Level II Course 5
We had a good morning, but we didn't get any qualifying runs. Neither team completed the course. But that's ok. We were prepared to film a Q, but knew if we got one on this day it would be a fluke. OTOH, when you spend so much time setting up a course and all that that entails, we want to maximize its potential.
Lily completed the course through Sign #12: Send to Target. Sit. Recall to Heel. We need more practice generalizing going out 10' to a target, sit or down, and return to tuck or side position. Today she just ambled out aimlessly. The perfect place to be using a good "Look" from L4 Focus. So we'll go back to the drawing boards in the new book. My transitions were cued sloppily and that's how Lily performed them. After 2 retries, we ended the course at this point.
We took the course and broke it down into smaller components of 3 - 4 behaviors at a time....taking turns with the dogs. We found many areas to improve upon at home and then to work on in a variety of public places.
Nad showed that he needs a clear criteria for his Tuck, Side and Front. Jan has decided to drop all three cues and go back and re-teach from the beginning following Steps. Those 3 behaviors of Nad's are reminiscent of Lily's original Stand, which Sue described as, "That's not a Stand. That's stand and take 2 steps forward. Reteach it!" Neither a single Tuck or Side cue could get Nad into the desired position - only part way there. Not good enough! Same w/Front. We both decided that we wanted a clear Front behavior; one that doesn't necessitate our backing up to get the dog straight OR close. Just because that's what we want! Cathy cues "Come" and gets a nice straight Front from Rooster because she has built a default Front into his Come behavior.
The star of the morning was Samantha. Only using her hand as a target, Jan took Sam halfway through the course. Sam was totally focused and was the only dog totally In the Game for the morning.
Nad and Lily were divas today - needing optimum conditions to perform. ;*D Not threshold issues. But showed an environmental "hole" in their training - beyond malls, stores, classrooms, parking garages and even tennis courts.
But the beauty of CRO is that it gets us out of our "comfort box" of usual training and challenges us as much or more than the dogs. Mostly with familiar L1 and 2 behaviors used in different contexts. I like the challenge and I think Jan does, too.
Jan and I also agreed that CRO is an activity that needs an earlier morning start - as we did when Sue was here in the spring - when it is still fresh and cool. At least, during the heat of the summer.
Jan and I also agreed that CRO is an activity that needs an earlier morning start - as we did when Sue was here in the spring - when it is still fresh and cool. At least, during the heat of the summer.
Levels behaviors used:
- Level 1
- Zen (lots and lots!), Target, Come, Sit, Down
- Level 2
- Zen, Focus, Lazy Leash, Distance, Jump, Relax (off leash in car)
- Level 3
- Zen, Focus, Come, Sit, Lazy Leash, Distance, Jump
- Level 4
- Focus
Steps behaviors used:
- Left Side/ Right Side (swing finish): L3 - 6
- Stand
- Down: L2, 3, 4
Original Book of Training Levels:
- Front: L3 - 7
- using the Bullseye and Front Ray diagrams
Other behaviors used:
- Change
- Spin
- Turns and Transitions
- Pivots
We challenged ourselves today.....and our dogs. Now we're committed to going back and train what hasn't been trained and review, reteach, remind those behaviors taught but not yet understood. Fun, indeed!