Showing posts with label clicker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clicker. Show all posts
Friday, August 10, 2012
Dhali Rides A Skateboard
This video is a few days old now, but on Monday Dhali learned how to skateboard! He's getting really good now. I just need to work on my treat delivery so he will stay on the skateboard and continue to push. He does stay on and will push for 3-4 feet, but stops when the treats fall on the floor! I'll have to get another video soon. Very cute!
The only reason I taught him this was due to my cold, so it was good for something! I was feeling really rotten and Dhali wanted to do something!!! (bark, bark, bark), so I got out the skateboard. I wasn't expecting anything, but first try I got a puppy riding a skateboard! Now Dhali is getting very clicker savy - yesterday we started front paws on a ball/balancing. He saw the ball, looked at me and plopped his paw on the ball - click! This morning he progressed to me not holding the ball still and him trying to balance on the ball with 2 feet.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Work On
We had another great lesson today. Lots of stuff to work on, but all things that I think we can get with a little practice. Loretta got to see Tibby's zoomie skillz LOL!
Some of Tibby's past zoomie experience if you need a reference point -Boot Camp or Watch Tibby Run, Run! Jump!, Zoomies: The Dog Park Edition, Walking On (Lake) Water, Tibby and Zoe Racing, Super Stinky Speed, Long Walk Part 1 ect. ect. ect...... Lots of zoomies.
One thing that I really like about having lessons - having someone else watch us and give me advice. I like advice :) At one point Tibby and I were running and I changed direction and Tibby followed me. I didn't see it, but Loretta did. That's what Tibby was supposed to do - Yes! Good puppy! A lot of times after I have taped one of our practice sessions and then watch it, I see a bunch of things that Tibby was doing, but I missed during the session. Sometimes it's just seeing things from a different angle - floor level vs. me standing up and looking down on Tibby.
So this next week we are working on creating drive before working, but then not letting Tibby zoom away, so on leash. I think we will get a lot more done LOL! And also follow me game thingy - Tibby on the leash I walk/run away and Tibby follows me. We are going to do this EVERYWHERE! It doesn't sound hard, but it is something we have to work on.
After our lesson we went to PetCo and the to Petsmart to practice. PetCo was kind of a bust, because the staff kept coming up to us and asking if we needed help. When I told one girl that, "We are just looking around and I'm practicing with her (Tibby) walking." The girl said, "Oh is she new?" "No, but I like to practice all the time." Blank stare from the girl. Don't people ever train their dogs in PetCo? There was one girl that walked up and knew that Tibby was a Tibetan Terrier (impressed). Also, there was a woman customer that said she had had a dog that was part terrier and looked just like Tibby only smaller (laughing to myself). Tibby did get a new plush soccer ball - I felt like a shop lifter with all the staff checking up on us, so I obviously had to buy something, so they would know I wasn't a shop lifter - wow they are so manipulative.
Then we went to Petsmart. No one bothered us at Petsmart, so we were able to do some practicing. There were also 2 dogs in the store, so we worked on Tibby's dog obsession. I think Tibby did a good job. There were definitely some moments when she chose to follow me instead of sniffing at everything or trying to play with a dog. I rewarded those moments really well - jackpot! At one point we were going to get in line to check out and there was a pug on a flexi-leash already in line. The owner was totally oblivious and the pug ran over to us - about 10 feet away - and started to play with Tibby. Well, their leads very quickly got tangled up, so I untangled them and we walked around a corner and down a few aisles. Tibby didn't whine/scream to go back to the pug! She followed along behind me. I was really surprised.
We bought some hay for the bunnies and a can of food for Tibby to try Simply Nourish. I have to go to a wedding this week-end, so Tibby is staying at Woof Dah again. Last time she lost 5 lbs in 4 days. Not a happy mamma. I packed her food last time with canned lamb, kibble, pumpkin, yogurt and some frozen veggies, but she still didn't eat OR she played so much that she lost weight. Either way. At home she picks at her food all day, eats from the treat ball or I feed her by hand. At Woof Dah she has to eat at a set time and she is excited about all of her new doggie friends. I think I might ask them to give her a little extra time to eat.
Some of Tibby's past zoomie experience if you need a reference point -Boot Camp or Watch Tibby Run, Run! Jump!, Zoomies: The Dog Park Edition, Walking On (Lake) Water, Tibby and Zoe Racing, Super Stinky Speed, Long Walk Part 1 ect. ect. ect...... Lots of zoomies.
One thing that I really like about having lessons - having someone else watch us and give me advice. I like advice :) At one point Tibby and I were running and I changed direction and Tibby followed me. I didn't see it, but Loretta did. That's what Tibby was supposed to do - Yes! Good puppy! A lot of times after I have taped one of our practice sessions and then watch it, I see a bunch of things that Tibby was doing, but I missed during the session. Sometimes it's just seeing things from a different angle - floor level vs. me standing up and looking down on Tibby.
So this next week we are working on creating drive before working, but then not letting Tibby zoom away, so on leash. I think we will get a lot more done LOL! And also follow me game thingy - Tibby on the leash I walk/run away and Tibby follows me. We are going to do this EVERYWHERE! It doesn't sound hard, but it is something we have to work on.
After our lesson we went to PetCo and the to Petsmart to practice. PetCo was kind of a bust, because the staff kept coming up to us and asking if we needed help. When I told one girl that, "We are just looking around and I'm practicing with her (Tibby) walking." The girl said, "Oh is she new?" "No, but I like to practice all the time." Blank stare from the girl. Don't people ever train their dogs in PetCo? There was one girl that walked up and knew that Tibby was a Tibetan Terrier (impressed). Also, there was a woman customer that said she had had a dog that was part terrier and looked just like Tibby only smaller (laughing to myself). Tibby did get a new plush soccer ball - I felt like a shop lifter with all the staff checking up on us, so I obviously had to buy something, so they would know I wasn't a shop lifter - wow they are so manipulative.
Then we went to Petsmart. No one bothered us at Petsmart, so we were able to do some practicing. There were also 2 dogs in the store, so we worked on Tibby's dog obsession. I think Tibby did a good job. There were definitely some moments when she chose to follow me instead of sniffing at everything or trying to play with a dog. I rewarded those moments really well - jackpot! At one point we were going to get in line to check out and there was a pug on a flexi-leash already in line. The owner was totally oblivious and the pug ran over to us - about 10 feet away - and started to play with Tibby. Well, their leads very quickly got tangled up, so I untangled them and we walked around a corner and down a few aisles. Tibby didn't whine/scream to go back to the pug! She followed along behind me. I was really surprised.
We bought some hay for the bunnies and a can of food for Tibby to try Simply Nourish. I have to go to a wedding this week-end, so Tibby is staying at Woof Dah again. Last time she lost 5 lbs in 4 days. Not a happy mamma. I packed her food last time with canned lamb, kibble, pumpkin, yogurt and some frozen veggies, but she still didn't eat OR she played so much that she lost weight. Either way. At home she picks at her food all day, eats from the treat ball or I feed her by hand. At Woof Dah she has to eat at a set time and she is excited about all of her new doggie friends. I think I might ask them to give her a little extra time to eat.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Lesson 3 Week 2
What I wrote,
"I’ve been sad about our lack of progress this week. I did a few short sessions every day with Tibby this week, but she has been acting strange. Nervous? and zero attention span.
I am hoping it is just a stage that she is going through, or spring fever or the heat (it was 89F here today with 100% humidity). She gets frustrated very easily. I’m trying to not put any pressure on her – when she gets frustrated I let her do one of her easy favorite tricks and then end the session.
I think we may get the handstand in 2012 or 2013! Will you have a remedial tricks class for slow teams?
I can’t make Tibby do anything, so if she wants to do it she will, but if she doesn’t…..well, that is the end of it!
I included some of the times when Tibby blows me off (and runs away) or gets frustrated and whines. It doesn’t look like it in the video, but I can tell that she isn’t 100% happy.
After watching the video I can see that Tibby is doing better with her turns on the perch. I saw on the video one time when she offered movement in the other direction, but I missed it. I wait and wait for her to offer movement to the left, but so far I haven’t been able to catch any.
I think we need some help please!"
What a classmate wrote,
" Hi Catalina, i just watched your video and noticed your frustration. I think your tricks looked nice. Perhaps she isn`t yet used to do tricks outside….and for the movement to the left – just treat for right without click and click and treat for left. To have more movement you could perhaps throw a treat near to the bowl and when she comes back with her feet on the perch just try to capture her first movements.
And the sit-up. My dog doesn`t sit up such as long as Tibby does. They are young and they need the muscles to sit up longer. Every short sit-up gives more strength to their back muscles. And her “Back” looked great for me too."
What Silvia wrote,
"I agree with Brigit, you actually did TONS of progress!!! Considering how hard it was for Tibby to just sit straight, she already has great duration in a sit up now! Don’t ask for more as she can do for now, just go slowly with it. Back up is great too, it’s very nice to see she still goes crazy for that ball!
If you never worked with her outside before, your choice of tricks was not the best one, you first have to try some playing, then do some of her favourite tricks in between the play and then slowly go from there.
Also, to make backing up on an object easier, find a wider object so that it’s easier to step on it accidentally. 2on2off in the other direction is sure great! For pivoting in the other direction, you can put your target next to the wall, so that she can’t go the whole circle – maybe she will then step back and you could jackpot that?
Another thing to be careful about is your attitude. It’s probably my fault as I was telling you not to help and not to cheer her into working with you to not push her – BUT when she IS working with you and offering things, do mark it with excitement! I remember that when Le was a puppy and just started to learn about clicker, I needed to accompany every click with a smile and happy voice. I normally talk to my dogs a lot, so I think she though I’m really weird when I took that clicker and stopped talking – she though something was wrong. So I first needed to accompany every click with the voice, but then of course slowly reduced it to only go crazy for jackpots. But letting them know you’re impressed by what they’re doing is very important. It’s not to get the action – it’s to reinforce the action."
I think.....there are a lot of things to remember and it is hard to see everyone else progressing faster than us.
"I’ve been sad about our lack of progress this week. I did a few short sessions every day with Tibby this week, but she has been acting strange. Nervous? and zero attention span.
I am hoping it is just a stage that she is going through, or spring fever or the heat (it was 89F here today with 100% humidity). She gets frustrated very easily. I’m trying to not put any pressure on her – when she gets frustrated I let her do one of her easy favorite tricks and then end the session.
I think we may get the handstand in 2012 or 2013! Will you have a remedial tricks class for slow teams?
I can’t make Tibby do anything, so if she wants to do it she will, but if she doesn’t…..well, that is the end of it!
I included some of the times when Tibby blows me off (and runs away) or gets frustrated and whines. It doesn’t look like it in the video, but I can tell that she isn’t 100% happy.
After watching the video I can see that Tibby is doing better with her turns on the perch. I saw on the video one time when she offered movement in the other direction, but I missed it. I wait and wait for her to offer movement to the left, but so far I haven’t been able to catch any.
I think we need some help please!"
What a classmate wrote,
" Hi Catalina, i just watched your video and noticed your frustration. I think your tricks looked nice. Perhaps she isn`t yet used to do tricks outside….and for the movement to the left – just treat for right without click and click and treat for left. To have more movement you could perhaps throw a treat near to the bowl and when she comes back with her feet on the perch just try to capture her first movements.
And the sit-up. My dog doesn`t sit up such as long as Tibby does. They are young and they need the muscles to sit up longer. Every short sit-up gives more strength to their back muscles. And her “Back” looked great for me too."
What Silvia wrote,
"I agree with Brigit, you actually did TONS of progress!!! Considering how hard it was for Tibby to just sit straight, she already has great duration in a sit up now! Don’t ask for more as she can do for now, just go slowly with it. Back up is great too, it’s very nice to see she still goes crazy for that ball!
If you never worked with her outside before, your choice of tricks was not the best one, you first have to try some playing, then do some of her favourite tricks in between the play and then slowly go from there.
Also, to make backing up on an object easier, find a wider object so that it’s easier to step on it accidentally. 2on2off in the other direction is sure great! For pivoting in the other direction, you can put your target next to the wall, so that she can’t go the whole circle – maybe she will then step back and you could jackpot that?
Another thing to be careful about is your attitude. It’s probably my fault as I was telling you not to help and not to cheer her into working with you to not push her – BUT when she IS working with you and offering things, do mark it with excitement! I remember that when Le was a puppy and just started to learn about clicker, I needed to accompany every click with a smile and happy voice. I normally talk to my dogs a lot, so I think she though I’m really weird when I took that clicker and stopped talking – she though something was wrong. So I first needed to accompany every click with the voice, but then of course slowly reduced it to only go crazy for jackpots. But letting them know you’re impressed by what they’re doing is very important. It’s not to get the action – it’s to reinforce the action."
I think.....there are a lot of things to remember and it is hard to see everyone else progressing faster than us.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
2nd Week of 2nd Lesson - Puppy/Tricks Class
What I said: "Fun 2 weeks!
Things I learned this week – 1 don’t try to train if you are very tired, it doesn’t work. I felt frustrated, Tibby could tell and she wasn’t impressed. Went to bed early and the next day we had awesome progress and FUN!
2 Don’t push Tibby too fast. We haven’t finished the tricks, but we have made a lot of progress. We are still only going counterclockwise on perch and right paw over left for crossed paws."
What Silvia said: "Yeap, those are very important lessons! It’s really no hurry to finish the tricks, you can always do that later. The important part is creating the right attitude and the bond."
I was kind of hoping for a few more ideas from Silvia, but maybe next week. She was very busy this weekend with a seminar.
Previous lessons:
Monday, April 4, 2011
More Box Work With Catty's Help
Another video of box work. Will I ever get it right?
What I said, "Well, we went all day without training. Tonight Tibby started jumping in and out of her box, so I guess she was bored!
This is a video of me being calm. We had to go back a few steps. Just doing the smaller box and bowl. It’s a pretty boring video. Tibby was happy and she is still trying to get at her training toys, so that’s good. And a little feline competition doesn’t hurt."
What Silvia said, "Oh, you don’t need to be THAT calm and serious! I mean, try to not be pushy in order to get her attention, wait for her to offer the attention herself. Once she does, you can be more fun, especially for big steps forward, like for 4in! Reward that by also marking it with a voice, maybe getting up and do some playing or something. But yes, she is definitely offering things on her own now, very good!"
What a classmate, Laura, said, "Suggestion: Put the food in your hands, or at least in a container that you don’t have to look away from Tibby. You disconnect to get the cookies. Also, you need to give the reward quicker. There is alot of lag between the offering, click and treat. The cat is awesome!"
What Silvia said, "Good point! It’s important to be quick, especially if you are trying to get more action from the dog."
*sigh* I'm feeling like I will never get it right - frustrated and a little bit bored with the box.
What I said, "Well, we went all day without training. Tonight Tibby started jumping in and out of her box, so I guess she was bored!
This is a video of me being calm. We had to go back a few steps. Just doing the smaller box and bowl. It’s a pretty boring video. Tibby was happy and she is still trying to get at her training toys, so that’s good. And a little feline competition doesn’t hurt."
What Silvia said, "Oh, you don’t need to be THAT calm and serious! I mean, try to not be pushy in order to get her attention, wait for her to offer the attention herself. Once she does, you can be more fun, especially for big steps forward, like for 4in! Reward that by also marking it with a voice, maybe getting up and do some playing or something. But yes, she is definitely offering things on her own now, very good!"
What a classmate, Laura, said, "Suggestion: Put the food in your hands, or at least in a container that you don’t have to look away from Tibby. You disconnect to get the cookies. Also, you need to give the reward quicker. There is alot of lag between the offering, click and treat. The cat is awesome!"
What Silvia said, "Good point! It’s important to be quick, especially if you are trying to get more action from the dog."
*sigh* I'm feeling like I will never get it right - frustrated and a little bit bored with the box.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Spring Training
Training stuff. I have been teaching Tibby Beg. This trick has been hard! It took her 5 sessions to get it.
My notes:
3-25-11 1:30pm Crossed paws and beg for the first time.
~
3-25-11 12am crossed paws - better
beg -better
box - good
Tibby wasn't interested in working at all. She just wanted to play with Catty.
~
3-26-11 11:19am Beg and back up. Again Tibby wasn't interested.
~
3-26-11 1:45pm Bang it - Awesome!
Beg - Awesome!
Leg wrap around pole - good
Me running around with the purple toy in between click/treat.
Great attitude from Tibby!
~
3-26-11 11:40 pm
Beg- she's got it!
Wave - going back and forth between beg and wave. She knows the difference.
Peek-a-boo - great
right - great
left - needs work very hard for Tibby.
So, if you are still reading LOL! The online Silvia Trkman tricks/puppy class that we are taking starts on Monday. Yay! I'm so excited! I can't wait to see what our first assignment is like. I just hope we can keep up with everyone else.
Other things. We are taking a private lesson at On the Run on Thursday. I have also been looking forward to that for about a month. I hope it doesn't snow.
What are private lessons like I wonder?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Pink Princess Skateboard
I was trying to catch Tibby on the skateboard.
Treats, camera and clicker - I need more hands!
And another pair of eyes.
I think Tibby is saying, "You're not the princess, you can't ride the skateboard."
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Introducing Objects
Last night I wanted to train something new with Tibby, so I put different objects down on the floor and Tibby interacted with them. Last night I used a green flower pot, a glass chicken and a big wooden chicken.
In Feb. I'm taking Tibby to get her pictures taken and I would like her to pose with different props. My goal was to get Tibby to put both paws up on the green flower pot and then to have her bow. In 3 sessions she got it. I was surprised at how quickly Tibby can guess what I want.
Clicker training is amazing!
I made a video today of Tibby with the flower pot and also how she acts when I introduce a new object: a tea pot. The tea pot was a challenge for her, because it made noise when she touched it. I am trying to get her used to the idea of making noise.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Week 1 Foundations Progress
These videos probably are only interesting to me, but here is our progress in the last 7 days since our first agility foundations class last Monday.
The last video is REALLY funny. If you don't watch any of the other ones you should watch the last one - it is CRAZY! Ok I am the crazy one in the video. It's Tibby's favorite game: Crazy Touch!
The last video is REALLY funny. If you don't watch any of the other ones you should watch the last one - it is CRAZY! Ok I am the crazy one in the video. It's Tibby's favorite game: Crazy Touch!
Anyway, our progress has been (I think) really good. The videos helped me a lot. I thought Tibby was only doing a nose touch on the contact, but in the video I could see that she is putting her paw on it. Although, most of the time she thinks I'm an idiot. You can even hear her sigh at one point, like, "Hey I just did that! Why do I have to do it again?!?" Even though you can't see it in the videos (I couldn't figure out the right angle) I'm trying to not give her any body signals.
These are just some tricks. I forgot to do back up or weave.
Crazy Touch!You can tell Tibby is getting tired, but she still plays with me. Good puppy!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Today's Bow
Tibby taught herself to bow today. I was working with her on crawl again and she started doing bow, so we went with that. She does it pretty good.........video soon. I think she is getting crawl too, but it is harder. She keeps trying to hit me with her paw when she moves forward.
It is so cold outside! Brrrr we took a short walk this morning, but not one this afternoon. Instead of a walk, we played crazy running around the house and hide-and-seek. Wow, I love this dog.
I made a bunch of hotdog and turkey ham jerky for our Foundations class on Monday. I'm so excited! I had to trade shifts with someone at work and gave up a 3 day weekend, so I could go to the class on Monday. Really, really excited about the class.
I wish I could get Tibby in for a hair cut soon. Her bangs are getting ridiculous. She won't keep a top knot in, she rubs her head on the couch until it falls out, but she can barely see out of her right eye the hair is so long! She must be in her teenager stage: hair in her eyes. As my Mom would say, "Get that hair out of your eyes!" I wonder if I could mousse her bangs back or a headband? I already tried hairspray - didn't work.
It is so cold outside! Brrrr we took a short walk this morning, but not one this afternoon. Instead of a walk, we played crazy running around the house and hide-and-seek. Wow, I love this dog.
I made a bunch of hotdog and turkey ham jerky for our Foundations class on Monday. I'm so excited! I had to trade shifts with someone at work and gave up a 3 day weekend, so I could go to the class on Monday. Really, really excited about the class.
I wish I could get Tibby in for a hair cut soon. Her bangs are getting ridiculous. She won't keep a top knot in, she rubs her head on the couch until it falls out, but she can barely see out of her right eye the hair is so long! She must be in her teenager stage: hair in her eyes. As my Mom would say, "Get that hair out of your eyes!" I wonder if I could mousse her bangs back or a headband? I already tried hairspray - didn't work.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Goals For Jan. And A Video
These are my goals for Tibby's training in Jan.
1- Hopefully (fingers crossed we get in) take a Foundations agility class
2- Work on distance with 'Back Up'
3- Get 2 full circles with 'Spin'
4- Have Tibby offer 'High 5' on the right side (not just the left)
5- Get 4 feet on the box when the box is against a wall
6- Figure out 'Crawl' better
7 - Get all 4 feet in the bowl for 'Puppy In The Bowl'
8 - Continue to work on 'Come'
9 - Work on my own clicker skills - not too late/not too early/rewarding at the right time
10 - Try out a new trick- at least once a week.
Tricks I would like to teach Tibby in 2011: Jump into my arms, Leg lifts, Stand for exam, Roll over, Bow.
Here is a video I made today. Things I learned from this: I click at the wrong time/too slow or for the wrong thing. I missed a ton of clickable moments. Tibby refused to do crawl. We had just done it a bunch of times earlier, but she wasn't going to do it for the camera.
Here is a video I made today. Things I learned from this: I click at the wrong time/too slow or for the wrong thing. I missed a ton of clickable moments. Tibby refused to do crawl. We had just done it a bunch of times earlier, but she wasn't going to do it for the camera.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tuesday Training
I wasn't sure if I should write about this, I didn't know what kind of reaction I would get, but I decided it is part of Tibby's life so I would include it. I'm not going to say it is part of her training.......well, you'll see.
So, I'm taking Tibby to a Beg. Obedience class. Tonight was the first orientation class (without dogs). I didn't agree with anything the instructor said. HOWEVER, I don't think it will hurt Tibby to go once a week for 45 mins. We can practice in a different environment, she can meet other dogs and people and it will make me REALLY, REALLY work hard at home on our clicker training. In the spring, we'll go to the school that I want to take her to.
So, what didn't I agree with?
1- She thinks clicker training is a gimmick, that doesn't work. Um, NO! I took Tibby to (and graduated from) an 8 week traditional training method course. Tibby learns more in one session with the clicker than she did in a month without it.
2- She uses chain training collars or 'choke chains'. Do I really need to explain why I don't like that? I don't think there should be an opportunity to "correct" Tibby by choking or "tightening" (as the instructor says) the collar.
3- She doesn't allow treats. The dogs should work for voice praise only. No petting allowed either. OK that's dumb. Would she teach the class if we just all stood around and said, "Great job! Nice teaching!"? I'm thinking she wouldn't.
4-She doesn't want us to feed the dogs the day of the class, because they will poop on the floor. So, you have a room full of hungry, excited dogs and you want them to work for verbal praise? Remember, no touching! Can anyone else see a problem with this?
5- She tried to sell us a dog food full of corn. It didn't just have corn as an ingredient - it touted corn as a miracle food. This was after listening to her complain for an hour about all the heath problems her dogs have. Huh?
The plan: I will teach the week's lesson at home using a clicker. Then I will use the weekly class session like a practice competition.
The problem: Tibby is going to get bored really fast. This week we are working on 'sit', sit in the heel position and 'be quiet'. Tibby knows how to do those things The instructor asked if our dogs knew sit 100% of the time. She didn't believe me when I said Tibby does. She does!
I would much, much rather go to a clicker class. Why can't someone teach a clicker class out here. There is certainly a demand for teachers. In the 2 classes that I've taken - there were 30 dogs in the first one and there are 12 dogs in this one.
So I'll be an undercover clikerite in this class. Hopefully Tibby will show her that clicker training is not a gimmick.
So, I'm taking Tibby to a Beg. Obedience class. Tonight was the first orientation class (without dogs). I didn't agree with anything the instructor said. HOWEVER, I don't think it will hurt Tibby to go once a week for 45 mins. We can practice in a different environment, she can meet other dogs and people and it will make me REALLY, REALLY work hard at home on our clicker training. In the spring, we'll go to the school that I want to take her to.
So, what didn't I agree with?
1- She thinks clicker training is a gimmick, that doesn't work. Um, NO! I took Tibby to (and graduated from) an 8 week traditional training method course. Tibby learns more in one session with the clicker than she did in a month without it.
2- She uses chain training collars or 'choke chains'. Do I really need to explain why I don't like that? I don't think there should be an opportunity to "correct" Tibby by choking or "tightening" (as the instructor says) the collar.
3- She doesn't allow treats. The dogs should work for voice praise only. No petting allowed either. OK that's dumb. Would she teach the class if we just all stood around and said, "Great job! Nice teaching!"? I'm thinking she wouldn't.
4-She doesn't want us to feed the dogs the day of the class, because they will poop on the floor. So, you have a room full of hungry, excited dogs and you want them to work for verbal praise? Remember, no touching! Can anyone else see a problem with this?
5- She tried to sell us a dog food full of corn. It didn't just have corn as an ingredient - it touted corn as a miracle food. This was after listening to her complain for an hour about all the heath problems her dogs have. Huh?
The plan: I will teach the week's lesson at home using a clicker. Then I will use the weekly class session like a practice competition.
The problem: Tibby is going to get bored really fast. This week we are working on 'sit', sit in the heel position and 'be quiet'. Tibby knows how to do those things The instructor asked if our dogs knew sit 100% of the time. She didn't believe me when I said Tibby does. She does!
I would much, much rather go to a clicker class. Why can't someone teach a clicker class out here. There is certainly a demand for teachers. In the 2 classes that I've taken - there were 30 dogs in the first one and there are 12 dogs in this one.
So I'll be an undercover clikerite in this class. Hopefully Tibby will show her that clicker training is not a gimmick.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Target Practice
These are videos of me practicing target training with Tibby. First of all, sorry about the weird angle of the video.
In the first video I'm trying to get her to touch her target stick and then the orange bag on the floor. We're doing pretty good until I move the bag and she gets scared. Then she walks away. That usually happens a lot (the walking away, not getting scared). Although, she came back for the 2nd video.
In this one I'm trying to get her to target the stick and the orange bag. Then we end with some high 5's (which she just learned today) and a down (just with a hand signal - I'm using one arm straight up as my hand signal)
After I shut the camera off, Tibby practiced again with the orange bag. She finally figured out to touch it with her nose and then she plopped both paws on it and got a jackpot!
Just remember, we have been doing this for 9 days and I've never met a clicker trained dog or clicker trainer in real life. So.............I think we're doing pretty good or at least OK. Right?
In the first video I'm trying to get her to touch her target stick and then the orange bag on the floor. We're doing pretty good until I move the bag and she gets scared. Then she walks away. That usually happens a lot (the walking away, not getting scared). Although, she came back for the 2nd video.
In this one I'm trying to get her to target the stick and the orange bag. Then we end with some high 5's (which she just learned today) and a down (just with a hand signal - I'm using one arm straight up as my hand signal)
After I shut the camera off, Tibby practiced again with the orange bag. She finally figured out to touch it with her nose and then she plopped both paws on it and got a jackpot!
Just remember, we have been doing this for 9 days and I've never met a clicker trained dog or clicker trainer in real life. So.............I think we're doing pretty good or at least OK. Right?
Clicker Practice
So we have been practicing with the clicker. So far we have practiced: Leave it, down, sit, stand (on hind legs), high-five, eye contact, sit on a mat, loose leash and I'm trying to get her to come to me, go behind me and sit on my right side (whatever that is called).
I'm having a lot of fun.
And I think Tibby likes it too. Especially the treats.
I'm trying to practice everything in different places and with me sitting on the floor, on a chair or standing.
I was at my parent's house tonight and my Mom was teasing me, because I was talking to her and click/treating Tibby for different things. Hey! I can multi-task.
Tibby has a lot of trouble when people come into the house - she wants to jump on them and lick them. This evening we did a little trial. I had my Mom come into the house and I had Tibby rotate between down and sit on the mat. It worked pretty well!
The Books Are Here!
These are the two books I ordered. They finally came today. I started to read both of them at the same time, 'erm that isn't working so well. But I want to know everything right now! Tibby isn't getting any younger!
I ordered some Zuke's Mini Naturals at the same time. They are really great. I cut them up into itty bitty bites for training Tibby. She LOVES them. I also bought some of the cat treats for Catty. She LOVES them too! She is a very picky eater, so they must be delicious.
Yesterday was a good potty day. There were zero accidents and so far today there have been zero accidents, but it is only 1pm. :S
It is also snowing. Tibby loves it. She thinks the house is way over heated and I should let her sleep on the deck outside.
Also, I found a tick on her yesterday evening. It was on her neck and had some blood in it. I used the little chart the vet gave me and it looked like a dog tick. Weird thing: it was sucking exactly in the spot that I put Frontline.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Pupped Out
Tibby is exhausted! We went for another nice long hike today with her friend Zoe.
Then Zoe came over for a playdate.
Tibby and Zoe played for 3 1/2 hours without stopping!
They had so much fun. It was really good for Tibby to have a friend over. She is still learning her manners and how to behave around other dogs. Zoe is 8 months old, but she seems a lot more mature than Tibby. I guess Zoe has a bossy older brother at home, so she knows how to act around other dogs. Although, Zoe was really protective with her (Tibby's) bones. She stole all of them and then growled at Tibby. So maybe it was good for both of them.
I did a little clicker demonstration for Zoe's owner (my friend) and sent an extra clicker and my training book home with them. We are going to get together and practice with our pups. Zoe is very active and smart. I think she will learn really fast.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
So Far
I started clicker training Tibby on Wed.
I bought a clicker training book while Tibbs was at her orientation day at Woof Dah!
So far it has been going really well.
We started out with down, because:
1-Tibby had a really hard time with down in Beg. obedience.
2-The book suggests you start with down.
Now, she lies down whenever she sees the clicker OR she can't figure out what I'm asking her to do OR if I have a really tasty looking bit of food in my hand.
So far, so good.
But
How do I get her to give me other behaviors that I can click?
She just wants to lie down. Every. Single. Time.
I've tried adding a hand signal, but it isn't the standard obedience hand signal. I just point at the floor with one finger.
The standard one doesn't make any sense to us.
One arm pointing straight at the ceiling?
Why?
Maybe a few of these questions will be cleared up when we start training again in 2 weeks.
With a new instructor.
I'm a little afraid that she will be anti-clicker, but I really LOVE the clicker.
Tibby has learned how to touch a target stick (still lying down, of course) with her nose.
I'm hoping to start shaping that into more clickable motions.
Today we started practicing loose leash walking.
Lets just say I ran out of treats before Tibby really 'got it'.
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