As you did so good with your first homework, you're getting some more this time 🙂 No worries if you don't manage to do everything in 2 weeks, you can always come back to those tricks. Post wherever you end up, we learn the most through problems, so you want to post those too! 🙂
1. experiment with different toys and ways to play with your dog. Tape his favourite game to give some new ideas to other participants (and me!!!)
2. instead of a plate, find something a little higher this time to give them a better feeling of where to keep their front legs, click first for front feet on an object (should be easy, you want the same thing as on a plate) and then observe hind legs and click for ANY movement (even just a weight shift) and then shape from there to more&more steps around the object. I first click both directions and once I get a quarter of a circle, start clicking one direction only and reward with a head away from me in order to get a full circle. The final goal is full circle in both directions, with you static (don't help the dog to circle with your movement!) - I think those that have my heeling video can already do that exercise, though 🙂
3. take the plate and hold it in different positions to see if the dog understands it's the same thing even when you hold it higher, under angle, to his left/right etc. Try when he is standing, sitting and lying down. If you didn't name touching an object with a paw, it's time to do it now! Also, try to change objects for this exercise, sometimes also use a hand as a paw target. Once he can do all that, you're ready for next two tricks we will get out of the paw touch:
- crossing paws: tell the puppy to down (or shape it if he doesn't know it yet), then hold the plate (or, you can use another, smaller and more convenient object, like a plastic lid or a piece of paper) close to left paw and only reward touching it with left paw. Then hold it closer and closer to right paw, still only reward left paw touches, then hold it on right paw and eventually on the other side, jackpoting the touches of left paw on a right paw now in order to eventually get rid of a target.
- sit up: tell the puppy to sit (or shape it if he doesn't know it yet), then put the plate (or just use the hand if he will recognize that as a target) low enough first that he can reach it with a paw, but then every next time, hold it a little higher - not that high that he would stand up, but high enough that the other leg leaves the ground a little bit too. Jackpot.
4. observe your puppy and try to find situations when he would back up - it usually happens when they're moving out of your way - or sometimes when you're working on ignoring the food in the hand. You can try to sit down on the floor with treats in your hand and click first step back with hind foot. Don't wait for more than one as they usually sit down then. Click&reward the first one and reward by throwing a treat towards the dog. Rewarding at distance will help you add more&more steps and more&more distance from you. At one point, switch to rewarding with a toy, it's easier to throw.
5. 2on2off - find an object big enough for the dog to go on with all 4 feet easily - maybe just put your first 4in object upside down? - Click for 2-3 legs on and then don't click the fourth one, you don't want any duration standing there! Only click again when the dog is leaving the object, try to catch him with 2 front feet on the ground and deliver the treat while he is still in this position. You want them go on an object and off immediately, stopping with front feet on the ground. Click&reward several times for a position, then say "go"/"o.k."/"free"/whatever your release word will be and throw a treat away so that he needs to leave the position to get it. Do this enough times that the dog starts to expect the thrown treat after "go", so that then you don't need to throw it in advance, but only after he leaves the position on "go". Do not help with body language that you want him to leave after "go" - if he doesn't know it yet, go back to throwing a treat and progress more slowly.
Another note: I'll be able to answer your questions this coming week with no problem, but then the week after I have seminars here, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up. If not, we'll just add another week to this class.
Hi Silvia, classmates,
You sure keep us busy! 😉
1. I do not think you will get new ideas from me. Our favorite game is tugging en throwing, chasing toys. And chasing me. 😉 And “clickering”, shaping all kinds of trics I get from you. 😉
2. Pivoting. It goes pretty good to one side, the left. To the right is much more difficult.
I try not to lure but once I reward,head away from me,she starts moving faster so I do not have time to remove my hand and I have the feeling I end up luring afterall.
3. I always forget to say “touch”! In the video you’ll see the first session of sitting up and the second of crossing feet .Again,she does use primarily her left foot.
What is best,to finish the excercise using her preferred foot or insist on getting the other one once in a while?
4. Backup . This is fun. 😉 In the video you see the second session.
5. 2on2off. I’m not sure if you want us to use a high or low object. I’m using a plank but it is a bit too narrow so I did not mind the direction she was standing,as long as it was two on two off. Is that ok?
Oh, and I get “froggies” for free now! 😉
I love him pushing the tractor! Too cute! And gosh you guys have nice green grass -- lucky 🙂
The green grass was on a field that was used as the parking space for an agility show. At home the grass is maybe green but you have to look for it since the dogs have ruined it. 😉
Great job! The combination of suitcase tricks was too funny! Sit up and crossing paws are going really well too. It’s important to have her use her other paw too, not just her preferred one. 2on2off looks good. I usually use something a little bit higher, I find it’s easier for them to see the difference between on and off, but well, if it works that way, that’s perfectly o.k.! For pivoting, try to put the hand behind your back between one and another treat as yes, she is using it as a lure 🙂
Very nice, love the suitcase tricks, very cute! Sara and Wylie.
You are doing great!!
Hi Everyone,
#1 -- The toy idea we stole from La 🙂 Even though he is a Terrier he is not a big tugger, he does retriever but I wanted to try something to really get him into prey drive (to see if I could) so I bought a small buggy whip, tied a shoe string to the end and a toy with many squeakers. This toy really gets good movement with the whip!
#2 -- Perch work, the wooden perch has good footing BUT is it too big for him? The plastic containers seem more slippery. He has started to offer a couple of full circles but none for the video. I think we are getting there. This is our biggest challenge right now. One of the directions he barely bends when I give him the treat.
#2 -- Perch work with Dew, Dew is my Wheaten that has worked on this before since we are working on Silvia’s healing DVD. Dew JUST started doing his full circles, we have had to work hard on this because I use to lured with my body 🙁 I included the video where I started him on the same side as me, got the idea from something Silvia said 🙂 This helped get more movement since they spin away from you, this is what he needed to get his FULL circle:)
#3 -- Target, going well still need more work before, crossing legs. So once he can offer both paws on command then start the cross overs? He has very short legs should be interesting:)
#3 -- Target into sit up, this is going pretty well.
#4 -- Backup is going well, he was just laying down and then sitting up. But I stopped clicking for that, then he started offering better back ups.
#5 -- 2on2off seems like he jumps on and then off, I click but I am late with the treat so then he is already off the box when I delivery the treat:( I was fast enough a couple of time to click and treat when he was ON the box.
All tips and comments welcome — thanks for watching! Sara, Wylie & Dew
I say, what a clever dog and human!! 🙂 Love your perchwork..
🙂 He sure loves that toy! I think it’s a great game, many people focus so much on tugging that they forget about the chasing part, while for agility, chasing is actually even more important as tugging: and this game includes both! Smaller perch would definitely help with keeping his hind feet off of it. Also, practice his weaker direction more. Dew is doing great too! Very good speed and coordination! For crossing, I only click for one paw and try to get that one further and further over the other one -- meaning that the dog doesn’t need to know verbal cues for front paws before going for it. He also seems to know 2ono2ff well, but sometimes stopping is too difficult with that speed and that height. For his length of legs, something lower that would allow stepping down vs. jumping would be better. Very good balance in sit up and very cute back up! 🙂
Hi there.
This is where we are at with Da Vinci. BTW, we are finally making some headway with frog though I never seem to get it on video. Getting there though. As for Lesson 2…
1. Play has been a bit limited this week because I had knee surgery so we will work on that part of the assignment later.
2. Perch work. Not bad, though I’d love some advice. Da Vinci will move back and forth so I’m trying to shape. It looks like he will end up going counter clockwise first…at what point do I start only clicking that direction? The stool was a bit wobbly so we switched to a bowl. As for Cash and Callie, they position themselves front and just stare at me…any suggestions?
3. All three seem to understand “tap” so we are moving ahead with the crossing paws and begging. Cute!
4 & 5 -- well, I ran out of energy so we didn’t get to these today. Tomorrow I guess. Plus I noticed I was getting a little cranky so figured I shouldn’t push it and train dogs in that frame of mind.
This video is from today only and this is the first time with each exercise -- circling, paw crossing, begging. Sorry its a bit long…
Great job! Pivoting is going well that way, I think I would keep clicking both directions, but maybe only if he moves a little deeper in one or another direction. Definitely jackpot anytime he gets somewhat closer to you. Very good sit up for a first session with such a big dog! I hope your knee gets better soon!
Thanks! Pivoting is going great with Da Vinci. He goes deeper and deeper with each session. Is it hardest to get them to circle past you? Today, he got all the way around to my left side and looked away for his treat.
I’m still having a hard time getting Cash and Callie to move out of front position. Any suggestions?
I think I remember you saying this before, but just to confirm…you do teach 2on-2off even if you want running contacts? Callie has 2on-2off, Cash running and I plan to do running with Da Vinci.
This class was perfect timing for us with my knee surgery. We have so many things to work on where I can be sitting or just standing. I’m really enjoying it and so grateful that the timing worked out like it did!
The hardest is get them moving more as few steps in one direction and back, they prefer to keep looking at the handler. If you got so far already, you’ll get full circle in no time. With dogs who won’t move at all, I like to click&toss a treat for stepping on the target as that gives you more action and very often, when they come back on the target, especially when they come from the side, they will do a step or two that you can click and then go from there. And yes, I teach 2on2off just as another rear end awareness trick to all dogs, but then of course never do it on contacts if I plan to do running contacts.
I tried tossing the treat with Cash and Callie with success…finally something to click and they both started to get it. THANKS! I even used it a couple times with Da Vinci to see if he would offer even more motion. He did. Still not circling, but he is coming very close to my left side. I’m excited to see where this is heading since I’ve heard about your heeling training. Does your video cover more about heeling than we will in class?
Kristin
Heeling video does focus on little details a little bit more, but also this class should do for really nice heeling!
Hi All!
Here is our work so far on Lesson 2 Homework!
#1. He loves to run, especially chasing me. I’m trying to get more tugging on a toy when he catches me, he’d much rather bite my hands and tug on my sleeves!
#2. Having difficulty here, I can’t seem to catch him moving to one side very much, only moving (pitter patter little feet). Can I alter the environment somehow to get more side movement? I am trying very hard not to lure this one!
#3. We have some background work to do on this, we don’t really know down or sit! Definitely no cue for the behaviour yet. Is there such a thing as clicking too much in the down? I am hoping that will help us build duration… I like how he bats the target with his paw though 🙂
#4. Started back-up a little while ago, it is hard to catch him before he lays down or sits, but I find it helpful to make a little channel for him. Hope to build up to a long, straight back-up eventually!
Hope to get to the rest soon, but we have plenty to work on now, and could use some advice! Thanks very much!
Katie + Synchro
Very cute! I had the same problem with playing with Le as you describe: she always loved to tug, but preferably on my sleeves… What worked GREAT was a toy on a string: she LOVES to chase it and as my hands were far enough, she learned the toy is actually fun fun fun too. His version of moving on a perch is sure very funny! I think you have problems getting side movements because he is so much into that hand with treats. Put a hand behind your back and only bring it out to reward: very quickly, lower and from the side. The paw touches are great, but yes, for crossing paws and sit up, you do need down and sit first 🙂 It’s perfectly o.k. to click several times when he is in a position.
My goodness he is so cute!
Such a CUTE puppy!!!
Sit up is going well for us -- better than i expected. My main problem seems to be 2on2off. She knows that she has to go on and step off to get a click, and I have been clicking when she had 2 back paws on for a few sessions. I tried to stand further from the object -- then i realized she was stopping in front of me and didn’t realize her feet had to be on at all. She just stepped right off and looked at me. How should I work on this? Just keep clicking for the position until she figures out how to stop there? Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks! 🙂
Try to vary your position so that she can’t cue from it. To help her succeed, don’t be too far for now, but position yourself more&more to the side and then further&further. Reward by tossing a treat between her front legs, that often gives you a more independent performance too.
Hi all,
Here is my video for some of the homework for lesson 2…paw touches & backing up.
#1 I tried to video our favorite game with the camera on a tripod but in the process of playing we didn’t stay within the range of the camera--will have to try this again.
#2 Still working on a full circle with the pivot. It’s coming along nicely.
#3 Paw touches--crossed paws (left over right) is further ahead than the other way. I can sometimes use my hand signal & she will cross without my hand as a target. For the “sit up” we are still working on duration but if she gets herself in a sloppy sit it is difficult for her to balance. She can balance ok in a “beg” with droopy paws but paws in the air she has trouble with. Any advise?
#4 Backing up is going well. Working on adding even more distance. Is there a good way to do this?
#5 2on2off is getting there--will post video soon.
Thanks for this great class!
I like the spoon idea for sit-up. I think I will try that. So, I don’t lure Blast into it. Thanks!
Laura--I really can’t take credit for the spoon idea--Silvia mentioned using it and I’m glad she did! It has kept my hands from being clawed as Elsa’s idea of a paw “touch” was more like a paw “attack” when we first started on this lesson…:))
I remember that, but it gave me a great idea of putting the touch plate on a dowel so I don’t lure Blast! So, thanks for the reminder!
Hi Kathy,
Your dog is so nice…. a Cattle Dog with long coat.
And he can do the backup so fast. Nice to see this.
So, I better start practising this with Jay Jay.
Thanks Ingrid! Elsa does look a lot like your Cattle Dog, Jay Jay. We think she is a Cattle Dog/Border Collie cross which may account for the longer coat. Good luck with the backing up! We have been working on this for awhile but it did start with one step at a time, gaining distance & speed gradually.
Wow, what a nice paw cross! Looks really nice and already just with the hand signal, that’s GREAT! I think her balance in sit up is pretty good. When she gets in a sloppy sit, just make her get up and sit again. It’s harder to balance with paws up in the air yes, but it’s a good balance exercise, so I would just keep working, you seem to be very far already actually. It’s important your target is really above her head, not too close to you as that throws them off balance -- and then just slowly add duration, they need some time to build muscle and find balance. Loved her back up too, she looks really coordinated and can move amazingly fast backwards! Try to ask for more&more steps, not rewarding if she stops before, but wait for her to add few more steps. And well, that’s always a good sign if you move out of range of a camera when playing!!! 🙂 Great job!
Nice job 🙂 I like your backing up and what a nice paw cross. I think I might use that spoon too for the sit up with my Dew, he likes to hang on to my arms. Sara and Wylie.
Love the spoon too. I’ll give it a try.
Hi I’ve been gone for a week, so Kinetic and I are just getting started.
Just an FYI.
Thanks.
Blast 2o2o, Stick ’em up and beep-beep…I need help with Stick ’em up duration…Thanks Laura
Hi, I like the ‘stick-em up’! I think I will use that name for that trick if you don’t mind. 🙂
Ania
I’m going to kix it with play dead, so I thought it was appropriate 🙂
Very cute! 🙂 To add duration to the sit up, just delay the click and/or try to treat in a position. But you can’t click twice without rewarding it inbetween! For backing up, try to help less with the hand and definitely throw treats, it gives you much more independent behaviour. The 2on2off looks good, but you can still work some more on speed going into it! Maybe shorter distance with the restrain?
Bean Lesson 2:
1-Playing: Bean and I do a lot of tugging, and I have started doing more chasing games with her which she is loving.
2-Circling: I switched from a box to an upside down bowl and to a square rock and at first Bean just stood on it and stared at me. She then started twitching her back feet one way then the other. The suggestion of rewarding with her facing away from me was key to her turning a complete circle. She now spins like a dervish counterclockwise. We are working on the other direction which is much harder for her. She gets frustrated and starts whining, but I don’t want to reward the “old” direction which she offers. I get her to do something else I can reward and then try again. I’m a little stuck here – suggestions?
3-Paw touches: This was next to impossible with Bean until I read the suggestion of a spoon – she was shredding my hands before that. With a spoon we are making small progress. She is so enthusiastic she at first jumped with both feet onto the spatula. She is now offering a right paw touch of the spatula which I can see takes enormous effort and control for her. We are not yet near changing to another object or attempting paw crosses – any thoughts and ideas would be helpful.
4-Back up: Bean loves to back up. We started between the couch and coffee table a while ago. She now backs up in a pretty straight line. I noticed in what I taped that I seem to be rewarding her stopping rather than rewarding her motion. So helpful to see what we are doing. Other observations?
5-2o2o: Bean does a 2o2o for contact end behavior and will offer 2o2o on most anything she can find around the house. Not sure if I am doing this as this lesson intends?
I am really enjoying watching everyone’s videos and learning so much reading the posts. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions!!
Diane and Bean
Lesson 2:
I love the circles and the backing up ‘on the road’ at the trial site, great idea! I too am having similar issue… once you have the circles in one direction trying to get the other direction AND not rewarding the old direction. I am having some success using Silvia’s suggestion of releasing from the object and then I have him get back on the object on my side and on my right or left depending on the the way you want them to spin. When they get on not facing you they usually seem to spin to face you so you can use that to your advantage. Sara, Dew and Wylie
Wow, one direction of pivoting is definitely just great, loved her speed and coordination! I think she’ll soon master the other direction too, just do some sessions on that one only, lowering criteria enough that she doesn’t get frustrated. The paw touch looks good, just keep putting the spoon closer and closer to the left paw. And yes, 2on2off looks like it should! 🙂 For the back ups, be careful you don’t rearward the stopping. If she stops before you managed to reward, just insist on few more steps first. Great job so far!!!
Diane and Bean,
You are looking good. Bean;s spins are great in one direction. I’m having trouble getting my puppy to turn away from me but it’s getting better. I am going to adopt the spoon with Punch. He is clawing my hand too much.
We’re looking forward to some cool weather up there in the North country.
Dianne and Punch and little Boom