Sunday, May 20, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Verdae, VP1!!!
He isn’t famous. He isn’t on the World Team and he hates having his toenails cut. Although, this dog KNOWS how to show! Verdae blew the competition away. In my opnion, Verdae is the best German Shepherd on the planet.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Deerfield?
Deerfield, IL. VERDAE'S FIRST GERMAN SHOW!!!!!
Now that I got that out of my system, we have just arrived at the Red Roof Inn, in Deerfield, IL. Tomorrow is the big day!
With 93 dogs entered, it is a big show. A very big show.
Well, we're off to catch some zzz's!
Now that I got that out of my system, we have just arrived at the Red Roof Inn, in Deerfield, IL. Tomorrow is the big day!
With 93 dogs entered, it is a big show. A very big show.
Well, we're off to catch some zzz's!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Teaching Tug Toy Release
By: Bad Dog Agility.
This quick, easily taught 3 step method works best for dogs with a very strong drive for tugging and no desire to let go. If your dog won’t stop tugging even when you wave a hot dog in front of him, this method is for you.
Step 1: Immobilize the toy. Your dog loves the action tugging creates. If you no longer provide resistance to your dog’s tugging, this lessens her enjoyment and will usually provoke a response–like releasing the toy. I like to trap the tug toy with both hands against my thigh.
Step 2: Give your cue. Say it immediately after you have stopped tugging with your dog. My older dogs were taught to release the toy when I said “leave it” but I’m using “thank you” with my new puppy. I start using the verbal cue with the very first repetition I attempt with a new dog.
Step 3: Restart the game. As soon as your dog lets go of the tug toy, IMMEDIATELY restart the game by giving your cue to take the toy (mine is “get it”) and moving the toy AWAY from your dog. Moving the toy away from your dog is critical as this will instantly stimulate her prey drive and make for a very satisfying reward–another game of tugging. Your dog will learn that the quickest way to a great game of tug is a fast release of the toy when cued by the handler.
Troubleshooting:
Q: My dog took a while to let go of the toy.
A: That’s okay. Some dogs may take several seconds to let go of the toy; just wait for them to let go, and IMMEDIATELY give your “get it” cue and move the toy away from them.
Q: I can’t immobilize the toy because my dog is too big and stronger than me.
A: You can try using a leash to prevent the dog from pulling away from you, but you must find a way to immobilize the toy or this method will not work. You may have to try a different way.
In the video below, I demonstrate the 3 steps with my experienced, 9 year old border collie Rook and my new 6 month old border collie Miriya. Miriya has great toy drive but very little food drive, and will not stop tugging for any food. This is just her 2nd session working on this skill, and you can see her steadily improve as she begins to understand the structure of the game.
This quick, easily taught 3 step method works best for dogs with a very strong drive for tugging and no desire to let go. If your dog won’t stop tugging even when you wave a hot dog in front of him, this method is for you.
Step 1: Immobilize the toy. Your dog loves the action tugging creates. If you no longer provide resistance to your dog’s tugging, this lessens her enjoyment and will usually provoke a response–like releasing the toy. I like to trap the tug toy with both hands against my thigh.
Step 2: Give your cue. Say it immediately after you have stopped tugging with your dog. My older dogs were taught to release the toy when I said “leave it” but I’m using “thank you” with my new puppy. I start using the verbal cue with the very first repetition I attempt with a new dog.
Step 3: Restart the game. As soon as your dog lets go of the tug toy, IMMEDIATELY restart the game by giving your cue to take the toy (mine is “get it”) and moving the toy AWAY from your dog. Moving the toy away from your dog is critical as this will instantly stimulate her prey drive and make for a very satisfying reward–another game of tugging. Your dog will learn that the quickest way to a great game of tug is a fast release of the toy when cued by the handler.
Troubleshooting:
Q: My dog took a while to let go of the toy.
A: That’s okay. Some dogs may take several seconds to let go of the toy; just wait for them to let go, and IMMEDIATELY give your “get it” cue and move the toy away from them.
Q: I can’t immobilize the toy because my dog is too big and stronger than me.
A: You can try using a leash to prevent the dog from pulling away from you, but you must find a way to immobilize the toy or this method will not work. You may have to try a different way.
In the video below, I demonstrate the 3 steps with my experienced, 9 year old border collie Rook and my new 6 month old border collie Miriya. Miriya has great toy drive but very little food drive, and will not stop tugging for any food. This is just her 2nd session working on this skill, and you can see her steadily improve as she begins to understand the structure of the game.
Almost 7 Months!
When Julie asked me if I wanted to be the little long coat boys mom 6 & 1/2 months ago, I had no idea what a fantastic journey that dog would take me on. He is the sweetest momma's boy who wants to do everything with me, and the faster the better! He never runs out of energy and willingness to work and he tries so hard to make sure he gets his job done right. He is the ultimate teammate and I can't imagine my life without him. As a trainer, he is the best demo dog I could ask for. And although I am proud to say that Verdae is already a great agility dog, I must admit that he made it easy for me by being an exceptional dog. It seems weird to be writing this as it sounds like the ending of a long story, but my little baby boy isn’t even a year old yet! After starting with journey, Verdae has been busy and I've been trying to keep up with him!
And although I have very high hopes for Verdae, it truly is the result of the years of dedication Julie, Verdae's breeder, has put into her tremendous breeding program that consistently produces dogs that are capable of what Verdae has accomplished. Verdae and I will continue to train in agility and herding plus we are going to start flyball to see what amazing skills he has in that. Verdae is a dream come true and this is just the beginning of that fantastic journey with this amazing dog! Thank you, Julie, for my very special "dream come true"!
And although I have very high hopes for Verdae, it truly is the result of the years of dedication Julie, Verdae's breeder, has put into her tremendous breeding program that consistently produces dogs that are capable of what Verdae has accomplished. Verdae and I will continue to train in agility and herding plus we are going to start flyball to see what amazing skills he has in that. Verdae is a dream come true and this is just the beginning of that fantastic journey with this amazing dog! Thank you, Julie, for my very special "dream come true"!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Nosework!
Verdae doing what come so natural to him...
Verdae. Making sure he isn’t afraid to stick his nose in a box to get a treat... Really? You think that would be a problem?
Lures Verdae in with three boxes and she tosses all three indifferent directions rather quickly.
He has to figure out which box the treats are in.
Verdae. Making sure he isn’t afraid to stick his nose in a box to get a treat... Really? You think that would be a problem?
Jackpot! He found them!
Beach Day Agan!
Verdae running the beach line as the sun sets.
Sorry about the crappy cell phone picture...
Sorry about the crappy cell phone picture...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)