Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Class 2 today.....another great day!

Started with Harley and Naya coming along to our home, so that the dogs could have a good run around and hopefully let off a little pent up energy! It was quite a challenge last week as Harley and Benson associate seeing each other with immense excitement and play opportunity. This tactic seemed to work as during the class both dogs were a smidgen calmer ;D ;D

We took both dogs in one vehicle, to see if the uber cool Benson has any influence on Harley's very happy/excited behaviour in the car..I think it went well, Naya in the back was able to keep an eye on Harley, Benson as usual just let it all hang out, if Harley as much as squeaked she got a thorough face lick from Benson, now that was quite cute!

Got to the class, and everyone had an on lead explore and sniff, before back in the car for another teaching session...this enables the dogs to think and reflect in the cars for a few minutes until the training exercises started. Harley was very happy at this point, being in the car with Benson and plied with treats! She was such a good girl!

Practised exiting cars again...and we did really well, Benson sat in the car....I released him, and then realised I had completely forgotten to put his lead on! What a numpty... :

First exercise, out to our poles, and this was about the dogs "choosing" to check in. I found this quite hard. We had all brought an exciting toy (Benson had a bunny ball...) the trainer held/waved the toy..and when the dogs checked in, however small this was rewarded with a play with the toy. They were still on leads but we had to keep them lose so not to inadvertently give any commands through pressure on the lead. My listening skills were a bit off at this point, so took me a while to get this! :

We also looked at how dogs actually interact with each other, and then worked on a "meet and greet" with pairs of dogs, whilst we learned to observe and watch for any discomfort, eagerness to say hello..etc...Our trainer also has 2 labs of her own, and I liked her philosophy of very quick greets, and move on. We had a discussion re: teaching dogs to "turn away" and get this so well proofed it becomes almost instinctive. I can see this really helping Casper, indeed the hand touch is evolving into a turn with him which helps..more on that in another thread I think....

Anyway, we practised greeting and moving away intially using stooges...which were stuffed dogs dotted around in all shapes and sizes!!! This was fascinating as the dogs don't realise they are not real dogs (much to my surprise) so it was an excellent and safe way to watch close interactions. This went well until Benson ran off with the stuffed Dashchund in his mouth, and I was so focussed on the loose lead...well that went too... : :

Finally games again!! Yayyyy! A scurry! The chocolate cruiser lived up to his name...and he ambled over the hay bales, casually picked up the fur ball, before ambing back for a perfect if rather relaxed delivery! ;D ;D

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Well that sounds just great. Glad to hear everyone had a good time!

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

The pre-amble with Benson was brilliant and I think it allowed Harley to get over her 'playtime' before needing to concentrate the car was also soooo much more relaxed - I think Benson was brilliant with helping Harley, as was Marcus by giving her treats and telling her that the car was a good place to be as she got liver cake
I think it was a much better session we didn't get sent off for a walk around so that was a bonus
I really enjoyed the choosing to check in and Harley seemed to like it too. The greeting went well and I actually got a loose lead
I lived the scurry.......I think Harley did too - one minute she was with me, then gone and back so quickly

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Loads of successes. . That sounds to have cheered you from last week. . Good.

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

How wonderful.

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Loved reading your write up and it inspired a brainwave in me....( aka another one of my wild idea s) HAYBALES.....what's to stop me ordering some and setting up a scurry in my garden?????
Sounds like you had a really good afternoon,play with pals and training ,perfect x

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Well - I also learned something at the training - 'The Shepherd Stare!!'.

Abel - a huge jet black German shepherd was Bensons partner in the meet n greet. He was absolutely gorgeous, and well mannered (Yes please - I'll look after him for you ;D))

Anyway... Benson started off the walk towards him, but then Abel 'looked' at Benson. Benson was suddenly very much not so keen to go and make friends after all!! Nothing untoward from Abel apart from that stare. ???

Anna (Trainer) went on to explain it's a well known trait of shepherding dogs in general. I'd never thought of it before, but looking back at past situations, it makes perfect sense! I now feel sorry for GSD's because it must be really difficult for them to make friends ;D

In other news, I also learned that somebody that shall remain nameless (But they were human, in the car, and I'm not married to her. ..) can stuff THREE Cadbury's eggs into her mouth in one go. Awesome. Maybe that has the basis of a competition for the next SW walk.......

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

[quote author=Dexter link=topic=9341.msg137703#msg137703 date=1421570105]
HAYBALES.....what's to stop me ordering some and setting up a scurry in my garden?????
[/quote]

Does Amazon do haybales to Dubai? ;D

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

[quote author=JulieT link=topic=9341.msg137768#msg137768 date=1421582959]
[quote author=Dexter link=topic=9341.msg137703#msg137703 date=1421570105]
HAYBALES.....what's to stop me ordering some and setting up a scurry in my garden?????
[/quote]

Does Amazon do haybales to Dubai? ;D
[/quote]
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sounds like a really great class!

[quote author=Bensons-dad link=topic=9341.msg137735#msg137735 date=1421575182]
somebody that shall remain nameless ............ can stuff THREE Cadbury's eggs into her mouth in one go. Awesome.
[/quote]
mini ones? or the full monty?

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Thanks Marcus
3 normal sized ones ;D

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

I am loving reading about Harley and Benson's training and all the fun you are having, sounds like a fantastic place. Well done all of you xx

Ternaya 3 NORMAL sized ones the mind boggles ;D ;D x

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

These classes sound great. We have never taught a 'touch' command - might try that.

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

[quote author=Kirriegirl link=topic=9341.msg138025#msg138025 date=1421690935]
These classes sound great. We have never taught a 'touch' command - might try that.
[/quote]

The touch command is great and so easy to train!...Using it with both Casper and Benson. Great with Casper as it helps him turn away...as we are working at reducing reactivity with other dogs on lead this is proving really useful

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

[quote author=Bensons-dad link=topic=9341.msg137735#msg137735 date=1421575182]
In other news, I also learned that somebody that shall remain nameless (But they were human, in the car, and I'm not married to her. ..) can stuff THREE Cadbury's eggs into her mouth in one go. Awesome. Maybe that has the basis of a competition for the next SW walk.......
[/quote]

That get my vote

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

[quote author=Beanwood link=topic=9341.msg138076#msg138076 date=1421699110]
[quote author=Kirriegirl link=topic=9341.msg138025#msg138025 date=1421690935]
These classes sound great. We have never taught a 'touch' command - might try that.
[/quote]

The touch command is great and so easy to train!...Using it with both Casper and Benson. Great with Casper as it helps him turn away...as we are working at reducing reactivity with other dogs on lead this is proving really useful
[/quote]

This sounds really useful, did you just teach him to touch your hand and treat when other dogs are approaching on lead? x

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

[quote author=charlie link=topic=9341.msg138242#msg138242 date=1421760985]
[quote author=Beanwood link=topic=9341.msg138076#msg138076 date=1421699110]
[quote author=Kirriegirl link=topic=9341.msg138025#msg138025 date=1421690935]
These classes sound great. We have never taught a 'touch' command - might try that.
[/quote]

The touch command is great and so easy to train!...Using it with both Casper and Benson. Great with Casper as it helps him turn away...as we are working at reducing reactivity with other dogs on lead this is proving really useful
[/quote]

This sounds really useful, did you just teach him to touch your hand and treat when other dogs are approaching on lead? x
[/quote]

We have been teaching the touch, with my hand then treating with the other (dog sitting in front) then tried it with Casper sitting on my left hand side and my hand slightly held behind me so he has to turn his body. In desperation on our walk a couple of days ago I just said "touch" the dog wasn't that close but I wanted to stop Casper from staring..and it worked

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Week 3...

All about ....recall and loose lead walking..

But first, Bensons challenge from last week...exiting out of the car in a controlled manner..(with an audience..gulp...) I was a bit nervous, as the class gathered round. I shouldn't have worried, he was brilliant! Opened the car boot, gave him treats (towards the back of the boot to stop him lunging forward for the treat. Took a tiny half step backward, he didn't move, moved forward and treated. Clipped on lead, he didn't move, treated. Then took a step back with lead in hand, came forward, treated...then gave a release cue, and he popped out the of the boot. Phew.... ;D ;D

Our little chat at the beginning of the session this week, was around learned behaviours, and a bit about how dogs learn. Looking at positive reinforcement versus punishment. Really interesting, she is such an articulate trainer, and everyone always feels included. Lots of questions at this point around examples of coming home to a trashed kitchen, chewing, and exploding that great myth re:the guilty looking dog!

On to our first exercise. Now most adolescent dogs at this age, have had some experience of recall, so the objective was to make this a bit "snappier". How we did this exercise was working on a quick turnaround. Our dogs have a sniff, (lead or long line) we allow them to be a little distracted just a few feet away from us. We use our recall cue, followed by a really quick and excited marker and reward (stressed here to try and get the reward within 2 seconds ) We got some really quick responses to this. Benson sussed this one a bit quickly and it became a bit difficult to get him even slightly distracted! He loves this training, and gets completely absorbed in these games. Harley was amazing, her responses were more or less instantaneous! Saying that, Benson for once was making a huge effort to keep up! ;D

We did a fun exercise where the trainer hold our dog, we (the owner) stand between poles, call our dogs then we they recall run to another pole. Benson was, err, not so good, as he ran towards me,not hubby and I had to direct him to Marcus.. :...whoops...Harley was just greased lightning...

Next on to loose lead walking. This was haphazard walking around the field, backwards, forwards, working on a good position of the dog by our side, just slightly behind, treating handsomely when the dog gets into this position. We have already worked a lot on loose lead and positioning, so Benson was OK with this.

Final exercise was the recall speed trials...so again using posts, with our trainer holding the dogs, we recalled them and the sprint towards the owner was timed. Lots of excitement, dogs getting worked up, sweaty palms and the race was on for the winner! ;D ;D I was a little concerned that the chocolate cruiser wouldn't quite get this was a competition..but no. fascinated by my dancing, and waving at the end he literally flew towards me! A chocolate blur...even Harley was impressed.. (which quite possibly was his objective) He didn't win, but a fine performance nonetheless.... ;D ;D

Next week is our final class, but the good news is once we have completed the adolescent classes we are enrolled in the Widgets Youth Club, and can join up for Walk and Train mornings around their fields, which is a great idea! If we feel our training needs a bit of tweaking, or just a safe environment to reinforce positive interactions with other dogs, then this is just the ticket...

It will be an interesting week, as Casper is having a one to one before the class begins, we have already had some advice and help, so really looking forward to next week as the Black Bullet goes back to school too!

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Just wanted to add that due to Harley refusing to walk loose led most of the time, the trainer realised that Harley wasn't going to respond and I was struggling with my back, so she came over and changed the exercise to suit Harley. The trainer is really responsive to Harley and told me one of her dogs is very focused on hunting/retrieving, just like Harley, and has offered me a 1-2-1 after class next week
As I walked back to the car with Harley, she walked perfectly on loose lead right next to me.....typical!!!
Benson and Kate were amazing doing the car exit and I'm afraid Harley will embarrass me next week as it's her turn : we are going to practise lots all week
Benson certainly did impress Harley with his speed she also loved him looking after her in the car

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

I think it's great you all get to go to training together, I love reading about the great progress and fun you are having with Benson and Harley xx

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Love reading about Harley's and Benson's training. They both sound to be making fabulous progress.

I have Charlie in a car crate. If he moves before I say "out" the door reverses towards being closed. It took no more than 3 goes in a few circumstances for him to "get" it, permanently, lead on or off - I had one failure, once, but soon sorted that by one more close of the door. I saw someone with a GSP do the same, at training, with a boot lid, and it took no more than 4 or 5 goes, and she is perfect too now...