We've been working on Susan Garrett's Crate Games (DVD), and today I saw a lot of things starting to come together in her head.....awesome to watch! :) Susan uses CG to teach duration sits, sit under distraction, and it builds very nicely into startline stays, sit at the door before going out, and sit "stays" (if you use the word "stay", I don't).
One of the criteria is that the dog sit at the back of the crate, in order that they are further back from the door (and thus have a better chance of maintaining the criteria of "no part of the dog breaks the plane of the door"). Fizz usually starts in the back, because she's run into the crate to start the games. However, if we have a rep where she breaks, and the door is closed, she's often in the mid or front section. I've been waiting her out and rewarding any movement (head turn, foot starting to move) towards the back of the crate for the past 2 sessions.
Today, we took the crate outside, a new environment, so I was expecting to loosen a few criteria. Boy did she show me. She upped the ante! :) I only got her to break her sit once, by putting a whole bowl of treats down inside the crate. After that, she was sitting in the middle of the crate. She didn't just think about moving back, she very forcefully pushed her whole self back, still in her tight sit. Really cute to watch, and exciting to see her thinking so much about it.
Today's distractions included: being outside, Emilie standing nearby (Emilie is ADORED by Fizz)....neither of these factored very much into "Yer Out, Yer In!" Individual pieces of treat placed in the crate, a bowl of treats, me being 10-12ft away (door open), me running away for 5 full-stride paces, a tug dropped to the ground in front of the crate (open door), a tug being wiggled in the crate. She actually hopped up and back at that one as if to say "I am NOT falling for it, see me, I'm FAR FAR away!" The beauty of this is that it is all HER CHOICE. No force, no "have to." It is her choice to stay sitting and earn the reward, despite the distractions.
Because she's doing so well with both the tight sit, and working through distraction, a name will soon be put to the behavior (sit), and we'll bring it out of the crate (working distraction elsewhere, and also start line sits). Susan had amazing success with Swagger, and it's just the best feeling to see the same "coming together" in Fizz! :)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Beginning scent discrimination work - 11 wks
Susan Garrett highly recommends video taping your session work, so that you can review it, see what really went on, and have good information for your training log. As I worked this session, it felt like a *huge* fail to me. I felt like we had very few correct responses, and all she was doing was grabbing the empty 'wrong' container. In watching, I see far more correct responses than it seemed when I was training. I'm very thankful for having the video (even if James knocks the camera to the ground), and being able to see that it was better than it felt.
We started last night with working a series of plates, building from 1 to 5. She did very well with that, but not so well with the plastic containers. She kept grabbing empty containers and just settling in to chew on them. I had her on leash last night, so she couldn't really go anywhere with them. Today, while off-leash, we are enclosed in an ex-pen. I did one round of plates this a.m. to warm up, and then tried to work the containers.
Some background info: Fizz had a vet appointment yesterday and received a vaccine. She ate little dinner last night, and even less breakfast this a.m. B/c she's missed 2 meals, she looks rail thin, her metabolism is so high, she can't afford to be skipping meals right now. :( Her energy and attitude have still been good, so I don't think she's ill, though maybe a bit flat from the vaccine yesterday. I would prefer to see a stronger search for the right container, I know she can follow a scent trail and be very focused in doing so. After seeing how today's session went, I will wait a few days before trying this again, AND try using a different treat, perhaps something more enticing.
I've never seen her just go lie down on the floor, and she does several times in this video. That is what makes me think she's a bit flat from the vax yesterday.
We started last night with working a series of plates, building from 1 to 5. She did very well with that, but not so well with the plastic containers. She kept grabbing empty containers and just settling in to chew on them. I had her on leash last night, so she couldn't really go anywhere with them. Today, while off-leash, we are enclosed in an ex-pen. I did one round of plates this a.m. to warm up, and then tried to work the containers.
Some background info: Fizz had a vet appointment yesterday and received a vaccine. She ate little dinner last night, and even less breakfast this a.m. B/c she's missed 2 meals, she looks rail thin, her metabolism is so high, she can't afford to be skipping meals right now. :( Her energy and attitude have still been good, so I don't think she's ill, though maybe a bit flat from the vaccine yesterday. I would prefer to see a stronger search for the right container, I know she can follow a scent trail and be very focused in doing so. After seeing how today's session went, I will wait a few days before trying this again, AND try using a different treat, perhaps something more enticing.
I've never seen her just go lie down on the floor, and she does several times in this video. That is what makes me think she's a bit flat from the vax yesterday.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A night out
For months before Fizz arrived, I worked on putting together (and revising!) my "Insane Puppy Socialization Plan." Fizz is to be my obedience partner, among other things, and I don't want to worry about ANYTHING that may come our way in a trial. I don't care if the judge is on stilts, with a toy train running about her wide brimmed hat and her wig falls off. That's fine, we'll still be working. I want Fizz to think that's an every-day occurrence, and not worthy of note.
So....we're going out everywhere that we can, finding anything and everything to experience, and basically trying to see the whole world and all its oddities. Tonight, we went out to a local Catholic facility who has a few acres of walking paths, and an amazing light display at Christmas time, complete with beautiful Christmas hymns. I had hoped that on such a warm night (65F), there would be a lot of people out. However, it's early in the season, and I wondered tonight if not many people realize that the shrine is open for lights.
Fizz had a grand time wandering about, met a few people including 2 young girls (sisters) who have an 8mos Boxer pup at home. Because we were so busy sniffing things, hubby and the kids got ahead of us. At one point, she put her nose to the ground, and I could hear those deep inhale/exhale sounds of a dog working a track. She pulled me right up a steep hill (in the dark), and around to where the kids were. Big praise for that!
As we were finishing our tour, the rain started, at a fairly steady pace. Fizz's nose shot straight up in the air, and she started biting at the rain, I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Never have I seen a puppy "attack" the rain....but I tell you, this girl's prey drive.............she's a dream! Again, the kids and hubby got well ahead of us, and this time, she tracked solidly on a hard surface (paved sidewalk). The focus and intensity were awesome to see. The tracking history behind Fizz is amazingly strong, and I look forward to having her out one day on the TD/TDX/VST fields.
So tonight's experience brought us: new people to meet, scent work, new environment at night, areas of loud music, lit/moving things (taller than me), and some simple work (hand targets, name game) in a very new and different environment. There is no such thing as too much socialization!!
So....we're going out everywhere that we can, finding anything and everything to experience, and basically trying to see the whole world and all its oddities. Tonight, we went out to a local Catholic facility who has a few acres of walking paths, and an amazing light display at Christmas time, complete with beautiful Christmas hymns. I had hoped that on such a warm night (65F), there would be a lot of people out. However, it's early in the season, and I wondered tonight if not many people realize that the shrine is open for lights.
Fizz had a grand time wandering about, met a few people including 2 young girls (sisters) who have an 8mos Boxer pup at home. Because we were so busy sniffing things, hubby and the kids got ahead of us. At one point, she put her nose to the ground, and I could hear those deep inhale/exhale sounds of a dog working a track. She pulled me right up a steep hill (in the dark), and around to where the kids were. Big praise for that!
As we were finishing our tour, the rain started, at a fairly steady pace. Fizz's nose shot straight up in the air, and she started biting at the rain, I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Never have I seen a puppy "attack" the rain....but I tell you, this girl's prey drive.............she's a dream! Again, the kids and hubby got well ahead of us, and this time, she tracked solidly on a hard surface (paved sidewalk). The focus and intensity were awesome to see. The tracking history behind Fizz is amazingly strong, and I look forward to having her out one day on the TD/TDX/VST fields.
So tonight's experience brought us: new people to meet, scent work, new environment at night, areas of loud music, lit/moving things (taller than me), and some simple work (hand targets, name game) in a very new and different environment. There is no such thing as too much socialization!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Learning Susan Garrett's stand
Fizz turned 11wks today. I need to get her on the scale, but I'm guessing she's 20+ lbs. We're in another "loooong" spell and whereas Wednes she looked quite fine, on Thurs, she looked as if I hadn't fed her in a week. Egads, I'd pay for that kind of metabolism!!
A few weeks ago, I posted video of Vikka learning a new method to Stand, as taught by Susan Garrett. Fizz is familiar with hand targets, and today I decided to work on teaching her the stand. Her natural "leapiness" fed right into the method, and I have no doubt that once I get my mechanics figured out, this will come right together.
We've been working a lot the past three weeks on value for me, attitude and focus during work, and the fact that work = play = work (Thank you S.G.!!). Fizz is showing me a love of playing and working, and a willingness to take this journey in AKC Obedience with me. I'm so excited!! Here are 3 photos from this afternoon which embody all that we've been working on.
A few weeks ago, I posted video of Vikka learning a new method to Stand, as taught by Susan Garrett. Fizz is familiar with hand targets, and today I decided to work on teaching her the stand. Her natural "leapiness" fed right into the method, and I have no doubt that once I get my mechanics figured out, this will come right together.
We've been working a lot the past three weeks on value for me, attitude and focus during work, and the fact that work = play = work (Thank you S.G.!!). Fizz is showing me a love of playing and working, and a willingness to take this journey in AKC Obedience with me. I'm so excited!! Here are 3 photos from this afternoon which embody all that we've been working on.
Friday, November 25, 2011
A busy week or so
Prep for the Thanksgiving holiday (and the 5k that I ran that morning) has kept me quite busy, and a little slower in Fizz's formal work. We're still doing a lot of things for socialization, and sneaking in 4-5 short training sessions per day, but none has been recorded.
Fizz has visited friends at church after the service, met people and dogs at the pet supply shop, hung outside of a grocery store the night before Thanksgiving, meeting lots of last minute shoppers. While there we checked out both the squeaky-wheeled shopping carts, and the auto-open doors.
About a week ago, Fizz had her first bath. I usually try to bathe puppies in their first week home, but timing just did not lend to that. She was fine with the water, being scrubbed and being rinsed off. After she was out, I definitely saw the beginnings of the characteristic "Rottweiler run amuck" behavior that seems to occur after all baths. You know.......when the still wet dog runs itself across every piece of furniture, cabinets, and anything else upright that it can find, leaving a trail of fur and "wet dog" smell. Yeah, we saw the beginnings of that in the bathoom (rubbing into the rug, snorting..........all very cute.........but!).
Last weekend, Fizz had her first weekend away, out in the Berkshires. She's a wonderful car traveller, just goes right to sleep and doesn't make a peep. She got to enjoy some trail walks with Vikka around the old Christmas tree farm, and had a blast visiting the S. Egremont library. In addition to adventures, we worked on some known behaviors and also dremmeled her nails.......something I do about every 2-3 days.
Fizz is getting very pushy in her chin heeling, which I love. Her tuck sits are getting fast, and she's already showing anticipation in the set-up behavior, trying to turn around into a sit as fast as she can. Its fun to watch the brain work and figure out how to make me reward her. She sits for crate door opening now, and is also sitting for doors to open on a regular basis. Games such as "play with MY toy" are going well, she's very willing to switch from one toy to another, even if she has the more favored toy.
On Thanksgiving, Fizz came with me to the city of Providence in Rhode Island. I ran a 5k race, and then brought her out to socialize afterwards. We had parked in a parking garage, and lots of people were leaving to get home to cook. All the noise and echoing went unnoticed. Every person we saw, she happily greeted and the look on her face regarding those who passed us by.......well, how could the miss such a cute puppy??? We met the camera man for the local ABC station. Thankfully she did NOT eat the spaghetti pile of cords sticking out of his bag. Before we headed back to the car, we found a circle of chairs with see-through wire mesh seats. She was completely unbothered by being able to see through this odd footing, as I asked her to walk the circle of chairs.
After downtown, we stopped in at a friend's house to see one of my C litter boys, and to catch up. Had a wonderful visit, and Fizz even got to play with Calvin (who is now 6). She had a blast playing with someone that looked like her (and was very tolerant of her puppy antics). As we were leaving, their son was out front playing with bubbles, and oh BOY was that fun! Almost as much fun as the winter moths we saw and chased about tonight.
Today Fizz finally met her 'cousin,' Spencer. Spencer is an almost-2yr old yellow Lab. He likes to play and can be quite rambunctious, so they only met on leash, and then went for a nice walk together. While out for our walk, we worked set-ups (getting into heel position) in a totally strange environment, I rewarded for all heads-up eye contact (while in RZ)......boy can this girlie move out at a trot and give awesome eye contact! :) :) I worked recalls off some fairly high-distraction scents (including dead vole), and she came promptly with good attitude each time. Thank you Susan Garrett!!! Can't wait for Recallers 3.0! :)
Final trick of the day was hand targets, haven't worked them much recently. Started with basic ones, and then decided to put it above her head, a la Susan G.'s new method of teaching stand (and with the intent of maybe teaching 'sit pretty' from it too). I was really impressed with her willingness to pop up to my hand and touch. Bet we can get that fun stand figured out in the next session or two! Will try to video tape.
I know you need some puppy cuteness, so I share with you some of Fizz's funny sleeping choices. This puppy never just sleeps on her side. She's either upside on her back, sometimes with her neck at a horrendous angle, often with face mashed against the crate, or she's burrowed under the bed. Enjoy!
Fizz has visited friends at church after the service, met people and dogs at the pet supply shop, hung outside of a grocery store the night before Thanksgiving, meeting lots of last minute shoppers. While there we checked out both the squeaky-wheeled shopping carts, and the auto-open doors.
About a week ago, Fizz had her first bath. I usually try to bathe puppies in their first week home, but timing just did not lend to that. She was fine with the water, being scrubbed and being rinsed off. After she was out, I definitely saw the beginnings of the characteristic "Rottweiler run amuck" behavior that seems to occur after all baths. You know.......when the still wet dog runs itself across every piece of furniture, cabinets, and anything else upright that it can find, leaving a trail of fur and "wet dog" smell. Yeah, we saw the beginnings of that in the bathoom (rubbing into the rug, snorting..........all very cute.........but!).
Last weekend, Fizz had her first weekend away, out in the Berkshires. She's a wonderful car traveller, just goes right to sleep and doesn't make a peep. She got to enjoy some trail walks with Vikka around the old Christmas tree farm, and had a blast visiting the S. Egremont library. In addition to adventures, we worked on some known behaviors and also dremmeled her nails.......something I do about every 2-3 days.
Being called in by James and Emilie
Meeting Cathy, the Asst Librarian
Getting treats from the Librarian, who is known to my kids as their Mimi. :)
Fizz is getting very pushy in her chin heeling, which I love. Her tuck sits are getting fast, and she's already showing anticipation in the set-up behavior, trying to turn around into a sit as fast as she can. Its fun to watch the brain work and figure out how to make me reward her. She sits for crate door opening now, and is also sitting for doors to open on a regular basis. Games such as "play with MY toy" are going well, she's very willing to switch from one toy to another, even if she has the more favored toy.
On Thanksgiving, Fizz came with me to the city of Providence in Rhode Island. I ran a 5k race, and then brought her out to socialize afterwards. We had parked in a parking garage, and lots of people were leaving to get home to cook. All the noise and echoing went unnoticed. Every person we saw, she happily greeted and the look on her face regarding those who passed us by.......well, how could the miss such a cute puppy??? We met the camera man for the local ABC station. Thankfully she did NOT eat the spaghetti pile of cords sticking out of his bag. Before we headed back to the car, we found a circle of chairs with see-through wire mesh seats. She was completely unbothered by being able to see through this odd footing, as I asked her to walk the circle of chairs.
After downtown, we stopped in at a friend's house to see one of my C litter boys, and to catch up. Had a wonderful visit, and Fizz even got to play with Calvin (who is now 6). She had a blast playing with someone that looked like her (and was very tolerant of her puppy antics). As we were leaving, their son was out front playing with bubbles, and oh BOY was that fun! Almost as much fun as the winter moths we saw and chased about tonight.
Today Fizz finally met her 'cousin,' Spencer. Spencer is an almost-2yr old yellow Lab. He likes to play and can be quite rambunctious, so they only met on leash, and then went for a nice walk together. While out for our walk, we worked set-ups (getting into heel position) in a totally strange environment, I rewarded for all heads-up eye contact (while in RZ)......boy can this girlie move out at a trot and give awesome eye contact! :) :) I worked recalls off some fairly high-distraction scents (including dead vole), and she came promptly with good attitude each time. Thank you Susan Garrett!!! Can't wait for Recallers 3.0! :)
Final trick of the day was hand targets, haven't worked them much recently. Started with basic ones, and then decided to put it above her head, a la Susan G.'s new method of teaching stand (and with the intent of maybe teaching 'sit pretty' from it too). I was really impressed with her willingness to pop up to my hand and touch. Bet we can get that fun stand figured out in the next session or two! Will try to video tape.
I know you need some puppy cuteness, so I share with you some of Fizz's funny sleeping choices. This puppy never just sleeps on her side. She's either upside on her back, sometimes with her neck at a horrendous angle, often with face mashed against the crate, or she's burrowed under the bed. Enjoy!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Good lessons from poor trainer choices
I wanted to start shaping Fizz's retreive today. She already likes to pick up her dumbell and carry it about, including up and over the BOSU (blue side up, non-rocking). Normally to start shaping a retreive, one would start with rewarding even a glance at the db, and then increase criteria to a sniff, a lick, a bite. Because I know she likes to play with it and carry it, I was starting with the criteria of grabbing it with her mouth. No clicker, b/c it's simply too much for me to work (clicker, food, db). So just a verbal marker and feed (today's treats are scrambled eggs.......one of her favorites!).
I had planned to start this an hour earlier. However, as I started gathering stuff, I looked up and there she was, sitting tight on the rocking BOSU. So I decided to work with what she gave me. Got the bowl of eggs, and rewarded any movements or position changes on the BOSU. We had fun playing this game for about 5 minutes. Finally snapped a leash on her, gave her a release cue, and led her off. She really seems to like the rocking BOSU (maybe she wishes for a sailboat rocking on the seas??).
After the BOSU work, we spent some time outside, both potty break and playing. I should have put her up at that point, it was a natural break point in her day. However, she came back in still zipping around, so I decided to pursue my original goal: shaping the retreive. You can see the lower level of "oomph" in her work, due to my poor choice to not put her up, and push forward. Bad trainer!
We had several distractions going on here: 3.5yr old James bouncing from chair to chair, across an end table and jabbering away. The flag outside was whipping in the wind and thwacking the screen (I'm surprised that didn't pick up on the audio feed!), and hubby shows up twice. I had NO idea he'd pet her until I watched this video.......will have to work on that. "No petting puppy when Mommy's training!" :)
There's a DWDH moment to work through b/c of my poor choice in timing. She wasn't showing me great frustration, so I didn't want to end it, I wanted to see her come through it, and she did. I was even happier with her choice to keep working with me the second time George showed up. It had to be her CHOICE, and not me being enticing..........thus no big prey object game with the db to get her back. I want her to work with me because she desires too, and because there is joy in it.....not because of "have to."
Finally, in playing tug, we have a few learning games within the game. Thanks again to Susan Garrett for her awesome leadership and allowing us to watch Swagger in Puppy Peaks. I've learned SO much!!!
I had planned to start this an hour earlier. However, as I started gathering stuff, I looked up and there she was, sitting tight on the rocking BOSU. So I decided to work with what she gave me. Got the bowl of eggs, and rewarded any movements or position changes on the BOSU. We had fun playing this game for about 5 minutes. Finally snapped a leash on her, gave her a release cue, and led her off. She really seems to like the rocking BOSU (maybe she wishes for a sailboat rocking on the seas??).
After the BOSU work, we spent some time outside, both potty break and playing. I should have put her up at that point, it was a natural break point in her day. However, she came back in still zipping around, so I decided to pursue my original goal: shaping the retreive. You can see the lower level of "oomph" in her work, due to my poor choice to not put her up, and push forward. Bad trainer!
We had several distractions going on here: 3.5yr old James bouncing from chair to chair, across an end table and jabbering away. The flag outside was whipping in the wind and thwacking the screen (I'm surprised that didn't pick up on the audio feed!), and hubby shows up twice. I had NO idea he'd pet her until I watched this video.......will have to work on that. "No petting puppy when Mommy's training!" :)
There's a DWDH moment to work through b/c of my poor choice in timing. She wasn't showing me great frustration, so I didn't want to end it, I wanted to see her come through it, and she did. I was even happier with her choice to keep working with me the second time George showed up. It had to be her CHOICE, and not me being enticing..........thus no big prey object game with the db to get her back. I want her to work with me because she desires too, and because there is joy in it.....not because of "have to."
Finally, in playing tug, we have a few learning games within the game. Thanks again to Susan Garrett for her awesome leadership and allowing us to watch Swagger in Puppy Peaks. I've learned SO much!!!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Puppy jump bumps and more BOSU
Susan Salo has done amazing work in teaching horses to jump. The dog world is now blessed to have her talent and skill in coaching. Susan's work is in teaching the dog proper mechanics, including scope, and extension & collection of stride. I first learned of her methods in 2004 with Banja and Vikka at BARK camp. Very excited to have a green puppy to work with now....to learn correctly from the very beginning.
Puppies learn via stride regulators, also known as jump bumps. When Fizz is a little bit older, we'll progress to 4" PVC cut in half, but for now, I'm using pool noodles. They cut very easily with a serrated knife. One noodle gave us four puppy bumps. :) They are not set at any particular distance yet. I just wanted to see how her body awareness and proprioception are developing. Last night was our first attempt. I had the bumps too close together and she was stepping on them.
Today, James and I set this up again. He was my puppy holder for the first few runs. On the first pass, you see that she goes off to the side, yet she's still jumping as if going over them. On #2, she steps on every single bump, and on pass 3, she adjusts her striding and has a gorgeous, quiet, run. When a dog is jumping from their hind (collected), they are quiet as they go down the row.....even an adult bitch jumping full height (24 or 26") is silent on landing when jumping correctly. A dog pulling from their front in order to jump has a heavy landing, and often an "ooomph" over time. They are not silent as they go down the row. Was VERY happy with Fizz's stride adjustment and jumping style over the bumps.
Finally, a quick video of Fizz playing on the BOSU. She often climbs on it and hangs out, with out any impetus from me, no food in the area (to be a possible promise of reward). Of course I never have my camera when she does this........so I lured it a bit by putting a sheep tug on the BOSU. You can see how she just settles in with it, and even fights to stay on at one point when it tips. She is a VERY cool puppy!!!! :)
Puppies learn via stride regulators, also known as jump bumps. When Fizz is a little bit older, we'll progress to 4" PVC cut in half, but for now, I'm using pool noodles. They cut very easily with a serrated knife. One noodle gave us four puppy bumps. :) They are not set at any particular distance yet. I just wanted to see how her body awareness and proprioception are developing. Last night was our first attempt. I had the bumps too close together and she was stepping on them.
Today, James and I set this up again. He was my puppy holder for the first few runs. On the first pass, you see that she goes off to the side, yet she's still jumping as if going over them. On #2, she steps on every single bump, and on pass 3, she adjusts her striding and has a gorgeous, quiet, run. When a dog is jumping from their hind (collected), they are quiet as they go down the row.....even an adult bitch jumping full height (24 or 26") is silent on landing when jumping correctly. A dog pulling from their front in order to jump has a heavy landing, and often an "ooomph" over time. They are not silent as they go down the row. Was VERY happy with Fizz's stride adjustment and jumping style over the bumps.
Finally, a quick video of Fizz playing on the BOSU. She often climbs on it and hangs out, with out any impetus from me, no food in the area (to be a possible promise of reward). Of course I never have my camera when she does this........so I lured it a bit by putting a sheep tug on the BOSU. You can see how she just settles in with it, and even fights to stay on at one point when it tips. She is a VERY cool puppy!!!! :)
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