Tug and Relax

Here you will see me using the tug game as a way to reinforce Boon for relaxation. We play a bit of tug, then I have her out. To restart the game she must completely relax. We began with just the out, the the out and a sit, then the out, sit and hip roll, then the out sit, down, then the out sit down with hip roll now we are working on down with relaxed tail. Watch Boons tail as it hovers over the ground, then quivers before it finally relaxes. The second it totally relaxes I begin the game again.

L2-4

Relax 3

Relax 2

Relax 1

I am working on helping Boon learn to relax more. She is in control of herself but is more tense ( shown by her tight/ erect tail and stress lines on her face) more than I would like to see. I both shape and "help" depending on the situation. I am working on the tail carriage at this time. Looking for her tail to be relaxed at the base so it can lie on the ground if she is down and for a more horizontal carriage when standing. There are three videos showing different progressions toward relaxation. In the down, standing and then in the last video the LOOK game with "help"

Boon LLW for 5 year old Mary Scott

Sitting in Water

Boon doesn't really like sitting in water much. She is doing it and the shallower the better! I raised the treat value in hopes that her focus would be less on the water and more on the toy. It is a work in progress. Interesting that several months ago water wasn't an issue for Boon. This is a clear reminder that when training a puppy just because they handle things at one stage of development soean't promise that it will never be an issue. Making a list and revisiting things briefly but continually though time is a way of catching little "problems" before they become big ones!

Stand from a Sit

This is a series of outtakes that show Boon doing a pop-up stand from a sit while we were working on sit in water. I was not cuing or working on the stand . I just noticed this is a great way for Boon at least to practice her stands from a sit since she does it so readily and it will build muscle memory making it easier to generalize in other places with a minimum of body cue from the handler! Another benefit to the video is that you see things missed in the moment when you are focused on another task! I will be using this to teach the stand from sit and taping the progress in the future.

CGC Accepting a freindly stranger/ Sitting Politley for Petting

This is a training exercise not the CGC test. Boon is working with two new people she has never met before. It is not shown in this video but we learned that Boon has more trouble approaching people calmly than she does being approached. Information that is valuable to have and important to train.

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger

This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.

Test 2: Sitting politely for petting

This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

CGC Reaction to Another Dog

This is CGC Training , not the test.

Test 8: Reaction to another dog

This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.

CGC 3 Minute Supervised Separation

CGC Training Not the test.

Test 10: Supervised separation

This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").

Finding HEEL Position

Finding SIDE Position

Moving down

That's Enough

In this video we are practicing some ZEN behavior where Boon must wait for permission and then also LEAVE what she wants to continue doing. I am using Premack. Boon leaves what she wants so she can have it again! This is work I do in conjunction with work on sniffing. It is the same principal but with a different distraction, yet this also includes her nose, just more mundane information making it easier to practice.

Sidewalk ZEN

Hello, my name is Sheila, I am a recovering Lumper. Umm, where is the coffee? : )

This video shows a great example of LUMPING. I OBVIOUSLY should have made the exercise easier so that I could trust Boon to do her job and not feel the need to prevent her from making a mistake by tightening the leash from time to time. If I can't trust her yet, then I should make it easier so she isn't put in the position of needing a correction ( she didn't) or having me fall into poor handling skills because I was unsure. The video is a firm and honest critic. It catches the things that otherwise might go unnoticed. It is true that it is important to trust your dog. It is also important to set them up so they should and can be trusted and not fail. Less is MORE!