I think we're ready for the next list!
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 then 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"
Some 2012 new year videos :
object in another, Garlic uses its paw to release and has pb with objet from the right side
Side 2o2o, bottle, Backup on
Wow, great job! Looks like you were busy durung holidays! 🙂 Those are really nice side legs lifts and great balance, I think she is ready to try directly it to the wall next an then start fading it. Great hind feet on too, I would next raise the object some so that she can’t step on it with one foot first and need to push up with both legs at the same time: jackpot those tries! Almost there with stacking bowls too, her use of a paw is too cute, so I would let it be, but do challenge her by putting an object on different spots so that she masters all approaches 🙂 -- some are usually easier for them as others. For a hug I would work some more with one leg and a thinner object, to get her paw all the way around it. All in all, really great job with all the tricks!
I’m still struggling with Hootie’s paw crosses. He’ll touch my hand with his paw, with either one, but we have to work really hard to get that paw across the other one, and when we do he never leaves it there. It’s like a “hit & run”! Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
I wasn’t having that much success with crossing paws either. It was done very quickly with no duration. So I stopped working on it for awhile because there were so many other tricks to work on. But what I’ve noticed is when I’m shaping something new, my dogs are all offering crossed paws and with duration! LOL. So it’s time to go back to it. Sometimes a break from a certain trick is all they need.
Yeap, that often helps too! When I get stuck, I normally try a different approach or just leave it alone for a while.
I wouldn’t worry about the duration for now -- you first need to get the understanding and consistency -- and then add duration. Make sure you’re raising the criteria of what you’re rewarding until you only reward real crosses + jackpot touching the other paw to be able to get rid of your hand. You could also try shaping it, I actually shaped the cross with La and Le as they were too hectic about the paw touches to think above it, so I was just clicking for paw movements in a down position and then shaped towards the cross. With them, that was actually easier as a hand target, so you might want to try -- different things work for different dogs.
Hi Silvia and Classmates, I came back yersterday and today I had a training session with Astro. First time doing hug the pole, he seems to be more confortable standing than sitting, Is that ok? or Should I make him to sit and then to hug the pole?
thanks
Welcome back! Wow, those were sure great hugs for a first session!!! And no, you don’t want him in sit, let him choose.
This is where we are with stacking bowls. I started by asking for a bowl in my hand, then the bowl into the bowl in my hand and will hopefully get to stacking bowls on their own at some point.
It’s a fun trick that the dogs enjoy working on. I look forward to expanding this trick once they get the concept.
Tat:
Trumpet:
Great job, Louise! Trumpet looks like he’s getting very precise about placing the bowl in the other bowl…very cool! Precision is not in Zephyr’s mind yet 🙂 he’s still in the flinging, hit or miss stage. 🙂 Maybe I’ll try holding the bowl like you’re doing with your dogs & see if it helps him.
Thanks for the idea.
Trumpet already knew how to pick up a dumbbell and hold it until I take it but it took a bit of shaping to get him to pick anything else up. He finally got it though. It helped to use plastic bowls instead of metal. And by holding my hand out, or holding the other bowl, I can cheat a little and help them get it right. I don’t know if this is okay to do or not.
Great! Tat was too cute throwing that bowl around and then got the idea really quickly! Great precision already by Trumpet! It’s o.k. to help them some at this stage to get good successful rate and then slowly help less&less once they get the idea.
Hi Silvia and classmates!
Edge is back and recovered from his surgery YAY!! Unfortunately we are WAY behind, but I’ve put together some footage what we have been working on. Heeling to my side is working so much better than before (when he was trying to turn past me) I’m just struggling a little getting him to do the same behaviour when the yellow ball isn’t there.
Do you think I can try the side behaviour up against the wall? or stick to the bosu ball for now?
He really seems to like wrapping his paw around the pole, he even sometimes wraps both feet around it!! LOL
Megan
So good to see Edge again! He has gotten SO BIG! 🙂 Great job with the tricks!
Welcome back Edge! He sure looks fully recovered -- and much leggier as before! 🙂 Nice cavaletti work and some very cool hugs already! You can click only for real hugs now and jackpot when you see he is really holding it firmly -- independent hug is the next step! BEAUTIFUL heeling position, time to fade the target! Did you try it with a flat target? Like a frisbee or a plate? I would then go to a piece of paper and try to circle away slowly, still doing that same circling that he knows first and only then slowly add side and forward movement. If you go directly for side and forward movement, they usually don’t understand it’s the same thing and you loose all the pivoting work, so I prefer to go gradually enough that they can see it’s the same thing. Can he do both sides? Great side legs too, you can try it directly to the wall next and then a chair to slowly fade the object.
thanks Kathy, he’s grown soooo much and definitely Silvia he has VERY long legs at the moment!! He’s almost as tall as Liryk!! I hadn’t tried a flat target with heeling so will do that next. I was hoping you weren’t going to ask if he could do the other side LOL. I had such trouble getting that side that I skipped teaching the other 😛 bad I know!!! I’ll get onto it I promise 😀
Thanks for all the helpful steps!! So glad we can get back into playing and having fun!!
Megan and Edge 🙂
No problem, try the flat target and fading it for this side and then come back to this target and only click for the other direction. You can put a target next to the wall so that he can’t keep spinning in a known direction -- might give you a step or two in the other direction once he meets the wall and then you can jackpot that. You really want to teach both directions, but yes, it’s not an easy trick at all!
Hi Silvia 🙂
This is our progression on a couple of things during the week. Wrapping an upright, side legs on chair and pivoting on flatter object.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeId69utKg
Does the class finish tomorrow or monday?
Will try and post another video before then to show you his hugging and sitting pretty 🙂 …. I forgot tonight!! oops.
I’m not sure where to go next as I fell behind in this class, but I know the next puppy class doesn’t start until the end of next month. Do you think it’ll be alright to just continue on at home and join up for the next running contacts class? Will he be old enough do you think? He’s currently just over 5mths now.
Thanks soooooooooo much for your help 😀 Edge and I have really grown as a team and we REALLY LOVE playing together!!
Megan and Edge
Oops missed something out, trying again 🙂
Fingers crossed this time 😀
Megan
Great speed and enthusiasm on sends to cik&cap! -- But try the multi-wraps too!!! 🙂 Getting there with side legs, great balance! And wow, looks like fading a target should be easy now! Try to just circle away from the target (as you can see in Kathy’s video) and then slowly add more and more side&forward movement too.
This class finishes tomorrow night, but since you started late and had a health problem, I gave you an access for the next class and you can post there if you have a question. And yes, next RC class won’t start before May, so he’ll be old enough then. He would also be old enough for March Foundations if you wanted to join that.
OMG!!! Thank you sooooooooooooooo much Silvia!!!! Edge would like to send a BIG kiss!! thankyou thankyou thankyou!!! 😀
Here is the last video, sitting pretty and he actually stood up for the first time, though a bit wobbly :-p
Holding the umbrella and stay until released.
With the target do you think I should go to something flat first as I have noticed if I try to inch away, he’s still trying to keep his feet on the little target, and his legs are only so long LOL
Thanks again!!
Megan and Edge
No problem, always fun to see Edge! Great sit up and wow, you also got the standing up! Not bad for a growing puppy! Sitting back down is the next one to try, but he might need some support first. Very firm hug too, time to try an independent hold with something smaller and lighter! Great stay! And yes, if he still insists on staying on a target, go to a little piece of paper next and hopefully he won’t even noticed when stepping off of it…
Thanks Silvia 🙂
Hope it’s not too late, I meant to ask if you’d prefer I sent a graduation video to this class, or wait till he’s worked through to lesson 6 in the next class and post there?
Megan and Edge
It’s whatever you prefer! You can post it either here or there.
Hi Silvia, this video with some tricks,
*Backing up, I´m sitting next to the chair, I´m not sure if Astro is pushing enough… I tried to sit on the chair but I think is too much for him.
*Sit up he is a little bit crazy, I having trouble having him sit, I don´t know why, I´m still using the target but a smaller one.
*hug the pole, I have been trying with a smaller one but I´m not sure if I´m doing right, he seems to not understand what he has to do ang begins to bite the pole
*circling to my leg, Now we are using a flat an small target, should I continue circling untill he can do it with out a target?
thanks 🙂
Yes, for backing up, maybe use another object for now, like a wall and work on the right style instead. Try to keep him very close to the wall, so that you get as vertical position as possible. For now, he is too “horizontal” and that’s also why he is not offering any pushing up but is always using one leg first.
Sit up looks good but yes, he gets barky and snappy often. I would try to stop this behaviour immediately as he obviously can’t think in this state of mind. Try to tell him to lie down and wait that he calms down.
Nice hugs with a pole, he seems to understand a smaller pole too, but seems to like to bite it too 🙂 Maybe try holding it closer to his chest and maybe it’s time you do put him in a sit now that the hug is good as it will be easier to get an independent hug in sit.
Heeling position looks good now, so yes, keep circling, but try to circle away from the target and slowly introduce some side and forward movements to every step.
Hugging a pole was just not working for us. I kept getting scratching. Then I realized that whippets don’t like touching bare things and might do better with a “padded” pole so I found an umbrella to use instead. Breakthrough!!!
Tat:
Trumpet:
Very cool! Don’t you just love those breakthrough moments? 🙂 Great job!
And wow…2 dogs in this class & 2 dogs in Advanced Tricks…that’s a lot of training! They must keep you very busy! 🙂 Great job with the Penguin too!
Yes, they do keep me busy. I have 6 dogs in all, so all 6 have been learning the tricks :-). I’ll probably repeat this class with one of the older ones in Feb. Tricks training is so much fun on so many levels, including giving me one-on-one time with each dog.
Great, that sure looks great now!!! That was a brilliant idea, I would never think of that the “bareness” of a pole could be the reason! Those hugs look really great, you can select for the firmest holds now and next try to get an independent hug, with another, smaller object and in a sit position.
Yeah, whippets try not to touch the poles when they’re weaving, and very rarely knock bars. They just don’t like to touch poles, lol. So when I switch to a bottle I’ll use one that’s in a wrapper :-).
Should I get some firm holds in the sit position with the umbrella before moving on to a smaller object? Or do I got straight from a stand/umbrella to a sit/bottle?
I’m so happy to finally be getting somewhere with this trick!
Yes, maybe try sit/umbrella first to not change too many variables and if that goes well, go for a wrapped bottle! 🙂 -- It’s sure funny how different dogs are!
as i told you before my mother hasn’t any computer with her and she can’t post the videos (this is the only one i’ve got) but she is still working. is ok for you if she post everything at the end of the month?
Cool, really nice stay! 🙂 Commenting of the videos and answering questions stops when the class ends on 22nd January. Graduation videos can be posted any time after that though.
I undursant is a little bit difficult without see a video but my mother would ask you some advice. Her dog is able to pick up an object but she doesn’t know how to shape Wanda to put that object in to another.
🙂
Just click for nearing the other object while holding the object. It also helps if you reward it in a bowl where the dog should take an object to, to bring their attention to the other object. She could also do what Louise did, holding the bowl in her hand first -- see her video too.
Hi everyone,
Here’s Elky’s progress so far. Since I didn’t have as much free time as I’d like, we’re somewhat stuck on lesson 4 🙂 We’re working on heeling and trying movements to the side, and also working on “one object into another” trick…
Here’s the video of last week’s training:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBI3l2ucv2
Your link doesn’t work… Maybe you didn’t copy all the letters/numbers at the end?
whoops 🙂
should be ok now:
Usually, I introduce pivoting to both sides on a high target already as that allows you to get really good precision if you position yourself well. Since you went to a flat target first and she often steps off, the precision is not the best (front feet too much in front, hind feet too much out) -it gets MUCH better as the session goes on, but I would probably still do a couple of sessions of “glued to the leg” on high target and then go to no target and ask for the same precision.
Getting there with stacking bowls too! You can speed up a process by rewarding in by tossing a treat into the other bowl: it brings their attention to it.
I did introduce pivoting to both sides on a higher target, but my impatience got the best of me 🙂 We’ll go back to a higher target and try that! Thanks!
Just make sure you stand at the right place -- dog’s paws should be where you heels are, not where your toes are!