The Lena files - weeks 2-3

So I failed miserably at posting daily so I'll recap the last couple weeks. 

Lena accompanied us to the dog shows in Oshkosh last weekend, with a goal of generalizing behaviors, and desensitizing her to noises such as dryers. 

Lena passed the first goal with flying colors! She applied her "fronts up" cue to a large metal dog bowl, a cardboard box, and a suitcase. Why go to great efforts to teach her to perform what seems like a useless behavior? Because it is a cure strengthening and focus exercise, and one which has helped her learn the cue to wait. I'll also use this for teaching heel position. 

The desensitization was a bit more challenging. She was able to remain quiet  if she had something good to chew on. Covering her crate also helped significantly, both examples of good management. We used her breakfast to pair the dryer noise with eating, a classic use of counter-conditioning and desensitization.

The last few days were spent working on teaching 2 impulse control exercises - taking treats slowly and decreasing her compulsive circling behavior. 

Lena's excitability leaves her prone to gulping treats. This makes her more likely to move out of position whenever working with food. To change this I work multiple times each day delivering treats from hand to mouth VERY SLOWLY. Any movement from Lena makes the treat move away, teaching her to be patient and remain under control, which decreases the "grab and gulp." 

The circling behavior is a struggle. I am working to change this behavior with two approaches - management with a leash  (prevents the rehearsal) and marking and rewarding any behavior that is not circling   

The circling is really an outlet for excitement and energy. I also now know that if I play "find it" a few times prior to a training session her circling behavior is significantly less. 

Until I can get these two behaviors under control other, more precise behaviors, are hard to teach. 

And oh, she's in season, so hormones are also a factor now. We march on! 

Lena Files - Day 3

Today we are working on impulse control (wait) around other dogs. Since Kili, my Cavalier, also needs to learn fronts (a recall with sit in front) and stay I decided to kill two birds with one stone, using platforms as stations.

Morning Training today:

Exercise #1 - go to platform and sit on it (Cue is UP)

This now makes Lena have to think about whether I want two front feet up on the platform, or her whole body. The more she has to think the less she gets aroused. We'll add distance to the platform later.

Exercise #2 - UP + duration

Lena needs to learn duration of her behaviors. Food rewards, though necessary to teach new behaviors, really key her up so I am marking with "YES" but delaying the food reward by just a few seconds. The idea is to treat before she moves.

Exercise #3 - Wait

This will become a formal cue later on. She understands this in a standing position from her conformation training. Now its time to teach it with other behaviors (generalization.)

We started today with a pause behind the baby gate. We will increase duration slowly so Lena can succeed. 

Until tomorrow 

Lena files-day 2

Today was one of those days I'm sure my students have. I worked a 12 hour day. Lena stayed home because I knew I wouldn't be able to give her the attention she demands at work. You know the story "the Shoemaker's child doesn't have shoes."

A few minutes tonight before bed to see if she can generalize the platform behavior to home using a yoga block. Here is what I learned:

Yoga blocks are not good platforms forLena  (Yes, Wendy, you were right!) But she did generalize the cue. 

Working her around multiple other dogs is VERY arousing. She can't focus for very long. She wants them out of her space. She WANTS to work! All areas we will need work on. 

Until tomorrow. 

The Lena Files - Day One

Also Known As - Training the overly aroused puppy

Most of my students know that I have a young Pug who I use as a reference for training challeges. I LOVE this type of dog! The dog that has a lot of energy, finds focus challenging, and wants to be "on the go" all the time. I've had much success in the conformation ring with just this type of dog, in a variety of breeds.

Lena's mother was just such a dog. Other people had tried, without success, to show her to her championship. I got her in January and with just a little confidence building and focus work, showed her to her championship in just under 4 months, with very limited showing. Lena's father is a great show dog, but he has some "quirks" at home. Lena's "over the top" behavior is the result of her genetics.

Lena has trouble standing still. She isn't confident, but acts tough when she is in a familiar place. She can exhibit barrier frustration

. She constantly uses her mouth, earning her the nick-name "piranha!" She gets along with other dogs and loves people. She's the type of dog most owners would say has "ADHD."

I decided to chronicle my training journey with her so others can see that a dog trainer's dog isn't always perfect. We have the same challenges as our students. Here is day one:

Focus exercises were the key. Lena needs to learn heel position, how to remain focused with distractions, and how to keep all four feet on the ground. She has a pretty solid recall, a solid target (hand) touch and a beautiful mat (place training) settle. I decided to use platform training to help teach her to stand still, and hand targeting to teach her heel position.


Exercise #1 - FRONTS UP - I used a short platform to teach her to put both front feet up and stand still. I use a marker word "YES" and then treat with a food reward (Lena works for kibble!) Multiple short training sessions were accomplished today and we worked this with the platform in front of me, as well as on my left side in heel position.

Exercise #2 - FRONT - The standard obedience recall + sit in front (I refer to this as "nose to toes" position) Lena needs to learn not to jump up. I cued a recall with "FRONT" and then used a "flash lure" of food to cue sit as she came barreling in towards my legs. Without the flash lure Lena's standard behavior is a default jump. I incorporated the exercise of "back up and sit," one of my favorite focus exercises.

Exercise #3 - HEEL - Teaching heel position is most often done through luring forward. For Lena, forward motion equals WOO HOO! I am choosing to teach her the focus part of heeling first, then add the forward motion. Using a hand target (my left hand, with the pointer finger extended) complete with a food lure, I am choosing to walk backwards one step after giving the cue "HEEL" and then marking Lena for every step she takes while focused on the target hand. With dogs like Lena progressing too quickly is a recipe for losing focus.

In addition I am using the platform to create heel position. The cue "HEEL" is really a position cue, not a motion cue. Once Lena learned fronts up I can then cue her to do it in heel position.

Why am I doing this? Because Lena NEEDS it. She wants to work. She wants to please. She's just not hard wired for calm behavior. It is my job to teach it.

Until tomorrow!