After much struggle (on MY part!) Eli now has his "down" on. Sometimes taking a step back is the way to move forward...
Two days ago it "clicked" for him.
Last night I spent a good 15 minutes total working with both Eli and Dexter at the same time, both in a down. No clicks, just treats when down and nada if anything else. Rapid-fire at the start and then placed on an intermittent schedule as they both understood the rules of the game (stay down).
Today we added a small bit of distraction. The following video was taken during our training session this morning.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Moving right along...
Note-I also write a personal blog (The Dexter Diaries). This week I did a twofer-I posted this story with a couple of tiny changes on my personal blog as well, so if you are a reader of both, you get two for the price of one!
Eli is almost 11 weeks old now and he has been in my home for 10 days. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about introducing him to Dexter. Don't get me wrong, Dexter is very sweet natured, as hounds usually are. It is because Dexter is so BIG. Lean and pure muscle.
Dexter can leap straight up off all four legs to a height of six feet. How do I know this? I have seen him do it. I am convinced the dog was part of a genetic experiment in which somehow, grasshopper genes were involved. Or perhaps, like Spiderman, he was exposed to a radioactive insect at some point in his development.
In any case, Eli and Dexter have turned out to be compatible playmates. Dexter is gentle and Eli respectful-a perfect combination. Take a look at this lovely play session. Notice the following:
Dexter self handicaps by:
Eli communicates his intentions by:
Notice also that this play is mutual. They take turns being the "victim" and the "aggressor". When one breaks away the other pauses before resuming their play. This is a very nice example of good play.
Other news:
Eli, this week, developed some selective hearing. Apparently, the great outdoors is way more fun than going back inside to the boring old house.
So, I chopped some turkey breast into chunks and we began to practice "Eli, come". I filled my pockets with the high value treats and randomly would say (in a conversational tone) "Eli, come". As he turned and /or takes a step toward me (because that is the behavior I WANT) I *click* and treat in front of me (the position I wish him to be in). Then I turn around and continue what I was doing, as Eli is free to do as well. In other words, "La-la-la-no-pressure-here-come to me if you wish and good things happen and your fun will not stop because you did" is our mantra, and it works.
We have been doing this for 48 hours now and I am very pleased with his response. He comes to me, indoors or out-at least until adolescence hits!
Proofing "sits" is the other behavior we are working on. I will ask for a sit under all sorts of circumstances:
Indoors
Outdoors
Facing me
Behind me
Away from me
Close to me
When we are alone
When we are with others
We are also working on beginner zen, downs, touch (nose target), and foot targeting.
Happy Training!
Chris
Eli is almost 11 weeks old now and he has been in my home for 10 days. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about introducing him to Dexter. Don't get me wrong, Dexter is very sweet natured, as hounds usually are. It is because Dexter is so BIG. Lean and pure muscle.
Dexter can leap straight up off all four legs to a height of six feet. How do I know this? I have seen him do it. I am convinced the dog was part of a genetic experiment in which somehow, grasshopper genes were involved. Or perhaps, like Spiderman, he was exposed to a radioactive insect at some point in his development.
In any case, Eli and Dexter have turned out to be compatible playmates. Dexter is gentle and Eli respectful-a perfect combination. Take a look at this lovely play session. Notice the following:
Dexter self handicaps by:
- coming down to Eli's level (at the 29 second mark)
- adjusting his strength (many times in the video)
- stops immediately when Eli signals distress (1.34 minute mark)
Eli communicates his intentions by:
- pawing
- rolling onto his back
Notice also that this play is mutual. They take turns being the "victim" and the "aggressor". When one breaks away the other pauses before resuming their play. This is a very nice example of good play.
Other news:
Eli, this week, developed some selective hearing. Apparently, the great outdoors is way more fun than going back inside to the boring old house.
So, I chopped some turkey breast into chunks and we began to practice "Eli, come". I filled my pockets with the high value treats and randomly would say (in a conversational tone) "Eli, come". As he turned and /or takes a step toward me (because that is the behavior I WANT) I *click* and treat in front of me (the position I wish him to be in). Then I turn around and continue what I was doing, as Eli is free to do as well. In other words, "La-la-la-no-pressure-here-come to me if you wish and good things happen and your fun will not stop because you did" is our mantra, and it works.
We have been doing this for 48 hours now and I am very pleased with his response. He comes to me, indoors or out-at least until adolescence hits!
Proofing "sits" is the other behavior we are working on. I will ask for a sit under all sorts of circumstances:
Indoors
Outdoors
Facing me
Behind me
Away from me
Close to me
When we are alone
When we are with others
We are also working on beginner zen, downs, touch (nose target), and foot targeting.
Happy Training!
Chris
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Week One
Tonight marks a full week that Eli has been in Oregon. And what a week for him! Too many "firsts" to mention them all.
All of the training we do is with the ultimate goal of self control in mind. I try to train with distractions whenever possible (of course, staying within his threshold) because real life is full of distractions. This is one thing I wish I could change about training Gunner at the same age-I would have introduced distractions earlier. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20 and Gunner was a different dog.
Eli and I have settled into a nice routine. First thing in the morning he goes outside to eat and drink-this way I can Premack his "wait" for:
1. Exiting from the crate on cue
2. Walking beside me to the door
3. Waiting for the release cue to exit after the door is opened
4. Waiting to be released to eat
We keep these "waits" very, very short to accomodate his puppy brain :) and to keep training fun and rewarding. Not too difficult and not too easy.
We then go on a little walk where he eliminates (as he "goes" I give him the cue "go now"). I keep a treat bag with me for distractions (bunnies, chickens, goats, donkey's, dogs playing, dogs running, cats) and to reward walking by my side.
This video that summarizes all we have learned this week was taken this morning. Knox, (aka Dr. Evil) joined us for this training session. We spent 7 minutes total, 5 of those, perhaps, actually shaping.
I am still in my jammies and still wearing the rain boots I step into in order to move dogs around/gather chicken eggs, etc. If you ever needed proof that dog training is a glamorous job, you need look no further.
All of the training we do is with the ultimate goal of self control in mind. I try to train with distractions whenever possible (of course, staying within his threshold) because real life is full of distractions. This is one thing I wish I could change about training Gunner at the same age-I would have introduced distractions earlier. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20 and Gunner was a different dog.
Eli and I have settled into a nice routine. First thing in the morning he goes outside to eat and drink-this way I can Premack his "wait" for:
1. Exiting from the crate on cue
2. Walking beside me to the door
3. Waiting for the release cue to exit after the door is opened
4. Waiting to be released to eat
We keep these "waits" very, very short to accomodate his puppy brain :) and to keep training fun and rewarding. Not too difficult and not too easy.
We then go on a little walk where he eliminates (as he "goes" I give him the cue "go now"). I keep a treat bag with me for distractions (bunnies, chickens, goats, donkey's, dogs playing, dogs running, cats) and to reward walking by my side.
This video that summarizes all we have learned this week was taken this morning. Knox, (aka Dr. Evil) joined us for this training session. We spent 7 minutes total, 5 of those, perhaps, actually shaping.
I am still in my jammies and still wearing the rain boots I step into in order to move dogs around/gather chicken eggs, etc. If you ever needed proof that dog training is a glamorous job, you need look no further.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Day 3
Eli-Day 3
Sit
Target
Down
Reinforced behaviors:
Walk at my left side
Match my pace up/down stairs
Eliminate on cue
Wait (at open door/for food dish to be placed on ground)
Zen reinforcement opportunities:
Vacuum cleaner
Donkey's
Goats
Husky's
Cats
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