We've been working on rebuilding Sadie's motivation in the dumbbell retrieve. By following Ivan's suggestion of varying the timing of the mark, we have made good progress. We worked on it last evening in the yard with minimum distraction, and she was solid. I need to start adding distraction back in, but slowly. I also would like her to come in more directly.

We also proofed her new "roll over" in a couple of new settings. Later, inside after supper, we broke out our dowel and worked on holding behavior. She's improving with that, as well.

More bitework for Sadie last night. Every session is a marked improvement over the last, and she is really starting to enjoy it. Last night was the first time she showed an interest in keeping the wedge when the fight was over, so she got to carry it off the field when she finished. Also, we introduced the wedge as a sleeve (sorta like a half-sleeve), and she didn't notice. She continued to target well, and her grip was deeper. She's starting to play for keeps.

We have been working on motivation on the retrieve and sendaway, at home with minimum distraction. We worked on it on the club field, with other dogs on the field, and she did well. We also worked on improving position in the recall/finish, and on quickness in the out-of-motion exercises.

So...I got a bit of a downer this week, finding out I have to have some minor surgery (septoplasty and a small biopsy) next week that will likely put me out of training for a week or two. Poor Sam's going to be bouncing off the walls and likely won't understand why I'm not playing with him.

We've been working on basics and won't have tracking this weekend due to the trial. I'm looking forward to being a "groupie" and getting to see all the dogs working in obedience up close. Then, I'm hoping to get a good practice in Monday night and a few nice home practices in before I go into surgery on Wednesday. I'm going to ask my doc how quickly I can get back into handling so that we don't miss out on too much.

Sam has been learning better to settle indoors and is starting, just starting to figure out that barking at the cats and barking for attention...are not enjoyed. LOL He loves his walks and does better and better with focus in distractions. I think he's also hitting another growth spurt because he is sleeping a lot more than usual.

Taking a shelter course for enriching animals lives in a shelter and helping to relieve some of their stress. I will be using Cody when I have at home exercises. So, that should be lots of fun for him. He is a wild man right now with it being so hot outside right now. At 8:00 am it was 90 yesterday. So, outdoor time is limited as well as walking time.
Been working on cody and fear issues and CGC along with Terra. bindi already has hers. Was working on this before, both dogs have the basic skills, but want to perfect them before taking the test.
Hoping to enter a Rally O competition soon with Bindi. SO we are brushing up on our skills. We still go to rally O training once a week. Bindi is now working on some of the excellent signs. Matches have been few and far between this summer, and many were canceled due to financial reasons by the clubs. Sad.....
So anyway that is what I have been working on. sharon and her pups Bindi, Cody and Terra

"Taking a shelter course for enriching animals lives in a shelter and helping to relieve some of their stress."



Sharon, is that course local or online, or what?

I took one years ago and would like to take another, updated one.

Yes it is on Karen Pryor Clicker Academy, right now in Sept there is a discount for the course. Looks good. IT starts with the basics and builds from there. You need access to a shelter, and your own dog, or a friends dog. I am only on chapter two but I really like it. So many shelter animals suffer with prolonged stress due to the environment. It is good to help them bring their stress levels down and to be able to train some behaviors that will help them get their forever homes.
I just thought of something... is it ok to mention KPA site on this site? If not sorry.
Love sharon and her pups, bindi cody terra, oh,
Tonight Terra and I are working on the CGC skills. I want to get the test and then begin to work with her for scent work. Still working Bindi in rally. Right now we are learning the "go out". Haven't been many matches this summer. BUt it has been boiling so far this summer.
Love, sharon, Bindi, Cody, Terra.

Thank you, Sharon!

And .... bump. :-)

Fun OB with bite wedge in the back yard this morning because he was such a good dog. I am thinking of taking a break from anything other than basics in commands for a couple of weeks and using daily training opportunities to work on accepting nail trims, ear cleaning and tooth scrubs. (thank you for the tooth cleaning thread, Jamie!) His acceptance of nail trims isn't horrible at the moment but it still takes 2 of us to do more than one nail at a time. Ears are easier but he's not comfortable with a liquid clean, so I've been using damp cloth - better than nothing. Teeth I haven't worked on at all since they've been so nice and clean but there's no excuse not to. Not as much fun but still very important.

 Quote: Kristin Muntz

.... I am thinking of taking a break from anything other than basics in commands for a couple of weeks and using daily training opportunities to work on accepting nail trims, ear cleaning and tooth scrubs. (thank you for the tooth cleaning thread, Jamie!) His acceptance of nail trims isn't horrible at the moment but it still takes 2 of us to do more than one nail at a time. Ears are easier but he's not comfortable with a liquid clean, so I've been using damp cloth - better than nothing. Teeth I haven't worked on at all since they've been so nice and clean but there's no excuse not to. Not as much fun but still very important.

You can make it fun!

Paws, ears, face ..... these are anxiety-producing "procedure" spots for many (maybe most) dogs.

Those ears .... you could start with a touch and a reward.

The more difficult "procedures," for me, have their own special high-value reward, not obtainable any other way. These rewards go to the dogs who circle round, at the correct distance, silently waiting, as well as for the patient (the patient gets more, and he gets his first). (This reward is visible and odorous the whole time. For me, procedures are special. Procedures are outside the usual marker protocol, for me.)

I murmur about it ("then a TREAT!") to the patient and I make sure it's right there, no fumbling, no waiting, no uncertainty, in order that the dog can hang in there through the discomfort and anxiety for juuuust a bit longer, knowing that the very next thing will be that wondrous reward.

This works really well for me and my pack. And you will see how much the vet appreciates it, too! (And by the way, I learned when I had a dog with a lacerated eyeball, I have those very special rewards with me on certain vet trips as well. It can't be every time, of course, but why not have the dog perceive that that intriguing possibility is not limited to the house?)

I believe that procedures training is very important, and that it will pay off more than you can imagine. At least, this is my experience.

I would rather fit one or two short procedures sessions in randomly, though, as opposed to a period of weeks with nothing but procedures. There are many reasons, but not least among them is keeping that HV reward fresh and exciting.

I am thinking of teaching husbandry behaviors to all my dogs. I would love it if my dogs opened their mouths on command. Cody has lots of tarter on his teeth from all the medicines he had to take when sick. I thought I would train him to open his mouth and I would brush his teeth. The same for Terra. Terra doesn't like it when you come at her with something in her hand. SO we will work on it.
Still working on Terra, and Cody behaviors for CGC certificate. We are working on sitting quietly next to me while I talk to someone and sit quietly for petting. (not my favorite behavior for them not a fan of people petting my dog. I usually have my dogs give them a hi five instead, but to pass the test, they must allow a friendly stranger to touch them.) Tomorrow I am going to continue to work on Terra being out of site of me and waiting. Both my dogs are ok if I leave the room, although they wait for me to return.
Tonight I am going to shape bindi to wear some glam glasses so I can eventually take a picture of her for my web site. Maybe my other dogs would like it too.
Going to work on getting injections (no needle) and looking in ears, things like that.

haven't walked much, very, very hot at 4:00 it was 102 in the shade!
Love reading all your posts as you describe your training for that particular day.
Love Sharon, and her pups Bindi, Terra, Cody.