Looking for success by working under threshold. Working on behaviors that require the dog to perform them for another trainer or a stranger. Going back to Level 2. New environments. New distractions. New equipment.
Lazy Leash Level 3 Step 4
Nad and Lily are working on hands-free leashes.
Adapted Relaxation Protocol
Working in a configuration none of the dogs has experienced before. Making it "new" each time
Focus Level 2 Step 3 Comeafters
The dogs are asked to focus for a different person for the first time in Level 2. Re-teaching the behavior to each dog. But first, finding a location on the tennis court where each dog is under threshold and the trainers "Review, Remind, Re-teach" Steps 1 - 3.
Monty
Nad
Webster
Lily
Where can you and your dog successfully complete the Level 2 Steps? Inside? Outside? In front of you? In Heel/Tuck position? In Side position? When you are standing? When you are seated?
Distance Level 2 Steps 1 - 4
By now all dogs are working well under threshold and we once again "Review, Remind, Re-teach", with the exception of little Monty, who is introduced to Distance for the first time ... Level 2 Step 1. Lynn and Jan quickly dropped both their verbal cues and their handsignals and re-taught the behavior.
Monty
Nad
Webster
Lily
SURPRISE!
Jump Level 2 Steps 1 - 3
Training Distance on this equipment has the dogs learning/reviewing Level 2 Jump. It is the addition of the bar on the floor and, as is the case with Karen and Webster, 4" above the ground. NOTE: No verbal cues (Hup). No hand signals. Working at eliminating the body cues and letting the dogs volunteer the behavior.
In Step 1 Comeafters, Sue suggests: "Let's keep this simple. Don't change the location or the direction, but change the board. What else could you use? A broom handle? A vacuum cleaner hose? A fishing rod? Doesn't matter what it is as long as it isn't the same as the first one you used."
Real Life COME!
- Jan and Karen took advantage of a real life need of an immediate recall and reinforced Nad and Webster's Come
- Each dog had a really reliable recall! Congratulations! That is the result of careful, consistent training!
- Level 3 Come training needs other dogs and other people. We will actively train this Step by Step the next time we meet.
Unexpected Real Life Distractions
- Stephen and Scooter
- the plastic bag
- no Mastiffs today!
Jump Level 3 (which is all about car zen)
- Karen had a breakthrough sending Webster to jump into the car.
- Question: With his hip displaysia, should he continue to be boosted into the car?
GTM Level 3 (go lie down)
- Lily needs more active training remaining on the mat off leash and at a distance from Lynn (Levels 3/4 NB, Levels 3+ Steps)
- Monty and Rooster are tethered to their mat
- Nad excels at off-leash GTM
KUDOS to Cathy, who worked her boys well under threshold on all the behaviors, which also meant that they were out of Flip range for the most part.
A close-up of the jumps:
Dog Agility Equipment Construction Instructions: YOU CAN! Build Better Training Obstacles for your Dog by Ann Embry
Thoughts:
- if brown is the new black, then Level 2 is the new Level 1 in building a foundation for Level 3
- a solid Level 2 Focus between dog and trainer in a variety of environments and positions would be extremely helpful to the dogs as they begin learning to focus on other people
- reviewing Level 2 Lazy Leash, being mindful of each of the individual Steps, can only strengthen the dogs understanding of "Leash On, Leash Loose". Period. Collar work. Doodling. Single focal points. "Change". (let's add that to our Leash work next time we meet)
- remember to maintain balance by training Lazy Leash on the Right Side (for Lynn!)
- A Really Reliable Recall is a beautiful thing to behold, especially when you need it
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- add your thoughts, observations, plans
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