#human training

[selfiesandwinepics]

Do we train our dogs? Yes. Do they sometimes train us? Also yes.

I’d like to think we jointly developed a system with Tiger where he only barks for like two reasons:

I want out

I want in

Otherwise this dog is not a barker. And the system works perfectly… if he barks once at the back door, you’d better come running. Tiger is too old to want to go out just to play. He loooooves being in the house and chilling next to you while you do anything at all. So if he barks, you can bet your ass he’s got to go do his business.

Similarly when he’s at your bedroom door and wants to come in “where humans? Me humans too!” Then he hits you with a single bark a la Captain Ramius from the Hunt for Red October

“One ping only!”

[fayeandknight]

In training it's important to communicate as directly as possible. For example, when it's time to play, jam the toy directly into your human. This way there is no confusion about what you want from them.

[securityunit-ese]

The Collared Scholar Reactive Bootcamp BETA TEST

This looks interesting.

Collared Scholar is doing some kind of reactive dog bootcamp BETA TEST. The workshop will start on September 18. This will cost $49 US if you get accepted into it.

We're looking for some select dog owners to help us Beta Test this new, and completely epic program. To join us, simply fill out the application below (be thorough and answer every question, otherwise your application won't be considered). We'll select only those students we feel are COMMITTED to getting change, and who will benefit from the program completely.

While collared scholar is very tldr in the articles and videos, I have seen some really interesting gems and tidbits come from them and they do give good structure training ideas. So if you are feeling ready for the commitment, maybe give it a go?

I am applying. I do not know if we will meet the requirements for this particular bootcamp (being we have quite obviously improved a lot!) but I’m always keen to find out new techniques to help the dogs out.

[securityunit-ese]

Body awareness exercises for everyone !

[lunaiz4-misc]

Craft Cat

I like to craft. Jasper likes to help. This is usually not safe for Jasper. But, after four years together, we've worked out a good system.

If I put a cat bed or tree near where I'm working, he must sit there and not anywhere else in my workspace. If I don't, he can cause shenanigans and I can't complain about it.

If I'm cutting fabric, he gets to lay on it, but I get to reposition him as needed. (He makes a pretty good pattern weight, and will even put his paws where I tell him. He only tries to eat the scissors sometimes.)

He may politely request to play with a craft supply, and I will only say no if there's a good reason. He has to accept my judgement.

[lifeascaptain]

Something I have some trouble putting into words is how simple, and somehow complicated, dogs are. Broken down clearly and thoughtfully their behavior and patterns are usually easy to understand, work with, and live with. Yet some people still shove their dogs face in their feces when they have an accident in the house, throw their bowl at them when they growl over their meal, or "alpha roll" to gain "dominance".

I tried to explain recently how natural instincts are a huge part of a dog's behavior, how most of them are expressed through play, and how that play is commonly mistaken for “bad behavior”. Somehow, even after breaking it down extensively (including with charts), the whole concept was still completely ignored. The concept wasn't misunderstood, and it wasn't out-of-this-world unbelievable, but rather it was something “new” so it was something ignored because it couldn’t be right.

[notesondogagility]

So after reading a few post on the subject.

I teach a beginners class and will keep teaching beginners, because I love to see peoples faces, when their dog go above and beyond their expectations.

Not that experienced owners don't get like that. I get like that. But it's more common in beginners. As with dogs, I try to give my class a +80% success rate with before I higher the difficulties.

I tell my clients that i am happy as long as:

1) The dog takes initiative ( they are beginners and should be allowed to act like that). If an unexperienced dog take the tunnel or balance or whatever with no cue, you fucking reward that behavior like it's the second coming of Jesus

2) You don't correct your dog. You can withhold treats and rewards, but you are not aloud to verbally or physically correct your dog

3) Tell me what you liked about your run, even though it wasn't pretty. Theres always something that went right, maybe he had nice jumps, or maybe hes forward was exceptionally good today or he stayed at the course for once and so on.

BONUS:If you yell "I KNOW WHAT I DID WRONG" before I say anything an redo it correct. This always crack me up.

[daisysdogblog]

Who's playing a trick on whom?

Now they're getting the hang of it.  I am motivated by my nose and stomach, which always seems to be empty.  Mom has started giving me my wet/dry food mix in my kennel, and I go in there willingly.  Have you ever had the wet stuff?!?  It's insanely good!  Today Dad figured out I would stay behind the gate when he left if he gave me some of that chicken jerky.  om nom nom.  They say I'm falling for tricks.  I say they are falling for mine!