can’t sit in several chairs as I still need lots of pillows and such, and most importantly, I CAN’T BEND OVER.

So – what do I do while the bones heal? I want to work Pippin. I have discovered it is quite the challenge to train while not being able to Bend Over. I can’t pet him easily - I can kneel next to him - but I can’t do the quick bend over and pet and praise. He gets a tickle on his back instead. Somehow I am seeing, he understands. He is just as eager and energetic while we train. I do have cookies and the clicker, but he even seems more excited.

We train for 15 to 20 min at a time and then I need to rest. The last couple of days we have been doing platform work and working on precision. He has been struggling with choosing the right platform for the right command: heel, strut (heel on right), place (stand in front) and nez (stand behind me). So, today we had the leash on and I helped him so we did not stand for so long with guesses. I also only had 2 platforms out at a time, but we worked on all 4 positions. Bottom line – practice went great. I can move the platforms with my foot, the leash is loose but I can gently pop for the right direction, and best of all – I am learning to STAND UP STRAIGHT! This has been my own personal biggest struggle.

I love to look at my dogs when I train. I enjoy that contact that we make together. While I have fully appreciated those who can dance looking up and out without looking at their dogs, that is not my style. So, I have struggled to be able to look at them without bending over. Hmmm … found my solution … wear my back brace! I can see that this will not only train my pup but will also train me.

I am excited about this.

Oh – I am also excited because in the last two days, the “foot right” and “foot Left” command are really coming along. Pip knows what I am asking for now! YEA! This is also reinforcing the “Left” and “right”.

We also played around with going around “away to me” and “come by” to go around the hamper to get to the foot platform. WOW – this worked well and is very exciting. I am linking the training video where I saw this to share. Great for Treibball.

Right & Left

So today I did a “formal” training session with Pippin. With some help, the bedroom was cleared of dogs beds and I worked with platforms, thanks to Michele Pouliott.

Background: I am trying to teach Pippin “right” and “left” – where he would look in the correct direction when given the command or if I say “go right” or “go left” then he would run right or left.

I have been working this at first where Pip is sitting in front of me, and I am behind him so we are facing the same direction. I will say “right” and give him a cookie from my right hand. Repeat same direction. Then do “left”, and repeat. Do 2 or 3 rights, do 2 or 3 lefts, back and forth. We got to the point where he was able to look in the correct direction without a hand movement, and then I could click and then treat. After a few successful sessions, I turned it around so he was facing me. What happened here is that I would get great attention and he had a hard time looking away from me.

SO – went back to 1st exercise to establish what I was asking for but added a new component – toss the cookie. I would say “go right” and toss cookie right. He would look and then run. Pretty soon, the look and run were simultaneous –in both directions. Next step – give command “go right” or “go left” and wait for dog to move before tossing cookies. This went much slower. Pip was looking for the cookie. I would wait. Slowly he would move in the correct direction and I would click and toss cookie. I was looking for a step in the correct direction so I could confirm to him that “yes, you walk out that way and you get reward”. But, we never got past the slow walk. I could never get from Pip a confident move in the correct direction.

So – in come my platforms. I have 2 small ones that he puts his 2 front feet on, to the command of “foot”. I put these two out on either ends of my rug, about 5 feet apart from each other. Pippin and I were stationed at the mid point from these but about 3 feet away (think triangle – we were at the vertex). I would command “foot right” and use my right arm to direct to the right. Pippin would run to the right platform and put both front feet on. Cookie. Repeat and then do other side. Repeat a few times both sides. No clicking as I was showing him with my hand which platform I wanted.

Then, here is where I am not sure if I am moving too fast or not. I took away my hand and just gave the command “foot right”. Hesitation from Pip. Not sure which way to go. Slow walking in the correct direction. Then I realized my quandary: WHEN TO CLICK???? I did not know if I should click the fact that he was moving in the correct direction (right) or should I wait until he did the foot? I decided to click the movement in the correct direction. After all, he knows foot – we are working on direction, yes?
Result: after a few repetitions, what we ended up with was slow walking to the correct direction, but not sure if he was to do “Foot” or not. After all, he was clicked on the walking. HE would look at me before he got to the platform.

I feel that I am confusing my poor dog. I am trying to teach him not only to look in the correct directions, but to move in that direction as well. THOUGHTS? Would love some feedback.

A lovely Walk

Yesterday, Pippin said “Thank you for my walk”.

It was gracious and sweet. Reaffirmation of why I enjoy dogs so much.

Our daily walks are more than just slap a leash on the collar and walk down the street. They are the time of day when it is just the dogs and I enjoying our time together, working and just having fun. One day, my sister was with us and she said “I hope you don’t break his spirit with the training”. So, at first I laughed and replied “No! But, he has to know when to come and when to behave!”

But, let’s think about this – what does that really mean to “not break his spirit?” Pippin – a puppy at heart, always wanting to run, explore, chase, play, say “hi”, and, of course get what he wants. So, when I need him to come to me, he needs to come now – no questions asked. This here is the safety issue. We worked for almost a year on this, where he was on a long line and when I called “here” he had to come. Period. He got used to this, run to end of line, run around in circles, when Mom calls “here”, come racing in to get lots of praise & a cookie. Not hard. Take leash off. At first works great. Then he discovers that … there is no consequence. Mom calls – Pip conveniently “does not hear” and keeps going, Mom can’t pull back.

Sounds fun! What a fun spirit that pup has! Until we are trying to get Pip to come away from a horse, an aggressive dog, or worse, a coyote (luckily we have not met one of those up close).

I do love his spirit of exploration, his spirit of adventure, his spirit of love. But, I need to also have a spirit of “get back to Mom now! Mom is good! Mom is fun! Mom is better than the squirrel!” This has been the tough part. I have worked with several solutions, one being my favorite and what seems to be working the best – the Andy Shimada Quiet Attention. When Pips comes out of the car, I take him right away and into a comfortable heel position. I pet softly, and we talk quietly. “Remember who I am” I am trying to say “remember that you come back to me”. I may give a cookie, but usually not. Then, every time he comes to me, we have a short quiet attention time. Any side, quiet petting, usually me bending over him, usually getting lots of kisses. When Pip comes, he loves to bounce to either right or left heel for this petting. After a short petting time, we break into a little play or a little trick time with cookie, or sometimes he just gets the cookie for the come.

Am I getting to be better than the squirrel? I think so.
Am I breaking the spirit? I don't think so.
I hope I am keeping the spirit, but taming it for both our needs.

Yesterday, it was our first walk since my back surgery. I can’t walk far – we went only about 1/5 of our normal distance. David was with me and he was holding Pug’s leash and if Pip needed to go on leash, it was David. I could not bend over for quiet petting – but Pip seemed to know that. We had a lovely time. Lots of runs, lots of comes!! Always checking where we were and then off for a run – only to come back.

And then, in the car – his “Thank You”. What a lovely walk.

Second entry

Before I move on and Start Over I need to review what we already know.

With Genevieve, we know many obedience commands, we can fly thru Rally and in Freestyle, all I have to do is mention the move and she usually responds. Agility – well – while we have our Elite NADAC titles, I can’t say that every run was completed with full precision. My thoughts on all of this are that while Genevieve could basically do everything I asked of her, I had to give her many cues – verbal, visual, and more visual. I discovered that the smallest of body moves (shoulder tip, head tilt, finger flick) could mean volumes to her. I also found out that there were times when my mind would think one command, the voice would say another and my body would somehow convey the idea of both. Genevieve is wonderfully clever. She figured out what I was asking her to do in all those cases!

With Pippin, I am finding that he is also wonderfully clever. In the last two years I have tried to concentrate his training mainly on precision. No guess work on heel position on all four sides, no guess work as to what paw to pick up, no guess work as to anything that I ask. Why am I working so hard with him on this? Genny is a wonderful girl, but there were times that we “guessed” what each other were doing and well, this did not always come out good. Now I am looking for something more out of my future performances – partnership without the guess work.

What is Partnership without guess work? I am going to try to define this here and would love other thoughts as well.

Partnership – where my dog(s) and I can work together as one. We mirror each others’ moves, we listen to each other, compliment each other.
Guess work – there is a loss of communication and the dogs tries to guess what is next.

Now – in practice, guess work has produced some really neat freestyle moves from Genevieve and Toby. Shoot – the major part of their brace routine came from guess work. It is a great time to get new moves and I call it “playing around to music.” Somehow, I conveyed the idea to Genny and Toby that I was listening to what they wanted to do. But, it was not always clear when it was time to stop giving me what they wanted but to listen to me.

With Pip, I want to clear things up.

From his puppy hood, we have worked on learning behavior and giving me that behavior when asked. I may ask with visual and verbal, with verbal only, with a ball in my hand (that is the hard one) or sitting on the couch. So, how are we doing?

Hmmm – when I am standing and working with him with a clicker in my hand and cookies not far away, Pip does great. When I am sitting the couch (which is a lot right now) … well, we need to work hard again.

This is where I am starting now, see how much Pip understands as the environment (me) changes.

My Introduction - why this Blog

In this blog, I would like to look at, discuss and think about our relationship with our dogs.

My name is Corinne Lawson and I am a local Dog Training Instructor and have been for over 10 years. In these 10 years I have owned and worked with a variety of dogs, mostly mutts. We have played around with obedience, agility, a tiny bit of herding, rally and canine freestyle. This last discipline has taken up most of my heart and soul as well as my time and effort.

For a last few years it has been a quite the adventure in training. There are many thoughts about the "best way" to train obedience, the "only way" to train agility, "the most effective way" to train freestyle, and on and on. So, wait, what happens when I want to train in all three? I found great conflict. The more conflict that I found, the more confused my poor dogs and I became. In essense, we tore apart what we had learned and built.

Now, I found myself in a wonderful position to "start over".
In the last year, due to a back problem that kept getting worse and worse, I basically had to withdraw from all my favorite things dog. And now, I get the chance, starting with my recovery from surgery, I get to start again. Joining me is a wonderful, super-cute, eager to learn, and going-to-be-great-if-given-the-chance pup, Pippin, now 2 years old. He is now going to be my partner in our "start-over"!

My blog is going to be my journal of this start over, and a personal examination of how the disciplines work with each other, how they can (and cannot) compliment each other. Most importantly I am eager to explore our relationship with our dogs. We are their "owners". In obedience we give "commands". In agility we "run together". In freestyle we become "partners". Can the partnership of freestyle work hand in hand with the comanding obedience.

Please join me in the exploration. I invite serious comments from those who enjoy loving relationships with their dogs. Thanks for coming along!