Big Dogs, Small Dogs, and All Those In Between

As a trainer, I talk a lot about temperament and individual personalities in the light of how they fit into training plans. There are other things that cause trainers to change things up. Sometimes it's subtle like a larger or smaller step to accomodate size. Sometimes it's the use of equipment to make the human part of the equation able to handle a much stronger species, until they are trained.

I got to thinking about this the other day, when I started on Magoo's finish. It's been, like never, that I have trained a dog of his stature all the obedience commands for competition. And so the first few tries at getting him to walk into position, were, well humorous. It wasn't that Magoo didn't want to do it, it was that my steps and speed back were for a Doberman or smaller NOT a Great Dane. You need to be clear with your body movements and adjust them to be clear to your dog. Once I got my stride adjusted, Magoo suddenly understood what to do. Otherwise, neither one of us was in position for the step forward.

When training a dog, think of the physical things that help your training program.

Mannerly Mutts Dog Training
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Match Tomorrow/Training Schedule Today

Jack, Brie, and I are getting ready for a match tomorrow. This whole week has been basically firming up these basic skill sets. Devon is on vaca until we go to Trial basically (Feb 29th).

****Note to self, do a lot of food training (that is to refuse food, not to treat) with Jack tonight. Treating at these things is obnoxious, even though you can't bring them into the ring, and it will take an unprepared dog and make them a total spaz.

****Should also remember to see if husband can fix portable crate for Jack somehow.

Jack first half (a bit tired so I am going to do some more later on tonight or early am tomorrow):

Finish, did about 50 reps with e-collar instead of treats or chain collar. Didn't do bad, was sometimes crooked because he was staring at Brie and wanting to go play.

Worked a lot on myself walking with Jack and not walking into him when stopping for an autosit. Jack did pretty good sits at the end, now that he is beginning to believe that he doesn't have to worry about me flying into him. Also practiced off leash with hand on belly (left) and right hand swinging by my sid. He did really excellent as I practiced my T step for about turns. Left, he sometimes still crowds me a bit.

Brie's Schedule:

Still teaching finish, hopes she starts doing it today right from heel, so I don't need to make any movements (that would NQ me in the Trial).

Practice sit and down stay.

Practice heel on and off leash. See if it can feasible be done without any corrections or much coercion. No treats for practice today.

Thursday Thirteen (13) Monday Run Thru Notes

Using this Thursday Thirteen to document some run thru notes:

1. Jackie boy, need to stop turning into him.   



2. Jackie got swayed by the smell of treats, during certain exercises, on Evelyn's hands.   Need to stop him from breaking from obvious food.



3. Jackie broke when unexpected military man came in the room.   However, Jackie did stay in place in sit (broke in down) when between two very cute female dogs (one Italian grey hound, and one Chihuaua named Sassy).



4. Jackie, we need to work on our finish now without luring.



5. Jackie, need to stop him from trying to covertly sniff the ground for fallen treats.



6. Jackie, attention could be better when in the stays.  He does it well, until something unexpected comes along (military man, or he's between two cute girls).



7. Jackie, stopped sticking his stand due to cookie smell on Evelyn.   Need to make sure he sticks this, and stays even if judges have been touching cookies:)



8. Devon, work on Stand AND Finish.



9. Devon concerned about judge following or others working with their dogs.  Some of this will be worked out in run thrus, but need to get him out more in public "dealing".



10. Brie, work on circles to get her turned in and closer, as Evelyn showed.



11. Brie, did her first off leash heel that went okay.   We had done one before, when I thought she wasn't ready but instructor insisted.  Hadn't gone that bad, but two instances where Brie was pretty sure it was play time.



12. Brie, her front is perfect.   Need to not screw it up.



13. Brie, need to work on finish, and stand walking behind and examine.

****Me 1)  No stepping into dogs 2)  work on about turns still---better with Jackie and horrible with other two 3)  move out with Jackie during fast heel, so judge can tell pace has changed even though Jack just lengthens his stride .......

Jackie's Recalls

Here is Jackie doing recalls at the SOC.   WE have been working on this and not the finish until he gets it straight without prompts.

Training Sessions

Brie:

10 Front and Finishes. Front is perfect (naturally, no thanks to me, I will probably screw it up). Have just started luring Brie into her heel/finish at the end.

Off leash heeling inside with pace changes (still using treats to catch her attention at times). Sometimes Brie changes to right. Slow heeling, still teaching her that my walking slowly does not mean sit, trying to have not such a jerky pace for her in the slow.

About five figure eights. Need to speed her up on outside turns, and a little wide. Used "dog" posts of Brujo and Jack.

Also worked on stays when I worked Devon next.

10 stands. Starting to initiate on her own, and I am now able to walk in front 6 feet, wait and then return by circling around back to heel.

Devon:

10 come/fronts. Lured into heel.

Heeled a bit off leash. He was a little wide and distracted, lagging sometimes.

About 5 figure eights, did pretty good, and had to jolly him around quickly when he was outside. Sometimes did not want to walk close to "dog post" when he was on the inside.

10 Stands. Devon is not to the point where you can leave him to walk six feet in front, or circle back from behind. Beginning to initiate the stand himself.