I miss videos from some participants... I hope you're still posting it, it really doesn't matter if you're not finished with the trick just yet, you can always do that later, but it's good to have some directions, that's why I would like to see everybody's videos!
But well, it's time for a new to-do list:
1. see in what situations your dog gets really crazy and exited or runs as mad and name it
2. make the front feet target lower&lower and smaller&smaller and then fade it completely, still circling away from the dog and have him follow your leg. Then, add movements to the side, forward and backward and reward your dog for being glued to the leg
3. side version of 2on2off: try to get side legs (the two left or the two right legs) on an object. The easiest is to choose an object that is angled (I put a pillow under the angle against the sofa or a wall), so that the dog can't climb on it with all 4 feet. Because of 2on2off, they will probably try hind feet on, but position yourself next to an object so that the dog is parallel to it and will probably first try just one hind foot (it helps if you have a pee trick down already!): reward a couple of times so that he keeps it there as opposed to try to put the other hind leg on too and then see if you can get front foot on too. You can tell them to paw touch your hand that you keep close to an object and eventually fade the hand to have both feet on an object. Jackpot if the dog puts both feet on at the same time (vs. first hind, then front). Do it with both sides right from the start, you want to build muscle and balance on both sides.
4. one object into another: shape the dog to pick up an object, then to carry it around, then to carry it in the direction of another object, then to let it go close to it and eventually to actually put it in another object. I usually start directly with two bowls of the same size, but to make it easier, you can also use a toy and a box or something similar. Do try it with a bowl too, though, they require more precision.
5. I see many started that already, seeing the video I posted on the website - those that didn't, start with hug the pole/umbrella trick, first clicking for any paw touch, then for sliding to the side and then for going more&more around the object, the final goal is a firm hug with one or both front feet around the object - see this video
6. stays with distractions: tell the dog to sit or down and continue with proofing the stay until the release word as we were discussing in 2on2off case in the last lesson: have them stay in a position with you running passed them, throwing toys and treats, making different hand gestures etc. - then say "go" (sometimes standing still, sometimes while moving) and reward, preferably with a toy as you want a fast start out of the position on "go"
we had some problems with the bowls too. If I took two bowls of the same size, and I hadn’t the idea that they knew exactly what the task is. They took the bowl and brought it in my direction, and when the other bowl stood in front of me, the bowl in the mouth landed in the other bowl, when I clicked in the right moment. When I put the other bowl somewhere else, to see if they really knew that the task is to put one bowl in an other, the result became coincidental, they did it, but not as if they really knew what to do. Then I changed. I took a bigger bowl and a smaller to put in there, and this worked better. Now I think they got the idea. Alice is very much better in tricks than Feline, what is very surprisingly if one know both from agility….:)
Alice is finished with the hug-trick, Feline is not really coordinated with mouth and legs, but she got the idea. Alice does two sidelegs free on both sides, and free handstand, Feline does both with hold-up. Heeling works fine. Feline has a little the tendency Camilla wrote, Alice is fine on both sides. Stay with distraction we tried one time until yet, because I had few time last week, but I would say, that there is no problem.
Sounds good! I just don’t understand why smaller object would make more sense to put it in another object? It’s technically easier, but not really as far as understanding is concerned…
This is our first session on side legs. He is getting better at backing up 🙂
Should I use a different object?
You already saw our heeling and stay and release in the video in lesson 1.
still working on switching sides without a target. That’s working well.
I tried the bowls, but he is doing 4in, or 2in and pivot, paw touch and nose touch….I think I will try a toy and a basket.
The object is fine. Just try to reward with his head turned more towards left as towards right (in this particular situation from the video), that will make it harder for him to put the other hind leg on too and will make it more likely you get front paw instead. For bowl trick, maybe try with just an object to be picked up first -- as I wrote to Gitte. That will limit his options on what to do and once you have him carry it around, introduce the other object.
For “running crazy”, he does that when he sees a squirrel, but then everything else falls apart. Although, to my surprise, he actually did a Stay when watching the squirrel and when I released with Go, he took off like a shot, but then I can’t get him back.
O.k., we then might not want to practice that on squirrels… 🙂 How about chasing other dogs or doing circles around you, does he ever do that?
Hello everyone,
Nice to watch all your video’s! We are stuggling with the pivot to leg from lesson 3! I will have to post video’s for advice of where it is going wrong, I think part of it he is sooo teeny he has learnt to stay a little away from moving legs as he gets hit so much 🙂
Whoops--I accidently posted this to our original puppy page. Here it is in the correct spot.
Here’s our video from half way through this session. I hadn’t named the release from the stay “go” and will switch to that. On the hug I have more of a paw touch than a wrap of the front legs. I’m happy and amazed at his heeling, but he doesn’t show a ton of enthusiasm yet so need to work on that. As far as goofy crazy behavior I find Nero to be kind of serious after raising a Pyr Shep last. He’s more like my 14 year old BC in that he prefers some kind of work. Haven’t seen “zoomies” yet. He raced my horse and won the other day, but I kinda need to discourage behavior like that as he wanted to come in front while I was galloping. He naturally stays behind when I’m out riding.
Nancy and Nero
Nice! Side legs are going great! Pretty much almost there! What is the pole for in side legs exercise, though? For heeling, try to reward with a more vertical head, higher head automatically looks more enthusiastic 🙂 For a paw wrap, he needs to sit closer to the pole. Going for one leg only first might make it easier too. It doesn’t matter what you use for a release, “o.k.” is o.k. too! The important thing is you have it on verbal cue. Loved the broom attack! Bi loves it, she takes it very seriously!
The pole: I was trying to give him more of a target. With the blanket rolled up he was pleased to hit it pretty low. This made him reach a little higher and search for the different feel. Now that I think of it--it could be pretty funny on an agility course.
Here’s a better video of Nero really running like crazy he starts to pass the horse--around 32 seconds I say “behind” and he really changes speeds so he can drop back. Since I’m riding a galloping horse the video is a little bouncy. Tripods don’t work in this situation!
Nancy
You did well to video while galloping!!
Here is ad training session with “hug”.
Sooo cute!
Definitely very cute! 🙂
Here is our video of “side legs up”. I hope you can see it… it was a little difficult to film it.
She struggels with her leftlegs but we are working on that one.
The other video’s will come later.
Wow--what a coordinated dog. How old is your dog?
Nancy
Thank you Nancy! She is almost 10 months old.
Almost there! 🙂
Hi Sylvia, I hope you have a great clinic. I’m so grateful to get this extra time to work on week 4, plus some time to go back to things that weren’t strong enough yet.
Nancy and Nero
It’s starting great! Great weather and not too tired at all! 🙂
Hi there Silvia. Our training is going great but i have to admit the exercise that has challenged us the most so far is the hold! i dont know if it was just me but we finally have a break through and seem to be making progress, i hope! She did not like the pole to put her feet around, would do any thing else, touch, stand up on it, but not wrap her feet so i tired a soft toy and that has made a difference she will wrap her feet around that so this is the break through. all the other exercises are ok and some still in progress. the hand stand she gets up the wall but not free yet. heel work is awesome. the other exercises getting there and still busy with some getting them to a complete exercise. i hope this is ok or sould they all be completed by now? Great thank you.
Sounds great, it’s normal you can’t master all the tricks you were getting lately! 🙂 And yes, I noticed with some other dogs that they didn’t like a pole… It’s no problem, you can jump to a toy right away. I like them to interfere with different objects, though, so you might want to try again at one point, after she masters the trick on a toy.
Hi there, please can i just say again i definaitly will do the foundation class please re us thanks so much. Since my comment above, we have trained little bits again and she is holding so cool now, very happy. i will try in a few days to get the pick up and hold.
Sure, you’re in! 🙂
me too?
Sure! 🙂