I really enjoy reading Nancy Gye's blog on training her new dog (see the link on my Blog List) and a few weeks back she had a great post where she compared her training to Greg Derrett's '3 point system' relating to which way to turn your dog around a jump. I thought it might be helpful to do the same thing with Ivy's training at the moment so being a bit of a compulsive 'list chick' I am going to steal the idea and look at 'where we are coming from' and 'where we are going to'.
First up - FLATWORK
Coming From : A ton of foundation here, especially Circle Running and incorporating Crate Games. This is one area where I think I have done a much better job than with any of my other dogs, but as knowledge of its importance increases I guess it is pretty much a no-brainer that its training improves with each dog. I am a bit of a foundation junkie and have done a few seminars with different presenters, but I would have to say that last year's seminar with Laura Derrett was a big turning point for me - for the first time I actually saw how each exercise, no matter how trivial it might seem, forms the basis for something very specific in the Derrett system down the track.
Going To : Continuing Circle Running for life ! (I have been slack over Winter in this area and need to get back to it, especially those inside circles) Adding lots and lots of distractions using Crate Games and my start line procedure. Beginning change of arm = change of line foundation on the flat.
SHAPING
Coming From : Most of our proprioception exercises were taught with a clicker and also some simple 'tricks' like going to a mat, backing up, getting into a basket and things like that. I am using a verbal bridge more often as the sight of the clicker sends her nuts and she immediately goes into a frenzy of offering behaviours.
Going To: Using the clicker more often without it sending her nuts! Documenting trick training more regularly than I do. At the moment we are working on speak on command and standing on my shoes between my legs, kinda 'doggy dancing' style.
WEAVES
Coming From : 12 Poles taught with 2X2's. Speed and footwork developing plus some good independent entries. Can front cross at the end and rear cross the beginning.
Going To : Different environments, different sets of poles and lots of distractions. Proofing staying in the poles whatever I do. Consolidating speed and footwork.
CONTACTS
Coming From : Lowered dogwalk and A Frame - recalls, sends and run-bys. Working on sticking that end position no matter what I do and understanding of release cue. Beginning 'bang' game on lowered seesaw.
Going To : Adding more distractions and further proofing of holding end position. Working up to full height obstacles. Deciding on which method I will use to train the seesaw so we can build on working the end behaviour - leaning toward 2 table method at the moment.
Something funny that came out of her contact training has been trying to get her to tug on the end of the contact. She thinks I am offering her the tug as an 'it's your choice moment' and absolutely refuses to take it. Ideally I would like her to tug while maintaining her position on the end but there is no convincing her that this is OK to do so. She literally clamps her teeth together, turns her head away from me if I try to insist and then gives me this look that says, ' you can't trick me, I know I'm not allowed to take it until I finish my job and you release me.' Then when I do release her she lunges at it and tugs like crazy.
Another funny habit she has is if I make her stay for what she considers to be too long a period of time on the startline, she gives this little growl as she takes off, sort of like a war cry. That one cracks me up and I confess that every now and then I really drag out leaving her and releasing her just to hear it.
JUMPING - A whole entry in itself ! And I'm way too tired for now so this will have to be for another instalment.
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