I recently had a chance to train at my club’s training building when no one else was there. I used the time to focus on Open obedience work. Remembering some success that I had with a previous dog, I decided to use this session to work on back chaining the individual open exercises.
So, after a little warm up, we did a broad jump (BJ). Then, because I forgot what I was doing (sigh) we did another broad jump. Then I got with the program so we did ROH, BJ, then ROF, ROH, BJ, then DOR, ROF, ROH, BJ. then repeated that last sequence. Of course after each BJ I marked, we ran to the exit and I gave her a jackpot. Hopefully she’ll start to build enthusiasm as we move through the process. I did each exercise at the level we currently train (ie. not the perfected exercise).
Thoughts on each exercise:
- Broad Jump (BJ). Of course we did this the most times. Currently I’m still tossing food to increase her drive. The biggest problem I had here was her anticipating being sent. I’ll have to play with that a bit more (and keep reminding myself this is NOT a bad problem to have since it means she has some drive!). I actually used my hand signal several times and she seemed to get that pretty well. Note to self: maybe time to start adding in a more formal Front afterwards.
- Retrieve over the High Jump (ROH). We are having an issue with not going out on the first command again. Obviously she doesn’t really know the cue. I need to work on that separately. She also tends to go out over the jump, but if the angle is bad, does not come back over the jump. Another issue to work separately. I just help her now.
- Retrieve on the Flat (ROF). Really, it’s just the issue of not going out on the cue “getit”. I did try beating her out to the dumbbell a couple of times but I think I need to do that more for it to be effective. Also, I wonder if I just gave a release cue, since the environmental cue of the dumbbell is already there? hmmm.
- Drop on Recall (DOR). This is what I am MOST pleased about! Once I actually tried dropping her without her target and she did it! It was a stride later than I was hoping, so I’ll have to decide what my final criteria should be. But she was very happy (barked!) at the drop.
I also did a little heeling work on its own – trying to be more random in my marking and rewarding spots, and to be more generous.
Wow, if I even did this once a week I’m sure I’d see great progress. I really must find the time to train this dog more!
The Princess Comments: stay? go? getit? Are you even consistent? and what about that chicken I mentioned the other week? Where was THAT?
Parallel Tails 