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!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Friday, June 10, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
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!
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!
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