Mentoring and Coaching: November 2010

Coaching Sunset Park Y The Forum-11/30/10

Coaching Session
Sunset Park & The Forum

We started out with a full Agenda and actually made it through almost all of it. Nad started out doing L1 with Cathy (L3 OTR), see video. He stayed focused through all 3 of the RP. I felt like I was losing his attention and that he was not in the game. When we were walking to the dog park he kept forging forward so it took us a long time to get there. Once inside, both Nad and Rooster did great recalls. When we walked back to the car he was much more in the game. I wasn't sure if he'd be up to going to the Forum. He'd had a very busy past 4 days and I thought he may have just been 'done'.

We stopped by my house to give Rooster a little New Home Etiquette. Nad stayed in the car in the driveway the whole time. Then we headed to the Forum. I was really pleased to see that Nad stayed focused and handled all the distractions well and we did a lot of Right Side work.

Tomorrow he will have a well deserved day off.

Today's Agenda:

L1 including L3 OTR cold testing

Sunset Park w/ different trainers

CGC at Sunset Park and the Forum

Working on the left
Working on the right

Relaxation Protocol Sunset Park and the Forum

Facing the dogs
In heal position
On the right side
To strengthen 4D for L2 and L3

PAT #s 1-4 in preparation for Thurs. mentoring session using L1, L2 behaviors, at the Forum

Non vested
Keeping a small footprint
Exiting the car
Walking through the parking lot
Going through doorways
Walking among people

Working with behaviors that at L3 and beyond become Vested Behaviors

Zen
Come
Down
Down/Stay
Surfaces
On the Road
Sit
Sit/Stay
Stand
Stand/Stay

Cathy doing L1 with Nad cold:

Coaching at Sunset Park and The Forum, Tuesday Nov. 30

We had a full day of fun planned for the dogs beginning at Sunset Park in San Marcos and ending at the Forum.

Originally, when we started our coaching sessions way back in April, our focus was to address the dogs reactivity which we believed was hindering their making progress in public settings. Today it dawned on us that our focus has changed. Though we still are aware of reactivity it has improved greatly and now our focus is related to Public Access. We have taken "to the road" and now are actively searching for new places and challenges for the dogs to experience.

Today our focus behaviors included:

L1 including L3 OTR cold testing

Sunset Park w/ different trainers

CGC at Sunset Park and the Forum

Working on the left
Working on the right

Relaxation Protocol Sunset Park and the Forum

Facing the dogs
In heal position
On the right side
To strengthen 4D for L2 and L3

PAT #s 1-4 in preparation for Thurs. mentoring session using L1, L2 behaviors, at the Forum

Non vested
Keeping a small footprint
Exiting the car
Walking through the parking lot
Going through doorways
Walking among people

Working with behaviors that at L3 and beyond become Vested Behaviors

Zen
Come
Down
Down/Stay
Surfaces
On the Road
Sit
Sit/Stay
Stand
Stand/Stay

At the end of the day when we sat down to evaluate how the day had gone we agreed that with the exception of two things we had accomplished all that we had set out to do. Many of the behaviors we focussed on today overlapped so we had the opportunity to practice the same behaviors in different settings and through different approaches. The most important finding though was that it sure was a fun day, OTR.

Rooster is not a "Morning Dog" so he mentally prepares himself for the day ahead.

Our first challenge this morning was cold testing L3 OTR. First thing Jan and I exchanged dogs and the day began.

Foot Play Rooster's Tricks

I have been using the bell and easy button to build coordination, strength, and endurance for Target. It has evolved into a fun trick. Not beautiful and polished but a break from concentrated training.....besides it may come in handy down the line.