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.
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