Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Coaching at Sunset Park and The Forum, Tuesday Nov. 30



We had a full day of fun planned for the dogs beginning at Sunset Park in San Marcos and ending at the Forum.

Originally, when we started our coaching sessions way back in April, our focus was to address the dogs reactivity which we believed was hindering their making progress in public settings. Today it dawned on us that our focus has changed. Though we still are aware of reactivity it has improved greatly and now our focus is related to Public Access. We have taken "to the road" and now are actively searching for new places and challenges for the dogs to experience.

Today our focus behaviors included:

L1 including L3 OTR cold testing
  • Sunset Park w/ different trainers
CGC at Sunset Park and the Forum
  • Working on the left
  • Working on the right
Relaxation Protocol Sunset Park and the Forum
  • Facing the dogs
  • In heal position
  • On the right side
  • To strengthen 4D for L2 and L3
PAT #s 1-4 in preparation for Thurs. mentoring session using L1, L2 behaviors, at the Forum
  • Non vested
  • Keeping a small footprint
  • Exiting the car
  • Walking through the parking lot
  • Going through doorways
  • Walking among people
Working with behaviors that at L3 and beyond become Vested Behaviors
  • Zen
  • Come
  • Down
  • Down/Stay
  • Surfaces
  • On the Road
  • Sit
  • Sit/Stay
  • Stand
  • Stand/Stay
At the end of the day when we sat down to evaluate how the day had gone we agreed that with the exception of two things we had accomplished all that we had set out to do. Many of the behaviors we focussed on today overlapped so we had the opportunity to practice the same behaviors in different settings and through different approaches. The most important finding though was that it sure was a fun day, OTR.

Rooster is not a "Morning Dog" so he mentally prepares himself for the day ahead.




Our first challenge this morning was cold testing L3 OTR. First thing Jan and I exchanged dogs and the day began.





Sunday, November 28, 2010

Foot Play Rooster's Tricks

I have been using the bell and easy button to build coordination, strength, and endurance for Target. It has evolved into a fun trick. Not beautiful and polished but a break from concentrated training.....besides it may come in handy down the line.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Rooster and Karen Overall's RELAXATION PROTOCOL

Anyone within earshot knows the high value I place on Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol. Rooster and I keep redefining it to meet our needs. Though he is working at a higher level than Day 1, we are now using Day 1 for cue discrimination and to start building Duration for random Sit, Down, and Stand. Though not shown here, I have also begun using the
RP for building Distance by standing a long step away from him when I give the cues. Gradually, using chutes and ladders, I will increase the distance between us during a sequence of tasks


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

COACHING SESSION 11-9-10


Rooster tackles the parking lot of food ZEN
Rooster and Cathy working on ground Zen with all sorts of temptations.