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 might be easier with some directions, that's why I would like to see everybody's videos!
But well, it's time for a new to-do list, I'm again underlining the ones you want to focus on in case you run out of time for all of them:
1. see in what situations your dog gets really crazy and exited or runs as mad and name it - my "magic" word is "ajde, ajde" and you can really see how much speed they add when hearing it - in agility or when running in the fields. I got it by saying anytime they would be playing the BC games, chasing each other in full speed or go crazy and run in circles on a wet grass.
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/plank/drawer 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. 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
6. stays with distractions: tell the dog to sit or down and continue with proofing the stay until the release word as we were practicing in 2on2off position already 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"
Hi Silvia and Class!
We are very behind due to having to work so much but we will keep plugging along!
Heel/Side: both dogs seem to do fine with a perch but when I take it away they do not stay glued to my leg. Do I just continue with the perch work or how do I proceed?
Side 2O2O: Heidi isn’t really touching the board. She moves her left rear leg up and forward but not often. I am going to back up and teach the pee trick. Is this the best thing to do and do you teach the pee trick with both sides?
Hug: My older dog Rocket, who is 10 has the concept of hug even better than Heidi but doesn’t have the sit up without using my hand. How do I proceed with him. Does Heidi look ready for me to have her sit up to hug or?
Any other comments or help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, Stacey & Rocket & Heidi
Very nice paw crosses, it really looks great on long legged dogs! Heel position looks great on a perch, but I don’t think they know it’s the same exercise without it. Try to go to a completely flat target first, like a piece of paper, start with circling on it and then try to slowly move away from it, jackpotting when they keep the position if it it requires them to step off the target -- should be easy with a completely flat target. The hugs, I always finish it completely in sit position and only once they can hold a bottle firmly on their own in a sit position with one leg, I do it in sit up too -- it’s very easy then as a hug with one leg is actually harder. So I would work some more on it, maybe in sit position now so that it’s easier for them to hold it on their own as in stand position -- but not sit up yet. The side legs, try on the same object as 2on2off, just bring her to it more sideways -- I think it might make more sense to her then. Pee trick would help too, of course and yes, you want to do it with both legs. Nice backing up and bowl stacking, great job!
Been working on the pee trick and Heidi always lifts only her left rear leg when backing on to object? Do I try to get the other or will she offer the right when she gets the hang of side 2O2O on her left? Thank you, Stacey
Yeap, definitely try to get the right leg right from the start -- it’s actually even harder to get it later on, when they are really good at their preferred side already! Position her diagonally against the object so that she can’t go up with a leg further from it and needs to use a closer, right leg first.
Our video for lesson 4:
-- very beginning of side version of 2on2off, we’ve been working on it see soon in video 5! left side is not as good as the right side and I have no video of it.
-- Ayoka did’t like to take the bowls in her mouth -- still working at the carrying of the bowls
-- hug: just started with and not worked on further
-- stays are getting better; also with me running away
I love the bowl-playing solution to getting Ayoka used to holding the bowls in her mouth. Very nice!
Great! Very nice side legs already, it’s very easy to progress from here on, it just takes some time as they need to get better balance and strength. Getting there with the hug, you can try holding it even closer to her as it makes it easier to get a real hug vs. just pawing. But Roxy is sure very good at it already! Many dogs are not sure about picking up a bowl, especially if you use a metal ones, but it’s a good shaping exercise so I always do it with metal bowls and spoons too. Great stays!
Thanks, I think when she can carry the platic bowls I will try it with metal bowls , too., beause later on it is more difficult do let them carry different materials.
Exactly! Happy training! 🙂
Hi,
Heeling: We are still struggling with heeling. Hopefully we will do it right one day and be able to start 8 backwards :o)
Sideversion: This one is also a little difficult for us. However we are progressing slowly – I think.
One object into another: Mia is moving too fast for me, so I haven’t been able to reward her with a treat in the other bowl.
Hug: When we use the bottle as a pole she sometimes slides her paw to the side, and we are working on the transition from bottle to table leg.
Stay with distraction: This one is also progressing slowly.
;o) Mia & Lara
Yeah, I guess you can use a target for a little longer and now stand in the right position to get rid of being too much in front. Getting there with side legs! Not sure why you find hard to reward from the other bowl -- just toss a treat in it instead of handing it to her. And yes, more side motions on a bottle by now!