The past few days we have been going over our cues. I look to see if mine are clean and I can minimize them. Then I look to see if Bindi knows all the cues/visual and verbal well.
We just started working on back chaining. For my final I have to put a 10 behaviors together for a 10 part chain. So, that will be a challenge. I really don't teach many tricks so I have to find some tricks I can use.
Today went to Dog School with Bindi. She did amazingly well, even around the bigger dog in class. (she's afraid of large dogs) The class worked on going to the mat when they hear a knock on the door or a door bell.
Terra- heeling, wait
Cody-practice what he knows, and then begin to train him more complex heeling behavior
Begin to train him for teach brushing. or I should say,revisit what I have taught him.

Cody=Tomorrow we will work on behavior chains, individual cues for fluency.
It has been a great blessing to have bindi and I train together.

Love sharon

We practiced getting on and off a bus this afternoon. I found a spot where the buses hang out waiting for the correct time to pull into their stop.

We had the really good treats out and did some easy obedience close to the bus, gradually working our way closer. It took about 15 minutes but after a bit of work she was jumping on and off the bus like a pro.

I'm going to do a few more days like that and then pay $3 (!) to go one short stop and then get off. Lots of good treats to be used. Once we master buses, the subway will be next.

That bus work sounds great, Debbie!

Sharon, I emailed Bob Scott to see if he could help think of a ten-link chained behavior (all I came up with adding stuff onto "say your prayers").

I know Bob's power was affected by the tornadoes, but he just emailed back: "How about open a lid, take out a toy, bring to owner, take another toy from owner, bring it to basket, open lid, put new toy in basket, close lid? That’s eight without breaking too much down into simpler behaviors. Seems like something could be made out of that .... Just a thought!"

It's a lot better than I was doing, going over the usual tricks!

Anyway, it sure will be interesting to hear what you end up with for your ten-link chain.

I once saw a string of behaviors built around a fake traffic stop. The parts I remember are the dog sticking both paws in the air, paws up against a wall to be "searched", fleeing briefly, hitting the ground on command, retrieving it's ID, etc.

Not sure if that counts as a chain since some were individually cued but I thought it might give you some more ideas.

 Quote: Cathy Goessman

I once saw a string of behaviors built around a fake traffic stop. The parts I remember are the dog sticking both paws in the air, paws up against a wall to be "searched", fleeing briefly, hitting the ground on command, retrieving it's ID, etc.

Not sure if that counts as a chain since some were individually cued but I thought it might give you some more ideas.

That is very impressive!

Thank you for your suggestions. I have thought of saying the prayers and have taken the idea of the lid and taking contents to different people and will look at it and see how I can use it. This is my final in my clicker trainer class, in order for me to pass I have to get an A. Yikes!
Thanks so much for all your suggestions.

Today I worked on:
Bindi- going over our cues to look at our fluency. Went for a walk doing distractions in different locations at loose leash walking. She did well. When she noticed something, she quickly re-engaged with me.
Today bindi was talking to Rally O class. She is working on advanced signs now. I have to learn them. Bindi will be entering a few matches this summer. We worked on: Front, and I am trying to increase her speed on finishes.
BIndi is not a very fast moving dog, she is shy and really wants to do everything just so. SO she can be too cautious some times.
Cody- worked on heeling when walking today and went into Petsmart and visited people. Today he was able to receive a treat from a little girl. He loves kids!

Thanks again for all your suggestions. This is a very big challenge for me. I am not a spring chicken and I am hoping I can remember the 10 behaviors I have to execute! ha!

Love sharon and BIndi, Cody, Terra

bump

Been a bit wild around here lately.

Today we tracked, finally a ok day. Harley did pretty well on a fresh but unbaited track.
Dexter did a 2 leg track with bait in every steps but one on the last leg. That puzzled him.

Later we work on recall. We now have a mama duck in the paddock right next to the house. So horses are not happy and the dogs are planning to have duck on the menu soon. Harley can be in full chase and will come back very fast. Dexter needed reminder with the e-collar

Today Bindi and I went to a new place to walk In my course I have to work on loose leash distractions. She does very well, but took her to a new place to walk. She did excellent!
Came home worked on each behavior she knows, my cues, trying to make sure they are clean.
We then worked on a prop for turning off the light switch. She did well. And then we tried a three part behavior chain. SPin, down, back. Just for practice. She did very well. TOnight going to work with Cody on the prop for the light switch. He gets a big kick out of that kind of stuff. He has now appointed himself my helper in the area of closing the frig, the freezer, the dishwasher, and any cabinet I open. QUite the character.
Terra still working on heel and wait. The girl has a very hard time not galloping around. She really isn't a lease puller, just a hopper. Anyway that is ti for today.
Great to hear how things are progressing with all of you. Watch out for those baby ducks! A couple of weeks ago, Bindi and Terra both got a rabbit and killed it. ( wild rabbits)
Sharon and the pups