Justicemom
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We had your 2nd week of Super Puppy tonight. We had a blast.
Our homework from last week was to work on attention. Basically, Birch was on leash and somewhere in front of me in any position and when he looked at me I was to praise and treat(I clicked and treated) and say good watch. Do about 10-15 reps 3x-4x a day. We could use visible treats the first 1-2 sessions but when they get the idea then the food should be out of sight. Then when they are watching in front start moving from side to side and treat when they follow you and then move heel and side position. If all was going well increase duration of the watch and then add distractions. Birch did great and by this week was watching me 90% of the time in all positions, up to about 10 secs at a time. Awesome for a 15 weeks old puppy.
First thing we worked on tonight was called falling into heel and side using targeting with the spoon. It builds upon the targeting at the side we did last week and is the next step in teaching formal heeling. We were to walk backwards for 2-3 steps and then bring the spoon to the side and go forward with the dog in heel position for about 4-5 steps and release to the treat and then play and then repeat it on side position. I admit I had a harder time with getting him into side then Birch did. Birch was very into this game and spun right into position.
Then we worked on restrained recalls. The instructor held the puppies and we ran away and called them to front and threw the food between our legs to get them driving into us. Birch wasn't too keen on being held by someone he didn't know that well but he did OK and had OK speed coming to me. We did the same thing, coming into heel and side positions.
Next we worked on side passing. An exercise to get them to learn to move their back feet. The same thing can be taught with a perch or box. Birch has been doing this since he was 8 wks old so he was a star. He even has the command over(move your butt to my right/side) and close(move your butt to my left/heel) almost down. We also worked on backing up. We had a bit of trouble with that as he wanted to sit but I found if I used my spoon down lower he could do it. Need to work on fading the spoon and standing up straight.
Next we worked on down. In obedience, we want to teach a very specific type of down called a sphinx down. The forward motion stops, weight shifts to the rear legs ,front goes down to the ground and the butt drops straight down with the legs under the body. We will use this down in he drop on recall and utility signals. We started with the dog standing and then pushed the treat into and below the chest and hopefully that motion will create the desired response and create the down we want. We treat, name and then fade the lure rather quickly. It took a bit of work to get Birch into the correct position but after he got it the first time, it was easier. Really need to work on this for next week.
Then we introduced the dumbbell. All we want to do is have the dog get excited when they see the dumbbell and to reward a nose touch on the bar. That is it. If they offer taking it great. I got one good touch that's it. Homework for the week.
Finally we ended with the agility tunnel. At first it was all bunched up and Birch looked at it like it was a foreign object he has never seen a tunnel all compressed. When it was extended he blasted though it at full speed and even came into my hand on the other side. Yes.
His instructor just loves Birch and she said he seems so happy and fun but a very serious puppy for his age. I do have to say that when he is working he is very dialed in to what he is doing. I have never asked him to be this way that is just how his is. Love it!
Our homework from last week was to work on attention. Basically, Birch was on leash and somewhere in front of me in any position and when he looked at me I was to praise and treat(I clicked and treated) and say good watch. Do about 10-15 reps 3x-4x a day. We could use visible treats the first 1-2 sessions but when they get the idea then the food should be out of sight. Then when they are watching in front start moving from side to side and treat when they follow you and then move heel and side position. If all was going well increase duration of the watch and then add distractions. Birch did great and by this week was watching me 90% of the time in all positions, up to about 10 secs at a time. Awesome for a 15 weeks old puppy.
First thing we worked on tonight was called falling into heel and side using targeting with the spoon. It builds upon the targeting at the side we did last week and is the next step in teaching formal heeling. We were to walk backwards for 2-3 steps and then bring the spoon to the side and go forward with the dog in heel position for about 4-5 steps and release to the treat and then play and then repeat it on side position. I admit I had a harder time with getting him into side then Birch did. Birch was very into this game and spun right into position.
Then we worked on restrained recalls. The instructor held the puppies and we ran away and called them to front and threw the food between our legs to get them driving into us. Birch wasn't too keen on being held by someone he didn't know that well but he did OK and had OK speed coming to me. We did the same thing, coming into heel and side positions.
Next we worked on side passing. An exercise to get them to learn to move their back feet. The same thing can be taught with a perch or box. Birch has been doing this since he was 8 wks old so he was a star. He even has the command over(move your butt to my right/side) and close(move your butt to my left/heel) almost down. We also worked on backing up. We had a bit of trouble with that as he wanted to sit but I found if I used my spoon down lower he could do it. Need to work on fading the spoon and standing up straight.
Next we worked on down. In obedience, we want to teach a very specific type of down called a sphinx down. The forward motion stops, weight shifts to the rear legs ,front goes down to the ground and the butt drops straight down with the legs under the body. We will use this down in he drop on recall and utility signals. We started with the dog standing and then pushed the treat into and below the chest and hopefully that motion will create the desired response and create the down we want. We treat, name and then fade the lure rather quickly. It took a bit of work to get Birch into the correct position but after he got it the first time, it was easier. Really need to work on this for next week.
Then we introduced the dumbbell. All we want to do is have the dog get excited when they see the dumbbell and to reward a nose touch on the bar. That is it. If they offer taking it great. I got one good touch that's it. Homework for the week.
Finally we ended with the agility tunnel. At first it was all bunched up and Birch looked at it like it was a foreign object he has never seen a tunnel all compressed. When it was extended he blasted though it at full speed and even came into my hand on the other side. Yes.
His instructor just loves Birch and she said he seems so happy and fun but a very serious puppy for his age. I do have to say that when he is working he is very dialed in to what he is doing. I have never asked him to be this way that is just how his is. Love it!
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