Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

addictedtolabs's picture
Submitted by addictedtolabs on Wed, 2007-03-07 12:21.

Olga,

I have been running the sequences according to what I see on the videos and not how I may choose to run it based on the differences in Kody and Bailey's running styles. The benefit is I am learning new ways of handling challenges and discovering weaknesses in our foundation training. . Kind of a "try it, you might like it" method. Kody is 6 years old and has been competing for 2.5 years so its probably counter productive to try to undo some of the bad habits we have developed. Bailey, on the other hand, is pretty adaptable. For example in lesson 11 #2  we could do the whole run very well using back crosses rather then the front crosses  but we need practice with front crosses, as you pointed out.  So my question is,  how do you suggest we approach the lessons to get the most out of them?

 After sleeping on it....You sometimes tell Susie and Gwen..dont worry about it,thats homework. You pointed out Wrinkles was going as fast as he could through the weaves, so I guess I am a little confused at times, about what to train and what to leave be with Kody.

Jean

Ps you will be relieved to know we are taking time off to go play in the ocean..

see ya

‹ skills list?? Ring nerves anyone? ›
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Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Thu, 2007-03-08 23:55.
Hi Jean,

It is never too late to try to undo the bad habits, ;-)..

As you watch your virtual classmates tackle the exercises, you notice that sometimes they manage to solve a challenge after three or four goes. Other times they hit a skill problem and after a certain degree of progress have been made, I assign it to homework and we leave it be..

What you don't see on the videos is your virtual classmates practicing at home and doing the homework I have assigned. But you see them come back to the next lesson and show off their homework achievements, great or small.

So, I'd like to see the same thing from you, ;-)..

Let's take Kody and Lesson 11 #2 as an example. Kody's problem is not the front crosses, his problem is the go outs to the jumps before the f/x's. So when I see you attempt sending Kody on a go out and not supporting him, I comment that you should have provided more support to Kody. Well, then, you say, I can't do my f/x. Fare enough.. but you got Kody a boost of confidence on his attempt to go out. If you press the dog beyond his current level of confidence, he may do what you ask, but next time you ask for it.. you won't get even half the effort, because the dog had a negative experience.

So, this is where the homework begins. Teach Kody to go out and take a jump. I don't care if it is a go out the distance of two feet. I want to see his initiative to unglue himself from you and take a jump on command from a stand still. Videotape this session and post it for me to see. Keep working on it every day and post another video in a week or two. Don't give up and don't move on onto the next thing..

In a nutshell, if you want to keep trialing Kody, he deserves to be schooled properly. And if it takes him more time to master certain things that your youngster, Bailey, learns on the fly, you have to stick with it and help Kody learn.

Now, about Wrinkles and his weave poles. Again, I watch the posted video and comment on what I see. In that particular video, Wrinkles is making a fabulous effort on his weaves and is going as fast as he can. That doesn't mean that Wrinkles won't be weaving even faster in the future, as his skill of weaving develops. If Helen recongnizes Wrinkles' effort and let's him know that he's done a great job, Wrinkles will get a boost of confidence and the benefit of appreciation. Given time and practice, he will advance to the next level of skill in his weaving. The dog really needs to feel that his effort was good enough. That message goes a long way.

P.S.: How was the beach?

Olga.
newfire's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by newfire on Fri, 2007-03-09 06:09.
As far as 'homework'. I have noticed on several occasions you assigning homework. However it is not completely clear to me from the videos what exactly the homework was and what it was designed to address. If possible could you provide a little more detail of the excercise to 'practice' at home. That way if we have the same or similar problem in our attempts we can go right to the homework. Another way to achieve the same thing would be for the virtual student to post video tape their homework! Or for you to post a map of the homework set up with progressions? ...just a thought ...elizabeth
Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Fri, 2007-03-09 19:39.
Elizabeth,

There is no mystery in the homework I mention to students: it's whatever detail (skill) is preventing the team on the course from running the sequence correctly. For example, when Pickle wouldn't turn tight around the upright upon Alicia issueing her 'Front!' command (in Alician it's "Me!"), I had them redo the turn a few times and toss the toy right to the spot the dog needed to come to and after that it became "homework", because this skill, as any other skill would take time and repetitions to hone, before we can implement it. So Alicia worked all week and was boasting a great "Come Front!" skill came next Wednesday, ;-).. Or, say, your dog doesn't sit at the start.. that's homework. Or the dog doesn't go out to a jump, like Jean's Kody,, that's homework. OK?

I will make a note to elaborate on the particular "homework" I expect when your virtual classmate shows a gap in their skill set, no problem.

For the young dogs, like Gina and Yankee, please note, that sometimes I "take" a lopsided effort on the sequence and there is no homework, ;-).. That's because the exercise proves to be over the youngster's head, ;-). Don't be adraid to present the youngsters with the big guys' challenge, they may surprise you, ;-).. but your yardstick shuld be appropriate for the skill level of the dog. Meaning, any and all effort is a success.. like painting with a broad brush.. details will come later..

It's a great idea to have virtual classmates videotape their homework. Let's see whom we can press into service.. Becky Walton maybe? Hint, hint..

In fact, Elizabeth, you just presented a classic example of "homework" when Pippen had a problem with his weave entry in your recent video. You "stepped back", examined the problem, disassembled the segment from the sequence, broke it down into small parts and got Pippen to do his entry...

Now, every time you stumble over a problem like that, even if you manage to "fix" it quickly, please note it as "homework" and work on that particular challenging skill, not just through the week, but regularly. And post videos of your progress.

By the way, how is that send to the tunnel skill doing?

Olga.
Becky Walton's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by Becky Walton on Sat, 2007-03-10 21:35.

Hi Olga,

As I was reading along, I was thinking what a great idea that was, and wondering how that would translate. Then I laughed right out loud when I read this:

>It's a great idea to have virtual classmates videotape their homework. Let's see whom we can press into service.. Becky Walton maybe? Hint, hint..

Okay...Matt said he'll help me figure out how to do it, as I am slightly computer (new wave stuff, anyway) challenged...

I'm going to try to come down to the trial tomorrow for a while. See you there!

Becky

addictedtolabs's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by addictedtolabs on Fri, 2007-03-09 11:38.

The afternoon at the  lagoon was was wonderful. Kody can out swim Bailey so he gets the toy for a change. I love watching him swim in circles, keeping it just out of the "brats" reach. Its great conditioning for Kody so we are taking advantage of the heat wave they are predicating this weekend, to swim everyday.

>If you press the dog beyond his current level of confidence, he may do what you ask, but next time you ask for it.. you won't get even half the effort, because the dog had a negative experience.<

I am glad I asked the question. I was getting the wrong impression. Now I get "it". Your comments apply to the specific exercise, not our running style. Homework would be working on the skill required to do it. In Kodys case, setting up a pinwheel and working towards distance, rather then just giving up and running with him all the time. 

Jean

Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Fri, 2007-03-09 19:57.
Jean,

We want to swim in the lagoon too! Space says, "Right on, Kody! Keep that toy!", as Space can outswim the border collies with his eyes closed, even if they get a head start.

Now, I am glad you asked the question also, ;-).. Keep those questions coming! You are absolutely right in your understanding of what I was trying to say, and stop being so touchy, ;-)..!

Remember, TNT is a school. We work on specific exercises to build a skill set which you can use in whatever style you decide to handle your dog with. 

When I comment on a video, I am not passing any judgement, or telling anyone to give up.. you will never catch me do that, ggg..

When I view students' videos and see that the dog was made uncomfortable, or in some way was let down, I am always on the side of the dog. Thus the comments that prompted this discussion. It is not a crime to try anything once to see if your dog can do it, but if you see that the dog doesn't have a skill, support him ASAP and start working on building the missing skill step by little step.

As far as running with the dog thing goes, there is no problem if you choose to run with Kody where the course lends to it. Unfortunately, you run with Kody because there is no other alternative and that makes for not-so-fun, inefficient runs and sometimes even dangerous stuff. So, let's work on teaching Kody to take a jump or two on his own. Trust me, he can do it! You have to be steadfast and put time and effort into it, but the result will be very pleasing for both you and Kody-man.

Olga.
addictedtolabs's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by addictedtolabs on Fri, 2007-03-09 20:26.

Not to worry, I wasnt feeling judged in anyway. IMO, Kody and Bailey are so diffrent in personaities that I have had to develop 2 diffrent running styles. Its not so much "giving up" as knowing when to give in and keep Kody happy. And yes, I am quilty of being lazy so I will kick my butt, and continue to give Kody the training he deserves.

Jean

agilemutt13's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by agilemutt13 on Sat, 2007-03-10 21:01.

definitely. the way wrinkles' weaves improved so much was because i had cheese and turkey and as soon as he finished the weaves, fast or not, he got rewarded A TON (though the faster ones had more reward) I only did 1-3 obstacles and rewarded him. I think Wrinkles is the kind of dog that if he expects a reward any second he won't give up. I need to keep this in mind when training with longer sequences/courses. I also think Wrinkles' weaves will improve...his stepping pattern is coming along and hopefully he'll figure it out. I think he's a teach himself kinda dog, haha. I don't do much...just point and praise ;)

~Helen and Helen's Dream Come True "Wrinkles" OAC, NJC, OCC, TN-N, CGC

Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Sat, 2007-03-10 21:36.
Well said, Helen! Praise goes a long way! And don't forget turkey and cheese, ;-)..

Olga.
newfire's picture

Re: Adapting the exercises to individual dogs

Submitted by newfire on Sun, 2007-03-11 18:29.

Every once and a while we throw diet to the wind and cook corned beef (mustard, cabbage,  onions,  the whole deal).  The dogs go nuts for the corned beef  (especially in a tug and treat sock to get them tugging).  There is almost nothing a terrier won't do for corned beef.  Occasionally , when we are very lucky a friend will give us some smoked venison.  That is another that is very high on the must have special effort cookies for the dogs.  Shadow's favortite is Mcdonalds touch cookies.  We call any breakfast item at Mcdonalds 'touch cookies'.  I told a friend once that shadow missed her contacts because I had forgotton shadows touch cookies.... and the next day she went in to McDonalds to try to get her some........she came back saying that no one knew anything about 'touch cookiies and would some kind of mini muffin work!! ...........elizabeth