Retraining the DW
So, this will freak you out, but I'm posting AGAIN! Really really weird, I know, but I'm on a mission. Mission DW retrain.
I have watched a lot of different video blogs of training Running DW's - Solar from start to finish, and many others. Of course, I've watched Silvia's multiple times. Now, given that I'm starting with a SEVEN year old, I see how things are going to be different :) - Or rather, I imagine how they'll be different :) and I'm sure they'll be different in ways far beyond what I am imagining.
What I've learned so far:
Teague seems incapable of working with a Manners Minder. I mean, really? I realize that lots of it is that when I say, go go go in his normal world, it means I'm throwing a toy (or go down a line of jumps), so it makes sense that when I say that to him he runs PAST the manners minder and then comes back and paws at the back of the MM, oh god. This is after several training sessions of clearly showing him that the FRONT of the MM is where food comes out. Shaking head sadly....
So, um, that ain't going to work.
Throwing the toy and either being really enthusiastic with it, or not, doesn't seem to dent his enthusiasm either way. He's so HAPPY I threw a toy, he's just goofy. So....
I realize I have a fairly shitting eye - well, revise that - my eye is good but I can't stop myself from clicking even when it's not a good hit. Shaking head sadly...
I actually started with the plank on a very low table, instead of flat on the ground. The planks I have are from the DW and they don't lay flat on the ground because of how they are built. He was doing pretty well that way, though he was hitting at times with both back feet together (i.e. jumping). So, I went to board on the ground - holy shit - he leapt over the last 3 feet I think 15 times in a row. hahahaha. I went to the A-Frame instead :)
Okay, so, I've been thinking.... Teague is going to need some very very clear information on when he is correct and when he isn't. I don't think subtlety is going to work. So, what I am thinking is making a hit-it board. Not using one of the small hit it boards that would require a precise foot placement to activate, but a different one.
Frankie Joris has one on her blog that she developed. She used a 3'x1/2x12" board and put it at the bottom of the dW, painted same color, under it she placed multiple clickers, yes, clickers. It's actually a pretty smart little system. Then the dog runs through it, viola, clickers.
Here's the link:
http://artanddogblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/the-clicker-board-makes-training-running-contacts-a-breeze-with-perfectly-timed-clicks-every-rep/
So, I have constructed such a device for Mr. Teague. I am going to try it out tomorrow am. Wish me luck. I know it's a bit unorthodox, but I'm thinking that it might be a clearer method that what I've got going now.
I will try and video it as I go forward. Oh, and I'm trailing in a couple weeks, roaring with laughter!!!
I have watched a lot of different video blogs of training Running DW's - Solar from start to finish, and many others. Of course, I've watched Silvia's multiple times. Now, given that I'm starting with a SEVEN year old, I see how things are going to be different :) - Or rather, I imagine how they'll be different :) and I'm sure they'll be different in ways far beyond what I am imagining.
What I've learned so far:
Teague seems incapable of working with a Manners Minder. I mean, really? I realize that lots of it is that when I say, go go go in his normal world, it means I'm throwing a toy (or go down a line of jumps), so it makes sense that when I say that to him he runs PAST the manners minder and then comes back and paws at the back of the MM, oh god. This is after several training sessions of clearly showing him that the FRONT of the MM is where food comes out. Shaking head sadly....
So, um, that ain't going to work.
Throwing the toy and either being really enthusiastic with it, or not, doesn't seem to dent his enthusiasm either way. He's so HAPPY I threw a toy, he's just goofy. So....
I realize I have a fairly shitting eye - well, revise that - my eye is good but I can't stop myself from clicking even when it's not a good hit. Shaking head sadly...
I actually started with the plank on a very low table, instead of flat on the ground. The planks I have are from the DW and they don't lay flat on the ground because of how they are built. He was doing pretty well that way, though he was hitting at times with both back feet together (i.e. jumping). So, I went to board on the ground - holy shit - he leapt over the last 3 feet I think 15 times in a row. hahahaha. I went to the A-Frame instead :)
Okay, so, I've been thinking.... Teague is going to need some very very clear information on when he is correct and when he isn't. I don't think subtlety is going to work. So, what I am thinking is making a hit-it board. Not using one of the small hit it boards that would require a precise foot placement to activate, but a different one.
Frankie Joris has one on her blog that she developed. She used a 3'x1/2x12" board and put it at the bottom of the dW, painted same color, under it she placed multiple clickers, yes, clickers. It's actually a pretty smart little system. Then the dog runs through it, viola, clickers.
Here's the link:
http://artanddogblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/the-clicker-board-makes-training-running-contacts-a-breeze-with-perfectly-timed-clicks-every-rep/
So, I have constructed such a device for Mr. Teague. I am going to try it out tomorrow am. Wish me luck. I know it's a bit unorthodox, but I'm thinking that it might be a clearer method that what I've got going now.
I will try and video it as I go forward. Oh, and I'm trailing in a couple weeks, roaring with laughter!!!