Briann/Miller, Jan/Nadador
Lynn
LOCATION: Balboa Park Dog Park, El Prado and Balboa
There were 3 Flip cameras at this session, but we only used one. There was so much going on that there was little time for Flipping! What was filmed will be uploaded below.
The group found training in this location so profitable that they have decided to train here for the next several mentoring sessions.
We set up on the lawn, near the cars.
CRITERIA: Loose Leashes
CRITERIA: Finding threshold where the dog can watch passing dogs without reacting to them.
Look at That: Click and reward whenever our dog looks at a tempting distraction without reacting inappropriately. No verbal cue.
Jan estimated approx 50 dogs passed during the 2 hour mentoring session. Of those, 3 were off leash. They approached and passed our location at various distances from us and from every direction. Great example of being aware of your environment.
All barking heard on the videos came from our dogs.
"BEHAVING LIKE A DOG"
At several intervals, each team walked from our location to the main gate of the dog park and returned.....NO clicker, NO treats, NO Flip.....just dog and owner.
ALL teams encountered other dogs on these walks. Briann and Miller faced the greatest number of challenges on one walk, including an off leash dog and 5 leashed dogs.
All trainers found it a do-able task, being free of "training" responsibilities and only needing to focus on the task at hand. This was a very positive experience for all.
INSIDE THE DOG PARK
Given the option, Jan and Briann took their dogs IN the dog park for about a 10 minute free play period. Karen and Webster stood outside AT the fence and Webster and a black Great Dane said "Hello" through the fence. Cathy and Rooster opted to remain with our things and they continued with threshold work. This gave us a chance to observe dog body language in the Dog Park, which is always an eye opener.
Out for a walk
hand in hand
No clicker/ No treats
* Sorry, the other clips were corrupted *
Bravo! Who would have thought we would all be able to accomplish this without a clicker and filet mignon pieces!
ReplyDeleteI am still thinking about the questions Lynn suggested but I agree with Karen. When I first viewed the Flips, my initial thought without even stopping to reflect was... Oh my gosh we look like normal people, with normal dogs. We could have been anyone walking down to the gate with our dog. When I look at myself in Flips I look like I am working, head bent at an angle, somewhat stiff and watching for that clickable behavior before it is too late. I try to stay calm and quiet but the underlying, "always training" is there. The minute the leash snaps on you are working. It is not that we weren't working at the park but as we all decided there is a huge responsibility when you have the clicker and treats at hand. This message must be communicated to the dogs also because Rooster sort of comes to attention when the leash is on. I am going to spend part of my time with Rooster w/out the trainer trappings and just train invisibly.
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