The line...

...between success and failure is mighty thin. 

And often, whether an incident is a success or a failure is up to you and your actions. 

As you know, I've been working diligently on something I call "the recall" project.  Approximately 60 recalls a day in highly controlled situations, broken into several sessions a day, all with the aim of creating a VERY positive association with the word "check" with progressively high levels of distraction. 

I'm going to preen a bit and let you know that it is going really really well.  Well enough that I've let her start playing with Reed, her very very very best friend in the whole wide world, because (at least in the house) she'll leave her play and come to me!  Amazing! 

So, with this kind of success "banked", why oh why did a situation more reminiscent of our "pre-clicker" days unfold on Sunday? 

Because I turned what could have been a success - Tess recalling to me, even while she zoomed around the dog park like a puppy on meth - into a failure. 

Instead of standing up straight, saying "check" and then engaging her in a fun game of "chase the Melinda", I turned into a hooting chimpanzee.

I may have spluttered out a feeble "come", but mostly ran around, arms outstretched, hunched over, playing "chase the Tess". 

Intellectually I KNEW the right thing to do was catch her eye and run in the opposite direction.  Practically, it seemed impossible and predictably, my fear she wouldn't come to me turned into a self-fulfilling prophesy.  Imagine that. 

As I sat on the grass, my disgraced puppy cuddled in my arms (looking VERY happy I might add, with no understanding that she may have shaved at least 5 years off my life) my instant impulse was to:

• Swear that she would never ever ever get to go off leash until her recall was perfect.
• Restrict her freedom even more - insist that she be perfect on a leash before ever giving her the chance at freedom again.  

W came over and proposed a very different solution.

Give Tess more freedom.  Stop acting like a monkey.

She suggested that if *I* responded appropriately to Tess's freedom, Tess in turn would respond appropriately to me when she had freedom. 

Tess has proved she has a good recall - she's not ready for total freedom in all situations, but restricting her freedom more and more, even while she's offering a better and better recall is unfair.  Freedom is important to Tess - the ultimate reward.  Being too stingy with it will lead to Tess feeling as if she needs to "steal" that freedom whenever she has a chance.  Far better that she is given it as a reward for her offering good behavior and giving her "choices" as she earns more and more freedom. 

It's scary.  I freely admit that I'm a control freak.  I love my puppy dearly.  The idea of her laying broken and bloody in the road and it being my fault is absolutely devastating.  One of problems is that I can't even imagine her being good and responsive - my mind can only imagine the worse.  Even though realistically she hasn't really given me any reason NOT to believe that if I act appropriately, that she won't. 

At the end of the puppy play session, we finished up with some agility skills on the playground equipment.  My bold and independent puppy flew up an almost vertical wall (an "A" frame) and then tossed herself down a covered slide. 

Looking very proud of herself, she decided to go UP the slide and then she took a flying leap off the equipment.  She stood there, about 15 feet away, looking at me for approval of her new found agility skills. 

My first thought was to lunge towards her and grab the leash that I had left dangling from her collar. 

I moved towards her like a monkey.

She eyed me as if to say "play chase?".

I caught myself.

The line between success and failure is thin.  Whether we succeed or fail will be dependent on how I react to what she offers.  

I stood up straight.

I yelled "Good Tess!" and moved away, looking over my shoulder invitingly. 

She smiled and bolted TOWARDS me, sitting in front and looking up at me expectantly.

I have a good puppy. 

Puppy play notes 10/16/11

For more explanation on Puppy Play Note posts, see this post here. 

1.  Can you do it in a box?  Building on last week's "cue vs verbal", we discussed going one step further - can you do it in a box?  The concept is to be able to give a verbal cue, even out of sight in a box, and have them obey.  After confession time (J snaps her fingers, I clap during my recall....), our little group went through all our verbal cues without any physical ones, to see how many our dogs would obey on verbal only.  Tess's list of verbal cues is very short - sit, down, pout, check (come).  So we ran through our list very fast.  The good news?  Provided that the distraction level isn't too high, Tess will respond to these verbal cues with understanding.  The pout is our weakest - which isn't surprising considering it is the newest verbal cue!  This week I am focusing on reinforcing the understanding of the verbal cues of sit and down, by saying the cue as I walk forward for example.  I started this morning - as I walked forward I said "sit" - the expectation that she would immediately sit as I continued to move away.  Sit is better than down, and she seems interested in our new "game".  :)

2.  Paws on the bowl - the next step.  Tess now puts her feet on an overturned bowl and can rotate around the bowl.  By dropping my shoulder and inviting her "in" I can have her start the hip "swing" as she moves into a correct finish or side position.  Starting working on this concept this morning. 
  4. Restrained Recalls  The group played with doing "self restrained recalls" with a long line around a pole.  It takes a surprisingly large amount of coordination.....I promptly forgot my cue for a recall and generally tripped over my own feet.  Other recall concepts discussed:

• Don't use the dog's name when teaching the recall - the name is an attention getter, not a recall or a release.
• Say it once and don't "change" the command.
• If the dog isn't looking at you during restrained recalls, you are too far away - move closer until you have the dogs attention and work from there.  
• Don't lean over, clap your hands etc.  Stand up straight, say it, and keep your dogs attention - movement, moving closer before asking etc.  
• Can incorporate a collar grab game into the recall game if you would like.
• If you are teaching a sit in front in conjunction with the recall, you can let the dog nibble at the treat, grab the collar as the dog sits, and then feed the treat. 

5.  Giving a bit of freedom.  Tess broke her collar when she was tied to a pole on the outside of "play" (we were rotating through dogs doing restrained recalls).  She promptly took off in the "puppy runs" and ran around the unfenced dog park, generally having a blast.  I promptly forgot everything we had been working on and ran around frantically that was later aptly described as a "monkey" - my arms hanging down, hunched over, making strange grunting noises.  After someone had managed to grab my puppy and I hauled her back over to the pole, W explained me that I need to start giving Tess some freedom.  She has a good recall if I remember and follow some basic principles - don't engage in chase, don't hunch over, don't change my recall command - and the best time to experiment with a bit of freedom is during these group sessions when there are lots of people and lots of her friends to act as an anchor.  If I don't let her have any "freedom" and thus the choice to interact with me during "freedom", she will take advantage of any freedom to bolt.  I had a chance to experiment with giving her some off leash freedom (with great success) later on in the play session, but I'm doing a whole 'nother post on what I learned so I won't say anything else right now. 

This covers our "homework" from the puppy play group.  See the updated skills list on the top of the webpage if you are interested in everything we are working on. 

General notes: I was having a "bad" puppy day, had a slight headache, and was in one of those moods all day where I was annoyed at Tess for the most stupid things.  Wasn't Tess's fault at all (of course) and as usual, most of our problems or progress roadblocks relate to my cue or my body language.  It's so encouraging to meet with a group that can give me feedback - I don't stay "stuck" for long and I'm reminded that I DO have a good puppy, that she IS improving, and we ARE headed in the right direction. 

Resources

Hey everyone -

You may have noticed some changes on the blog - I have expanded the resources page and added a widget thingy to the side bar that is a slide show of sorts of different products that are on the resources page. 

The resources page has a couple of different purposes:

1.  Keeps all of my sources and tools in one spot as a reference for me!

2.  Let's interested readers know what I'm using and what I've used in the past. 

As I go along, the plan is to include a short review of items I've listed in the resource page - however, if you want to hear my experiences with a certain item that I haven't reviewed yet, send me an email at mnfaubel@gmail.com

I'm still experimenting on the best way to share what products I've really found useful and like - so please bear with me as I move stuff around and try different things.  :) 

The books, DVDs etc that are listed are linked to my amazon affiliate page, so I do get a referral fee if you end up purchasing, but I would encourage you to check your local library, or ask your friends if you can borrow their copies.  I own very few of the books and DVDs listed, most of them I borrowed from friends and the library. 

Please let me know if you have any questions and I'm happy to offer my opinion!  Also, if you have a favorite book or other resource, let me know so I can check it out. 

The recall project - the beginning

The resource for this project is:  http://clickerdogs.com/perfectrecall.htm  

Tess has a good recall.  It's excellent in low distraction environments or in places she's familiar with.  It's less than stellar when there are certain types of distractions - an excellent rawhide chew that she's found, birds, butterflies, and strange livestock.

Good is not good enough.

Recall is very important to me.

Maybe THE most important thing.

It was the first training behavior that I decided to utilize treats for, even before I learned about clicker training because I wanted to be POSITIVE and I wanted it to be PERFECT.

W pointed me towards the Susan Garrett article that I have posted at the beginning of this post.  Some of the concepts I have already started - keeping her on leash (even at home) if there is a distraction present that she might ignore me.  This includes playing with other dogs, large uncontrolled areas (fenced or not fenced), any location with lots of birds and butterflies.  Just by not letting her be distracted, and being more involved with her during play and her "free time" (time not spent actively training, or in her kennel) I've noticed an improvement - she's much more reliable.

After reading the article, I've decided to take a more structured approach and really "nail" the recall.  Did I mention nothing is more important to me than the recall?

The defining moment for me in dog training was chasing Tess through the fairgrounds during a bluegrass festival in a merry game of "chase the puppy".  She kept just in front of me.  I knew enough not to say come, as there wasn't a snow balls' chance in hell that she was going to respond.  I chased her silently towards the exit, and the only reason she didn't end up on the highway is because she skidded to a stop at a drainage ditch to drink.  I didn't let her off leash on purpose, I was grooming her and had my hand in her collar.  She did a colossal leap, evading my reaching hands (of course!) and took off.   She wasn't a bad puppy - she was a bored puppy.  We had reached a plateau in our training, I wasn't sure where to go past sit, come, down, heel.  I was treat training, but not clicker training and although I tried to keep it fun and engaging - compared to what we are doing now, it had to be dry and boring for her (and for me!).

The week after this incident, my classmate W offered to help me and Tess and introduced us to the work of clickers and molding behavior.

We've come a long way in a few short weeks, and it's time to add this layer to our foundations

Step 1-Decide on the command

I'm torn.  I've been really careful with the word "come" and it has a lot of positive "deposits".  It's easier for me to pronounce than "here", and it carries better because of the hard consonant.  But everyone uses come, including my boyfriend, who may or may not use it in the way I want - ie follow the process.  Does anyone else have a good word for their recall?

UPDATE:  I have settled on using "Check" for my formal recall word.  As in "check in".  I have a bad habit of putting "come" in a lot of every day tasks, so it's better that I use a completely seperate word.

Step 2- Compile a List!!!!!

I love lists.  I'm suppose to put down everything that distracts Tess that keeps her from coming to me when I call and rate them from 1-10.  I'll rate the major ones here, and add a more complete list to the skills list for future reference.

10's
Birds
Butterflies
9's
Fluttering ribbon
Horses and other livestock
8's
Blowing leaves
Other dogs running at play
7's
A really sumptious rawhide chew that was found leftover from another dog.
Other dogs on leashes
New place
6's
Cats
Matt's shoes
Holt in my hand
5's
Food scattered on ground
Kids
4's
Container of food
Eating horse poop
3's
People (men are more distracting)
Sniffing trash in kitchen
2's
Couches and furtinure (she likes to jump on stuff and pretends to misinterpret commands as "up" - meaning get on something)
Out of sight
1's
Grass (likes to flop around and roll and sniff)

Step 3-The plan
Three recall sessions daily, ~20 recalls a session.  Start with distractions rated at a 1 and see how it goes! 

Showoff! - The Pout

I present to you.....

*drum roll*

The first *completed behavior that I taught by clicker training.  In fact, it's the first "new" thing she's learned since all that sit, down, come, and stay stuff back in those puppyhood days.

*I'm defining "completed" as a new behavior that I either molded or captured, and then named, and she responds to the command successfully when I'm showing her off to strangers.  

Puppyhood lament tangent - so hard to believe she's 7 months - I looked down one day and saw a lanky teenager.  Where did the puppy go that I could scoop up and cuddle in one hand? With a short cute nose and big ears that dragged in her food dish? 

*sigh*

Anywhoo - I showed her off the health center on campus and she performed the pout like a charm.  I'm ready to mark this trick as showoff ready! 

Of course, when I tried to get a pretty picture on the lawn tonight, she gave me this:



Froggy - a behavior that we are currently capturing but I'm not even CLOSE to being able to put in showoff category yet!

Post recommendation

Here is the post that inspired the earlier "victim" post.  It's in a slightly different take on the issue, and worth reading.


If you aren't familiar with Susan Garrett, I have linked her website, blog, and youtube channel in the "Resource" section of this website. 

Puppy Play 10/9/11 Notes

For more explanation on Puppy Play Note posts, see this post here. 

1.  The heel.  I've had the hardest time with the heel.  Tess resents it because it's not her idea and my frustration threshold for her constantly testing the heel is absolutely nill.  W assured me that I will NOT ruin my future obedience heel by using "Let's Go" and letting her walk on whatever length leash I give her, in whatever position she wants, without pulling.  This morning I went on a run with her, using "let's go" and it was hands down the best walk/run we've ever had.  We both enjoyed it immensely.  She didn't feel confined and rarely pulled.  It's back to foundation work for the heel and I won't use it in it's complete form for a while.

2.  Paws on the bowl.  This week Tess learned to put her front paws on the bowl.  The next step is to have her pivot around the bowl with her front feet in place.  This is foundation work for the heel.  I'll be able to teach my sit positions - finish, side, front - using the bowl as a position point for her front feet.

3.  Self correct position - don't really know what to call this, since it isn't a finished behavior/trick, but a transition behavior I need to get before I can start really working on the heel.  Basically, I walk a few steps forward and when she goes back behind my leg to correct herself into the right position I reward near my knee.  I'm rewarding when her butt is in the correct place - not worrying about the nose, since after the click, her nose comes to the treat position at my knee.  If I can get her doing this consistently, I will post a youtube video. 

4.  Cue versus verbal.  Does your dog respond to the verbal cue, or your body language?  Tess is very good on the verbal....if there is no distractions.  At the dog park, the cue barely worked, let alone the verbal.  Concept is - verbal only, wait, if no response then do the cue.  In this way you are pairing the two, since most dogs "get" the visual better.  It's really really really hard to control body language.  One suggestion was to do a cartwheel or handstand while saying the cue to make sure you aren't giving your dog body language cues you aren't aware of! 

5.  Resistance to the Holt.  Tess has accepted her Holt (head harness), but is still quite resistance if there is any pressure on it.  Much like a horse, I want her to GIVE to pressure on her head, so I will be doing some pressure/release stuff with the holt

This covers our "homework" from the puppy play group.  See the skills list on the top of the webpage if you are interested in everything we are working on. 

General notes: Tess was less focused than last week - but so was I.  Was late, had a rough weekend, and just wasn't really "on it", not to mention the LARGE mosquitos (both in size and number) were driving me insane.  My brain really is clicker stupid and for some reason it was REALLY hard for me to "get" exercise number 3.  It's one I really need to sit down and think about the mechanics of.  She's getting better and  better about not trying to rub the head harness off.  This week, she only tried it when she was laying down.  It's really fun to do something on a regular basis because even if you think you haven't made any progress at all, you realize "last week she was (insert annoying behavior here), but this week she's so much better!", which is encouraging.  Tess was even better about the other dogs than she was last week.  I've gradually be introducing more and more play time at home, as long as she shifts her focus to me when I call her, and as a result she's not lunging as badly trying to play with the other dogs while on the leash. 

Tess makes a decision

Ever had your dog do something "naughty", but it can't REALLY be called naughty because in reality you had total control over the situation?  But you still have an uncontrollable urge to blame it on the dog?

Yeah.

Good thing she's cute.  

Tess HATES her head harness.  Or rather, hatED, as in PAST tense.

We started out with a gentle leader.  I know how to introduce the head collar, I know how to use it, and yes, I know that there is an "adjustment" period - but eventually they DO adjust.

Theoretically. 

Tess did not adjust.  She continued to do spectacular efforts to get it off no matter what.  If it hadn't been for the fact that she was going to have damage to her throat if I used a more traditional collar or slip lead, I would have given up.  Then she started bolting from me when she saw it in my hand, and NOTHING would entice her - not even hot dogs.

One of my classmates had a head collar that was made by a different company called a "Halti".  It looked like they fixed most of the design flaws in the Gentle Leader that I felt were bugging Tess.

We had more success with the Halti - for the most part she could concentrate on the task at hand, not flail around like a fish, and while no amount of treat association would make her HAPPY to see the halti, she at least did not actively try to get away - settling instead on sad puppy eyes.

I've seen gradual improvement over the past 2 months until.....this week.  She wouldn't stop flailing around in the kennel during a crate game, so I walked away. 

I don't normally leave harnesses or collars etc on a dog in a kennel - I don't want a chance that they might hang up on the kennel.  In this case, Tess's kennel is in the homeroom at school with lots of traffic and I felt comfortable leaving her with the halti and collar on as a training exercise.

I came back to a chewed halti.  That was still functional.

My evil little idea had worked!  Minus a small, almost insignificant part, the Halti was still on and she seemed resigned.

Of course, I couldn't be happy stopping there.  To see if I could get rid of the last remnants of the rubbing and flopping I decided she would wear the halti continuously during the day for a couple of days.

Today was day 1.

Today she chewed the halt off in a matter of 30 minutes of being unintended.

I can't really blame her.  I gave her the opportunity.  She did what seemed like the logical thing to her.

We went on a walk and I discovered that she is neither significantly better nor worse in a flat collar compared to the Halti.

So, I'm making Tess a deal.

Don't pull and I won't put a head collar on you.  Otherwise I still have that Gentle Leader somewhere....

Update - Since writing this post, Tess is now the (not so proud) owner of a blue Holt head harness.  It fits a little better than either of the other 2 brands.  So I'm making Tess a new deal - I promise to not use it unless I need it - I'll attach one end of my leash to the flat collar, the other to the Holt - she just needs to wear the Holt like a lady - not a flopping fish - and I'll use the flat collar.  I promise!!!!!!

Playing the victim

I've decided to stop being the victim.

There are two other dogs in the household.  Both annoy me on various levels - from how they rush past me, invade my personal space, go insane when I get home, and get underfoot in the kitchen.  They are my boyfriend's dearly beloveds.

In the household there is a clearly deliminated lines of "her" dog, "his" dog.  That doesn't mean that rules aren't enforced for all, or that I never walk his dogs if he works late etc.  BUT, it does mean when his dogs rush past me outside I can roll my eyes and complain about how uncivilized they are. 

I'm playing the victim.

Guess what - that isn't fair.  Yes, he is ultimately responsible for training his dogs, just like it is my primary responsibility to train Tess.  BUT, that doesn't make me exempt from doing any kind of reinforcement with his dogs.  

We all live in the same (very small) household and my attitude towards training (I'll train MY dog, but not YOUR dog) isn't good for anything - including being successful training Tess - because when the other dogs "push my buttons", it makes me irritable, anxious, and frustrated - which (as you might guess) doesn't put in the best mood to be patient with a rather exuberant puppy. 

My boyfriend has different training priorities than me.  If I don't want his dogs to push my buttons - then it's my responsibility to install those behaviors that matter the most to me.  To continue to complain about and be annoyed doesn't fix anything - including the future behavior of his dogs.

And, if I'm being perfectly truthful - having 2 rather large and exuberant dogs in the household has it's benefits.  Tess was remarkably well behaved and focused at Puppy Play this week, because she's used to rather large and food hungry dogs bouncing around while we are working.

As a result, there's a new strategy! A strategy based on clickers, treats, rewards, and attention.  Because heaven knows the victim strategy has produced diddly squat....

Impulse control game

The impulse control game is another basic foundation game that I am playing with Tess.  Here's the video that was shared with my Puppy Play Group.



This is why I'm in love with this game -

• Teaches impulse control.  Maybe your dog is is the epitome of control.....but I can trace almost ALL of Tess's basic training issues back to the issue of IMPULSE CONTROL.  Why does she turn into a puppy on a string as she dashes after birds and butterflies?  Why does she jump?  Why does she dig in the trash?  Why does she over enthusiastically greet other dogs?  Why is she distracted by people/dogs/butterflies/dogs/scents/sights/motion/insert-anything-other-than-my-presence?  Because she lacks impulse control.  
• Introduces the concept to the pup of "what is the answer to the question?"  The question is "how do I get the treat".  The answer is "sit, don't sniff, and look at my handler".  This may be the very first time you've done something with your dog that required them to figure out something, without prompting for you. 
• Introduces the dog to the concept of offering behavior.  They know I have a treat (LOTS of treats).  They want the treat.  They start offering behavior as the answer to the question.  
• Introduces the concept of "sit to ask".  Very quickly after being introduced to the Impulse game, Tess is quick to offer a sit anytime she wants something.  To be let outside, if we are waiting by a door, if she wants to vacuum the kitchen floor (she's learned that if she chooses to sit OUTSIDE of the kitchen, and doesn't go inside the kitchen to scavange, then there is a treat - so now, instead of having her underfoot while I'm cooking, she is choosing to watch me from a sitting position OUTSIDE the kitchen - even when there is tasty scraps on the floor). 
• Doesn't use the clicker or verbal commands - it's a very simple, basic game that is uncomplicated by devices.  I have yet to try this on any dog and not have the handful of treats be VERY motivating to find out the answer to the question.  It let's the dog self correct without the handler being the source of negativity (verbal no, or growl/unpleasant noise).  Thus it keeps in fun and the dog is motivated to "be good" without fearing they are going to be reprimanded.  
• The impulse game easily transferred to non-food behaviors.  Tess has started to get better in many different situations, even when we weren't necessarily playing the game, and even when it wasn't specifically a handful (or bowful) of treats.  I've noticed more self control when walking on a leash and waiting at doors etc. 
• Rewards and gives credit to the dog when they practice self control!  I think sometimes a dog feels a bit jilted when they practice self control (for example, don't dive after the chicken carcass in the trash) - they can dive for it and maybe get a treat....and maybe get a reprimand IF they are caught.  Or they can practice self control and guarantee themselves no treat....This game says "if you give up the possibility of a treat, I will guarantee you a treat and say YES Tess!  This reinforces a lesson of "restrain thyself" instead of the "don't get caught" lesson. 

What the game looks like right now!

I can place pieces of kibble and other treats on Tess's paws.

Tess will step over and ignore food placed on the ground in front of the kennel when playing the crate game.

I can drop people food (by accident) in front of Tess while eating lunch and she doesn't dive after it

When I place the food dish on the ground, she waits, with eye contact on me, until I say the release word.

We are applying the principles of the game to toys!

Waiting to go through doors, going down stairs.

What we need to work on....

She's not super consistent on all the behaviors listed above.  If she's in the "game mode" than she's very good....but if it's every day life and she has something fall in front of her nose....there's a 50% chance she'll dive for it (better than where we were....but needs to be better).

Toy control.  Need I say more?

The impulse control hasn't totally transferred over to non-food items - like butterflies!  and birds! and scents!  and the trashcan!

Going UP stairs.  She likes bounding up and down stairs.  Thus I put this under "impulse control".....the down is getting quite good, the up is still a bit out of control....

Puppy play and skill list

On Sundays I meet with a group of dog people (most of whom are my classmates) and W helps us with basic training techniques that are the foundation for agility, a well-behaved companion dog, and a good canine citizen.

When starting vet school, a good friend told me that I needed a study group - not necessarily for the studying, although I would need that too - but for the other support that a group can provide.

He was right - and it's true beyond school.  It is true in endurance and it's proving true in dog training.  I'm sensing a trend.....

I made more progress in 10 days, than I did in the past 3 months with Tess after W gave us a few pointers and basics.  Being part of a larger "puppy play group" that meets on a weekly basis is going help us continue that trend.

 Because I am new to dog training, reflecting on our progress and identifying where we need improvement is critical, and I'm using the blog to help that process along.  Unlike my other blogs, Tess's blog is more "training journal" oriented instead of being strictly commentary and narrative. These "training journal" type posts will all have similar titles and will focus on what I've learned in my weekly group training sessions.

Puppy play 10/2/11 Notes

1.  Have a plan - I mixed up capturing and molding behavior!  I was under the impression that when I set out to mold a behavior, that I just waited to see what the pup offered, and then molded from there.  NOPE!  As with horses, set out with a plan, including what the end behavior will look like, and how you will break it down for the learning process.  Capturing has it's place and you do reward, but molding is separate.  I realized that to have a good plan for our training sessions and teaching new skills, I needed to organize what Tess already knew and what needed improvement.  I compiled a current skill sheet for Tess that describes the tricks and commands she knows and learning, posted here.  It can also be accessed by clicking on "Skill List" link below the header of the blog.  It will be updated ~once a week.  It might be useful as an "idea" sheet for your own training.  I realized that the list is pretty impressive for a 6 1/2 month puppy!

2.  Name game - play the name game with the puppy - throw treats at them when they give you their attention.  It is NOT a recall game.  This will be important for Tess, because if I have her attention (by calling her name) is a 95% likely to obey whatever command I give her, including an off-leash come.

3.  Play the impulse game and insist on eye contact.  I've been lax on this particular clause, but now that she's gotten the point of the impulse game, it's time to take it a step further.

4.  How to name a command.  Once the pup is offering the complete end behavior ~80% of the time, you can start to name it.

5.  Did round robin recalls.  Tess looked confused when someone else called her name, but happily came when called.  When calling dogs - remember to stand up straight and not pitch voice.

6.  If you are trying to mold behavior from a position or an object that you have previously molded (and rewarded) from, the dog will probably try to repeat the rewarded behavior first.  Ignore it until the dog tries something else that is the first step towards the new behavior.  You won't "lose" the former behavior - once the dog is rewarded for a behavior they will offer it again (and again and again), even if they aren't rewarded everytime for it.  Example - Tess was presented a box and climbed on top of it and was rewarded for doing so.  Next I wanted her to push and flip the box over with her nose.  I stopped rewarding for paws touching the box and only rewarded for the nose touching.  She quickly offered a new behavior of pushing the box (and eventually flipping) with her nose.

7.  My dog can become better by being a "bad" trainer.  For example, if I wait a little bit longer than I should to reward the "pout" (a behavior that she knows really well now, and knows she should be rewarded for), than she might offer me a bear rug or a froggy, or a better pout which I immediately reward - and now I know I can ask for that behavior since it was offered.  I'm not a bad trainer all the time - but sometimes it pays to not be perfect with your training - you might get something good.

General notes: Tess was quite focused, even with all the distractions (off leash dogs running all over) and the grass (!).  She had no interest in playing tug, but was very treat motivated.  Performed all her tricks and behaviors, although "down" and "pout" took a while because she kept rubbing on the grass. Rarely fixated.   

Motivation

 I spend a lot of time thinking about motivation for the creatures that surround me.  If I can tap into that motivation helps make a willing partner instead of a resentful puppet during the training process. 

There's different "layers" of motivation.  It can be very easy to identify a motivation such as "will work for treats, or really anything edible", but there can be other, less obvious motivators that once recognized can help you teach a skill in a way that is efficient and works for that animal.

Recognizing how my animal differs in motivation from the "demonstration animal" will allow me to modify training ideas and regimes to help me be successful.

So.....let's talk about Tess.  (of course we are talking about Tess - it's her blog!)

Here the motivation "profile" I have identified for Tess.  This will also give my blog followers insight into the kind of puppy I have and provide a starting point for any advice you might have!!!! :)

Motivators

• Tess is food motivated.  Very food motivated. Will work for food - really anything.  Even kibble sufficient for most tasks.....
• Second to food only is her love of playing "tug".  She ADORES it.  I'm sorta "eh" about it - but I recognize that she will go through elaborate rituals and literally jump through hoops to get me to play tug, so I humor her once in a while.  In the beginning I watched her carefully, since I had heard that dominance can be an issue with dogs that tug that have been allowed to win a lot - but I don't see that in her.  She plays tug with me a lot like she plays tug with her best friend, Reed the Golden Retriever.  Sometimes he wins, sometimes she does - but no matter who wins, the toy is always placed back into "play" really quickly. 
• Motion motivated/fixated.  To get her attention quickly, move it. She's a pointer, and bred to hunt.  This is actually causing more problems than being useful right now.  Butterflies and birds make it almost impossible to keep her attention in large grassy fields. 
• Likes to do a "good job" - You can actually see her how pleased with herself she is when she's taught herself a new trick (catching a ball), or when she's figured out an answer to a question or a new way to do something.  Letting her figure something out actually gives her greater pleasure than me telling her what to do. 
• Speed - she loves to RUN.  Chase is actually another favorite game - something I'm fine with when I am the quarry - and I exploit that shamelessly during recall games.  But something I try to avoid playing in the other direction if you know what I mean.....

Knowing her motivation help me to identify her preference for activities.  Preferences are both clues to making the training efficient......AND identifies areas that are inherent weaknesses.  Below are some of Tess's preferences, and how I use them to my advantage.....and some of the training issues we have based on those preferences.

Preferences

• Tess consistently chooses "fun" and challenge over straightforward.  I think this is related to that "good job" concept above.  For example - when running around the yard, she rarely just runs - she would rather weave in and out under tables and chairs and leap over hydrants.  During training, I have to keep stuff fast paced and "multi-level".  She's quickly bored and impatient.  It's easy to push her too fast when we don't really have the foundations of the exercise down.  She'll do the task as long as it's new and exciting - but loses that consistency once she feels the game has become "hohum" and we should be moving on. 
• Choses activity over relaxation.  If something makes her run really fast and jump really high with a large output of energy.....that's what she chooses.  
• Choses the bold and independent path and makes quick assessments.  This is good because I rarely deal with a nervous or unsure pup.  BUT, keeping her attention (motion fixated) and keeping her close (because she's so bold) and keeping her interested in what *I* want to do, instead of her little independent self exploring the world....has been quite *interesting*.  
• She's *highly* opinionated and *highly* creative.  She's quick to develop opinions and if I'm not observant enough to see what's going on, and then I have a lot of work to "undo".  She's convinced that while I'm clicker training her, she's actually training me and is quick to offer shortcuts and novel solutions.  *sigh*  And yes, sometimes I'm even duped into rewarding it with a treat before I know what I'm doing.  My brain is clicker stupid. 

Another example - the other dogs in the household

Last night, just for entertainment, I did some introductory clicker training with the other two dogs in the household - a 1 yr old Golden Retriever, and a 3 yr old German Shepherd.   The games I played and my process for "teaching" the games varied based on their very individual personality.  Reed (Golden) is lazy, craves physical contact, and lives to eat.  We played "Yer choice", an impulse game without the clicker, and I required him to sit for the reward (he's so lazy he lays down for everything).  It was relaxed and slow paced.  Harley (GSD) is anxious, craves attention (but not physical contact), restless, not particularly treat oriented, SUPER motivated by a "job", and thinks and offers incredible fast.  For her, I used a clicker and taught her to target my hand.  I needed the clicker in order to capture her thought because she moves from thought to thought so quickly.  The clicker also gave her approval in a non-physical way - but still gave her attention, and let her know she had "done good".

Each game was chosen with the dogs natural perferences and motivations in mind.  In time, both dogs will learn both games.....but I tried to set each of them up for success.

These principles are not just for dogs - I can apply these same principles to my mare Farley - and even to my cats.  Jonah (a cat we believe is probably a Siberian Forest Cat) has motivators that are more similar to most dogs, than to cats, and as a result it was easy to train him to come and sit.

If you can figure out what motivates the animal, with some imagination you can train it!

Further thoughts

The definition of a motivator is as broad as your imagination.  I'm learning from my classmates that have substantial experience in rehabilitating animals, that when considering motivation it's important not to project your own needs and feelings on the animal and try to evaluate them as objectively as possible.  For example, consider a rescue dog that has been abused (I use that term very generally) and has learned that attention = negativity.  While the human may see a poor frightened animal that they want to scoop up and reassure and give affection, the animal may want nothing more than to be left alone.  He is motivated by the need/want to be alone.  The kindest thing may NOT be to sit down next to the dog and provide reassuring pats - turning your back and ignoring the animal may be the best beginning.  The process and balance of working within their motivation (and perhaps over time gradually introducing the concept that affection can be a positive motivator) is part of the training (and rehabilitation process).

Crate game!

I find that starting a blog and writing a welcome post is a bit awkward.

I'm rereading and categorizing posts from my "other blog" in conjunction with a project (see link under the header of this blog if you are interested) and I wince at some of my first posts. It was so hard, knowing no one was reading (and secretly relieved), and feeling confused where I should start.  Should I do catch up?  Just start in the middle?  How much backstory is needed?

For this blog, I took a different approach - I started writing posts where I am.  Today.  Right now.  Even though Tess and I have been doing foundation training for less than a week, I didn't try and go "backwards",  and figured I'd fill in the blanks as needed as we went along. Consider today a "fill in the blank!" :)

I've talked about crate games several times and maybe you are thinking "what the heck is a crate game?"

What I thought a crate game was - 
I said "kennel kennel kennel kennel" over and over and over, while directing the dog into the kennel.  Finish with a treat.  Usually do this only when you need to put the dog into the crate and are going to shut the door.  This was based on forming a (eventual) conditioned response to the word, associated the word with the action, and training as part of the daily routine and not necessarily spending a lot of time training the kennel as a tool.

Those of you that have been in this game longer than me (all of you....BTW) are hysterically laughing.  Those of you that grew up like me are scratching their heads and saying "what's the problem".

After 4 months:

• Tess still wouldn't go into the crate on her own
• She rarely "hung out" in it.
• It remained a place that she would dart into to get toys out of - nothing more.
• The one and only positive (but a big one) - Tess was quiet and obedient in her crate

What the crate game ACTUALLY is (as explained to me by W):

 The crate game involves no speaking, no gesturing, no clicking.  The point is to teach the dog that the crate is a "high value" place and a place that the dog wants to CHOSE to go.  It's their idea and choice to go into the kennel, and when they make that choice, they are rewarded.

Mechanics of the game 

With the Kennel door closed, wait until the dog sits.  Say "Yes Tess", open door and reward (or reward through the top of a wire crate).  Dog should remain in position.  If the dog moves forward or moves from the sit, close the door and wait.  Don't say anything - just close the door and wait.  Repeat until dog will sit with the door open.  Reward with the high value treats!

Next, with the door open, say "OK" (or release word).  Feed a piece of kibble (low value treat).  In my case, I didn't praise Tess - her encouragement/desire to come OUT of the crate was high enough to be a reward unto itself when combined with the kibble.  Then wait.  Eventually the dog wanders back into the crate....and you praise the heck out of them verbally and give them a high value treat.  Then shut the door and restart the game. 

At first you stand really close to the kennel door when you give the "OK", and perhaps they have a leash on.  Gradually move further and further back, eventually dissapearing behind a corner, or walking around the room.

As the last "repetition" of the game for the session, say OK, but don't give kibble - just stand there.  The dog should figure out that the answer is to go back to the kennel.  When they do go back, PRAISE them and give a high value treat. 

As the value of the crate goes up, the pup should get faster and faster about returning to the crate.  Eventually, start saying the word that describes the behavior of going back to the crate (kennel, crate etc.). 

Foundations established

I LOVE this game.  It teaches so much all at the same time, and I don't have to do anything - I don't even have to talk. 

1.  The sit stay - dog sits with the kennel door  open as you run around and even go out of sight.
2.  The come and release - the dog is still getting rewarded when they come to you.
3.  Introduction of "asking a question" and letting the dog come up with an "answer"
4.  Teaches the handler self control and NOT to spoon-feed the dog answers!  Harder than it sounds.....as the puppy sits in front of you expectantly and you know there is NO WAY they are going to figure out to go back into the crate......LOL. 
5.  Teaches the dog obedience, focus, and restraint in the absence of voice or physical controls


Game Notes -

• Kennel reward is "high value" - hot dog, etc.
• "OK"/coming out of the crate reward is "low value" - kibble. 
• It's OK to look at the kennel when waiting for the dog to go in.  That is the only signal I give. 
• No talking except to praise them when they are in their crate. 
• When you do start introducing the word, say it ONCE (harder than it sounds....).  You want the behavior established BEFORE introducing the word, because using the word too soon potentially end up having a negative connotation and being ignored while teaching the behavior....TEACH the behavior before you associate the word! 
• Having them sit in the BACK of the kennel is the goal, and once you have a good sit, it's OK to wait with the door closed and see if they offer to back up - REWARD!!!!  if they do.  

What our game looks like at this point.....

• The sit with the door open at the kennel - pretty darn solid.  Sit stays have always been a strong point for her, so I'm not suprised.  We still have an average of 1 break per session, so I'll scale back our practice (stay closer to the kennel) for a couple of sessions with the goal of ZERO breaks and then try it from "afar" again.  
• The release - Perfect.  She comes running to me, wherever I am for that ittybitty piece of kibble
• Going back to the kennel - could be faster and snappier, definitely still gets distracted.  She seems to have picked a "pace" to go back and that would be a trotting "saunter".  W assures me that as the value of the crate increases, so will the speed....so I'm trying to be patient and not worry about it.
• Sitting when I go up to the door - good!  After starting clicker training in other areas, she's been offering other behaviors when I don't open the door - such as getting further "back" in the kennel.  She is offering some "frustration" behaviors (rubbing her nose into the side of the crate etc.) so will continue to work on this by waiting it out and insisting that she sit in the back. 
• Have started combining with the impulse game by leaving treats and food she has to step over as she goes in and out of the kennel.  Does "OK"  and continues to improve. 

As I learn more I'm sure I'll be modifying the game - if you have suggestions, please offer.  I don't have a good youtube video for this game, but I would encourage you to check out Susan Garrett's resources for this game, her website can be found on the "Resources" Page.

Behavior shaping - it really works

After working in the afternoon on clicker training and rewarding for Tess offering behavior, Tess actually started to offer behavior in the evening session during one of our "regular" games (crate game).

Normally, when I wait to give the treat in the crate to see if she will offer an improvement, or "try harder" for the treat, she just stares at me.

Stares at me with such concentration with those green hazel eyes that I feel compelled to start giving her the answer to the question.

But I don't.

At least, most of the time I can practice enough self control not to.

So I just stare back.

Sometimes I raise an eyebrow.

Very slowly, she might try something from her obedience repertoire......like s-l-o-w-l-y laying down.  As if to say "you haven't given me permission to do anything differently than what I'm doing so I'm not sure whether I'm even allowed to try something new?"

But laying down isn't the answer either.

In fact, the answer is to sit further back in the crate.

So, up to this point, in games like the crate game, she has slow to offer new behavior or modifications to her behavior.

After working with W and a cardboard box, as well as some other behavior molding tasks, it's like a switch went on in Tess's brain.

"If i don't get a treat within a few seconds and I know I'm suppose to be doing something, try something DIFFERENT".

Now in the crate game, when I delay the treat because she's sitting too close to the door, she's quick to offer all sorts of things - a down, a bark, a paw..... - and more than likely a scoot backwards into a sit.

Bingo!

A common criticism of clicker training is that if you don't have a clicker and treats with you, the dog won't offer the same behaviors that are being trained for.   But, keep in mind the crate game doesn't include a clicker, or any voice commands at all, yet using the clicker for a complete different exercise improved it!

Depending on what behavior or purpose you are training for, you use more or less tools.  Your voice is a tool, your body language is a tool, your eyes are a tool.  Treats are a tool, a clicker is a tool.  A leash is a tool, a collar is a tool, a head collar is a tool.  Do you see my point?  Relying on any one tool is foolish - whether it's your voice, your hand gesture, the clicker, or the treat.  Each has their place.  From what I've observed over the last couple of days, the treat and clicker are especially helpful in motivating a dog to offer all sorts of behaviors (some good, some not so good) and capturing that behavior in attempt to eventually "train" that behavior.

What did treats and rewarding for offered behavior earlier in the day gain me?  A dog who isn't afraid to try new things.  For 4 months she's gotten in trouble for doing anything other than exactly what she was told, especially because she is SO bold and independent - Sit, down, stay, come, leave it.  However, when I get into "real" agility with obstacles, I can't suddenly expect her to offer behaviors in conjunction with them, nor can I necessarily train an obstacle the same way I taught her to sit - I need her active participation.  Part of the foundation training I am doing now is teaching her how to THINK like an agility dog.  I need her to offer behaviors, and I need a way of capturing and rewarding the behaviors - thus the clicker and the treats. 

Without treats, my 6 month old puppy would be distracted and completely unmotivated to switch her attention from butterflies to me.  So distracted in fact, that a minimum of training would be done and even less learning.  A learned behavior doesn't rely on treats, but training goes a lot faster with less frustration and it's more enjoyable if treats are used. 

I haven't always believed in using treats to train, but the older I get, the more I realize that life is too short for me to spend it being frustrated or stressed.  Tess's life is even shorter and for the ten or so years that we get to share, I'm going to try and make that as positive and fun as possible for both of us. 

Crate Games & Unintended Consequences

Tess and I have been working on crate games...and I managed to create a monster.

The crate has never been Tess's friend.  It didn't matter that I was careful not use it as punishment, or that I associated it with treats, Tess still regarded it with suspicion and mistrust. 

That isn't to say that she's disobedient in a crate.  She sleeps in a crate, settles, and is a model citizen crated in the homeroom.

But it still wasn't her choice to be in her crate and so never volunteered to go in on her own time.

One of the first foundation games I introduced was the "crate game".  Simply put, she gets a low-value treat for coming to me outside of the crate (a piece of kibble), and a very high value crate (piece of hot dog) for going into the crate.....all on her own.  I don't tell her to go in or direct her in.  She decides that she would like a piece of hot dog, and so she decides she would like to be in her crate.  There's no nagging, coercing, bribing or luring - just a puppy who figures out the answer to the question "how do I get that hotdog?" and CHOOSES a behavior.  I'm quickly figuring out that this is a dog that loves a choice.  Force the issue and she goes along grudgingly - make her think it was her idea and there's nothing better that she would like to do, than to march into her crate.

Tess started popping into the crate when we weren't playing the game.  "Great!", I thought, "the crate is her happy place".....and I would give her a treat.

Oh yeah.   You can see where this is going.

In a matter of days, Tess now begs for treats by getting her kennel and waiting.  Some of the time she gets the treat, and sometimes she doesn't, but she likes the odds well enough to try.  As soon as she gets a treat (or doesn't) she pops out of the crate, only to try a little while later.

While the behavior isn't inherently BAD, it misses the point of the crate game and what I want her to learn about the crate - that it is a safe and fun place to hang out, play with toys, and take a nap.  I want her to ENJOY being in the crate for its ownsake - not because she thinks she might get a tasty treat.  The treat was there in the beginning to help mold the behavior - but it's important to keep in mind what the end goal/behavior is and realize when MY behavior is sabatoging our efforts.

I'm very new to the concept of shaping behavior, training with treats, and the philosophy of rewarding for offered behavior.  It's quite a switch from the conditioned response/command based training I'm familiar with.  It's so easy to reinforce the wrong behavior with any method of training, and I'm more likely to do so now, because I'm new to the training method.  So, I'm being very diligent about spotting "unintended consequences" before they become a horrendous problem.

The solution to the "crate for treats" dilemma?  When not playing the crate game, she'll get treats for being in the crate ONLY if she's hanging out "for real" - ie chilling or napping.  Thanks W!

***W is a classmate and dog trainer that is working with me and Tess. 

Dog 'n Jog Event - Oct 15, 2011

If you live in the Davis, CA area, two UC Davis School of Vet Med clubs are putting on a "Dog n' Jog" as a fundraiser and public information event. If you love organized races, but are sadden by the fact that most require to leave Fido at home, this is the event for you.

Click here for more information and entry.