Below is a Flip of this morning's Step 2 (Leash) WWWW training session with Landry.....the standing in place, the Chutes and Ladders of steps first up to 5 with a turn and then gradually increasing.
We had already worked our way from the gate to the grassy parkway, taken a nice sniffing break on the grass AND done some DownStay work on the grass itself....now we were doing a session returning to the yard. Landry is working for his breakfast (kibble) and I am giving multiplepieces (2 or 3).
The CRITERIA is staying In the Zone and thus keeping the leash loose.
AND I am attempting to click the good DECISION (when he decides to reconnect with me).
As you can see, because of the time of day, we soon have multiple distractions - big ones! So then the CRITERIA shifts to a loose leash and refocus (still clicking the good DECISION). I took advantage of what the environment provided.
Go ahead and coach this session. Tell me what you see. Where I am slow. What I could have done better. What you see Landry doing and when and how. What was brilliant.
I am placing the Flip on Landry's blog as well, but I invite you to play with this and coach me. This is the training, exactly as it unfolded.
The behaviour you're looking for is precision heeling. The dogs have the basics, they just have never been asked to perform them with precision. A little precision never hurt anybody. I'd suggest every meal for the remaining time be spent asking for the heeling doodles: start immediately when the left leg moves; stop and sit immediately when the Marine stops; back up when the Marine backs up, rather than swinging the butt out to the side and then swinging back into position; butt swing also to produce a sharp left turn; maintaining left side position instead of exploring the right position when it's easier; come forward in a sharp/fast right turn to maintain position in right turns.
Consider these 3-minute behaviours. The dog has them, he just needs to review and sharpen.
You could also suggest to the Marine that he try to cue a behaviour BEFORE he needs it. The halt, for instance. If he just stops, the imprecise dog walks on, uh oh, dad stopped. I better stop. Whatcha doin' up there, dad? His butt swings out as he turns to see what the Marine is doing now, and eventually he remembers to either swing back in or sit. If the Marine asked for the behaviour first: left, right, left, right, SIT, left, halt. The dog would be getting ready to sit as the Marine was getting ready to stop, and would then sit neat and square and in position. Yes, the dog is perfectly capable of doing this on his own, but a little assistance wouldn't hurt if it's available.
This 2-week sharpening procedure would have the additional benefit of reducing the team's footprint in regular time. And when he's got the behaviours sharp enough for a Purple Heart ceremony, you might as well enter him in a Rally trial...
SA
Beth will be adding video illustrating the above w/Mark and Charlie.
Take advantage of this time to work your most troublesome behaviors, rather than trying to impress the teacher!
SA, Working Behaviors
TEAM: Sharon and Barnum COACH: Sue Ailsby MEDIA: You Tube and email BEHAVIOR: Training Lazy Leash in a wheelchair
On the Training Levels list, Sharon wrote to describe her frustration in training Lazy Leash and sent 3 videos to illustrate. Sharon asked for coaching help. Sue's response illustrates step by step, second by second coaching.
4a. LLW practice videos - help? Posted by: "Sharon"
I made three short videos because how we do depends on where we are.
In the house, he's often perfect. (With the smaller chair, for indoor use, and sometimes in the yard, I use a 4-ft leash.)
In the yard, he's about 80%.
Once we leave the yard, usually all hell breaks loose.
I made the videos to ask for help because yesterday (Weds), I just stopped and cried partway through our walk. Walks with Gadget used to be the highlight of my day -- I miss him so -- and walks with Barnum have broken 3 leashes, damaged my wheelchair (permanent damage to leg rests, and left armrest needed major repair because he pretty much pulled it off), cause me physical pain, and often result in minor injuries (scrapes, bruises, muscle/joint stuff, etc.). And being yanked around the neck can't be great for him, either. When I can't take it anymore, I switch to the harness and let him do what he wants.
For example, on yesterday's miserable walk, he "piked" my chair probably 15-20 times; since there are no anti-tip wheels, if he pulls hard, and I don't let out the leash in time before I reverse, or if we're going downhill, the chair goes off the wheels and onto the foot rests. If I hadn't developed a system of using a 6-ft leash wrapped 3-4 times around my hand holding onto my grip, and then right before the leash gets tight, I let it out to give me time to stop and reverse, we'd probably pike 50 times per walk. Or, more dangerously, he might pull me hard sideways, which he did twice yesterday, almost pulling me out of the chair (despite seatbelt).
And normally he wants to smell everything, in every direction, so even when I'm going backward, he has his nose to the ground, sniffing. Is that still less rewarding for him than going forward?
I wanted to ask for feedback on what I might do differently, so I made these videos today (Thurs) to show what's happening.
Two problems: 1. The light is so strong on most of the outdoor/walk one, that I don't know how much you can tell what's going on.
2. While the camera was rolling, he was the best he's EVER been. Loads, loads better. Like a different dog! And then, for the rest of our walk, too, so much better than usual. I have no idea why. We went the whole 1.5 miles using the collar! We've done a quarter of that at most, before. Will this last?? Was it a fluke?? The only times he went gonzo and pulled me onto my leg rests was when there were other dogs around he was trying to get to.
By the way, we don't normally do so much turning around. He doesn't really "get" how to turn with the big powerchair yet. I was doing that to stay in range of the camera.
Final question: Earlier there was a conversation on this list about whether it was good to praise/cheerlead your dog during LLW to let them know they're doing the right thing. The consensus seemed to be that it wasn't good, and you should use something higher value.
But on a walk past our yard perimeter, Barnum will totally ignore food, clicker, toys, etc., BUT he will respond to praise. (He has always been surprisingly attuned to affection -- praise, petting, etc.) Sometimes, in fact, if I am TOO quiet and "stony faced" during training, he seems to respond as if it's a punishment.
I often consciously smile while training, because it seems to make a difference to him. So, I don't want to have to keep up a constant chatter for the rest of our walking partnership, but is there something to be said for using praise now for training LLW, just to get the behavior?
I'm sorry this was so long. I'm trying to keep my posts shorter, but really, if we keep having walks like the ones we usually do, it's unbearable. Thanks for any help.
Let's start by asking for MORE than you need in the finished product. The first thing I generally say about Lazy Leashes is that the dog doesn't need to be looking at you to be doing it right. In your case, I'd recommend that he DOES need to be looking at you. Later, when you can't remember being this frustrated, you can relax the criteria.
So if he's not looking at you, he's not doing the job. Why am I saying this? Because I don't think he understands what you want at all.
Backing up with the chair is so slow it doesn't tell him anything. Backing up is supposed to re-orient the dog so he sees that he's working with you, but that rarely happens, and when it does, it's after he's had another 5 seconds to wander around looking at stuff.
Let's take the first, indoor video.
He's near you. Does this mean he's near you on purpose? Yes, I think it does. The leash is loose. Does this mean he's keeping the leash loose? No, I don't think it does. I think it's just loose because there isn't really room for him to be sort of near you with a tight leash.
Since he's had so much practise in not really knowing what you want from him (he looks like a nice reasonable fella with a good attitude to life), again, let's crack down a bit.
• Instead of thinking about the loose leash, let's jump ahead and think instead about him being with you. • Think about your criteria. What exactly do you want from him? • Here's what I would want at this point: he walks pretty close to you and checks in or looks at you at LEAST every 2 seconds.
Let me take what I see on the indoor video.
12 seconds, glance at you, good start. If you're demonstrating what he does, fine. If you're in life or training mode, I would have clicked right there.
14 seconds, a bit wide and forging for Service Dog Walk (how do you tell? If you decided to turn left at that moment, he'd have to do some heavy scrambling to get out of your way), but still with you and still paying attention. For LLW, that's another click point.
15 seconds, a real check-in - you're still a team. Click.
16 seconds, bam, he's gone. You're not part of the equation any more, he's thinking about the door. Knowing the trouble you're having, HERE is where I'd back up because HERE is where he made the decision to abandon you.
Really, training is never about the action, it's about the DECISION to act.
• If you're rewarding or punishing the ACTION, you're almost always too late. • If you reward or punish the DECISION to act, you'll be brilliant.
For LLW, this is good enough since the leash is still loose, but again, since he's just not getting it and you're getting frustrated, I wouldn't accept this.
17 seconds, leash still loose, and whoa, what's this, another check-in! Good!
22seconds - another check-in, but there's nowhere for him to go and you slowed down so much. Nice to see he thought of you, but too little, too late. Also 5 seconds between this one and the last time he noticed you.
24seconds - now you back up. I couldn't really see but my guess is that he walked that extra inch forward and the leash tightened.
I don't want the dog working on the last inch. The last entire FOOT of the leash is MINE, he doesn't get to use it at all.
27seconds - and we're going this direction now, what's over there? Cool. Oh, now we're going forward again...
• When I back up, I need the dog coming directly to me, not going for a walk in another direction. • The point of backing up is to refocus the dog on ME. • This is a team effort and I'm part of it.
So from this video, I'd say that he has the idea as long as everything's going well, but he really doesn't see it as his job to make it happen.
What I'm seeing here is the same sort of thing. He's a bigdog, the leash is long, and your chair is slow, so by the time something happens that he might have gotten information from, it's long past the time when he'll learn anything from it.
4seconds, check in. Click.
6seconds, check in, and he was keeping half an eye on you in between the two.
8 seconds. Leash still loose, but in your new life, that's too far away. The leash will be shorter.
10seconds, and he changes pace. In a learning situation, this is too early. Still keeping one eye on you, though.
11seconds, now he's out in front of your front wheel. OK and safe for the yard, but not for later, and he's using your foot of the leash.
13seconds, getting further and further out in front. This is how it WILL work later, but right now it's too much freedom for him.
15seconds, he finally gets to the end of the leash (you knew it was coming, he's been going faster than you have for at least 5 seconds).
15.5 seconds, you start to back up.
• Your response time here is excellent. • It's your criteria that's fuzzy.
18seconds, backing up. La di da di da, is that a bug on the ramp?
19seconds, you start forward again because your leash was loose, but the dog NEVER REORIENTED ON YOU.
20seconds, he's with you, two friends having a good time.
23seconds, he's gone again, oh boy, we're going for the gate! whee!
25seconds, still rooting to get out the gate.
26seconds you back up again. Again, your timing is good, but you're still responding to the ACT, not the decision, so you're... 3 seconds behind the moment he made the decision to pay attention to the gate instead of keeping the leash loose.
31seconds, he focuses on you. Great, except it took him 5 seconds to acknowledge you were on the planet with him once you started to back up. Taking that long in a low distraction zone like your yard, this is NOT going to translate well into the Universe.
34seconds, he's going back to the gate. He didn't stay with you for a moment.
I'm not going to comment on the outdoor video because I think you can fix the problems in the house and yard and then slowly translate them to other places.
What an interesting Coaching Day in Oceanside today.
I observed Beth, Mark, and Beth's sister Margaret working together on sharp military turns with Charlie. Cathy and Jan were working each other's dogs from their well planned training log. Patti was working on L1 behaviors with Tommy and having quite a successful outcome. Webster and I had no agenda, other than to step back into training after several weeks off. He had not lost any of his behaviors, but certainly had not advanced. Our training didn't really begin until later in the afternoon, and completely unexpected. Have any of you read The Prayer Of Jabaez? I believe.....
Webster and I were meeting Kurtis Foster and his family at a Starbuck's in Oceanside. Web and I showed up, me with a full bladder and we walked into Starbuck's so that I could use the facilities. I was told I could not have my dog inside. I told them he was a service dog in training, (even though he had no vest on), and I could not leave him in the hot car while I used the ladies room. Well, I had no vest and no papers, but......I had an absolutely awesome dog. Webster was at my side, looking at me and looking around him, ready for anything, and we politely walked back outside, hoping Kurtis would show up....Soon! A man inside heard the conversation and walked out to 'pet my dog, with permission.' He offered to handle my dog while I went inside. What a perfect gentleman; oh, and the man was a gentleman also. Web did not disappoint Freedom Dogs for one moment and he made me so very proud of him.
As we waited outside in the shade for Kurtis, we encountered two women, interested in petting my "beautiful dog." Then, three paramedics enter the scene, excited to pet my "well behaved dog." I suddenly realized I had an entire table of new acquaintances sitting at my table, Webster quietly lying under the table. I won't elaborate on all of the conversation, but let's just say it was quite stimulating,( about dogs). Enter.....another couple with a tiny white fru-fru dog, not on a leash. Webster was, yet again, a gentleman.... no reaction, but was saying hello ON A LOOSE LEASH!
Enter, Kurtis, Rachel, Ethan, and Asher. How wonderful to see my friend, Kurtis. Now, our table has grown to 12! Kurtis took Web, as he has missed our Freedom Dogs a lot. He hadn't missed a beat... he and Webster looked as though they had spent months together.
I could never have planed this afternoon as it was; it proved to be a real training session for both Web and me. Web used his social skills very well; I trusted my dog and was elated as I watched him truly behave as a Freedom Dog. I am so proud of Webster.
The first three flips are cold behaviors done at home: Level 2: Crate, Go To Mat, and Distance
The next video of Level 2 behaviors cold, was flipped at OH on August 10. The dogs were working with all the distractions found at the harbor plus our own distractions of working dogs and busy trainers.
The last video was flipped at Mission Animal Hospital. Level 1 behaviors were tested cold.
It was good to see how well both dogs focused with the distractions while testing L1 & L2. Nad needs to work on his Watch a little more to firm it up, Distance(Go Around) needs lots of work, Target (Paws Up) for 10 secs-he was close on that, Stand/stay needs to make solid, walking over him from the front, and on Right Side LLW.
I notice Nad is doing much better with his LLW on the right side. I hadn't worked Nad on the left side in a while, as was evident by his wanting to switch to the left. Cathy was brilliant in suggesting we walk on the same side of the bridge so we are using both left and right sides. While we were walking there, Cathy and Rooster got ahead of us (as we were doing more backing up at that time :) and Nad would want to forge ahead (just a little) to get closer to Rooster. It was good to work on that and he finally got it. Then when we both got to the far end of the bridge, he woofed lightly at a dog an that started Rooster and then Nad got louder. What I noticed was it never went over threshold and we could 'collect' both dogs. Coming back over the bridge Nad and I were ahead of Cathy and Rooster. Rooster had no problem keep a LL with us ahead. That is when Nad was on my right and it took most of the bridge to get him understanding that's where I wanted him. Then when we left the bridge (he was by the wall side) I had to start explaining it all over again.
I did have to close the window a couple times as he was barking while we were working with Lynn and Lily (I think it was more that he could see us than other dogs walking by at that time).
Nad did great going to the dog park. I was able to just go back with him (no peanut butter used) and he sat like a gentleman by the gate.
Landry was a blast! He gave us a perfect example of the trainer working harder that the trainee!! however, it did make me smile to see that he wasn't always the perfect L1/L2 16 week old puppy we see on the videos!!
While we were working at the NAS doing Paws Up on some open concrete containers (for lack of a better word), Rooster did a "4-paws up" on top of the ledge, over to the ledge on the other side and off into the trees - he was amazingly agile for a dog of his size!! THEN he was so trusting and confident that he did a real Paws Up when asked again! Cathy found a wooden pallet so we all walked the dogs on that surface. There were lots of good 'natural' surfaces/objects to use.
After working Nad with position with a grocery cart, he was very comfortable being in the cart. He even curled up a couple times and laid down. Now all we have to do is teach Rooster to walk while his paws are on the cart handle!
Not a single Flip was taken, unfortunately. We cover a lot of ground while at this location.
The dogs tested their Level Two behaviors in the street in front of the Dog Park. Dogs and people were passing but the FDs maintained their focus and attention. Cathy and Jan used their new Training Record Charts. We're all looking ahead to L2 BMO and beginning L3.
LEASH, Steps 2 and 4, walking to and from the gate to the Dog Park AND walking across the El Prado bridge.....on grass and concrete and mulch. Jan worked on eliminating the "Let's Go" cue and both trainers began weaning off of the pb and cheese. Cathy worked Rooster exclusively on his red collar. Jan discovered a need for more LL training on her right side (Leash: L2: Steps 1 - 5)
Walking with the walker. Going around the walker.
Cathy and Jan handled the concerned and well-intentioned public as Lynn and Lily practiced Lily remaining on a Down Stay beside Lynn on the ground, with both people and dogs passing....just outside the Dog Park. We observed how Stand actually becomes a "brace" when the Opposition Reflex kicks in.
Kat (Kathy Fuller) joined us for the entire session. She and Cathy talk Levels in "teacher speak".
Then on to Lynn's on Coronado to play with Landry for a bit (see video)
From there the whole kit and kaboodle moved on to No Island NAS for lunch on the patio of the Food Court. Following lunch we trained in the vicinity of the Food Court on Level 2 behaviors, finding environmental objects where we practiced Paws Up, Surfaces, stairs, Go Round, Leash position when pushing a cart. The girls took it beyond limits when Jan put Nad inside the grocery cart and Rooster did a lovely Paws Up in order to push the cart.
Throughout, criteria was clear and maintained. We discussed innovative ways each trainer could make the group coaching sessions on Tuesdays work to advance each individual team.
Our next mentoring session will be held IN Balboa Park with a focus on working under threshold in the vicinity of young children. In anticipation, we discussed characteristics of children's behavior that are of concern to dogs, safety and liability issues around children, simulating the unexpected children's behaviors in training.
Cathy and Jan. Please add your observations and comments to this verbal Flip.
I am just on my way out the door and I wanted to put this up.
The guys had come yesterday and started the tree removal process. I had worked with Nad on not woofing and gave him lots of treats when they were here and sawing. I even had them give him a few. When they came back to finish today, I just left Nad out with them. Then I heard the saw and thought of another training opportunity. So, with the guys sawing the tree stump, I decided to see if Nad could do some L1 & L2 behaviors. I know I forgot some as it was 'off the cuff'. At the end is the trick, which is hard to see.
Today was Rooster's play date with children. Pat, aunt and mom, came with computer and materials we needed to complete before school starts. The girls came equipped with pizza, pool stuff and girlie things like Kens, Barbies and Pink Jeeps. They also had a clear mission... to help train Rooster.
The Goal
For Rooster to remain below threshold around children.
The Set - Up
The situation was totally controlled
When the girls arrived Rooster was in his crate
They knew to ignore him, not even look in his direction
He would remain invisible until he could be quiet and calm
The girls would reward his good manners with treats (while he remained crated)
What followed would be determined by his threshold level
The girls were wonderful, Rooster was wonderful..... another step (giant) in the right direction.
Rooster did bark when the girls came in and as instructed they didn't even look in his direction...nobody did. It didn't take but a few moments for Rooster to realize barking would not get him attention. He first learned this on the tennis courts with Hannah. It is a lesson we practice often. When you bark you are invisible.
Rooster quickly quieted. He did not bark again all afternoon. After a bit the girls went up one by one, said Hi, gave him a treat but he still remained in his crate while the party continued. When he came out he was ready to greet his guests and the day progressed from there.
Rooster exits his crate and meets the girls
After watching Rooster do "his thing" Level 1 behaviors, Abby and Ryland walked him around the kitchen. Rooster was loving the whole thing and so were the girls.
While Pat and I got some work done, the girls, the Kens, the Barbies, and two pink Jeeps went swimming. Rooster crashed on the floor, leaving the pool to the girls. Afterwards, Ryland wanted to take Rooster for a final walk, so off they went.
Again some valuable lessons learned. Control the situation, if you can, set things up for success, and move forward in little steps. Rooster could/would not have behaved this way a few months ago. We have been taking baby steps in this direction at OH, Balboa Park, Coronado, Mission AH, OTR, and at home. Today it started to come together. We still have a lot to do but we have put a few more squirrels to rest. The girls have promised to return to help train and there are classrooms of kids waiting at school for when the time is right.
Criteria is clear: vertical clasp. One single criteria. This is an 8 minute session done in a very small space (doodling?) involving turns. But the criteria is the vertical clasp only. The decision to achieve the criteria is totally Nad's. And because Jan is focusing on one single criteria and because her timing is precise, she sends very clear information to Nad. And she is consistent. See how the length of the leash determines his position when Jan is clear about her criteria? Jan understands the criteria, her coach understands the criteria and by the end of the video, Nad begins to understand it too. And this is also a video showing the value of coaching. One coach. One trainer. One dog. Focus and concentration like that just can't be achieved in a class or even a mentoring session.
Nad has not been to Rooster's since Camp Rooster. Starting with Dog Zen at Cathy's. Then on to some shaping Nad to put his head up. Then on to the pool. The goal was to have a Nadador meet Rooster at his house with control. Then to be able to be In The Game for shaping
Dog Zen
The gang just hanging out togeher in peach and harmony
The day was for working on shaping and since I had just received a new collar and leash we did some work on LLW. With Beth's coaching and the new equipment, I could see a big difference.
Shaping to the skateboard Nad stayed In The Game and didn't seem to be bothered by the movement. The criteria was to get three feet on the board. Towards the end when Lorrie came in you can see how he was totally distracted and took a bit to get back into the game.
The LLW with the new collar and leash was like upgrading to a sports car. My criteria was for a vertical clasp. Like I said, that along with Beth's coaching helped me see exactly where the clasp was and needed to be.
I left with a renewed sense of LLW and some fun shaping ideas - thank you Beth!
Shaping - skateboard
Shaping skateboard with distractions
Shaping skateboard with distractions 2
LLW-Beth's-1-starting to work with the clasp vertical
LLW-Beth's outside 1 - taking the vertical clasp outside
LLW- Beth's outside 2 - continuing with the vertical clasp
LLW- Beth's - 1st Intense Vertical Clasp - the difference is amazing!