Today (thurs) bindi and I went to school. She did ok, with the heat and an unexpected guest I hadn't trained her for about a week. but she did well. Last night for some reason she was very interested in a little dog named "banjo". Now that the weather is cooling down some (97 degrees instead of 110) I can do more training in the mornings.
We worked on the pivot, heel, wait, wait with duration, wait with me out of sight. Recall, recall with front position and recall with finish.
I have to be very careful with Bindi in a few short sessions she picks up any repetition and tries to figure out what I am doing and do it before I give any command. So, I have to mix things up a lot. Also worked on heeling and 90 degree turns.
Friday will work with the other dogs.

I need help on my treat delivery. The trainer says I need to get my hand out of the bag. and I do. So, will work on that.

Did some more "look" work. Went better. So that's good.
Then did some tug work.
Milo is always super engaged, and outs fine. But I'm trying to hit the "brings it back" criteria Michael Ellis talks about... Usually the second I take my grip off he bolts!! He thinks we're supposed to play keep away. But today there was actually a little pause and he waited for me to re grip. I think I may be making progress?
And Mabel... She's usually not too interested in the tug. But today.... I finally broke through and got her pumped! She was all over it. Didn't work on outs, or anything. Just kept her engaged!
So, pretty good day.
By the way, I in no way think I "know" what I'm doing.... So all feedback is appreciated! I'm definitely into learning! So, feel free to hammer on anything I'm doing poorly.

Today.... No "training". The special "work" for the day, was bringing home a foster dog.
Yeah. We did.
He's a BEAUTIFUL blue/brindle pit. 50ish lbs. An absolute sweetheart. Mabel is patently dog aggressive. So.... It takes work to integrate. Milo, is a responder, but the foster doesn't want it so, they'll be fine. Bella, is just a goofball, but would jump in if the had some "predatory drift".
So, that first pack walk was a doozy. But, after about half a mile, they were good. Took a lot of stop/starts, and ob work while the foster was on the other side of the road and a block up. Then, just across the road. Then, same side. Doing different configurations. Amanda (my wife) handled the foster. I handled the other 3. I would take 2 in one hand and let the other dog in my other hand so they had access to the new guy (while walking). After everyone having a good exposure, we eventually had Bella and the new guy with Amanda, and Milo and Mabel with me.
Not bad!
He was confiscated during a raid on a prostitution establishment. Was out on a chain. He has ZERO obedience, or manners. But is an angel of a dog. NO aggression to dogs or humans. And is super environmentally sound.
We named him Jackson.
We will be working with him, and then adopting him out.
Gonna be a fun project.

getting good recall, seem like all the local pest are out these days.

So it is like the dogs are hanging out while I coach and suddenly they dart off full tilt in the wood. One whistle and a come get them back. Harley is the fastest but should work on his feet.

He turns so fast in the loose sand that he almost crashed.

Today is too hot for anything else.

Wow, Ariane, how long did it take you to get that level of recall? I'm for sure a novice, but that sounds totally impressive.

Jay, I live on a small farm so we are out daily. We have deers, turkey, racoon, beaver, coyoties some foxes and tones of rabbits this year.

Dexter is turning 3 next week and has a very low drive but for small games. I had to use a e-collar on him a few times no more then 5 times for him to figure out that fun was with me.

Harley is hyper with high drive, he needs to be worked a lot. I got him at 8 mos and he is now 2 1/2. Harley get a massive party when he get to me after a come is let out. At first I trown him crazy reward even when he was slow to come. I now can get him to come from a chase about 250m away and from over 500m if he just hang out around.


I never go far with out treats or toys. Dexter has no interest in toys. One pocket for the dogs and one for the horses.

Long line were my friend for some times but in the wood they can be a pain.

Harley was easier for me as he just want to do stuff for me. He is most people nightmare dog. I had to teach him to stop and lay down. Dexter was not so motivated but he has not much go, so I waited for him to slow down, not much more then 100 to 200m and he would quiet, and call him then.

I know that the wild life is coming out this time of the year, so I have tuna or raw meat chunk with me. Dogs can't resist that and they know that I have the good stuff and good stuff come out when they do want they are asked to do. Bigger reward for a fast recall.

Ariane, very cool. Thanks for the breakdown.
Today, we took Bella, and the new foster Jax to a "Street Steady" obedience class in a very packed Cabella's parking lot. They were having some sort of sale event AND a car show. TONS of distractions to work with/through. It was hosted by Chris Fraize's Canine Solutions (Sanford ME).
Mabel and Milo got an extra walk in which we did a bunch of OB, but no set up "training" today.

Hurricane preparedness, mapping evacuation routes, praying that the expected grandchild can hold out a few more days, etc.

Ohh, also tracked Sat and Sun, played some tug, did some OB and some long downs.

Today, I took Jax, our new "foster" (I am leaning towards keeping him!), Mabel, and Milo to the Academy.
With Mabel and Milo (one ata time) got a long line attached to my belt, and did some "off leash" obedience. They did heeling, stays and recalls. I never had to use the line! Was amazing!
Jax got to work on some long line attention training. (my version of Koehler). Then we worked on sit for a few rounds.
After a while of that I pulled out the tug to do some of that.
Mabel- looked at me like it was the stupidest thing ever and ignored it completely. So much for the last awesome session carrying over.
Milo- did awesome. Loves the tug. Still working on the bring it.
Jax- first time with the tug. AMAZING. He LOVES it. learned out in two seconds. Brings it. And clamps like a champ!
good day!

 Quote: Sharon Empson

.... I need help on my treat delivery. The trainer says I need to get my hand out of the bag. and I do. So, will work on that.

Work on it with a mirror, sans dog.

Otherwise, you might manage to get your hand out of the bait bag, but still be making movements that telegraph your intention to the dog.

Don't ask me how I know this.