Well, I won't actually be in the trial, but I will observe and see where I need to gear my dogs to get a BH.
Sinn Keeper are doing nicely in obedience, I need to remind myself to fade the treats more and more. I think treats are more of a crutch for me than a necessary item for them. Keeper needs to start learning "Near Me" and Sinn needs to brush up on about turns.
Tracking is great, Sinn has his turns down pat and I am stepping into my tracks much more lightly. Next is articles! Keeper is doing much better. I followed Miriam's advice and always track her first. Adding a turn gradually and while increasing the amount of steps, decreasing the amount of food, and still stepping deep.
Have not had a protection practice in awhile. sigh.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
All is Well. Just Really Busy!
Sinn and Keeper are doing very well, progressing quickly through their training.
Tracking: Sinn now has a sharper turn, longer tracks, and treat reinforcement every 4 or 5 steps. Keeper will be going to reinforcement every other step, and I am adding a gradual turn.
Obedience wise, Sinn is losing the rust from lack of practice, and is heeling nicely, better than he ever has before. I need to step up my corrections when he greets people, as I want him to pass his CGC test. Keeper is heeling nicely, sits quickly, brings, and her downs are coming along well, fading the hand signal in strange areas, and in familiar territory she doesn't need the hand signal at all.
Protection: sinn is still Sinn. Keep er is building drive through the two toy game and learning whip cracks won't hurt her, they are just sounds that signal fun time:)
Tracking: Sinn now has a sharper turn, longer tracks, and treat reinforcement every 4 or 5 steps. Keeper will be going to reinforcement every other step, and I am adding a gradual turn.
Obedience wise, Sinn is losing the rust from lack of practice, and is heeling nicely, better than he ever has before. I need to step up my corrections when he greets people, as I want him to pass his CGC test. Keeper is heeling nicely, sits quickly, brings, and her downs are coming along well, fading the hand signal in strange areas, and in familiar territory she doesn't need the hand signal at all.
Protection: sinn is still Sinn. Keep er is building drive through the two toy game and learning whip cracks won't hurt her, they are just sounds that signal fun time:)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tracking for Both
I met Lilliana, Jorge, and Juan, (Pat snuck in later) for Sunday tracking. Keeper did better than usual, I had to strongly apply the brakes, as she still tries to zoom down the track and get to the jackpot at the end, but she at least got more than the last two times.
Sinn tried hard considering he had two variables changed in one session...In the future I think I will only change one thing at a time. I increased the distance between incentives, from every other step to every third step. Also, I stopped using the puppy track method and adopted the shuffle step:) Both were suggestions from Dennis in the last tracking session, which I forgot to blog about.
Sinn tried hard considering he had two variables changed in one session...In the future I think I will only change one thing at a time. I increased the distance between incentives, from every other step to every third step. Also, I stopped using the puppy track method and adopted the shuffle step:) Both were suggestions from Dennis in the last tracking session, which I forgot to blog about.
Thursday: Protection Day
Keeper did great her first time out with Kit in a few weeks! Although, the second time we had to exit the field for an impromptu bathroom break. Then, upon entering the field again, Kit cracked the whip and that really put Keeper off for the majority of her time. Luckily she bounced back and went for the puppy sleeve again.
I had suspected before this she was nervous about loud noises, so this is a definite conformation. Now I will work on desensitizing her to them.
I had suspected before this she was nervous about loud noises, so this is a definite conformation. Now I will work on desensitizing her to them.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Random Tracking Practice
I missed the Wednesday morning practice (damn working folk and their punctuality) so Keeper and I did our own practice at the local park. Sinn is still layed up with allergies. Keeper did exceedingly well, if anything too fast down the track, missing most of the treats. The grass was very short and the ground hard packed, I do not think I will use this park again for practice.
To her credit, she kept her nose directly on the track the whole time. The track was about 30-35 feet.
To her credit, she kept her nose directly on the track the whole time. The track was about 30-35 feet.
Improving My Habits
Ok, I have been very bad since returning from vacation regarding obedience practice. So this week I have been making it a point to just do a few minutes of obedience with each dog in random places in my neighborhood daily. First day we were all rusty, but I think it is coming back now.
Tracking at Robbins Lodge was not stellar as they have been. Poor Sinn with his itchy allergies actually flopped in the high grass mid track and started rolling around! Though I couldn't help snickering, it is not a habit I want him picking up. Benadryl has been administered, so hopefully this weekend he will be up to scratch. Keeper, due to the fact initially I was backed off her a bit, needed redirection from me. So Denis directed me to stay close to her side until she makes more of a connection.
Tracking at Robbins Lodge was not stellar as they have been. Poor Sinn with his itchy allergies actually flopped in the high grass mid track and started rolling around! Though I couldn't help snickering, it is not a habit I want him picking up. Benadryl has been administered, so hopefully this weekend he will be up to scratch. Keeper, due to the fact initially I was backed off her a bit, needed redirection from me. So Denis directed me to stay close to her side until she makes more of a connection.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Back From Vacation!
I will have to review some obedience with the mutts since we had a long absence from each other. Tracking on Sunday went very well though, especially Sinn!
I think this was the longest track he has ever done, and I put hot dogs in every other footstep instead of every step, also had a sweeping curve in it. He did wonderful! Looked up only once, but kept his nose very deep the vast majority of the track.
Keeper, I suspect, still has not connected the treats to the track. I helped her by pointing out a hot dog piece and telling her "such." I had to redirect four times, I think much of it is due to her rushing. She did a 20 foot track, treat in every step, big jack pot at end.
My biggest challenge with her is to get her to realize I am expecting something from her and the rewards come when she does the behavior I am asking for. For a dog to be about 5 years, I realize it will take her some time to learn how to learn.
I think this was the longest track he has ever done, and I put hot dogs in every other footstep instead of every step, also had a sweeping curve in it. He did wonderful! Looked up only once, but kept his nose very deep the vast majority of the track.
Keeper, I suspect, still has not connected the treats to the track. I helped her by pointing out a hot dog piece and telling her "such." I had to redirect four times, I think much of it is due to her rushing. She did a 20 foot track, treat in every step, big jack pot at end.
My biggest challenge with her is to get her to realize I am expecting something from her and the rewards come when she does the behavior I am asking for. For a dog to be about 5 years, I realize it will take her some time to learn how to learn.
Friday, June 26, 2009
I Forgot to Mention...
The last obedience day was fun, I don't think either of my dogs were as lively as normal due to the heat though.
Sinn: heeled ok-ish, and we did some recalls. I have to ask Dennis if the recall is done from a sit or down? I believe it is down. Also, when can I start phasing out the food for heeling? I have to work on not saying his name and not using the stay command. And NO hand signals! Sigh, I have more homework to remember than my dog.
Keeper: She was laying down like a pro! So now I am putting a word on it, then I can phase out luring her down with my hand. Heeling is harder for her to pick up...I have to remind myself it is hard for a dog to look up and to the side while walking straight. So at home I have her heel a short distance for her dinner, ending with a square sit at my side and eye contact with me. If it isn't perfect, I pick her dinner up. When it is perfect, she gets the release to eat. Sometimes I just reward her sitting square and looking at me. She has the tendency to want to face me and sit, which seems perfectly natural.
Sinn: heeled ok-ish, and we did some recalls. I have to ask Dennis if the recall is done from a sit or down? I believe it is down. Also, when can I start phasing out the food for heeling? I have to work on not saying his name and not using the stay command. And NO hand signals! Sigh, I have more homework to remember than my dog.
Keeper: She was laying down like a pro! So now I am putting a word on it, then I can phase out luring her down with my hand. Heeling is harder for her to pick up...I have to remind myself it is hard for a dog to look up and to the side while walking straight. So at home I have her heel a short distance for her dinner, ending with a square sit at my side and eye contact with me. If it isn't perfect, I pick her dinner up. When it is perfect, she gets the release to eat. Sometimes I just reward her sitting square and looking at me. She has the tendency to want to face me and sit, which seems perfectly natural.
Thursday: Protection Day
Yea Keeper! Another lovely day with "the white girl." I was actually out there first for once, so Keeper was nice and fresh for her routine. She loved playing with the puppy sleeve, and I put away happy and wagging.
Her second time out was great, Kit decided to introduce the whip in a small way to build her confidence around it. Um, I don't think she lacks confidence. After a small noise (not really a crack) with the whip, she hardly blinked and and instead focused all her attention on getting the neat stick in Kit's hand. Kit promptly threw the whip and declared it was a bad idea. hehe.
I definitely will start physically conditioning her, I think that is holding her back a bit.
Her second time out was great, Kit decided to introduce the whip in a small way to build her confidence around it. Um, I don't think she lacks confidence. After a small noise (not really a crack) with the whip, she hardly blinked and and instead focused all her attention on getting the neat stick in Kit's hand. Kit promptly threw the whip and declared it was a bad idea. hehe.
I definitely will start physically conditioning her, I think that is holding her back a bit.
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Quick Check In
We have continued to play with Keeper, the new dog, and she just loves her springpole.
I laid a track for Sinn that was approximately 40 feet, with a curve, he took it just fine! I think he remembers what the game is again. Keeper just had a 10 foot straight track, lots of treats, deep track, with me pointing out pieces along the way. She didn't really need me much, so next time I will back off a bit more.
This morning, Keeper finally laid down for a treat! In fact, she did it three times. Thrilling stuff, now I just have to put a word on it. Her sit is improving when we go to new areas as well. Not pulling on the leash until she chokes, we are working on it:)
I laid a track for Sinn that was approximately 40 feet, with a curve, he took it just fine! I think he remembers what the game is again. Keeper just had a 10 foot straight track, lots of treats, deep track, with me pointing out pieces along the way. She didn't really need me much, so next time I will back off a bit more.
This morning, Keeper finally laid down for a treat! In fact, she did it three times. Thrilling stuff, now I just have to put a word on it. Her sit is improving when we go to new areas as well. Not pulling on the leash until she chokes, we are working on it:)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Back to Tracking
I finally made it to tracking practice!
Sinn did a refresher track, just straight 50 feet-ish, two hot dogs. At first he was so excited to be back he zoomed down the track, missing the majority of food bits. Then he really picked up on what we were doing about halfway through, and just slowed, got his treats and was wagging his tail.
Keeper did about a 10 foot track using tons of treats and I pointed out the pieces. She thought it was fun, but I don't think she had the light bulb moment yet connecting her actions to why she gets the treats. I get that sense from her often, that she has never been taught to learn. As with my human students, getting from zero to one is the difficult part, once learning to learn is accomplished, the rest is a snap!
Sinn did a refresher track, just straight 50 feet-ish, two hot dogs. At first he was so excited to be back he zoomed down the track, missing the majority of food bits. Then he really picked up on what we were doing about halfway through, and just slowed, got his treats and was wagging his tail.
Keeper did about a 10 foot track using tons of treats and I pointed out the pieces. She thought it was fun, but I don't think she had the light bulb moment yet connecting her actions to why she gets the treats. I get that sense from her often, that she has never been taught to learn. As with my human students, getting from zero to one is the difficult part, once learning to learn is accomplished, the rest is a snap!
The New Dog
I am in love! The new dog went from foster dog status to permanent status in, oh, about 30 minutes. She is great in the house, mostly chill when I am there, or roughing up Sinn. When I am gone, she hops on the couch and sleeps. No chewing, howling, or other undesirable behavior. She hangs from tree branches for fun, and I had to pry her off of the springpole, as she was determined to bring it down. Yet she is learning to get along with various other animals just fine (baby bird and tortoise) so her prey drive seems easy to point in the right direction. She seems to not have much if any dog aggression, though she plays very rough. Doesn't mind sharing toys at all with Sinn. Her name is Keeper, btw. Either because she is a keeper or short for brother's keeper, however one wishes to look at it.
The one thing we are working on is her crate training. She was convinced to walk into the crate once she realized it was the only way to get dinner, and doesn't mind when I lock her in while I am home. I tried a short trip away from home and I came back to a shredded crate. We have to have something to work on, right?
Around the neighborhood, I just try to encourage loose leash walking. She doesn't seem to know anything about leashes. Every few feet I either call her name and treat her for answering, or switch directions to keep her guessing. She does know sit, and she loads into cars easily.
The one thing we are working on is her crate training. She was convinced to walk into the crate once she realized it was the only way to get dinner, and doesn't mind when I lock her in while I am home. I tried a short trip away from home and I came back to a shredded crate. We have to have something to work on, right?
Around the neighborhood, I just try to encourage loose leash walking. She doesn't seem to know anything about leashes. Every few feet I either call her name and treat her for answering, or switch directions to keep her guessing. She does know sit, and she loads into cars easily.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Many Changes
Ok, I will get off my butt and update blogs.
I made the decision to rehome Boondock Saint, the German Shepherd. She is living with a disabled man who can provide her with one on one attention all day, everyday. It was not so much her separation anxiety that made up my mind, but that her play drive was lacking, and that was at the very top of my list of personality attributes I wished for.
I check in often, and she is very happy, as is her new owner.
Since then, I have temporarily fostered an English Bulldog/pit bull mix. Meanest looking face paired with the most frightened soul. Currently I am on my way to pick up a pit bull from Animal Control. She is medium size, compact, athletic, and has tons of ball drive. I am sure this will be fun whether I foster or keep her permanently.
Sinn Fein has been enjoying the break to just be a dog and play in the yard.
I made the decision to rehome Boondock Saint, the German Shepherd. She is living with a disabled man who can provide her with one on one attention all day, everyday. It was not so much her separation anxiety that made up my mind, but that her play drive was lacking, and that was at the very top of my list of personality attributes I wished for.
I check in often, and she is very happy, as is her new owner.
Since then, I have temporarily fostered an English Bulldog/pit bull mix. Meanest looking face paired with the most frightened soul. Currently I am on my way to pick up a pit bull from Animal Control. She is medium size, compact, athletic, and has tons of ball drive. I am sure this will be fun whether I foster or keep her permanently.
Sinn Fein has been enjoying the break to just be a dog and play in the yard.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday Tracking-Brian Piccalo
Lengthened the track and added a big curve into it. Sinn went first and hesitated at a change in terrain once the short grass ended and he found himself wading through deep cut grass. Saint jetted down and did fine!
Saturday Obedience
Finally made it to another obedience practice. Only practiced with Sinn, and he did great. Everyone always seems to enjoy his joie de vivre. He maintained great eye contact with the hot dogs, and we hit the basics, down, stay, sit. No recall this time. Will continue practice with Saint and activating toy drive with both.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tracking Progress
Haven't posted in awhile, I feel so neglectful! Tracking went well, there were the new members in from Miami I believe. No Denis, as he was attending the seminar, which I totally forgot about. Can't believe I missed a chance to watch Carl in action, not that I had the money to put my dogs in this time.
Anyway;) Sinn tracked first as always. About 50 feet, hot dog in each step, straight line. He sped a little to start, realized he was missing out on pieces and slowed down, mostly sticking with the foot steps, but did cast about a bit twice, the second time I directed to the track. Will ask Denis if that is a problem. Did not actually step out, just moved his nose to the left and right.
Saint did about the same length of track, we got off to a slow start as she still confuses me pointing to the track as a down command. Will work on desensitizing her to that during meal times. Once she was standing :) she did well, though took it fast. Skipped many pieces, but stuck directly to the path, and did slow her pace about halfway down.
Using 3 hot dogs, 50 (ish) foot track.
Anyway;) Sinn tracked first as always. About 50 feet, hot dog in each step, straight line. He sped a little to start, realized he was missing out on pieces and slowed down, mostly sticking with the foot steps, but did cast about a bit twice, the second time I directed to the track. Will ask Denis if that is a problem. Did not actually step out, just moved his nose to the left and right.
Saint did about the same length of track, we got off to a slow start as she still confuses me pointing to the track as a down command. Will work on desensitizing her to that during meal times. Once she was standing :) she did well, though took it fast. Skipped many pieces, but stuck directly to the path, and did slow her pace about halfway down.
Using 3 hot dogs, 50 (ish) foot track.
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