Juno and I have added in agility training about 2 weeks ago. We have a comfort level with tunnel, jump at 2 1/2ft (actually it is still step over), table, weave pole and dog walk. This is the guy that has some confidence concerns that I had previously inquired about.

My problem with training is that when he is 'uncomfortable' he really leans into and pushes into me and I have developed/allowed some bad habits in the process of 'encouraging' that behavior. The good news is over the past 9 months he has really come a long way and is a much, much more balanced do, but we still have work to do.

I always leave training thinking why do we call it dog training, it feels so much more like person training and showing dog. If I show it right, he gets it right when I mess up the show, the word, the timing; the dog doesn't get it....I know it's dog training 101 concept but so important. This is the first dog I have ever owned that has really made me look at technique with such detail and that's good...I love to learn.

The better news is that when he sees the agility equipment come out, his eyes light up.

Isn't it a great sport.

We're going to be signing up for our second session here soon, once the weather gets a bit better. And for 50.00, you can get a bit of a kit for your back yard, just to practice a few things (like timing ), throughout the week.

I sure hear you about that train the trainer stuff. As aloof as my northern guy can appear, the instructor pointed out how much he really is watching me, every move. It's quite a process getting those techniques and our body language just right. And just makes so much sense when it starts to come together.

I love reading this thread and I am so glad that you posted Aimee! I had looked for the thread this past week and it wasn't in the active topics! It is quite different to read about the myriad of things that go towards making a dog a wonderful companion in this way.

Ever since Kelly mentioned that she was going to blog her training I have done the same. I had a blog ongoing for Lusi before but not one devoted exclusively to training. Despite the enormous amount of time it takes to blog regularly, (fortunately I am retired and I love writing), I have found it a wonderful way of keeping tabs on what I have been doing. All those recurrent themes begin to accumulate and jump off the page at me, like a "dog training to do list!" But I have been making huge progress lately towards improvements in our crate training and crate games lately and I have just installed a crate in our truck as well. I was completely won over to the crate games at our last session of puppy foundation agility and have been working on them since. Lusi is now eight months old and I cannot believe how quickly the time flies by!

 Quote: Aimee Pochron

I always leave training thinking why do we call it dog training, it feels so much more like person training and showing dog. If I show it right, he gets it right when I mess up the show, the word, the timing; the dog doesn't get it.

I agree Aimee; most of the time I think of it more as "dog handler training and dog/handler relationship building!"

Desensitizing work in town. It's actually the first time I've brought Lenney back in town since learning about the whole anxiety/distractions/desensitizing issue(s) on this forum! Embarrassing to admit, but even just a couple of months ago, I didn't understand why Lenney always goes cuckoo in an unfamiliar environment. (We live in the country: our stretch of the highway and the local hiking trails are where she is comfortable -- still easily distracted, but comfortable) So for the last few weeks I've been practicing close to home, working on the "look" command, engagement, not letting her fixate on anything, keeping her focus on me, etc. It went great in town! I was so proud of both of us! We stopped at two different no/low-traffic spots, and I brought her out of the truck for just a few minutes each time -- practiced a few simple commands and worked on engagement. I never even gave her a chance to go all weird from all the unfamiliar scents and sights that were around -- she was focussed on me and the liver treats about 95% of the time! I even noticed a change on the drive home: she was smiling a nice relaxed smile, not the close-mouthed anxious/on alert expression she often sports after a "harrowing trip into town". Yippee!

Yes, with my pup Cody I am working on that. have added a new behavior, I am teaching them to "close the door" or "push" (haven't named the behavior yet) We are just touching a sticky note right now. Hope to begin to shape their behavior so I can get an exercise ball and transfer "push" to that so they can chase it around the yard, and maybe do the new sport of Trieball (not sure of spelling) they would love that. Also, Cody doing well with pick it up as far as his bowl is concerned. Today after breakfast he automatically picked up his bowl and brought it to me. The day before he picked up everyone's bowl and brought it to me!
Terra is doing well with heeling.
Bindi is learning to focus on me while on her mark and I hope to learn how to teach her to orient her rear end and stay in heel. Not sure what that is called. She is still in training class and planning to begin working on Rally O with her.

So, that is it for me. Great work everyone! Love that time with our pups!
sharon

Logan did really awesome yesterday and today with ignoring dogs!!

I was playing with him on the HS grounds and some people walked past with a curious yellow lab. They were on the side walk I was at the building but not far apart. I had a short drag lead on him and he saw the lab pulling towards us as they walked on by. He looked them, ears up and then looked at me very engaged and I bounced her ball off the wall for him to catch a few times. Then they went out of sight.

Today I was done playing fetch in the feild and on the way home and old guy was walking his Shih Tzu and Logan didn't ever even look at it. It was awesome.

I've tried the trieball, l, we used it a bunch in the house. It's good exercise indoors.

 Quote: Marina Latulippe

Desensitizing work in town. ......I even noticed a change on the drive home: she was smiling a nice relaxed smile, not the close-mouthed anxious/on alert expression she often sports after a "harrowing trip into town". Yippee!

The smile says it all! I got that smile at the weekend too when we were working on our loose leash walking. I practiced hand targeting on a loose leash to get Lusi's attention for a while on the playing fields. When we returned home she simply floated across the traffic crossing and back up the sidewalk home, a much different scenario to our outward trip! I too, mostly walk on conservation trails and have planned to go into town this week as the weather will be warmer and the paths not quite so icy!

With the great weather here lately, we took two 5 mile hikes this weekend and worked on agility, using idle playground equipment at some of our little community parks. She loves going up the sloped climbing walls and through the tunnel slides. It was hilarious seeing her slide back down one that she failed to get enough speed on while going up. Great confidence builder once she discovers how to get through everything.

I'm continuing to work with Jethro's voice response. Late at night when there is no one around I take him out on his flat collar with a 30' lead. We just walk around the neighbourhood close to home practicing Sit, Wait, Come, This Way without using any leash pressure. The leash is dragging on the ground and Jethro has a lot of play (I am holding onto it, of course). When Jethro hears something or sees something, I give him a verbal command and instructions. Last night he was able to have the entire walk without me needing to resort to using the leash to impose control. I also gave him unleashed time in the yard and played Name Games with him. It was fun to see him charging around offleash, coming to me when called.

Skipper is practicing building his confidence to allow a greater distance between him and me - ie. he doesn't have to dog my heels in the house and he can lay down and wait quietly when I have to go outside. He was also playing a visual recall game on the soccer field - we spread our arms wide and he comes running. He can't hear his name being called, so it is the best we can get for a recall.