Griffin has been doing well. Current challenge is getting into the training building...quietly. He is thrilled to go to PosiDog and has a hard time containing his enthusiasm.
In other news, we're wrapping up classes at the farm for the winter. I will still be doing limited in-homes in Licking County.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Mushing
Sled dog events are not really something that happen in Ohio. Most of the state lacks the required snow for any length of time. And it's difficult for one to have access to miles of trails for the regular exercise and training required.
But I'll admit I'm intrigued by it. I've resisted buying a scooter for years. Luna and I have biked on and off for the last year. I've resisted buying a fancy bike. I almost bought a sled off of craigslist. I've seriously considered trying to build one or buy one new.
There's a dryland (biking, scooters, running, wheeled rigs!) event up in Cleveland in November...unfortunately I'm taking two days off of my Sat. am classes the month before. (Westie walk presentation and TAG teach seminar) and would feel really bad asking for a third off. Plus... we do not bike fast enough and I've not been good about running as much as we should. However...next year when Griffin is old enough to do more... we may attempt the two dog class.
Biking is one of the few things Luna seems to really enjoy. She also likes to pull kid sleds. Griffin has been taught to pull on his harness as a separate skill from 'pulling an actual bike'. It's a bit safer to teach "pull with consistant pressure...and in a straight line" with me standing behind him rather than on the bike.
Until then, I'll go back to reading my most recent purchases of mushing books....
But I'll admit I'm intrigued by it. I've resisted buying a scooter for years. Luna and I have biked on and off for the last year. I've resisted buying a fancy bike. I almost bought a sled off of craigslist. I've seriously considered trying to build one or buy one new.
There's a dryland (biking, scooters, running, wheeled rigs!) event up in Cleveland in November...unfortunately I'm taking two days off of my Sat. am classes the month before. (Westie walk presentation and TAG teach seminar) and would feel really bad asking for a third off. Plus... we do not bike fast enough and I've not been good about running as much as we should. However...next year when Griffin is old enough to do more... we may attempt the two dog class.
Biking is one of the few things Luna seems to really enjoy. She also likes to pull kid sleds. Griffin has been taught to pull on his harness as a separate skill from 'pulling an actual bike'. It's a bit safer to teach "pull with consistant pressure...and in a straight line" with me standing behind him rather than on the bike.
Until then, I'll go back to reading my most recent purchases of mushing books....
Friday, September 25, 2009
Use of Cues
I'm not always a good trainer...I have a few cues that mean multiple behaviors. One of these is "Up". Having a word for four feet up and for front feet up would be the smart thing to do.
This has gotten me into a little trouble.
Situation A: Luna was at agility class a year ago and smelled something drifting over the 4' wall separating the ring from the rest of the barn. I was nice, and told her she could put her feet UP to smell better. She jumped over the wall.
Situation B: Griffin has been learning to put his front feet up on items. Unlike Blaze and Luna who will put their front feet up on vertical objects, Griffin attempts to put all four feet on a vertical surface. And then gives an expression of "THAT didn't work very well!"This has happened with both a tree and my car.
I'm not sure who is less intelligent...me for not creating a second cue for feet only, or Griffin for attempting four-feet-on-a-vertical-surface.
More on camping, agility, and fun new things soon.
This has gotten me into a little trouble.
Situation A: Luna was at agility class a year ago and smelled something drifting over the 4' wall separating the ring from the rest of the barn. I was nice, and told her she could put her feet UP to smell better. She jumped over the wall.
Situation B: Griffin has been learning to put his front feet up on items. Unlike Blaze and Luna who will put their front feet up on vertical objects, Griffin attempts to put all four feet on a vertical surface. And then gives an expression of "THAT didn't work very well!"This has happened with both a tree and my car.
I'm not sure who is less intelligent...me for not creating a second cue for feet only, or Griffin for attempting four-feet-on-a-vertical-surface.
More on camping, agility, and fun new things soon.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sticking to a Plan
I had a nice little training session planned out for Griffin. I get outside, and what do we do? Work on a completely different (but also important) behavior: returning with an item and sitting.
This is something we have worked on before, at most, two sessions. I cued the Sit, if he dropped the item, I would move away and re-cue the informal "Get it." After about 5 responses (4) correct, I did not give the Sit cue and he was automatically sitting with the item. After a few more responses, I started to wait for a longer Sit before clicking...and also choosing to only click for a 'still mouth'. Five repetitions later, the mouthing was gone. Horray Griffin! We still have a ways to go, but that nice little three minute session was very productive.
Now I need to learn to stick to my plans....
This is something we have worked on before, at most, two sessions. I cued the Sit, if he dropped the item, I would move away and re-cue the informal "Get it." After about 5 responses (4) correct, I did not give the Sit cue and he was automatically sitting with the item. After a few more responses, I started to wait for a longer Sit before clicking...and also choosing to only click for a 'still mouth'. Five repetitions later, the mouthing was gone. Horray Griffin! We still have a ways to go, but that nice little three minute session was very productive.
Now I need to learn to stick to my plans....
Sunday, August 23, 2009
We're out again
With the temperature under 60, we were able to get out biking again!
Hopefully we have a few more cool mornings and can continue to work. We haven't been out since early June so we had to take it slowly but we'll see what happens.
Luna was very stressy when we there, but very quickly she was back to her happy trot.
Hopefully we have a few more cool mornings and can continue to work. We haven't been out since early June so we had to take it slowly but we'll see what happens.
Luna was very stressy when we there, but very quickly she was back to her happy trot.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
August Training
Despite my lack of posting, I've been training my dogs more than ever. Soon we'll also be back in the pattern of taking classes...not just teaching.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Record Keeping
There was a sample of my record keeping...I was wondering why my 'record keeping blog' was missing a page!
http://kvdogs.blogspot.com/
I've been fairly reliable about working with the dogs and keeping records. Horray for goal keeping and friends to keep you on track.
Last weekend I went to a fabulous one-day seminar. It was directed towards vets and about the use of medications for dogs with behavior problems. Wow. It was fabulous. There's a lot we know about dogs...and a lot more we don't know.
http://kvdogs.blogspot.com/
I've been fairly reliable about working with the dogs and keeping records. Horray for goal keeping and friends to keep you on track.
Last weekend I went to a fabulous one-day seminar. It was directed towards vets and about the use of medications for dogs with behavior problems. Wow. It was fabulous. There's a lot we know about dogs...and a lot more we don't know.
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