During our training session at Camp Pendleton, Webster and I continue to build Duration and Distance with Distractions. He is doing quite well. Now we need to take it to other public places.
Before taking L2 Down Stay On the Road, get it in every room of your house, beside the swimming pool, in the front yard, beside an open door, beside an open door with Web on a Down Stay INSIDE and you walking OUTSIDE, with Web on a Down Stay OUTSIDE and you walking INSIDE (not out of sight). Then, be sure that Web understands the behavior in those locations when you add a distraction (Ace walking by?) Whenever in doubt, err on the side of rteaching. We are all tempted to lump by putting out dogs in more challenging positions too soon. Remember that this is L2. In fact, I'd suggest waiting to take this On the Road in public until you have BOTH the Down Stay and the Sit Stay. Think of this as a self-control behavior. Web is REALLY learning to control himself and remain in position.
When you begin taking the Stay behaviors On the Road, begin by adding them to your "Drive to a parking lot, get my dog's attention, do L1 beside the car, LLW around the car, get back in. drive to another location and do it all over again" routine.
THAT exercise is also a self-control exercise. You're learning that you're a team. It won't go on forever, but team building, self-control....these are the foundations of our work!
Before taking L2 Down Stay On the Road, get it in every room of your house, beside the swimming pool, in the front yard, beside an open door, beside an open door with Web on a Down Stay INSIDE and you walking OUTSIDE, with Web on a Down Stay OUTSIDE and you walking INSIDE (not out of sight). Then, be sure that Web understands the behavior in those locations when you add a distraction (Ace walking by?) Whenever in doubt, err on the side of rteaching. We are all tempted to lump by putting out dogs in more challenging positions too soon. Remember that this is L2. In fact, I'd suggest waiting to take this On the Road in public until you have BOTH the Down Stay and the Sit Stay. Think of this as a self-control behavior. Web is REALLY learning to control himself and remain in position.
ReplyDeleteAn afterthought.
ReplyDeleteWhen you begin taking the Stay behaviors On the Road, begin by adding them to your "Drive to a parking lot, get my dog's attention, do L1 beside the car, LLW around the car, get back in. drive to another location and do it all over again" routine.
THAT exercise is also a self-control exercise. You're learning that you're a team. It won't go on forever, but team building, self-control....these are the foundations of our work!