Yesterday was kind of a quiet day overall. It was a bad day for whining, so I decided to pick up and try Rescue Remedy. I've also done what I said I would, to block Gimme's view outside the car. So far it seems to be going well. I'm still doing the thing of stopping the car if there is active whining. Once or twice of that and then she settles in for the rest of the drive. Not sure at this point whether its the Rescue Remedy or blocking her view that is helping, but either or both is fine with me. What an interesting process this has been - especially since I can't figure out any consistent pattern.
After work today, we went through all our fruit training... Gimme was happy as a clam. I think she'd like to do all of them almost every day. Today she was quite barky. The only-on-cue part really frustrates her. She was also throwing other behaviors at me that weren't part of the fruit grouping, so that seems different. As soon as I get the last strip of carpet pulled up then we'll be able to train more consistently again - since its raining almost every day now, we absolutely have to have an indoor space.
Melon - push cube with nose
We started with this and boyoh was she giving me some really good pushes. She was rolling or pushing the cube about 2 feet most of the time. Occasionally she'd get her feet into it, but I just ignored that. She tends to get it pushed up against something and that definitely brings the feet into play.
Peach - head under a chair
I just did the white chair and was waiting out her insistence on doing it on her terms. That's where the barking started. She seemed to be getting the idea of waiting for the cue by the end of 20 treats.
Grape - dead bug (on back, feet in the air)
Gimme doesn't really like doing this on the hardwood floor. I got some once I threw the comforter on the floor, but by then she was already frustrated. I think I'll back up and encourage her to do this on a spare couch cushion or other soft surface. Its still every bit as cute, when she stops barking at me long enough to do it.
Apple - back into a box, back feet only
This was the first time I didn't use the leash and it went really well. She only stepped through twice. Did about 25% sidestep and mostly backing in. She has decided now that she can put one foot in and then have the other resting on the edge (smashing the edge is more like it) and that I should just accept that. Not! That really pushed her barking button.
Orange - get onto a small perch with all four feet
This went well as before. She still hasn't made the connection that she only gets clicked for it when I cue it, so more barking. She was quite the little jabberwocky today, but she was having fun telling me off.
When I got to class Mr. Dinosaur said he needed to talk to me. He "reminded" me that I'm not his employee (duh) and that as such I can't give instruction or help the other students (because of insurance concerns). Seems he didn't know I gave that other lady a card. I think he is referring to when I was talking to the owners of the fearful Sheltie who is barking any time other dogs get too close. It was a continuation of a conversation that started outside about 45 minutes before class.
The lady with the black poodle wasn't in class tonight. I don't know if that is just coincidence or if she has decided not to come back. Hope she goes to Ursula. The GSD in the prong collar is getting more aggressive acting and tried to fight with another dog. His owner got special instruction after class so basically he's on 10" of leash and a constantly tight prong collar. That should do wonders for his disposition. Two more dogs are in prong collars that weren't last week. One is the dog that whines all the way through class, which he still does even with the new way of correcting him. After class two students were telling the Dinosaur that he really knows his dogs and how amazed they are at how much calmer their dogs are in their new collars (prong). I resisted the urge to run over, throw myself down on the floor and do the grape.
The Dinosaur made it a point to tell the class how much he hates clicker training. That is, of course, right after Gimme did some of her best work in the class. The next time we heeled I went right back to clicking and heard an audible sigh from him. Oh darn. For me and mine, the clicker stays.
For Gimme's part, she did better tonight - with moments of sheer brilliance. Working in the alcove for much of class is a big improvement. The office we'd been using was occupied, so we couldn't use it, but still did well. Gimme is sound asleep as we speak.
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