GOT HOMEWORK?

Do you and your dog have homework to do today? Well, I do everyday. I mean how can I possibly convince my clients they need to work every day (or six days in my case), if I and my dogs are not an example of this? I do take time off for if I get sick, vacation, or for my recent sprained ankle. When I do not have time (outside of being sick et) I see my training totally suffer,because I have become lax and lazy. Unlike a regular old dog owner though, this is my business. My dogs and I are ambassadors for what can be done in dog training, or we try to be anyway . There are those days.

I also have to be sure the training plan fits into the schedule of a "normal person" and not someone as Abby Normal as I am. That works because you don't want your dog to have to punch in on a time clock overly long either. It's all about balance. You don't want to do too little, you don't want to do too much and burn either human or dog out. You want it to be enjoyable, yet you also want to get real work done during your session, or I do anyway. A dog trainer is always honing their skills, and always aware that there is more improvement to be made, especially since you are leading future and current dog owners and trainers.

All of this homework and educational experience is self prescribed, being that top training people in the industry have become "out of style" in their quest for excellence. Don't get me wrong, they aren't exactly hurting for business either. Dog owners with common sense and a quest to really provide the best life for their dogs, recognize quality and rare education. These people haven't been asked to follow the circuit group that is supporting another business model of training. One that I believe is dangerous, as it degrades quality time and teaching the language for your dog into something "not fun" because it does not go fast enough to the next "trick". Instead of recognizing the real life skills that can open up a whole new world to dog owner and dog, if they wish that. I have needed to research, dig up, dust off, and re-discover some of the better trainers in the country thru due diligence. Sadly, due to the success of convincing people that traditional training is evil, what has happened as these people stick close to home and have less costly travel to places that have made up stories about them anyway. Talk about a thankless job!! On the other hand, what has happened is the training experience in this area has become very one sided, and no longer the proud profession that dog training certainly can be. It's become a glorified feel good festival, with like minded trainers stroking each other and murmuring encouragingly as our rights as dog owners are torn right from us. Not to mention the illegal search and seizure of dogs that has been happening in certain parts of the United States due to legislation that is promoted by the Animal Rights groups. In Albuquerque NM it's very close to illegal to leave your house and go anywhere without your dog on a leash. Many times that means even in your own yard!! Rights of owners are flying out the window, and it's our fault as our standards are low for training. There are so many excuses and mantras out there for why not to train your dog (and I will go over these in another blog).

Writing this very article is homework in itself that I need to accomplish every day. Additionally, I have dogs to train that aren't being paid for by other people. I train them for my own personal knowledge. I am also practicing my presentation skills in a visible way not only for a future video, but to see me as I might appear to clients. Jack and I have finished most of our training for the day. We did 10 repetitions of Week 1 and Day 1 of the retrieve exercises from the Open Obedience book by William Koehler. We had been on Week 2, when I discovered that I had missed two steps. My bad!! In the interest of teaching others, and spending efficient and effective time with my dog, I need to be as detailed as possible, and push for that same excellence in my students. I am also not in any rush, the next trial isn't until February 2009. We have plenty of time to perfect this as much as possible, and hopefully not only get the title but hammer home some better scores. Bri and I will be going over basically the same exercises as Jack today. I have revisited the foundation with both of them in the Koehler Method of Dog Training by William Koehler, realizing that my poor scores are probably reflective of not expecting really excellent work on my part. I see so many things that I can do better now, and are really not any big deal to do. My dogs only do exactly what I taught them to do LOL. I take full responsibility for our errors in trial. I am so proud of my dogs when in there. I cried the very first time Jack and I qualified for a leg. To me that was such an achievement for the both of us. It goes right up there with my wedding day and graduation from college.

Devon, a Thai Ridgeback, is being trained for his Novice trial in February 2009 as well. My daycare looks to me for entertainment during the day that can take the form of trick training, play fetching, ET. Knowing about their behavior and pack mentality, and continuing my education on this allows such an unleashed and free atmosphere to continue.

I love my job, and I love my work even when it's homework. What work have you done with your dog today?

Want to train your dog? Call Robin Rubin at Mannerly Mutts Dog Training at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Devon First Run Thru Stay-2/4/08

Here is Devon in his first run thru:

Devon Run Thru 2/4/2008

This was Devon's very first time at a run thru.

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 .......

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.

Training Schedule and Notes

Handler (Me) Notes:

Common errors that I make include:

1)  Walking sideways towards dog when halting (sitting)

2)  Hard time walking in straight line, need guides for this.

3)  Need to say heel when stepping off not after already going

4)  Turns need to be more fluid and along track, so as not to confuse poor doggie

5) During figure eights, need to remember to hurry dog up along outside turns to train them how to stay in step.

6)  Nice brisk step off after halts or turns.

7)  Holding leash hand steady at stomache.  (as if a stomache ache, and not as if there are treats there)

8) I shouldn't screech to a halt too quickly.

Brie Notes:

Did Brie and Devon together on the beach.

Did long downs and sits.   Brie is the one that is just learning not to break.  She did pretty good, and she was kind of cold on the cold sand (note next time dress her in some fleece).

Also did figure eights with Devon being one of the posts, she did well herself, but when she was the "post" she tended to want to break, so need to work on the stays even though that wasn't specifically what she was doing.

Both dogs were very distracted trying to do stands on the beach, so we need to practice more in distracting situations.   Neither is initiating on their own yet the position, though both can stay in it during undistracting situations.

Brie did a little "off leash" heeling but on e-collar.   We are getting to the point where she will be off equipment soon with mild distractions.  (am still using treats to keep attention)

Devon:

Did long sits and downs with Devon and Brie.   Devon did the best at these.

His heeling had deteriorated since he was in BT, but it was coming back.   He did it well on leash and chain collar, and through the figure eight, he was very attentive towards me (I was using treats though).  Devon's attention was very very good.

Stand, both dogs distracted need more practice with stand in distracting situations.

Training Logs

have added Devon dog to the training line up for this spring. Brie, Jack, and Devon are all being trained for Companion Dog competition. Jack and Brie's first competition will be February 29th (God help me).

Devon will be a little later. Here are training notes for today:

Brie Training Schedule:

Did about ten reps of stand stays (walking out in front of her).

Did 15 minutes of heeling and auto sits in parking lot.

***This week working on getting her to the point of decent OFF LEASH heeling (we are still on leash), attention during distractions or time she thinks she wants to play, stand stays, and finish (don't know if we will get to this this week). Also, figure eights should be a priority. Stand stay portion is good, but Brie needs to start getting up on her own on command.

Devon Training Schedule:

Did 10 reps of stand stays.

15 minutes of heeling in the parking lot.

Devon's heeling has deteriorated a bit, but he looks very confident and happy in distracting situations. Got a little prey drive over leaves blowing around the parking lot. Need to work on those type of distractions. Auto sits need to be worked on. Both front and finish need to be worked on, but probably not until next week. Devon is doing pretty good on staying in stand, but also needs work on performing stand when command is given and without physical prompting.

Jacky Traiing:

30 Minutes of heeling on lead on the beach. The reason for the on lead heeling being that Jacky has taken to trying to go after lone dogs. If the beach is busy with dogs, he is more in tune with being a good boy, but he gets a bit protective if it's the occaisional dog on the beach that approaches. He has made great strides in coming to understand at home, that he MUST tolerate any dog in the house, and that I will be sure that he is not bothered but he is not to take matters into his own hands. Now I have these kind of situations to get JAck to adapt to. In the ring, he has not had a problem being obedient around other strange dogs (knock on wood). I want to be sure that I touch every area on this. A big golden did run up to us, and Jack did not reacte until the other dog jumped towards him. And he was on leash, so he didn't get to dart after like he would like to. Attention and auto sits are getting better and better. Still room for improvement.

On my end, I need to be sure I am walking and turning without leaving my "line" or walking towards Jack when I stop. Overall, a very good session today.