Yes, I know I haven't been updating. I'll catch up the show results later. But here's the shaping fun we've been doing the past two days.
I have four of the Paw Pods sold by FitPaws and Clean Run. I'm shaping the dogs to put their paws on the pods. First front paws, then rear paws, then all four paws.
Zane - front paws:
Bella - front paws:
Zane - rear paws:
Bella - rear paws:
Zane - all four paws:
Bella - all four paws:
Monday, October 24, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Bella is still stumped
For Sharon who asked about working on the marks for go-outs. Here is Bella working on the mark, first very close - I give the signal and click her for looking at the pole. Then move a step back. Then a bit farther. Then I make a big jump to the far end of the ring to see if she can mark from way back there. And nope, of course not! I was lumping. But I do want her to start to put the two together.
Then I did a go-out on a short length of the ring. I read somewhere that your dog understands go-outs when you can do go-outs to all 4 sides, so we're starting to work on all 4 sides. And. . . it's obvious that she thinks a go-out is to a specific pole, not across the ring. I didn't film that side, but I did the next side - another short length. Then she thinks she'll just head to the chair with her dinner on it. She'd rather have dinner than do go-outs after all! And this video shows that not all our training sessions are wonderful. Some have more wrong than right!
And for a gratuitous Zane sighting, look at him go on 8 poles! I didn't think he was going to collect for that entrance, but he did. Good boy!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Stumping Bella
I finally stumped Bella this evening. . . but only for a few minutes.
The other day, I realized that all of her go-outs have been to the same end of our practice ring (when practicing at home - she does them in other places too). So we turned around and went to the other end. That was hard because first she went to a platform, so I moved it. Then she went to a cone that was nearby (trained behavior for the Advanced Teamwork class), so I moved that. Then she finally headed to the post.
Tonight she did go-outs to both ends of the rings, then I moved the jumps out, went to one of the sides of the ring and sent her to the other side (running the short length). What did she do? She turned and went to the post she had last gone to instead of the one across the ring.
I realized I need to make her mark before the go-outs stronger. So we went to each post, stood about 4 feet from it, I marked it, and clicked when she locked on it. I gradually add more distance, then I'll feel better. I want her to mark and see where she's heading before I send her, instead of leaving me then figuring out where to go.
Zane is doing beginning go-outs. He's going a little farther than half the ring, but we build up to that each time.
And Zane's weaves are looking good! He's driving through, nice footwork, and he gets those entrances!
The other day, I realized that all of her go-outs have been to the same end of our practice ring (when practicing at home - she does them in other places too). So we turned around and went to the other end. That was hard because first she went to a platform, so I moved it. Then she went to a cone that was nearby (trained behavior for the Advanced Teamwork class), so I moved that. Then she finally headed to the post.
Tonight she did go-outs to both ends of the rings, then I moved the jumps out, went to one of the sides of the ring and sent her to the other side (running the short length). What did she do? She turned and went to the post she had last gone to instead of the one across the ring.
I realized I need to make her mark before the go-outs stronger. So we went to each post, stood about 4 feet from it, I marked it, and clicked when she locked on it. I gradually add more distance, then I'll feel better. I want her to mark and see where she's heading before I send her, instead of leaving me then figuring out where to go.
Zane is doing beginning go-outs. He's going a little farther than half the ring, but we build up to that each time.
And Zane's weaves are looking good! He's driving through, nice footwork, and he gets those entrances!
Freestyle
This weekend, Zane and I went to a Freestyle seminar in Tucson.
Friday night at the hotel, Zane was a bit freaked. He's actually been at this hotel before (but didn't spend the night there) for a dog show. This hotel is a series of buildings with wonderful courtyards in between. We were outside that evening and he was freaking about everything: people, birds, trains. . . it was all a bit much for the country dog gone to the big city. We played a lot of "look at that".
The next day was was the first day of the workshop. There's Zane working in a room with a ton of other dogs out - all working at the same time and at times pretty darn close. He settled right in and did it! He had to look around a bit, but his focus was pretty good and he did everything I asked.
Throughout the weekend he had dogs all around him. He made some new friends, let other dogs sniff him, talked to other people. . . what a great growing up experience for him.
The seminar was put on by Judy Gamet of Dogs Can Dance. What an exciting seminar! And the truth is, this seminar wasn't just about Freestyle. There were things to bring into obedience and rally and conformation and just about anything we do with our dogs. What a wealth of information.
One interesting thing that happened. Judy shows us that our dogs chose the right music - it's not just about matching the dog's footsteps to the music. The dogs will show you if they like a piece of music or not. On Sunday, Zane and I were out on the floor with the James Bond theme playing. He was wild - leaping and bouncing and getting mouthy. He was horrible! Then Judy changed the music to Mission Impossible and he immediately settled down, got into heel position and strutted around the room. What a difference just with a music change!
I never, ever thought I'd have anything to contribute at this seminar (I don't do freestyle after all!), but a couple of times I was able to help people. I was trying to explain to one woman how to move differently for her dog, but I couldn't get across what I meant. The next time I had a run through, she said, "I get it! Your lower body is moving, but your upper body is very still except for your cues." Her next run was gorgeous. Her body was so smooth and easy - she'd start to go to her old style of moving and catch herself and get beautiful again. I think the still upper body must come from obedience, because I sure don't realize I'm doing it!
Towards the end of the workshop, I was in a group with her, and we were going one by one, moving with the music, and watching the dog so we could tell the handler what the dog liked and didn't like. For the spins, we told her to slow down, use big sweeping hand motions, and wait for her dog. All of a sudden, you could see the teamwork happen. She and her dog (a Berner) were so graceful and wonderful. She told us that she kept trying to make the dog spin faster like a Border Collie. But her dog is NOT a BC and had such elegance and beauty when allowed to move like she's supposed to. What a light bulb moment for that team.
The funniest moment in the seminar was after Judy had already told us to limit a move to 3 times in a row. Never do it more than three times. One woman was doing a grapevine into a weave, then a grapevine the other way to a weave. She did it three times, and went for a fourth. As her dog started to go under her for the weave, he reached up and bit her in the crotch. "We don't do it more than 3 times. Now learn that lesson!" She sure learned it well! The dogs will find ways to tell us if we don't listen.
Friday night at the hotel, Zane was a bit freaked. He's actually been at this hotel before (but didn't spend the night there) for a dog show. This hotel is a series of buildings with wonderful courtyards in between. We were outside that evening and he was freaking about everything: people, birds, trains. . . it was all a bit much for the country dog gone to the big city. We played a lot of "look at that".
The next day was was the first day of the workshop. There's Zane working in a room with a ton of other dogs out - all working at the same time and at times pretty darn close. He settled right in and did it! He had to look around a bit, but his focus was pretty good and he did everything I asked.
Throughout the weekend he had dogs all around him. He made some new friends, let other dogs sniff him, talked to other people. . . what a great growing up experience for him.
The seminar was put on by Judy Gamet of Dogs Can Dance. What an exciting seminar! And the truth is, this seminar wasn't just about Freestyle. There were things to bring into obedience and rally and conformation and just about anything we do with our dogs. What a wealth of information.
One interesting thing that happened. Judy shows us that our dogs chose the right music - it's not just about matching the dog's footsteps to the music. The dogs will show you if they like a piece of music or not. On Sunday, Zane and I were out on the floor with the James Bond theme playing. He was wild - leaping and bouncing and getting mouthy. He was horrible! Then Judy changed the music to Mission Impossible and he immediately settled down, got into heel position and strutted around the room. What a difference just with a music change!
I never, ever thought I'd have anything to contribute at this seminar (I don't do freestyle after all!), but a couple of times I was able to help people. I was trying to explain to one woman how to move differently for her dog, but I couldn't get across what I meant. The next time I had a run through, she said, "I get it! Your lower body is moving, but your upper body is very still except for your cues." Her next run was gorgeous. Her body was so smooth and easy - she'd start to go to her old style of moving and catch herself and get beautiful again. I think the still upper body must come from obedience, because I sure don't realize I'm doing it!
Towards the end of the workshop, I was in a group with her, and we were going one by one, moving with the music, and watching the dog so we could tell the handler what the dog liked and didn't like. For the spins, we told her to slow down, use big sweeping hand motions, and wait for her dog. All of a sudden, you could see the teamwork happen. She and her dog (a Berner) were so graceful and wonderful. She told us that she kept trying to make the dog spin faster like a Border Collie. But her dog is NOT a BC and had such elegance and beauty when allowed to move like she's supposed to. What a light bulb moment for that team.
The funniest moment in the seminar was after Judy had already told us to limit a move to 3 times in a row. Never do it more than three times. One woman was doing a grapevine into a weave, then a grapevine the other way to a weave. She did it three times, and went for a fourth. As her dog started to go under her for the weave, he reached up and bit her in the crotch. "We don't do it more than 3 times. Now learn that lesson!" She sure learned it well! The dogs will find ways to tell us if we don't listen.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Must Catch Up
I must try to catch up on the blog! It won't happen tonight. . . but I did want to share a couple of things.
Zane worked through the 2x2 weave system and was doing 6 poles. But I wanted better footwork and speed, so I've switched him to offset poles. They're only offset 1 inch off center, but they are my only set of 24" poles, so we'll work these and then close them up again.
I've also added a jump at the beginning and end. I work on following him through the poles, being in front of him, calling him through , and rear crossing. Occasionally I front cross the poles.
I'm trying to decide if Zane is going to enter an upcoming ARF course at a CWAGS trial. Just in case, he's practicing his freestyle foursome. In the class, the dogs have to perform a 4 part freestyle chain of our choice. So here's what we have right now:
Zane worked through the 2x2 weave system and was doing 6 poles. But I wanted better footwork and speed, so I've switched him to offset poles. They're only offset 1 inch off center, but they are my only set of 24" poles, so we'll work these and then close them up again.
I've also added a jump at the beginning and end. I work on following him through the poles, being in front of him, calling him through , and rear crossing. Occasionally I front cross the poles.
I'm trying to decide if Zane is going to enter an upcoming ARF course at a CWAGS trial. Just in case, he's practicing his freestyle foursome. In the class, the dogs have to perform a 4 part freestyle chain of our choice. So here's what we have right now:
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Scent Work
Along with nosework, Bella is working on scent articles. Because I want her ready for Advanced Teamwork if it's ever offered, I have some sets of "unusual" scent articles. She worked our fruit/veggie basket, our baby/toy basket, and traditional articles today.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Rally Practice
We have some Rally trials in September to enter, so a couple of practices a week are dedicated to Rally. Here's Zane working on Rally for his dinner this evening.
Earlier this week there was a discussion of how to get straight fronts on the Aussie Board. To help others understand sidepasses and how to get them, I made this video of Otter learning the beginnings of a sidepass. All the base work for this is the brickwork.
Bella went herding on Sunday. She was a little wilder this week and her flanking wasn't as square. She also is way too well proofed for obedience. Put her in a down, and move towards her with the stick and she thinks you're proofing. She won't move. So this week I'm working on it at home with a clicker, mats, and a stick. Oh, and I'm teaching her "lie down" instead of just "down" for herding. So I ask her to "lie down" and when she does, click/treat. Then I move toward her with the stick, "shushing" her and click when she turns to the side and heads to a mat. I can send her from mat to mat getting square flanks, clicking that perfect turn. We'll see if it holds up on stock. (Yeah right - major distraction there!)
On Friday Bella and I head to San Diego for an ASCA obedience trial. Fingers crossed! We've got her halts back in place. Now the hard part is for me to remember to walk at her optimum pace - 120 bpm. Travis was a 140 bpm, and I keep wanting to go way too fast for Bella. Every time we heel I have a metronome going (app on my phone) to help me keep the right speed.
Earlier this week there was a discussion of how to get straight fronts on the Aussie Board. To help others understand sidepasses and how to get them, I made this video of Otter learning the beginnings of a sidepass. All the base work for this is the brickwork.
Bella went herding on Sunday. She was a little wilder this week and her flanking wasn't as square. She also is way too well proofed for obedience. Put her in a down, and move towards her with the stick and she thinks you're proofing. She won't move. So this week I'm working on it at home with a clicker, mats, and a stick. Oh, and I'm teaching her "lie down" instead of just "down" for herding. So I ask her to "lie down" and when she does, click/treat. Then I move toward her with the stick, "shushing" her and click when she turns to the side and heads to a mat. I can send her from mat to mat getting square flanks, clicking that perfect turn. We'll see if it holds up on stock. (Yeah right - major distraction there!)
On Friday Bella and I head to San Diego for an ASCA obedience trial. Fingers crossed! We've got her halts back in place. Now the hard part is for me to remember to walk at her optimum pace - 120 bpm. Travis was a 140 bpm, and I keep wanting to go way too fast for Bella. Every time we heel I have a metronome going (app on my phone) to help me keep the right speed.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Carting Fun
Zane has had two lessons with his training wheels for carting. First lesson was just to get him comfortable with the contraption, walking between the shafts, and seeing the whole thing move while I pulled it. This morning he learned to accept the shafts moving and the whole thing moving as he walked between the shafts.
A group of us get together as many Friday evenings as possible to help each other prepare for the obedience ring. We do a lot of proofing and distraction work. Last night was great. While Bella did her retrieves, a friend threw a stick of string cheese just past the dumbbell. Could she bring the dumbbell back without grabbing the cheese? The first time I had to stop her from going to the cheese (a verbal stop). The second time she got the dumbbell, veered toward the cheese, but turned and came back. The third time, clean pickup and turn and return. Perfect!
We didn't get to that point overnight, nor is it something I would expect her to succeed at without foundation work to get her there. First we started with hand touches through distractions. I held food in one hand and asked for a touch to the other. So she had to turn away from the cheese to touch the other hand in order to get the cheese. Very Zen. Then I did the same thing with a dumbbell. The key is, she doesn't get food unless I release her to it. But "take it" always means retrieve something and bring it back. It does not mean get the food. So simple baby steps leading up to an impressive result.
A group of us get together as many Friday evenings as possible to help each other prepare for the obedience ring. We do a lot of proofing and distraction work. Last night was great. While Bella did her retrieves, a friend threw a stick of string cheese just past the dumbbell. Could she bring the dumbbell back without grabbing the cheese? The first time I had to stop her from going to the cheese (a verbal stop). The second time she got the dumbbell, veered toward the cheese, but turned and came back. The third time, clean pickup and turn and return. Perfect!
We didn't get to that point overnight, nor is it something I would expect her to succeed at without foundation work to get her there. First we started with hand touches through distractions. I held food in one hand and asked for a touch to the other. So she had to turn away from the cheese to touch the other hand in order to get the cheese. Very Zen. Then I did the same thing with a dumbbell. The key is, she doesn't get food unless I release her to it. But "take it" always means retrieve something and bring it back. It does not mean get the food. So simple baby steps leading up to an impressive result.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Agility, Obedience, and Neutering
I never have a set time for spaying or neutering a dog. It's kind of individual for each dog. Today, Otter went in for his neuter. I don't typically do it this early (7 months), but I had my reasons. Otter is one of those more independent dogs, and I didn't want testosterone adding to that independence. He's already starting to lift his leg, so the testosterone is at work. So off they came. The vet said he came out of anesthesia quickly. They took him off the table and he walked back the crate. He's not real happy right now wearing the cone of shame, but a dog's gotta' live with it.
I'm pleased with Zane's weave pole training so far. We typically work morning and evening for about 5 minutes - and most of that is the tugging. We're still on 2 poles, but working on calling through with him at various positions around the clock.
One note about Zane. He is STRONG! When tugging, I have to make sure I protect my elbows and shoulders. I've had many a sore shoulder after a tugging session. I think he could pull it right out of socket.
In looking at Bella's obedience work, her biggest loss of points is going to be on the halts. She sits too far forward - forging badly. Tonight we ran through Open. She would have NQed on the broad jump. Not only did she cut the corner enough for an NQ, but she ticked the jump too. Cutting the corner is an on-going problem for her. I'm still working on it. She doesn't care if there's chicken wire there; she lands right on it. Sometimes I step into the corner. But I need to solve the problem.
I'm pleased with Zane's weave pole training so far. We typically work morning and evening for about 5 minutes - and most of that is the tugging. We're still on 2 poles, but working on calling through with him at various positions around the clock.
One note about Zane. He is STRONG! When tugging, I have to make sure I protect my elbows and shoulders. I've had many a sore shoulder after a tugging session. I think he could pull it right out of socket.
In looking at Bella's obedience work, her biggest loss of points is going to be on the halts. She sits too far forward - forging badly. Tonight we ran through Open. She would have NQed on the broad jump. Not only did she cut the corner enough for an NQ, but she ticked the jump too. Cutting the corner is an on-going problem for her. I'm still working on it. She doesn't care if there's chicken wire there; she lands right on it. Sometimes I step into the corner. But I need to solve the problem.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Agility Drills
Zane has started his 2x2 weave pole training. I'm using Mary Ellen Barry's mods (found here: http://www.kineticdog.com/Files/2%20x%202%20PDF.pdf ) He's still on 2 poles, but they are gradually turning straighter and straighter.
He's also working on some agility drills in the evening. He does about 3 drills an evening (some have to be repeated so we figure them out). Here's tonight's runs:
He's also working on some agility drills in the evening. He does about 3 drills an evening (some have to be repeated so we figure them out). Here's tonight's runs:
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Catching Up
Yes, we are all still alive in Arizona. We do live in the area of the Monument Fire and did have to evacuate for about a week, but no damage to our house. It came darn close though.
There is so much to catch up on. Every morning I go for a walk and take one of the dogs with me. The last time it was Zane's turn, a lady was in her front yard with her fat, black Cocker Spaniel. The dog came running to us. The lady's standing there calling the dog, who completely ignores her. Zane does NOT like dogs running up on him, so I stepped between, body blocked, and the dog kept coming. I blocked again and the dog ran right into my leg. A couple of more blocks, and the dog finally gave up and headed home. Zane and I continued our walk.
That evening, we were at the park for obedience run-throughs with friends. We had a partial ring set up and I was running Bella through Open, so all off-leash. A woman walks right into the ring while we're working with her poodle on a flexi-lead pulling ahead of her. Bella also doesn't like strange dogs just coming up on her. I stepped between her and the dog and said, "Please leave the ring." The woman kept coming. "Please leave now." I had to ask three times before she would leave.
For these kind of dogs, it is so important that they see me taking charge and protecting them. That way they don't get defensive and protect themselves.
The dogs playing in the rain. It's the first real rain the boys have seen!
Bella and Otter in the rain
Otter in the rain
Zane says, "Mama. It's wet out there."
Zane practicing Freestyle moves:
Bella practicing fronts. I think she understands the concept!
Bella practicing stays with the ducks and geese:
There is so much to catch up on. Every morning I go for a walk and take one of the dogs with me. The last time it was Zane's turn, a lady was in her front yard with her fat, black Cocker Spaniel. The dog came running to us. The lady's standing there calling the dog, who completely ignores her. Zane does NOT like dogs running up on him, so I stepped between, body blocked, and the dog kept coming. I blocked again and the dog ran right into my leg. A couple of more blocks, and the dog finally gave up and headed home. Zane and I continued our walk.
That evening, we were at the park for obedience run-throughs with friends. We had a partial ring set up and I was running Bella through Open, so all off-leash. A woman walks right into the ring while we're working with her poodle on a flexi-lead pulling ahead of her. Bella also doesn't like strange dogs just coming up on her. I stepped between her and the dog and said, "Please leave the ring." The woman kept coming. "Please leave now." I had to ask three times before she would leave.
For these kind of dogs, it is so important that they see me taking charge and protecting them. That way they don't get defensive and protect themselves.
The dogs playing in the rain. It's the first real rain the boys have seen!
Bella and Otter in the rain
Otter in the rain
Zane says, "Mama. It's wet out there."
Zane practicing Freestyle moves:
Bella practicing fronts. I think she understands the concept!
Bella practicing stays with the ducks and geese:
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Zane's Potential
I've known for awhile that Zane has a lot of potential in the obedience ring. But with his fear issues and noise sensitivity, I wasn't sure how he would handle trialing. I continued to train him, knowing he might never enter an obedience ring.
This morning at our Rally practice in the park, he proved that he may do it one day. About 50 feet from where we were practicing for Beginner Novice (not Rally, but it was too windy for the signs), they were setting up a huge bouncy castle. There was a generator going, the castle going up, and they were pounding large stakes into the ground. He heeled like a champ. He only lost focus once - on the figure 8, but got right back. He would glance away, and immediately look back at me. He was a little concerned about what was going on over there, but didn't let it stop him from doing his job. He did the rest of the exercises, including the stay-walk around and novice stays with no problem. That was a huge distraction with some sharp and loud noises, and he did it!
I've never taken my male dogs into the ring until they reach 3 years old, so Zane has plenty of time to continue training, continue working through distractions, and continue getting better. I think he'll do it.
I'm very impressed with his heeling right now. I think he's better than Bella. His about turns are gorgeous and his left turns are tight and like pivots. I cannot fault him at all. Good job Zaney Butt Head!
This morning at our Rally practice in the park, he proved that he may do it one day. About 50 feet from where we were practicing for Beginner Novice (not Rally, but it was too windy for the signs), they were setting up a huge bouncy castle. There was a generator going, the castle going up, and they were pounding large stakes into the ground. He heeled like a champ. He only lost focus once - on the figure 8, but got right back. He would glance away, and immediately look back at me. He was a little concerned about what was going on over there, but didn't let it stop him from doing his job. He did the rest of the exercises, including the stay-walk around and novice stays with no problem. That was a huge distraction with some sharp and loud noises, and he did it!
I've never taken my male dogs into the ring until they reach 3 years old, so Zane has plenty of time to continue training, continue working through distractions, and continue getting better. I think he'll do it.
I'm very impressed with his heeling right now. I think he's better than Bella. His about turns are gorgeous and his left turns are tight and like pivots. I cannot fault him at all. Good job Zaney Butt Head!
Bella's APDT Brags
This weekend Bella and I headed to New Mexico for an APDT Rally trial. She had the chance to finish two titles and did it in style!
She needed three double Q's in Level 1 and Level 2 to finish her ARCH. Then she needed one leg in Level 3 to finish her RL3. She did all seven runs with perfect scores of 210. What a dog!
While at the trial, she was worked on by a woman who is a massage therapist, T-Touch practitioner, and Reiki master. Bella was in heaven and trotted off like a pup after that. In fact, for a couple of days after, she was downright naughty! She felt so much better.
She needed three double Q's in Level 1 and Level 2 to finish her ARCH. Then she needed one leg in Level 3 to finish her RL3. She did all seven runs with perfect scores of 210. What a dog!
While at the trial, she was worked on by a woman who is a massage therapist, T-Touch practitioner, and Reiki master. Bella was in heaven and trotted off like a pup after that. In fact, for a couple of days after, she was downright naughty! She felt so much better.
Send Away
Another exercise in the Advanced Teamwork class is the Send Away. Here are my notes on this class:
Send to the cone - this is a simple "place" to my dogs. Remember, place is go to the cone and place your paw on it. They have gotten very good at this exercise. But then notice that you have to put them in the position of the judge's choice. How many of us practice a "stand" at a distance? I actually have, and it paid off here. At first, Bella and Zane didn't understand that once they touched the cone, they might have to do something else. Basically, I'm building a chain - place, then position. Zane would try to hit the cone with his paw again, but he soon understood the chain and could sit, down, or stand once he got to place.
Now, the send to the marked square. I actually have not worked this with just a marked square. I am using a rubber mat to send them to. This is something we've done with Treiball. They've learned to go to a mat, then to move side to side to other mats in a line. That was a great foundation for this exercise. I do use herding cues and signals, so I continued that with this. From the cone to the mat is either "go bye" or "away" with the arm "pushing" them in that direction. Once they could do that easily, we added the position cue. It's working well.
I have not added the call to heel to this yet, but we already do a lot of call to heels, so I don't expect a big problem. They may have to work on staying in position while I start moving, but they'll get it fast.
Send Away
- Principal parts: Dog goes away from handler to the designated cone. Dog remains in sit/down/stand at cone until directed to second location. Remains in sit/down/stand in square area until directed to heel position and continue heeling.
- Orders: Send your dog. Resend your dog. Forward. Call your dog to heel.
- Judge determines the position at the end of each send. They can be different. Choices are sit, down, and stand.
- Single cone at end of ring, about 3 feet from ring barriers. In the opposite corner is a 4x4 square marked with chalk or tape.
- Set up facing cone – on same side of ring, but opposite end. Command and/or signal to send to cone and command and/or signal dog to stand/sit/down (determined by judge). Dog must be within 3 feet of cone.
- Command and/or signal to square, then command and/or signal the dog to stand, sit, or down.
- Judge calls heeling pattern. Any time after two turns, judge will command “Call your dog to heel”. You continue moving – dog comes to heel. You continue heeling together until judge commands halt.
Send to the cone - this is a simple "place" to my dogs. Remember, place is go to the cone and place your paw on it. They have gotten very good at this exercise. But then notice that you have to put them in the position of the judge's choice. How many of us practice a "stand" at a distance? I actually have, and it paid off here. At first, Bella and Zane didn't understand that once they touched the cone, they might have to do something else. Basically, I'm building a chain - place, then position. Zane would try to hit the cone with his paw again, but he soon understood the chain and could sit, down, or stand once he got to place.
Now, the send to the marked square. I actually have not worked this with just a marked square. I am using a rubber mat to send them to. This is something we've done with Treiball. They've learned to go to a mat, then to move side to side to other mats in a line. That was a great foundation for this exercise. I do use herding cues and signals, so I continued that with this. From the cone to the mat is either "go bye" or "away" with the arm "pushing" them in that direction. Once they could do that easily, we added the position cue. It's working well.
I have not added the call to heel to this yet, but we already do a lot of call to heels, so I don't expect a big problem. They may have to work on staying in position while I start moving, but they'll get it fast.
4.
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7.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Advanced Teamwork - Object Pickup and Placement
One of the new non-regular classes in AKC is the Advanced Teamwork class. For those who like training challenges and something new, this class is for you.
Every AT class will include heeling - and the heeling is supposed to be challenging. Then the judge will pick 4 more exercises from among the following:
Object Pickup and Placement
Send Away
Scent Work
Seek Back
Moving Stand, Sit, or Down
Baseball Glove Retrieve
Distance Control
Heeling
I'd like to look at each exercise over the next few days and discuss possible training plans and what I'm finding with my own dogs as I train for it. Let's start with Object Pickup and Placement. Here are some of my notes on key parts I need to remember for this exercise.
1. Principal parts: Dog goes to object, picks it up, stops on command, places the object as directed and returns to front.
2. Orders: Throw it. Send your dog. Right or Left. Finish.
3. Object does not have to be dumbbell. Squeakers/noise makers have to be removed.
4. Two cones placed where utility jumps would be placed.
5. Judge tells you where to stand – does not have to be centered between cones.
6. Throw object at least 30 feet.
7. Immediately after dog picks up object, command them to sit.
8. Judge will tell you which cone to send your dog to.
9. Command and/or signal to the correct cone. May stop and redirect the dog with penalties.
10. When dog gets to cone, have them drop dumbbell within 2 feet of base.
11. Command or signal dog to come. Handler does NOT turn to face dog.
There are so many individual parts to train for this exercise. Only after the individual parts are solid can you put them together.
First you have to have a retrieve.
You have to make sure your dog can sit when told at a distance while still holding the dumbbell (my dogs seemed to think that "sit" meant drop the dumbbell before planting their butts on the ground).
They have to know how to get to a cone on command.
They have to be able to drop their retrieve object at a distance.
They have to know how to line up for front when coming at an angle.
Just for fun, I took Bella out just to see how she would handle this without further training. She went out to pick up the dumbbell. When told to sit, she dropped the dumbbell first. I had to do several "Take it, sit, take it, sit, take it, sit" before she would sit while holding it. I was able to direct her to either cone using a directed jumping signal and her "wrap" command (which means to wrap around the cone). Drop it that far away was hard - she usually dropped it more than 2 feet away from the cone. She's better at getting in front when coming from the right than coming from the left.
So now, I'm breaking this down.
For the retrieve portion we're only working on her taking it then sitting on command. Sometimes I have her sit, sometimes I have her come to front. I don't want her to think every retrieve is going to involve a sit. If I don't say anything, get it to me. If I tell you to sit, then sit while still holding it.
Separately I'm working on her going to the cone and setting her paw on the base. She got this very quickly, so I'm handing her the dumbbell at my side and sending her to place.
In other sessions I'm working on distance drops. I have her stand, take the dumbbell from my hand, then I walk varying distances, turn, and ask her to drop.
And in yet other sessions, we work on getting into front - I'm working it at 90 degree angles right now. Again, she has trouble coming from the left - she sits in between heel position and front position, so I'm working the left side more.
I will be interested to see if they modify the regs to make touching the cone a penalty. But until then, I like this training plan. The puppies are learning the various parts, but moving much slower when it comes to new concepts and distances. Zane could sit while holding the dumbbell, and he could drop at greater distances. Otter is not retrieving yet, so he is just learning to touch the cone.
Every AT class will include heeling - and the heeling is supposed to be challenging. Then the judge will pick 4 more exercises from among the following:
Object Pickup and Placement
Send Away
Scent Work
Seek Back
Moving Stand, Sit, or Down
Baseball Glove Retrieve
Distance Control
Heeling
I'd like to look at each exercise over the next few days and discuss possible training plans and what I'm finding with my own dogs as I train for it. Let's start with Object Pickup and Placement. Here are some of my notes on key parts I need to remember for this exercise.
1. Principal parts: Dog goes to object, picks it up, stops on command, places the object as directed and returns to front.
2. Orders: Throw it. Send your dog. Right or Left. Finish.
3. Object does not have to be dumbbell. Squeakers/noise makers have to be removed.
4. Two cones placed where utility jumps would be placed.
5. Judge tells you where to stand – does not have to be centered between cones.
6. Throw object at least 30 feet.
7. Immediately after dog picks up object, command them to sit.
8. Judge will tell you which cone to send your dog to.
9. Command and/or signal to the correct cone. May stop and redirect the dog with penalties.
10. When dog gets to cone, have them drop dumbbell within 2 feet of base.
11. Command or signal dog to come. Handler does NOT turn to face dog.
There are so many individual parts to train for this exercise. Only after the individual parts are solid can you put them together.
First you have to have a retrieve.
You have to make sure your dog can sit when told at a distance while still holding the dumbbell (my dogs seemed to think that "sit" meant drop the dumbbell before planting their butts on the ground).
They have to know how to get to a cone on command.
They have to be able to drop their retrieve object at a distance.
They have to know how to line up for front when coming at an angle.
Just for fun, I took Bella out just to see how she would handle this without further training. She went out to pick up the dumbbell. When told to sit, she dropped the dumbbell first. I had to do several "Take it, sit, take it, sit, take it, sit" before she would sit while holding it. I was able to direct her to either cone using a directed jumping signal and her "wrap" command (which means to wrap around the cone). Drop it that far away was hard - she usually dropped it more than 2 feet away from the cone. She's better at getting in front when coming from the right than coming from the left.
So now, I'm breaking this down.
For the retrieve portion we're only working on her taking it then sitting on command. Sometimes I have her sit, sometimes I have her come to front. I don't want her to think every retrieve is going to involve a sit. If I don't say anything, get it to me. If I tell you to sit, then sit while still holding it.
Separately I'm working on her going to the cone and setting her paw on the base. She got this very quickly, so I'm handing her the dumbbell at my side and sending her to place.
In other sessions I'm working on distance drops. I have her stand, take the dumbbell from my hand, then I walk varying distances, turn, and ask her to drop.
And in yet other sessions, we work on getting into front - I'm working it at 90 degree angles right now. Again, she has trouble coming from the left - she sits in between heel position and front position, so I'm working the left side more.
I will be interested to see if they modify the regs to make touching the cone a penalty. But until then, I like this training plan. The puppies are learning the various parts, but moving much slower when it comes to new concepts and distances. Zane could sit while holding the dumbbell, and he could drop at greater distances. Otter is not retrieving yet, so he is just learning to touch the cone.
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