Comments for Clicker Mentality http://click-treat.net Dog training as a life philosophy? Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:43:01 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 Comment on Training Resumes…again! by Dana http://click-treat.net/?p=73&cpage=1#comment-137 Dana Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:43:01 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=73#comment-137 Thanks for the reply, it's kind of nice to be back and posting and working with my dogs! We probably should spend more time playing LAT with neutral objects, but he does have a terrific response to the click more often than not when we're looking at anything but another dog. I like the "incoming" solution, that's cute! It might be a good thing to teach Kaia, since she's past the point where she's fearful. She's just, ultimately, not a very tolerant dog, so a cue like that could really help in a pinch if we're going to be forced to encounter a dog I think she would rather not meet. Thanks for the reply, it’s kind of nice to be back and posting and working with my dogs! We probably should spend more time playing LAT with neutral objects, but he does have a terrific response to the click more often than not when we’re looking at anything but another dog.

I like the “incoming” solution, that’s cute! It might be a good thing to teach Kaia, since she’s past the point where she’s fearful. She’s just, ultimately, not a very tolerant dog, so a cue like that could really help in a pinch if we’re going to be forced to encounter a dog I think she would rather not meet.

]]> Comment on Training Resumes…again! by Liza Lundell http://click-treat.net/?p=73&cpage=1#comment-136 Liza Lundell Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:59:51 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=73#comment-136 Have you taught Look at That with a neutral object at home? Once the dog has the pattern down (look at scary thing, whiplash turn to mom for a c/t) it's a lot easier to get it in the face of bona fide scary things like other dogs. We taught a bc I work with a trick called "incoming". When this is cued, she turns to face her handler, sits, puts her head between the handler's legs. This gives her something to do besides get totally focussed and locked in on the other dog. She considers most other dogs a waste of space, I think it's fear-based but I'm no behaviorist. Nice to see you back. Good luck with your training, Liza Have you taught Look at That with a neutral object at home? Once the dog has the pattern down (look at scary thing, whiplash turn to mom for a c/t) it’s a lot easier to get it in the face of bona fide scary things like other dogs.

We taught a bc I work with a trick called “incoming”. When this is cued, she turns to face her handler, sits, puts her head between the handler’s legs. This gives her something to do besides get totally focussed and locked in on the other dog. She considers most other dogs a waste of space, I think it’s fear-based but I’m no behaviorist.

Nice to see you back. Good luck with your training,

Liza

]]> Comment on Sigh. by Dana http://click-treat.net/?p=64&cpage=1#comment-118 Dana Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:35:25 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=64#comment-118 Yep, that's exactly what our instructor recommended if it happens again. Either that, or just throwing a handful of treats toward the other dog and making our escape while he pigs out. I know that tightening Kaia's leash when she's near another dog can set her off, and for some reason I got so stuck telling myself "don't pull on the leash, don't pull on the leash" that I couldn't think what else to do. Not my best thinking under fire, but at least there wasn't any real harm done. No, Kaia wasn't all that inappropriate. Especially considering where we started, I'm thrilled with her current level of bite inhibition and self control. I just sometimes wish I had even one dog with whom I could enjoy life without always looking out for possible points of conflict, and that's not currently the case. I do love the APDT rally exercises, but taking her to a competition environment just sounds too scary. Group classes are about as close as I think we'll ever come, and I'm okay with that. We can have all sorts of fun in group classes without either of us having too much to worry about. Yep, that’s exactly what our instructor recommended if it happens again. Either that, or just throwing a handful of treats toward the other dog and making our escape while he pigs out. I know that tightening Kaia’s leash when she’s near another dog can set her off, and for some reason I got so stuck telling myself “don’t pull on the leash, don’t pull on the leash” that I couldn’t think what else to do. Not my best thinking under fire, but at least there wasn’t any real harm done.

No, Kaia wasn’t all that inappropriate. Especially considering where we started, I’m thrilled with her current level of bite inhibition and self control. I just sometimes wish I had even one dog with whom I could enjoy life without always looking out for possible points of conflict, and that’s not currently the case.

I do love the APDT rally exercises, but taking her to a competition environment just sounds too scary. Group classes are about as close as I think we’ll ever come, and I’m okay with that. We can have all sorts of fun in group classes without either of us having too much to worry about.

]]> Comment on Sigh. by Liza Lundell http://click-treat.net/?p=64&cpage=1#comment-117 Liza Lundell Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:36:14 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=64#comment-117 One thing you might try with Kaia is, when another dog approaches her, get between them and chase the other dog away. I've gotten much better at "you'd better leave my dog alone!" spoken fairly firmly (not screamed) since my old girl went blind. This may tick off the owner of the other dog, but they're probably not going to be my friend anyway. This lets your dog know she doesn't have to deal with rude bouncy dogs in her face--you'll take care of that for her. It doesn't sound like Kaia was all that inappropriate. Some dogs are not going to be social, and that's ok, that's who they are. Oh, and if you can find an APDT rally obedience trial, check it out. It might be a nice venue for Kaia, very laid-back and there are no group exercises. Liza Lundell and the (protected) basenjis One thing you might try with Kaia is, when another dog approaches her, get between them and chase the other dog away. I’ve gotten much better at “you’d better leave my dog alone!” spoken fairly firmly (not screamed) since my old girl went blind. This may tick off the owner of the other dog, but they’re probably not going to be my friend anyway. This lets your dog know she doesn’t have to deal with rude bouncy dogs in her face–you’ll take care of that for her.

It doesn’t sound like Kaia was all that inappropriate. Some dogs are not going to be social, and that’s ok, that’s who they are.

Oh, and if you can find an APDT rally obedience trial, check it out. It might be a nice venue for Kaia, very laid-back and there are no group exercises.

Liza Lundell and the (protected) basenjis

]]> Comment on Click for Dana by kindli http://click-treat.net/?p=62&cpage=1#comment-110 kindli Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:01:46 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=62#comment-110 STICKERS for Dana! Did Gav talk to you about the weekend we'll be in Palo Alto? He's going to be in some meeting w/Nick, so if you want to do something, let me know. STICKERS for Dana!

Did Gav talk to you about the weekend we’ll be in Palo Alto? He’s going to be in some meeting w/Nick, so if you want to do something, let me know.

]]> Comment on My Dog Is Awesome by Dana http://click-treat.net/?p=61&cpage=1#comment-108 Dana Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:40:14 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=61#comment-108 That's so funny...I've seen it used in Rally exercises, and never made the connection that it's the same turn! I like the tip of stopping to make sure the dog has begun the turn before I go around. We're definitely improving in fluency as we practice it more, and that brief pause is really helping there. Thanks so much! That’s so funny…I’ve seen it used in Rally exercises, and never made the connection that it’s the same turn! I like the tip of stopping to make sure the dog has begun the turn before I go around. We’re definitely improving in fluency as we practice it more, and that brief pause is really helping there. Thanks so much!

]]> Comment on My Dog Is Awesome by Liza Lundell http://click-treat.net/?p=61&cpage=1#comment-106 Liza Lundell Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:40:39 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=61#comment-106 The Sch turn is also used in Rally obedience. In AKC, it's in the novice (on-lead) level, which adds a real leash-handling challenge. In APDT, it doesn't show up until Level 2 (off-lead). It's a lot of fun! For best results, stop briefly and get the dog going around before you turn, while teaching the movement. Liza The Sch turn is also used in Rally obedience. In AKC, it’s in the novice (on-lead) level, which adds a real leash-handling challenge. In APDT, it doesn’t show up until Level 2 (off-lead). It’s a lot of fun! For best results, stop briefly and get the dog going around before you turn, while teaching the movement.

Liza

]]> Comment on Undeserved Breakthrough, Well Deserved Relapse by Dana http://click-treat.net/?p=56&cpage=1#comment-104 Dana Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:13:03 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=56#comment-104 Thanks, Liza! I’m still concerned that it’s taken him so long for the game to start to make sense to him. (I’m also still a little afraid that it was a total fluke! But to be fair to Cas, we’ve had a few other things go better than I expected as well.) Either way, it’s great to see him starting to figure it out. It’s even better to know that he CAN do it, even if it’ll be a long time before he does it as a default. Thanks, Liza! I’m still concerned that it’s taken him so long for the game to start to make sense to him. (I’m also still a little afraid that it was a total fluke! But to be fair to Cas, we’ve had a few other things go better than I expected as well.) Either way, it’s great to see him starting to figure it out. It’s even better to know that he CAN do it, even if it’ll be a long time before he does it as a default.

]]> Comment on More Training, and a Dilemma by Dana http://click-treat.net/?p=57&cpage=1#comment-103 Dana Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:00:19 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=57#comment-103 Heh...thanks for the reality check. I know you're right, it's just so frustrating not to know how to help him! I'm still going back and forth on whether or not I think he needs behavioral meds, but I just keep telling myself that I'm not the most qualified person to make that call. The fact that I think he <em>might</em> need behavioral meds makes it a very good idea for me to take him to a veterinary behaviorist. That way, I can let an expert make the call. That takes a lot of the pressure off! Heh…thanks for the reality check. I know you’re right, it’s just so frustrating not to know how to help him! I’m still going back and forth on whether or not I think he needs behavioral meds, but I just keep telling myself that I’m not the most qualified person to make that call. The fact that I think he might need behavioral meds makes it a very good idea for me to take him to a veterinary behaviorist. That way, I can let an expert make the call. That takes a lot of the pressure off!

]]> Comment on Undeserved Breakthrough, Well Deserved Relapse by Jenny http://click-treat.net/?p=56&cpage=1#comment-102 Jenny Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:53:51 +0000 http://click-treat.net/?p=56#comment-102 Yay Dana! Isn't it an awesome feeling when the Look at That game starts to work? I had a similar moment this weekend. I saw the family on bikes and scooters before Frannie did. And from her perspective (a big shrub was blocking her view until the family got past it), it was a sudden environmental change, as well as scary noises and motion. She was amazing, and LAT'd like a champ. Keep up the good work...even when we are sporadic about it, the theme seems to get into their little canine skulls, and doG bless Leslie, her stuff works!!!!! Regards, Jenny Yay Dana! Isn’t it an awesome feeling when the Look at That game starts to work? I had a similar moment this weekend. I saw the family on bikes and scooters before Frannie did. And from her perspective (a big shrub was blocking her view until the family got past it), it was a sudden environmental change, as well as scary noises and motion. She was amazing, and LAT’d like a champ.
Keep up the good work…even when we are sporadic about it, the theme seems to get into their little canine skulls, and doG bless Leslie, her stuff works!!!!!
Regards,
Jenny

]]>