Beckett's Journey 6-9 Months
Our goals for the next few months build on what Beckett has done so far: continued socialization; manners - especially knowing how to greet people; games to build on skills for obedience; loose leash walking; tricks; body awareness; overnights; behavior at trials and shows; and more walking on trails and becoming acquainted at some of the things found on trail walks.
SOCIALIZATION;
Beckett has always loved people and meeting and greeting them. He also loves small children especially the very small ones. I don't want him to loose this wonderful and somewhat unusual behavior so I help him remember how cool people and children are by taking him to new places once or twice a week where he will get to meet and greet people that he is told are OK to "GO SEE." Of course he must sit before his greeting. We went to REI a few days ago and he just loved a college student: they ended up on the floor playing and having fun. Then he met a small 3 year old that he also loved. Unfortunately I cannot take pictures of these people that I do not know..
BODY AWARENESS;
We continue to work several days a week on his body awareness. He is doing really well and has learned to back up onto discs, lie down on two discs and sit with 2 discs. Video to come of progress.
MANNERS
Beckett is at the age where he thinks he is the center of the universe. We are working with Shawna Davis to teach him to wait his turn and that he is not the center of the universe. Also continuing to work with Shawna on how to greet people without jumping up and just assuming that everyone wants to meet him.
RECALLS
I do not let my dogs off leash when we hike until they are one year old. First, they are too young to be running full out on the trails before this time. Also there are often unexpected animals or new things on the trails they have never seen. They need to have an excellent recall. Myst has run into coyotes and just stopped until I gave her a command. Since recalls are hard to do alone I am also working with Shawn on this. We have Beckett on a long line. First he was in a smaller area where we herd with Myst and he had to come when he was called the first time. Today we progressed to walking in the big open area with Kaffee. Again, he was on a long line but did very very well coming the first time when called. I also do a lot of recalls when we are together at the training field and also outside in our courtyard. Big rewards and expectation of coming on the first call.
OBEDIENCE FOUNDATION GAMES
Since Beckett has had great attention and focus on me and enjoys all games we have moved ahead with obedience work with the most appreciated online help and work from our friend Laura Romanik in Michigan. She is helping me to understand the importance of the foundation work such as STAND, DOWN, SIT FROM DOWN, SIT and always attention must be on me or the work being done is aborted. We have worked for the last few months on these positions. I have also had to work on Beckett's SIT with no movement while I walk around him. Now working on the DOWN STAY while I walk around him. He has loved the FIND IT game (see videos below) which has progressed to finding the Utility scent article in a container; discriminating the scented article from the nonscented; increasing the number of options for finding the scented article; working the pile "around the clock"; and recently taking the scented article out of the box to discriminate with the nonscented. It is all fun and a game - no pressure.
We are using the perch and his love of rotating on the perch since he was a very young puppy to teach correct heads up heel position. Initially the reward was lured in my hand; next in my hand on my hip; now from my mouth. When we started from my mouth, he had no idea of where to look since the treat was not where he could see it or perhaps smell it. Laura suggested initially using a click noise to get his attention to look up. When I did this he did look up and you will see how he is working in the 3 images below. We also are doing this same work off of the perch. My greatest appreciation and joy in working with Laura is there is no popping of the dog, no prong collar and only positive work with no reward or aborting the exercise if not correct. Laura has worked extensively with Bob Bailey and brings her extensive knowledge of how animals learn and how to train them from her many seminars and work with Bob.
PUPPY JUMP FOUNDATION: Puppies growth plates do not close until they are AT LEAST 18 months old. It is very important to not do a lot of jumping especially at height. Jump bumps are excellent for puppies and according to Susan Salo (who has come from the hunter/jumper world and learned how to train jumping for experts) you can introduce jump bumps as early as 4 months old. The goal is to help the puppy learn about space by problem solving spatial distances between the bumps. The puppy is also to learn how to take the path in front of him. The use of the stride regulator jump helps dogs/puppies to take the small stride regulator and land where the next take off place should be. This helps to teach the dog how to jump properly and not to come in too close and studder step or to jump too far back or do early jumping. Susan reports in her DVD that the dogs that she has worked with that use this puppy foundation are ready for problem solving of jumps and distances when they are old enough to have the jump height increased. Beckett was introduced to the jump bumps at 8 months old. We only don 3-4 reps and only a few days a week. We are only introducing the visual/spatial and building confidence all the while having fun.
SOCIALIZATION;
Beckett has always loved people and meeting and greeting them. He also loves small children especially the very small ones. I don't want him to loose this wonderful and somewhat unusual behavior so I help him remember how cool people and children are by taking him to new places once or twice a week where he will get to meet and greet people that he is told are OK to "GO SEE." Of course he must sit before his greeting. We went to REI a few days ago and he just loved a college student: they ended up on the floor playing and having fun. Then he met a small 3 year old that he also loved. Unfortunately I cannot take pictures of these people that I do not know..
BODY AWARENESS;
We continue to work several days a week on his body awareness. He is doing really well and has learned to back up onto discs, lie down on two discs and sit with 2 discs. Video to come of progress.
MANNERS
Beckett is at the age where he thinks he is the center of the universe. We are working with Shawna Davis to teach him to wait his turn and that he is not the center of the universe. Also continuing to work with Shawna on how to greet people without jumping up and just assuming that everyone wants to meet him.
RECALLS
I do not let my dogs off leash when we hike until they are one year old. First, they are too young to be running full out on the trails before this time. Also there are often unexpected animals or new things on the trails they have never seen. They need to have an excellent recall. Myst has run into coyotes and just stopped until I gave her a command. Since recalls are hard to do alone I am also working with Shawn on this. We have Beckett on a long line. First he was in a smaller area where we herd with Myst and he had to come when he was called the first time. Today we progressed to walking in the big open area with Kaffee. Again, he was on a long line but did very very well coming the first time when called. I also do a lot of recalls when we are together at the training field and also outside in our courtyard. Big rewards and expectation of coming on the first call.
OBEDIENCE FOUNDATION GAMES
Since Beckett has had great attention and focus on me and enjoys all games we have moved ahead with obedience work with the most appreciated online help and work from our friend Laura Romanik in Michigan. She is helping me to understand the importance of the foundation work such as STAND, DOWN, SIT FROM DOWN, SIT and always attention must be on me or the work being done is aborted. We have worked for the last few months on these positions. I have also had to work on Beckett's SIT with no movement while I walk around him. Now working on the DOWN STAY while I walk around him. He has loved the FIND IT game (see videos below) which has progressed to finding the Utility scent article in a container; discriminating the scented article from the nonscented; increasing the number of options for finding the scented article; working the pile "around the clock"; and recently taking the scented article out of the box to discriminate with the nonscented. It is all fun and a game - no pressure.
We are using the perch and his love of rotating on the perch since he was a very young puppy to teach correct heads up heel position. Initially the reward was lured in my hand; next in my hand on my hip; now from my mouth. When we started from my mouth, he had no idea of where to look since the treat was not where he could see it or perhaps smell it. Laura suggested initially using a click noise to get his attention to look up. When I did this he did look up and you will see how he is working in the 3 images below. We also are doing this same work off of the perch. My greatest appreciation and joy in working with Laura is there is no popping of the dog, no prong collar and only positive work with no reward or aborting the exercise if not correct. Laura has worked extensively with Bob Bailey and brings her extensive knowledge of how animals learn and how to train them from her many seminars and work with Bob.
PUPPY JUMP FOUNDATION: Puppies growth plates do not close until they are AT LEAST 18 months old. It is very important to not do a lot of jumping especially at height. Jump bumps are excellent for puppies and according to Susan Salo (who has come from the hunter/jumper world and learned how to train jumping for experts) you can introduce jump bumps as early as 4 months old. The goal is to help the puppy learn about space by problem solving spatial distances between the bumps. The puppy is also to learn how to take the path in front of him. The use of the stride regulator jump helps dogs/puppies to take the small stride regulator and land where the next take off place should be. This helps to teach the dog how to jump properly and not to come in too close and studder step or to jump too far back or do early jumping. Susan reports in her DVD that the dogs that she has worked with that use this puppy foundation are ready for problem solving of jumps and distances when they are old enough to have the jump height increased. Beckett was introduced to the jump bumps at 8 months old. We only don 3-4 reps and only a few days a week. We are only introducing the visual/spatial and building confidence all the while having fun.
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VIDEOS
Video 1: "FIND IT" game. This is a fun game I played with Myst when she was a puppy. We used Crate Games to work on a stay that would be built on. I would hide the article (both metal and leather) in an adjoining room and then to other rooms for Myst and then Beckett to find. When they were comfortable knowing what the game was I moved it outside in the courtyard. Both dogs loved this game and do very well finding the scented article. What I noticed with Myst was that she would track my trail to where I left the article. I did beginning nosework with Beckett (see video on week
Video 2: Learning How to Put Coins in a Piggybank. One of the earliest tricks I had Beckett do was to put objects in a container. I also wanted him to like all types of objects (sizes, textures). In addition to the soft balls, he loves all balls and now objects of all kinds like clickers, spoons and whatever I present him with. I would like him to do the trick of putting coins in a child's piggybank which is very difficult since the opening is small and just the size for the coin which must be manipulated on its side. We are progressing to this by introducing the plastic coins and putting them in a small container and also the side of the piggybank. Beckett thinks this is so much fun.
Video 3: Beckett started as a small puppy learning to put objects into a container. We have progressed to putting all types of objects like clicker, balls of all types and now the plastic coins for the child's piggybank. Fun game for using his mind.
Video 4: The first year of life is all about keeping Beckett safe and not getting injured. I try to do a lot of tricks, games and body awareness fun to have him use his mind and not to have to do a lot of running and exercise. When teaching new tricks, I try to help a little so he will still be challenged but not get discouraged.
Video 5: This work is taken from Stacy Barnett's online "Introduction to Nosework" class. The dog is now introduced to finding the hide in more containers, understanding the job and committing to the source.
Beckett is 6 months old and has been doing nosework for a few months building reinforcement to the source and enjoyment of the game of "search" or "find it."
Video 6: Introduction to Utility GO OUTS. Laura Romanik teaches the "Go Bop!" method for Utility Go Outs. We have used this excellent method for Myst. Laura has an excellent and very detailed book on teaching the Go Bop. We worked on steps 1-4 in the house in a non-distracting environment at first. I thought it would be easier to do STEP 5 where the stantion is attached to a gate at our obedience training ring. I found that Beckett could do both easily even in this more distracting environment. Vist Laura's web site for information on her book and much more: lauraromanik.com
Video 7: Susan Garrett writes and believes, "Everything you want your dog to learn can be communicated to him in the form of a GAME." Creating your training around games help to bring joy into your relationship with your dog. Here is one example of how our "FIND IT" game has evolved now using the obedience utility scent article. Beckett is 7 months old and finds the scent article box every time. To help ensure that he is not just using his own scent on the top of the box I have changed the box lid and washed the lids between use.
Video 8: Becktt's 7 month old body awareness work. He was introduced to balace discs at 10 weeks old just having them as objects to interact with (see the pull down menu (8-12 weeks). He always enjoyed the discs and exploring them; loving to climb on everythings and finding his balance. I made the discs available several days away and slowly progressed as he wanted to explore. Puppies and dogs have trouble realizing they have a hind end that they can move. Much of my work has focused on proprioception. The smaller peanut made a perfect way to introduce backing up. However, first I had to introduce this on a much smaller disc - the fitbone (see previous videos). In the video done today, you will see his progress and how well he can back up on different surfaces.
Video 9: Progression of the utility scent article game. We are now using both metal and leather scented articles in a box for him to identify and find. Then I have added unscented articles in the other boxes and have increased the number of boxes. Since it is important for the dog to learn to work the pile as the "round the clock" method teaches, I rotate the scented article box to all the positions. At the end of this second video Beckett is very cool in that he first hits the scented box but then proceeds around the circle to check out all the boxes and then returns to the original one and marks it. Very fun game the he LOVES.
Video 10: This video is of Beckett being introduced to the Utility scent articles with NO boxes. I was not sure how he would do but each time he has been presented with finding the scented article and discriminating the correct one from the unscented, he finds it. I really like how he thinks he has the correct one but at times checks out the others before he selects the correct article. Beckett was introduced to this by giving him the scented article in the box as he has been doing to orient him to what he was suppose to do. Then one scented and one unscented (his second time ever). Then 3 articles (one scented and 2 unscented) - first time ever. Beckett is 8 months old.
Video 11: Since our weather is so perfect now for training and playing outdoors I thought I would try scent articles outside to see how Beckett did. The place we train is where the novice students learn agility and the field is filled with treats. Beckett did try to find a few crumbs for his first scent article find but had no distraction after that. The other distractions were people training in the adjoining training field.
Video 12: Working with Laura Romanik and learning the precision of obedience with all positive training. The first thing we are working on is position: stand, sit, down, sit from down and heel position on the pivot. The perch is a perfect way to help the dog learn in a positive and happy way where heel position and working at my side is.
Video 13: We have been working on our obedience foundation work indoors: positions (down, sit from down, sit, stand, heel position). Now moving our work to outdoors often with distractions as in this video. Also the next step of Beckett's scent articles: 2 and 3 articles outside of box outside in smelly grass.
Video 14: Beckett's puppy jump foundation using jump bumps for spacial problem solving, learning to take a straight line and start line stays. See above for more information.
Video 15: Becktt is now 9 months old and was introduced to the slackline a few months ago. He worked on his balance discs and learned how to back up and use his hind end. Brought out the slackline today to see how he would do.
Video 1: "FIND IT" game. This is a fun game I played with Myst when she was a puppy. We used Crate Games to work on a stay that would be built on. I would hide the article (both metal and leather) in an adjoining room and then to other rooms for Myst and then Beckett to find. When they were comfortable knowing what the game was I moved it outside in the courtyard. Both dogs loved this game and do very well finding the scented article. What I noticed with Myst was that she would track my trail to where I left the article. I did beginning nosework with Beckett (see video on week
Video 2: Learning How to Put Coins in a Piggybank. One of the earliest tricks I had Beckett do was to put objects in a container. I also wanted him to like all types of objects (sizes, textures). In addition to the soft balls, he loves all balls and now objects of all kinds like clickers, spoons and whatever I present him with. I would like him to do the trick of putting coins in a child's piggybank which is very difficult since the opening is small and just the size for the coin which must be manipulated on its side. We are progressing to this by introducing the plastic coins and putting them in a small container and also the side of the piggybank. Beckett thinks this is so much fun.
Video 3: Beckett started as a small puppy learning to put objects into a container. We have progressed to putting all types of objects like clicker, balls of all types and now the plastic coins for the child's piggybank. Fun game for using his mind.
Video 4: The first year of life is all about keeping Beckett safe and not getting injured. I try to do a lot of tricks, games and body awareness fun to have him use his mind and not to have to do a lot of running and exercise. When teaching new tricks, I try to help a little so he will still be challenged but not get discouraged.
Video 5: This work is taken from Stacy Barnett's online "Introduction to Nosework" class. The dog is now introduced to finding the hide in more containers, understanding the job and committing to the source.
Beckett is 6 months old and has been doing nosework for a few months building reinforcement to the source and enjoyment of the game of "search" or "find it."
Video 6: Introduction to Utility GO OUTS. Laura Romanik teaches the "Go Bop!" method for Utility Go Outs. We have used this excellent method for Myst. Laura has an excellent and very detailed book on teaching the Go Bop. We worked on steps 1-4 in the house in a non-distracting environment at first. I thought it would be easier to do STEP 5 where the stantion is attached to a gate at our obedience training ring. I found that Beckett could do both easily even in this more distracting environment. Vist Laura's web site for information on her book and much more: lauraromanik.com
Video 7: Susan Garrett writes and believes, "Everything you want your dog to learn can be communicated to him in the form of a GAME." Creating your training around games help to bring joy into your relationship with your dog. Here is one example of how our "FIND IT" game has evolved now using the obedience utility scent article. Beckett is 7 months old and finds the scent article box every time. To help ensure that he is not just using his own scent on the top of the box I have changed the box lid and washed the lids between use.
Video 8: Becktt's 7 month old body awareness work. He was introduced to balace discs at 10 weeks old just having them as objects to interact with (see the pull down menu (8-12 weeks). He always enjoyed the discs and exploring them; loving to climb on everythings and finding his balance. I made the discs available several days away and slowly progressed as he wanted to explore. Puppies and dogs have trouble realizing they have a hind end that they can move. Much of my work has focused on proprioception. The smaller peanut made a perfect way to introduce backing up. However, first I had to introduce this on a much smaller disc - the fitbone (see previous videos). In the video done today, you will see his progress and how well he can back up on different surfaces.
Video 9: Progression of the utility scent article game. We are now using both metal and leather scented articles in a box for him to identify and find. Then I have added unscented articles in the other boxes and have increased the number of boxes. Since it is important for the dog to learn to work the pile as the "round the clock" method teaches, I rotate the scented article box to all the positions. At the end of this second video Beckett is very cool in that he first hits the scented box but then proceeds around the circle to check out all the boxes and then returns to the original one and marks it. Very fun game the he LOVES.
Video 10: This video is of Beckett being introduced to the Utility scent articles with NO boxes. I was not sure how he would do but each time he has been presented with finding the scented article and discriminating the correct one from the unscented, he finds it. I really like how he thinks he has the correct one but at times checks out the others before he selects the correct article. Beckett was introduced to this by giving him the scented article in the box as he has been doing to orient him to what he was suppose to do. Then one scented and one unscented (his second time ever). Then 3 articles (one scented and 2 unscented) - first time ever. Beckett is 8 months old.
Video 11: Since our weather is so perfect now for training and playing outdoors I thought I would try scent articles outside to see how Beckett did. The place we train is where the novice students learn agility and the field is filled with treats. Beckett did try to find a few crumbs for his first scent article find but had no distraction after that. The other distractions were people training in the adjoining training field.
Video 12: Working with Laura Romanik and learning the precision of obedience with all positive training. The first thing we are working on is position: stand, sit, down, sit from down and heel position on the pivot. The perch is a perfect way to help the dog learn in a positive and happy way where heel position and working at my side is.
Video 13: We have been working on our obedience foundation work indoors: positions (down, sit from down, sit, stand, heel position). Now moving our work to outdoors often with distractions as in this video. Also the next step of Beckett's scent articles: 2 and 3 articles outside of box outside in smelly grass.
Video 14: Beckett's puppy jump foundation using jump bumps for spacial problem solving, learning to take a straight line and start line stays. See above for more information.
Video 15: Becktt is now 9 months old and was introduced to the slackline a few months ago. He worked on his balance discs and learned how to back up and use his hind end. Brought out the slackline today to see how he would do.
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