Thursday afternoon, after the parkour class I teach, we did our first rally drop-in class. As it turned out we were the only ones to show up and Veda let us do the course from the Rally Novice class. I'm sure she wanted to assess our skill level.
I wasn't sure how Gimme would do. After all, we'd already worked RallyFrEe three times in the morning and other than those sessions Gimme had been in the car nine hours, plus it was a really hot 93ยบ, which she's not used to. It helped not having another dog to contend with, other than Veda's dog in a crate.
Gimme was really awesome. She did a lovely job on the novice course, twice. The first time I gave her reinforcement for every station. The second time she got three rewards for the whole course, at places I messed up. She was really enthusiastic and did a lovely job. I have to say I've never seen her work so well at Pawsabilities. Most of the daycare dogs were already gone, so it was quieter and less distracting for her.
She finally noticed Veda's dog toward the end of the second novice course. She seemed pretty certain she needed to do something about him. We did some "whazzat" then and again in our last course. I don't know if he's reactive, but he's certainly protective of his crate.
After we did the novice course twice, Veda changed up the course, adding new signs from higher levels. She managed to trip me up with every one. Either I read it wrong or I read it right and performed it wrong, so there was a lot for her to instruct me on. The cool thing was how well Gimme responded when I got my part right. One sign is a halt-sit pivot-left-forward. Veda helped me practice my footwork and then I did it with Gimme. She came up out of her sit, simultaneously swinging her heiney right to maintain heel. It was really quite beautiful and I was impressed with how Gimme did it, as was Veda. She has really sophisticated rear foot awareness, which helps a lot.
During her last run-through Gimme had an episode of reverse sneezing - her first. She had another prolonged episode later in the evening. Then I read on the weather site there was an extreme pollen alert - whatever it is, it's hard for her and she does some soft whining during/after. Poor baby.
Gimme was losing focus halfway through the third run-through and this is when she became most concerned with Veda's dog, so we stopped and played "whazzat" again. It took her awhile to let go and come back to work. However, when she did get back to work, she did nicely. Given how much she'd already done this day, I was very happy with her efforts.
I am still really surprised she did so well with this. I've always thought she wasn't as enthusiastic about RFE because of how choppy the courses are. This was even more choppy (10' or less between stations) and yet she was really enthusiastic, but focused and accurate. The last station before Finish was Slow Pace and I was doing an exaggerated slow. Gimme thought it was just a hoot, and was staying with me, but bouncing in place to do so. Veda and I both laughed at her special interpretation of how to do heel at a snail's pace.
I don't' know if it really was the lack of noise/distractions or something else. Maybe there is a difference in my attitude or some other unknown. It'll be interesting to see how this works out over time. With Gimme's attitude and ability during this first class, it's clear she could be really good at Rally-O if the trials weren't so darn hard for her. Maybe I need to see if there are any video venues for it - J'Anna might be interested in it too for Glory.
Anyway, it's certainly exciting.
Showing posts with label Rally Class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rally Class. Show all posts
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Great Nosework Match
Saturday was our nosework match and it was a great experience and very successful. It was set up just like a nosework trial would be and after our runs in the morning, I stayed to work for the NW2 folks in the afternoon.
Gimme ran true to form and squirted off to check out a distraction on the vehicle search. I gently reeled her back in and then she went to work. She did pay a bit of attention to one wheel well and then was off to go around the vehicles again. I kinda thought that might be where the odor was and she did come back to it. Our time was about 1:45.
Then we went straight to a container search inside the building. Gimme was very interested in the room we would be exiting through (which was also serving as a lunchroom for the workers), sniffing repeatedly at the door and wanting to go there. I had to reel her back twice before she got to work, finding the hide in 24.29 seconds. Again she found the box, kind of checked it out and then goes on, coming back to it later (this will be a consistent behavior in all her searches). With less distraction she would have been much faster, obviously, but it was still a good time.
Late morning she had her exterior and interior searches. She did a good job on the exterior search and found odor in about a minute and a half. The interior search was again close to 1:45 on time. Both times she found and then bypassed the odor to come back to it later. Keep in mind, these were all blind hides for me, so I don't want to react prematurely to a weak indication.
I opted to have my runs taped and will get the tapes later this week. I want to study them and see if I can learn to read her better. Joyce asked me to forward them to her and she'll upload them to her laptop and we'll use them for discussion in class. I do sometimes notice in class that Gimme's tail wags a bit faster when she is in odor and finds source, but I confess it is hard for me to "see" in real time. I'll be getting the files for her runs on Thursday, so will probably get them edited and uploaded that evening.
Watching the NW2 dogs was very interesting. Some unusual and some great things. There are a number of people who are distracting their dogs with their efforts to be helpful - one person totally micro-managed her dog and he didn't find hardly any of the hides. A lot of people have problems reading their dogs - I resemble that remark. Afterward, we set up for NW3 and got to watch Joyce run her 15 year old dog and then Cindy ran her Bulldog. That was quite interesting. At that level you also have to call clear when you are sure you've found all the hides - so that's interesting.
Sunday I spent the whole day with my parents - went over the night before, right from the match. We had two big goals. First was to get their truck and drive to my house and break down and load up all the aged cedar I'd gotten from my neighbor who is replacing his fence. It'll be wonderful stuff to start fires with (my parents' heat with a wood stove). Getting the panels cut up was taking forever until Damien (a young man from across the street) came over to help. He only had 20 minutes to devote to us, but showed me that just breaking them apart was much faster than trying to cut them. We got 3/4 of the wood loaded in the truck (taking twice as long as I'd estimated) and then drove the hour back to my parents' and sorted it as we unloaded. Some of it will need to be pre-cut before they can use it, which I'll get there and do. We staged the ready to burn stuff near the house. Much of this wood has nails and staples still in it, so any cutting of it requires someone be alert to that - something I don't want my father to be doing.
After that we got the riding mower in the truck. The advice from Home Depot proved to be correct and we were able to move the mower more easily with the gearbox disengaged. I decided to use the tractor to push the mower up the ramp into the truck; it hung up right at the top of the ramp. At that point, we backed the tractor off and then Mom and I lifted the ramp boards off the ground enough for Dad to get the tractor bucket under the ends - which he then lifted up and the mower rolled right into the truck bed. Haven't quite figured out how we'll get the mower out of the truck once it is fixed, but I am sure the tractor will be a featured player.
Last night was our last rally class for awhile - until Fall. Gimme graduated again and for our judged run through had the highest score of the class, a 95. I think that is far too generous.
Today we were going to go to the fort, but the rain arrived just as I would have been going out there. During the "winter" I don't mind walking in the rain, but when its "spring" I just have a strong objection to it. Can't explain it, it just is what it is.
So we went to Home Depot to do a search. Gimme did pretty darn good. I set up the first odor just outside the door, then two down the electrical aisle. Gimme kept finding the odor on the way in, but was distracted by the automatic doors opening/closing over and over. When we moved inside, I found someone had moved a pallet full of some lawn stuff with a strong chemical smell right to the beginning of the aisle. That was close to where our hide was. Gimme caught the odor, but just couldn't find it. So we went down the aisle and found the other hide - despite there being three men standing around it. On the way back up the aisle, Gimme was able to get to the source on that hide, despite the nasty chemical smell. Bless her little spotted nose. On the way outside, she got in the odor and was again distracted by the automatic door. I let her smell around and when she got back into it, as soon as the door opened, I stood in it, keeping it open until she was able to get to source.
We came directly home from that and she's been sound asleep ever since. Seriously, as fun as it is for the doggies - scent work is hard work.
Next Sunday is our next ORT attempt, so keep your fingers and paws crossed for us.
Gimme ran true to form and squirted off to check out a distraction on the vehicle search. I gently reeled her back in and then she went to work. She did pay a bit of attention to one wheel well and then was off to go around the vehicles again. I kinda thought that might be where the odor was and she did come back to it. Our time was about 1:45.
Then we went straight to a container search inside the building. Gimme was very interested in the room we would be exiting through (which was also serving as a lunchroom for the workers), sniffing repeatedly at the door and wanting to go there. I had to reel her back twice before she got to work, finding the hide in 24.29 seconds. Again she found the box, kind of checked it out and then goes on, coming back to it later (this will be a consistent behavior in all her searches). With less distraction she would have been much faster, obviously, but it was still a good time.
Late morning she had her exterior and interior searches. She did a good job on the exterior search and found odor in about a minute and a half. The interior search was again close to 1:45 on time. Both times she found and then bypassed the odor to come back to it later. Keep in mind, these were all blind hides for me, so I don't want to react prematurely to a weak indication.
I opted to have my runs taped and will get the tapes later this week. I want to study them and see if I can learn to read her better. Joyce asked me to forward them to her and she'll upload them to her laptop and we'll use them for discussion in class. I do sometimes notice in class that Gimme's tail wags a bit faster when she is in odor and finds source, but I confess it is hard for me to "see" in real time. I'll be getting the files for her runs on Thursday, so will probably get them edited and uploaded that evening.
Watching the NW2 dogs was very interesting. Some unusual and some great things. There are a number of people who are distracting their dogs with their efforts to be helpful - one person totally micro-managed her dog and he didn't find hardly any of the hides. A lot of people have problems reading their dogs - I resemble that remark. Afterward, we set up for NW3 and got to watch Joyce run her 15 year old dog and then Cindy ran her Bulldog. That was quite interesting. At that level you also have to call clear when you are sure you've found all the hides - so that's interesting.
Sunday I spent the whole day with my parents - went over the night before, right from the match. We had two big goals. First was to get their truck and drive to my house and break down and load up all the aged cedar I'd gotten from my neighbor who is replacing his fence. It'll be wonderful stuff to start fires with (my parents' heat with a wood stove). Getting the panels cut up was taking forever until Damien (a young man from across the street) came over to help. He only had 20 minutes to devote to us, but showed me that just breaking them apart was much faster than trying to cut them. We got 3/4 of the wood loaded in the truck (taking twice as long as I'd estimated) and then drove the hour back to my parents' and sorted it as we unloaded. Some of it will need to be pre-cut before they can use it, which I'll get there and do. We staged the ready to burn stuff near the house. Much of this wood has nails and staples still in it, so any cutting of it requires someone be alert to that - something I don't want my father to be doing.
After that we got the riding mower in the truck. The advice from Home Depot proved to be correct and we were able to move the mower more easily with the gearbox disengaged. I decided to use the tractor to push the mower up the ramp into the truck; it hung up right at the top of the ramp. At that point, we backed the tractor off and then Mom and I lifted the ramp boards off the ground enough for Dad to get the tractor bucket under the ends - which he then lifted up and the mower rolled right into the truck bed. Haven't quite figured out how we'll get the mower out of the truck once it is fixed, but I am sure the tractor will be a featured player.
Last night was our last rally class for awhile - until Fall. Gimme graduated again and for our judged run through had the highest score of the class, a 95. I think that is far too generous.
Today we were going to go to the fort, but the rain arrived just as I would have been going out there. During the "winter" I don't mind walking in the rain, but when its "spring" I just have a strong objection to it. Can't explain it, it just is what it is.
So we went to Home Depot to do a search. Gimme did pretty darn good. I set up the first odor just outside the door, then two down the electrical aisle. Gimme kept finding the odor on the way in, but was distracted by the automatic doors opening/closing over and over. When we moved inside, I found someone had moved a pallet full of some lawn stuff with a strong chemical smell right to the beginning of the aisle. That was close to where our hide was. Gimme caught the odor, but just couldn't find it. So we went down the aisle and found the other hide - despite there being three men standing around it. On the way back up the aisle, Gimme was able to get to the source on that hide, despite the nasty chemical smell. Bless her little spotted nose. On the way outside, she got in the odor and was again distracted by the automatic door. I let her smell around and when she got back into it, as soon as the door opened, I stood in it, keeping it open until she was able to get to source.
We came directly home from that and she's been sound asleep ever since. Seriously, as fun as it is for the doggies - scent work is hard work.
Next Sunday is our next ORT attempt, so keep your fingers and paws crossed for us.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Nosework Graduate (6/1)
Tonight was the last of the six weeks of nosework class. All of us that were there got this cool bumper sticker for our graduation.
We had some different finds again tonight. Now that Gimme is further into season, you can see the effect it has on her ability to focus. We actually had a private lesson upstairs before class (more later) and she spent a lot of time trying to convince Ursula and I that we were in the wrong part of the building. Since we were working on distraction regarding the fruit behaviors, it worked out perfectly as a built in distraction.
She was pretty funny going up the metal grate stairs, which I'm sure were uncomfortable on her feeties. On the way back down she was very careful to make sure that at least her front feet were stepping on the 2" wide solid metal strip on the leading edge of the stairs.
Each week Nosework has gotten steadily more difficult and all the dogs are doing a great job. Our buddy Grafton is so methodical and really takes his time. We were discussing whether him being timid about things, actually works to his advantage, since he started out taking his time (unlike someone we know who is all gang busters in her approach). Pete, our BC friend did really well, he's also methodical in his searches. The other BC (who's name I can't remember) is more like Gimme; they both find all the searches just fine, but tend to be much more "busy" in the way they do it.
The blind dog is out for awhile. She'd had surgery for cataracts and then developed glaucoma. Apparently they've discovered that the glaucoma is giving her considerable pain, so there is surgery in her future. She's a great nosework dog and I hope we'll see her come back soon.
Monday night we joined rally class in Tacoma. Its the same class we'd taken before, but they won't be starting another class until January. So they said we could do a walk-in for the last two nights. Gimme did very well and I was quite pleased. Being away and then coming back like this made it very clear how much progress she is making, which is sometimes not as evident in the day to day of things. Between her first and second run-through she showed good improvement too.
Maybe after the next set of classes we can start looking for a really small show... then again, maybe I'm being overly ambitious.
We had some different finds again tonight. Now that Gimme is further into season, you can see the effect it has on her ability to focus. We actually had a private lesson upstairs before class (more later) and she spent a lot of time trying to convince Ursula and I that we were in the wrong part of the building. Since we were working on distraction regarding the fruit behaviors, it worked out perfectly as a built in distraction.
She was pretty funny going up the metal grate stairs, which I'm sure were uncomfortable on her feeties. On the way back down she was very careful to make sure that at least her front feet were stepping on the 2" wide solid metal strip on the leading edge of the stairs.
Each week Nosework has gotten steadily more difficult and all the dogs are doing a great job. Our buddy Grafton is so methodical and really takes his time. We were discussing whether him being timid about things, actually works to his advantage, since he started out taking his time (unlike someone we know who is all gang busters in her approach). Pete, our BC friend did really well, he's also methodical in his searches. The other BC (who's name I can't remember) is more like Gimme; they both find all the searches just fine, but tend to be much more "busy" in the way they do it.
The blind dog is out for awhile. She'd had surgery for cataracts and then developed glaucoma. Apparently they've discovered that the glaucoma is giving her considerable pain, so there is surgery in her future. She's a great nosework dog and I hope we'll see her come back soon.
Monday night we joined rally class in Tacoma. Its the same class we'd taken before, but they won't be starting another class until January. So they said we could do a walk-in for the last two nights. Gimme did very well and I was quite pleased. Being away and then coming back like this made it very clear how much progress she is making, which is sometimes not as evident in the day to day of things. Between her first and second run-through she showed good improvement too.
Maybe after the next set of classes we can start looking for a really small show... then again, maybe I'm being overly ambitious.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Last Class with Mr. Dinosaur
Tonight was the last class of the CGC class and not surprisingly, none of the students felt they were ready for a shot at getting their CGC.
Also tonight the instructor forbade me to use the clicker in class. So I asked if I'd be able to use it in the rally class and he said "no, no clicker, I hate clickers". So I just said that I wouldn't be joining the rally class and he said, very loudly, "good!" This exchange took place in front of the whole class, while we were heeling as a group - I thought he was very unprofessional.
Also tonight the instructor forbade me to use the clicker in class. So I asked if I'd be able to use it in the rally class and he said "no, no clicker, I hate clickers". So I just said that I wouldn't be joining the rally class and he said, very loudly, "good!" This exchange took place in front of the whole class, while we were heeling as a group - I thought he was very unprofessional.
In any case, thus ends the quandary about whether I will take any of his rally classes. Chip's next rally class won't be until January. I may have to check with another local instructor and see if she is still holding classes. I could also see if there are other classes where Chip holds his classes that might work for us. Gimme really needs to work around other dogs.
I am considering approaching the recreation director and offering a different dog training program. My friend Chris and I are discussing the best way to present the idea. I wouldn't do it until after the first of the year.
Tonight all the dogs seemed worse (except Gimme who excelled). The poor little Sheltie that is so afraid of the other dogs really lost it time and time again. His owner said last week that he thought he was better, but admitted the dog was still afraid. Hopefully tonight's experience will give him reason to contact Ursula.
For the graduation party, I made up little doggie goodie packages, including a business card directing them to where You Can Get Something For Nothing. The card gave them the address for our new training blog that is geared toward pet owners. I've been working to put all my dog training handouts on line and am about half done. I'd taken each one and broken it into smaller chunks and added examples and detail. I'm also hoping people will ask questions and I can answer those and give advice. Plus, Gimme has been expressing her thoughts throughout. As you know, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. I listen to these students and they really drank the koolaid. Hopefully they will go to my blog and learn something.
In all your copious spare time, you are certainly welcome to peruse the Gimme A Break From Mean Training blog. I welcome your comments.
Gimme hopes I find another class to go to, she likes all the peanut butter and other cookies. BTW she is coming into season as we speak about a month early. I hope that doesn't mess us up for the freestyle seminar we signed up for.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Mr. Dinosaur's Class 5
Our day was pretty quiet. We did get a 1.5 mile walk, but otherwise just hung out most of the day. Gimme had a little tummy issue, having stole groceries off the counter last night (2.5 pounds of meat). Nothing bad, just too much at one time.
She did well in class; she gets better each week. Gimme has about five minutes of working brain at a time and then needs about 10 minutes of crate time (w/peanut butter) to recharge. Given how distracting that environment is and how stressed all the other dogs are, I'm completely satisfied with how she is doing.
Sadly the lady with the black mini poodle came back, hopefully she will still call Ursula some day. I passed another card to a white haired guy with a fearful Sheltie, saying "when you want to work on her fear issues, call this lady - she's the best". He replied that, "oh she's doing much better in class now". To which I said that she might be behaving better, but you've only suppressed her fearful expression, she's still fearful. He admitted that, yes, she is still fearful, just behaving better. So hopefully he too will contact Ursula some day.
Leading these horses to water - can't make 'em drink.
I have to say, attending these classes and seeing how stressed these dogs are is like a church revival meeting for my dedication to reward based training. My heart aches for each and every one of them.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Still in Class & The Project - Day 18
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.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I'll Probably be Kicked Out of Class -- The Project - Day 17
First, the good news. My plan for Gimme to get better benefit from the class worked very well. I had planned to prop the door open so I could work in the hallway, but the instructor objected. As it turned out, the room we use has a door that adjoins to a small conference room, and the connecting door is right there in the alcove where I set up tonight. So I propped that door open and Gimme and I spent much time in there. I kept her in the car until all the dogs had settled down and stopped their barking and growling and such. Then after she came in the only dog noise she had to contend with was the one that whined through the whole class (the owner has been training with this instructor [Mr. Dinosaur] for over a year, her dog knows almost nothing and is not a happy worker by any stretch of the imagination).
Gimme was able to do a lot of work in the conference room and was showing me some of her best stuff. Then we'd come out into the alcove just off the main room and work. Gimme got some peanut butter bones, but didn't need as much as before. She was able to do some relaxation protocol. And she was able to play tug with me, which she couldn't do last week. At one point, we even took one turn heeling around the room "with" the class. I hugged the wall where I could and was very careful not to get too close to the other dogs (mostly stressed out and handled by clueless people). When they did fast heeling, we sought a corner and practiced one-step-sit heeling. Gimme did pretty good. Overall I was very pleased with how she did.
So, why am I gonna get kicked out of class? Tonight was problem solving night.
The instructor is, at best a dinosaur - and I'm only there to take advantage of the opportunity to train in that environment. I wouldn't use his methods for anything. I hate that I'm supporting him financially, but I need the environment and there is no place else to go.
The instructor thinks because he no longer trains using the strict Koehler method that he's a gentle trainer. He promotes himself as a reward-based trainer, but then on the first night of class said that a prong collar is the original "gentle leader". He used his 15yo limping dog in a prong collar as the standard to which the class should aspire. He taught the class how to do a "motivational leash pop", again using his old dog to demo the technique (my heart breaks for poor old Eddie). Of course, the instructor is completely clueless about how stressed his dog is and makes excuses for his dog aggression problem.
I've told him before that I thought a "motivational leash pop" makes about as much sense as a "motivational face slap" --- "here, let me demonstrate". But it doesn't sink in. He's so far behind the times it would be funny if he wasn't screwing up the relationship between so many people and their poor innocent dogs. He's been teaching for the City of Olympia parks and recreation for 20 years and hasn't changed a thing. I keep hoping he'll retire...
I managed to stay silent through all the stupid advice he gave out. Even though some of it gives the owners a 50-50 chance of getting bitten. Even though one very young GSD who came to class just out of control, is now coming on a prong collar (upon Mr. Dinosaur's advice), is still out of control, dragging the owner and is now exhibiting the beginnings of aggressive behavior. I have to admit I almost lost it when he told the woman with the 5 month old miniature poodle, that nips her children when they try to pick it up that, "You should get rid of him and get another dog. That's inappropriate behavior for a poodle and can never be tolerated. I'm serious, you should get rid of him." The kids that are trying to pick the dog up are 5 and 6, so you can imagine the picture of what being "picked up" is like for the dog.
Anyway, I hung around a bit longer after class than I needed to and gave the poodle owner one of Ursula's business cards and suggested she contact her. Unfortunately the owner of the whiny dog saw me talking to her and will likely report back to Mr. Dinosaur. I know that's a fo-paw to refer his students to other people, but I'm willing to take my licks. Actually he probably won't even say anything to me, since he's been enamored of me for years. I think I could kill someone in class, leave a dead body laying in a pool of blood in the middle of the room and provided I cleaned up the mess at the end of class, he wouldn't say anything. Honestly I'm not going to test that theory... <eg>
We walked on the fort today, which Gimme thoroughly enjoyed, not having gotten any walks over the weekend. Since we got to class earlier than necessary, we took a short walk on the boardwalk before class.
Peach - head under a chair
Gimme still didnt' think the cue for this behavior applied to my white plastic chair. So we shaped it over again and went through the drill of putting it on cue again. Then I switched to another chair and started over. It went a little faster this time, but I realize in hindsight that I didn't go through the drill of putting that chair on cue. Also I think the session may have lasted too long, because she was acting confused when I tried mixing in other behaviors. I do know that I sometimes push forward too fast. So will drop back a bit next time I work this. Take my time if shaping is needed and re-attach cues to each of them.
Its good that I get to re-learn this stuff on behaviors where it doesn't matter.
Apple - back into a box, back feet only
Orange - get onto a small perch with all four feet
Grape - dead bug (on back, feet in the air)
Melon - push cube with nose
Not trained today.
Gimme was able to do a lot of work in the conference room and was showing me some of her best stuff. Then we'd come out into the alcove just off the main room and work. Gimme got some peanut butter bones, but didn't need as much as before. She was able to do some relaxation protocol. And she was able to play tug with me, which she couldn't do last week. At one point, we even took one turn heeling around the room "with" the class. I hugged the wall where I could and was very careful not to get too close to the other dogs (mostly stressed out and handled by clueless people). When they did fast heeling, we sought a corner and practiced one-step-sit heeling. Gimme did pretty good. Overall I was very pleased with how she did.
So, why am I gonna get kicked out of class? Tonight was problem solving night.
The instructor is, at best a dinosaur - and I'm only there to take advantage of the opportunity to train in that environment. I wouldn't use his methods for anything. I hate that I'm supporting him financially, but I need the environment and there is no place else to go.
The instructor thinks because he no longer trains using the strict Koehler method that he's a gentle trainer. He promotes himself as a reward-based trainer, but then on the first night of class said that a prong collar is the original "gentle leader". He used his 15yo limping dog in a prong collar as the standard to which the class should aspire. He taught the class how to do a "motivational leash pop", again using his old dog to demo the technique (my heart breaks for poor old Eddie). Of course, the instructor is completely clueless about how stressed his dog is and makes excuses for his dog aggression problem.
I've told him before that I thought a "motivational leash pop" makes about as much sense as a "motivational face slap" --- "here, let me demonstrate". But it doesn't sink in. He's so far behind the times it would be funny if he wasn't screwing up the relationship between so many people and their poor innocent dogs. He's been teaching for the City of Olympia parks and recreation for 20 years and hasn't changed a thing. I keep hoping he'll retire...
I managed to stay silent through all the stupid advice he gave out. Even though some of it gives the owners a 50-50 chance of getting bitten. Even though one very young GSD who came to class just out of control, is now coming on a prong collar (upon Mr. Dinosaur's advice), is still out of control, dragging the owner and is now exhibiting the beginnings of aggressive behavior. I have to admit I almost lost it when he told the woman with the 5 month old miniature poodle, that nips her children when they try to pick it up that, "You should get rid of him and get another dog. That's inappropriate behavior for a poodle and can never be tolerated. I'm serious, you should get rid of him." The kids that are trying to pick the dog up are 5 and 6, so you can imagine the picture of what being "picked up" is like for the dog.
Anyway, I hung around a bit longer after class than I needed to and gave the poodle owner one of Ursula's business cards and suggested she contact her. Unfortunately the owner of the whiny dog saw me talking to her and will likely report back to Mr. Dinosaur. I know that's a fo-paw to refer his students to other people, but I'm willing to take my licks. Actually he probably won't even say anything to me, since he's been enamored of me for years. I think I could kill someone in class, leave a dead body laying in a pool of blood in the middle of the room and provided I cleaned up the mess at the end of class, he wouldn't say anything. Honestly I'm not going to test that theory... <eg>
We walked on the fort today, which Gimme thoroughly enjoyed, not having gotten any walks over the weekend. Since we got to class earlier than necessary, we took a short walk on the boardwalk before class.
Peach - head under a chair
Gimme still didnt' think the cue for this behavior applied to my white plastic chair. So we shaped it over again and went through the drill of putting it on cue again. Then I switched to another chair and started over. It went a little faster this time, but I realize in hindsight that I didn't go through the drill of putting that chair on cue. Also I think the session may have lasted too long, because she was acting confused when I tried mixing in other behaviors. I do know that I sometimes push forward too fast. So will drop back a bit next time I work this. Take my time if shaping is needed and re-attach cues to each of them.
Its good that I get to re-learn this stuff on behaviors where it doesn't matter.
Apple - back into a box, back feet only
Orange - get onto a small perch with all four feet
Grape - dead bug (on back, feet in the air)
Melon - push cube with nose
Not trained today.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Our First CGC Class
Gimme had her first CGC class last night... but let me catch you up on the rest of our day first.
In the morning, I did a session on sit, down and touch to establish our baseline. It wasn't as bad as the night before... but still not as good as I expected it to be after a night of rest. She was doing better toward the end of the 3 minute session, so that's good. We'll need to continue working on that.
From there we went to work. I was going to work Gimme in the parking lot, but then decided I wouldn't since we had class that night, that it might be better to leave her a bit fresher mentally.
After working we went to the fort to walk. It was cool, so during our walk I did some simple recalls and asked for sits and downs. In doing this I noticed an interesting thing. For sit, Gimme responds best to the verbal; for down she responds best to the hand signal. She was pretty good on the recalls, but not that responsive on the sits and downs. Clearly we have room for improvement.
Class was okay. Its certainly not my style of training, but the instructor and I have an understanding that I'm just there to train in the environment. It was a lot to take in for Miss Gimme, since it was an open floor plan with eleven other dogs. We spent the first half of class with her in her crate just getting peanut butter in her Kong ball. I covered two sides of her crate to give her a bit of visual break until she was ready for the room. As she'd polish her ball clean, she would roll it out by my foot for a refill. Each time I'd give her an attitude check and then refill it. She ate a LOT of peanut butter.
When she was ready, I brought her out and we worked on the same exercises the class was working on - attention, sit and down. Of course, she knows all that and was doing very nicely. From time to time she would look around at the other dogs, so I'd say "whazzat" ("look at that" from Control Unleashed), then she would look back at me and get treated. That is very helpful for her.
I find it interesting that for most dogs when they are concerned about something, they can't turn their eyes away from it. Gimme has learned along the way that she feels better if she doesn't stare at stuff that worries her. She looks, but then then is quickly satisfied and turns her back on it. I see that as the beginning of her learning to calm herself. Woo hooooo.
Also during class I discovered that Gimme may not care for the beef I'd cooked and cut up for treats. She eats them okay, but isn't inclined to work as hard for them as she will to nibble a bit off a big hunk of boiled garlic chicken. That may explain why she wasn't as responsive during our walk on the fort. I think she really misses the hot dogs and deli meats. We have no choice since I discovered it was the sodium nitrite in them that was causing her to have itchy ears. If you look up side affects for sodium nitrite, one of them is pink and itchy skin. There is much evidence that food sensitivities often show up in ear irritation or infection. Put those two things together and its no more processed meats for Gimme. [Of course, I came to this discovery just days after laying in a sizable stock of those things from a meat sale.]
Class was shortened last night, which worked well so that Gimme didn't have a prolonged exposure. Afterward she made it clear she didn't want to get in the car. She did have to while I went back in to gather our stuff. Afterward we went for a nice walk on the Percival Landing boardwalk. Gimme had never been there and was fascinated by all the different surfaces and textures to walk on as well as smells galore.
There aren't nearly as many people walking on the boardwalk as there are around Capitol Lake, so we may go there again. We met some people, almost all of whom had to pet the Prettiest Puppy on the Planet. Anyone who likes dogs is just naturally attracted to her. One young girl was a little afraid of her... so I put Gimme on a sit stay and then stood next to the girl and helped her tell Gimme what to do using hand signals.
I was very pleased that Gimme still had so much desire to work left in her after class. I expected her to feel wiped out. This tells me that she is making good progress on the things you don't see as well as the things you do.
In the morning, I did a session on sit, down and touch to establish our baseline. It wasn't as bad as the night before... but still not as good as I expected it to be after a night of rest. She was doing better toward the end of the 3 minute session, so that's good. We'll need to continue working on that.
From there we went to work. I was going to work Gimme in the parking lot, but then decided I wouldn't since we had class that night, that it might be better to leave her a bit fresher mentally.
After working we went to the fort to walk. It was cool, so during our walk I did some simple recalls and asked for sits and downs. In doing this I noticed an interesting thing. For sit, Gimme responds best to the verbal; for down she responds best to the hand signal. She was pretty good on the recalls, but not that responsive on the sits and downs. Clearly we have room for improvement.
Class was okay. Its certainly not my style of training, but the instructor and I have an understanding that I'm just there to train in the environment. It was a lot to take in for Miss Gimme, since it was an open floor plan with eleven other dogs. We spent the first half of class with her in her crate just getting peanut butter in her Kong ball. I covered two sides of her crate to give her a bit of visual break until she was ready for the room. As she'd polish her ball clean, she would roll it out by my foot for a refill. Each time I'd give her an attitude check and then refill it. She ate a LOT of peanut butter.
When she was ready, I brought her out and we worked on the same exercises the class was working on - attention, sit and down. Of course, she knows all that and was doing very nicely. From time to time she would look around at the other dogs, so I'd say "whazzat" ("look at that" from Control Unleashed), then she would look back at me and get treated. That is very helpful for her.
I find it interesting that for most dogs when they are concerned about something, they can't turn their eyes away from it. Gimme has learned along the way that she feels better if she doesn't stare at stuff that worries her. She looks, but then then is quickly satisfied and turns her back on it. I see that as the beginning of her learning to calm herself. Woo hooooo.
Also during class I discovered that Gimme may not care for the beef I'd cooked and cut up for treats. She eats them okay, but isn't inclined to work as hard for them as she will to nibble a bit off a big hunk of boiled garlic chicken. That may explain why she wasn't as responsive during our walk on the fort. I think she really misses the hot dogs and deli meats. We have no choice since I discovered it was the sodium nitrite in them that was causing her to have itchy ears. If you look up side affects for sodium nitrite, one of them is pink and itchy skin. There is much evidence that food sensitivities often show up in ear irritation or infection. Put those two things together and its no more processed meats for Gimme. [Of course, I came to this discovery just days after laying in a sizable stock of those things from a meat sale.]
Class was shortened last night, which worked well so that Gimme didn't have a prolonged exposure. Afterward she made it clear she didn't want to get in the car. She did have to while I went back in to gather our stuff. Afterward we went for a nice walk on the Percival Landing boardwalk. Gimme had never been there and was fascinated by all the different surfaces and textures to walk on as well as smells galore.
There aren't nearly as many people walking on the boardwalk as there are around Capitol Lake, so we may go there again. We met some people, almost all of whom had to pet the Prettiest Puppy on the Planet. Anyone who likes dogs is just naturally attracted to her. One young girl was a little afraid of her... so I put Gimme on a sit stay and then stood next to the girl and helped her tell Gimme what to do using hand signals.
I was very pleased that Gimme still had so much desire to work left in her after class. I expected her to feel wiped out. This tells me that she is making good progress on the things you don't see as well as the things you do.
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