Super Dog Class - Week 4
Hi guys,
We are half way through class. Let's have a look at what we have learned so far.
- Our dogs learned to safely jump out of the car. You can even make it a habit to add a SIT right after. I will attach a video on that.
- You have learned the Positive Interrupter. I will attach a video that shows how to use it out and about and train it with distractions.
- We have learned the WATCH command and it's time to add some more distraction to that as well. Watch the video. :)
- Your Visitor training is making great progress. Keep practising that one. You already have the video on the whole picture. We will practise that again towards the end of class.
- We have discussed all the different steps of Distance Control. Please keep practising that one, so that we can add distractions in class and make it work when your dogs are really distracted. Let me know if you've got any questions (as for all other commands as well).
- You were able to practise the Recall away from another dog. That went great. The only way to practise this for real life situations is setting training up in real life situations. You will see such a huge difference in your dog if you go to the outside of a dog park even just once a day for a week and just do some calm walking training (use a calm marker here). Make sure you start on a far enough distance and only go closer if your dog is ready.
- Calm walking training. You got lots of little tips on lead walking in last week's videos. How is this going in your driveway? Bring your dog out there multiple times a day, just for a couple of minutes. That doesn't only practise lead-walking, but also ensures that bringing the lead out doesn't lead to a crazy pup anymore. Especially the Default Stop will give you more focus on your walks.
- On the note of Default Behaviours: How is the Default Settle going? One to practise when you watch TV in the evening or when you have a coffee in the park. :)
- Leave-it: Most of you had a similar command already. That's perfect. Please don't only practise it when it's needed. Practise it when it's not needed and reward well, so that it's bulletproof when you actually do need it.
- You all know the FIND IT command from your Level 1 classes. I will attach a video that discusses that topic a bit further. Making our dogs find toys is great fun for them. Practise that one again because we will introduce "Tracking down humans - Search & Rescue" next week. :)
- Fetch: We have started FETCH in class. I am attaching a video to show this again.
- Last, but not least: The TOUCH - such a useful command. Next week I would like to work with a sustained hand touch with your pups to show how we will use this in Voluntary Vet Behaviour.
What are we doing next week? We are going outside in the dark and get started on some Tracking. So, please wear shoes and jacket appropriate to the weather. The dogs won't need to see, they can use their noses. :) Please practise your Sustained Hand Touch, so we can actually get to the Voluntary Vet Behaviour towards the end of the 8 weeks.
In addition to the videos I promised above I am also adding a video on what habits to get into with your harness and lead.
Car Safety
Make it a habit to release the dogs out of the car. A good idea might be to make them sit straight after as well.
Positive Interrupter - more challenging
WATCH - more challenging
FIND IT - more challenging
In the first half of the first video I explain with Mousy how to take tracking a bit further. From there on I am just showing with Hank how much our dogs enjoy exercises like this. So, only watch the Hank bit if you've got some time to spare. :)