At Uralla we met up with Toni Simmonds and Ochre - a half sister to Dusty, both by Gr Ch Bangeeri Aussie Alchemist. While Dusty has black eyliner neatly applied, Ochre has wonderful black smudges around both eyes. She is on her way to her Herding Started title, but has taken a break recently to become a mum. Dippa and Ember have just gone to their new homes.
October 31, 2005
Another 'sister'
At Uralla we met up with Toni Simmonds and Ochre - a half sister to Dusty, both by Gr Ch Bangeeri Aussie Alchemist. While Dusty has black eyliner neatly applied, Ochre has wonderful black smudges around both eyes. She is on her way to her Herding Started title, but has taken a break recently to become a mum. Dippa and Ember have just gone to their new homes.
Clarence Herding Trial
We had a great weekend at Uralla for the Clarence District Kennel Club's inaugural herding tests and trials. Four in all offering Instinct Certificate Tests, Herding Tests, Pre-trial Tests, and Herding Started A - all on sheep.
The test/trial process is a complicated one, but the requirements for each event are straightforward, and our judges, Jenny and Robert Cox, were generous with their explanations. There is nothing on the RNSWCC site about herding regulations, and if they are on the ANKC site there they aren't immediately obvious. To find the regulations you need to go to the CAWA web site.
I had been building a strong reinforcement history with Dusty for a downstay and recall so I was fairly confident of this part of the test, though in the yard with the sheep at the beginning of the instinct test was a new experience. I have also tried to keep to the really reliable recall guidelines, and her recall off the sheep has been good in the past. But she is still a puppy - she was just old enough to enter by a week, and she has only seen sheep twice in her life, the last time over a month ago.
"For both the first and second leg tests, the passing dog should show good, sustained interest of such a nature that the dog appears to be ready to begin preliminary training. Strong desire and a well adjusted, willing attitude should be demonstrated. The overall impression should be that the dog has the potential to be a useful, practical working dog. Constructive herding activity, not chasing should be evidenced."
Dusty did seem to be herding, keeping to the outside of the group and trying to keep them together, not rushing at them or trying to get them. It was hard, though. The sheep that we train with were attacked by dogs during the week, so were replaced by fresh sheep - nowhere near as accustomed to being herded by dogs.
But she did it. She gained a qualification in each of the two tests, so now has a Herding Instinct Certificate, and is ready to begin training in earnest.
The test/trial process is a complicated one, but the requirements for each event are straightforward, and our judges, Jenny and Robert Cox, were generous with their explanations. There is nothing on the RNSWCC site about herding regulations, and if they are on the ANKC site there they aren't immediately obvious. To find the regulations you need to go to the CAWA web site.
I had been building a strong reinforcement history with Dusty for a downstay and recall so I was fairly confident of this part of the test, though in the yard with the sheep at the beginning of the instinct test was a new experience. I have also tried to keep to the really reliable recall guidelines, and her recall off the sheep has been good in the past. But she is still a puppy - she was just old enough to enter by a week, and she has only seen sheep twice in her life, the last time over a month ago.
"For both the first and second leg tests, the passing dog should show good, sustained interest of such a nature that the dog appears to be ready to begin preliminary training. Strong desire and a well adjusted, willing attitude should be demonstrated. The overall impression should be that the dog has the potential to be a useful, practical working dog. Constructive herding activity, not chasing should be evidenced."
Dusty did seem to be herding, keeping to the outside of the group and trying to keep them together, not rushing at them or trying to get them. It was hard, though. The sheep that we train with were attacked by dogs during the week, so were replaced by fresh sheep - nowhere near as accustomed to being herded by dogs.
But she did it. She gained a qualification in each of the two tests, so now has a Herding Instinct Certificate, and is ready to begin training in earnest.
October 27, 2005
Skateboarding Step by Step
Session one
Skateboard in the middle of the room, pillow restricting movement.
Session two
Skateboard in the middle of the room, pillow restricting movement, count out three lots of ten treats, raised the criteria to four feet on the board.
Session three
Took away the pillow so the board could move, on carpet so it doesn’t move too fast, criteria moving the board while standing on it with one or more feet. Ten treats.
Session four
Still on the carpet. Two rewardable behaviours: either standing on the board with all four feet, or pushing the board along while having one or more feet on it. I have never tried having alternative criteria so not sure if it will work.
Session five
Rubber bands against the wheel bearings slow the board down, we move outside to our street which slopes down to the gutter. Rewarding either hopping on the board or pushing it along.
Session six
Taken the rubber bands off the board, reinforcing jumping on the board and staying on it for five or ten seconds as it rolls. Dusty tends to stand on the nose rather than in the middle, so I probably missed a step reinforcing her for the correct position on the board.
Session seven
Breakthrough. Dusty combines the behaviours, pushing with one foot while staying on the board.
Session eight
Captured on film.
Skateboard in the middle of the room, pillow restricting movement.
- Dusty backs up (recently learned, not on cue)
- one foot on board CT
- two front feet on board CT and call her to me for a pat
- she backs up
- two front feet on board CT
- three feet on CT
- wait for fourth foot, she lies down and puts her chin on the board, very cute. call her to me.
- hops up with four feet CT
- stays on board with four feet CT
- stays on board with four feet CT
- call her to me with lots of praise and a tummy scritch
- runs back and hops up with four feet CT
- stays CT
- stays CT
- release and play smack a puppy.
Session two
Skateboard in the middle of the room, pillow restricting movement, count out three lots of ten treats, raised the criteria to four feet on the board.
- Dusty runs over and hops up on the board CT throwing treat off to the side so she has to get off the board
- Repeat until she has had the ten treats, release and play.
- Repeat, for another ten treats.
- Repeat, this time rewarding facing the front of the board.
Session three
Took away the pillow so the board could move, on carpet so it doesn’t move too fast, criteria moving the board while standing on it with one or more feet. Ten treats.
Session four
Still on the carpet. Two rewardable behaviours: either standing on the board with all four feet, or pushing the board along while having one or more feet on it. I have never tried having alternative criteria so not sure if it will work.
Session five
Rubber bands against the wheel bearings slow the board down, we move outside to our street which slopes down to the gutter. Rewarding either hopping on the board or pushing it along.
Session six
Taken the rubber bands off the board, reinforcing jumping on the board and staying on it for five or ten seconds as it rolls. Dusty tends to stand on the nose rather than in the middle, so I probably missed a step reinforcing her for the correct position on the board.
Session seven
Breakthrough. Dusty combines the behaviours, pushing with one foot while staying on the board.
Session eight
Captured on film.
October 26, 2005
Dusty Skating
The members of Jo Sermon's Agility Training forum were challenged to clicker train our dogs to ride a skateboard. This video captures our current state of expertise. Establishing the criteria at each stage of progress was a challenge, but we are enjoying it.
Air Dogs
"Dedicated to Australian Agility enthusiasts and their dogs, Airdogs.com.au offers a range of agility equipment and training tools. Bringing together the finest Australian made and the best products from name brand overseas companies, Air Dogs offers everything you need for your agility dog."
Good to see more of those things I've been drooling over on overseas web sites - or braving exchange rates and postages costs for - now available from an Australian source. Air Dogs has a easy to navigate site, a good and expanding range of products, and a range of ways to purchase.
Good to see more of those things I've been drooling over on overseas web sites - or braving exchange rates and postages costs for - now available from an Australian source. Air Dogs has a easy to navigate site, a good and expanding range of products, and a range of ways to purchase.
Running and Jumping
Still practising gaiting reinforcing looking ahead, and above all not jumping up at me, I decided that part of the problem was just the excitement of my running-walk.
When we do restrained recalls I encourage the excitement and direct it onto a tug toy. But I haven't ever trained her to be calm while I'm running. So this week we have been doing free running, off leash, for short distances (not that my running long distances was an option), either in a straight line or in a circle.
This reminded me of Greg Derrett's basic agility skills training, so I watched the video again. Agility Foundation Training stresses the importance of 'circle work' - getting your dog accustomed to running with you, on your left and right, on both the inside and outside of the circle. The dog not only gets used to the thrill of you running, but also learns to read your body language and position himself in relation to you.
Greg's Agility Foundation includes:
When we do restrained recalls I encourage the excitement and direct it onto a tug toy. But I haven't ever trained her to be calm while I'm running. So this week we have been doing free running, off leash, for short distances (not that my running long distances was an option), either in a straight line or in a circle.
This reminded me of Greg Derrett's basic agility skills training, so I watched the video again. Agility Foundation Training stresses the importance of 'circle work' - getting your dog accustomed to running with you, on your left and right, on both the inside and outside of the circle. The dog not only gets used to the thrill of you running, but also learns to read your body language and position himself in relation to you.
Greg's Agility Foundation includes:
- Get the dog you want.
- Give it a short sharp name.
- Study basic learning theory.
- Teach it to play, including tug.
- Become more rewarding to the dog than the environment or the equipment.
- Develop a solid wait with strict criteria.
- Have consistent release commands.
- Teach directional commands - left, right, go on.
- Practice circle work.
- Have a regular fitness routine.
October 23, 2005
Sewing for Dogs
Walking the aisles of a new pet shop that sponsored our show last weekend, I resolved to start to make dog toys, beds, collars and things. I used to make my son’s clothes until he was old enough to talk and insisted on shop-bought gear like the rest of the kids in play group. I continued making my own for a while, and made soft furnishings when I couldn’t buy what I wanted, but it has been a while.
Like most things these days, there is plenty of information online on how to get started:
Like most things these days, there is plenty of information online on how to get started:
October 22, 2005
Swimming Lessons
We are on the beach most days, and Thommo swims regularly chasing a tennis ball, but Dusty hasn't ever gone into the water further than her knees. She didn't seem bothered by the water and would happily splash around in the shallows waiting for Thommo to come out. So I guessed she just didn't have a reason to go in.
Today was a balmy 26C, so I took them both down to Horseshoe beach, the local off leash area. It is on the harbour, so unless a ship goes past there aren't any waves to contend with.
I went out to about waist deep, and she swam after me. She had this look of grim determination and when she reached me she immediately swam back to shore, but she kept coming back out again. So I think she'll take to it. She had really good flotation, and excellent paddling action. I'll take a floating toy or two next time and play with her out in the water.
Today was a balmy 26C, so I took them both down to Horseshoe beach, the local off leash area. It is on the harbour, so unless a ship goes past there aren't any waves to contend with.
I went out to about waist deep, and she swam after me. She had this look of grim determination and when she reached me she immediately swam back to shore, but she kept coming back out again. So I think she'll take to it. She had really good flotation, and excellent paddling action. I'll take a floating toy or two next time and play with her out in the water.
Seminars on CD
Looking for information on Leslie Nelson's book and DVD Really Reliable Recall, I came across a company that provides CDs of conferences and seminars including APDT's US conference from 2002 to the present.
Sessions, such as Nelson's, are available individually for US$14.00 or you can purchase the whole conference. They don't provide any details on the session, just the title and speaker so you have to either do some research or take a chance. Jean Owen - Advanced Agility Handling Skills with One Jump - sounded worth buying on spec, but a few moments Googling revealed Owen's expertise.
Might be something to listen to on those long drives to trials.
Sessions, such as Nelson's, are available individually for US$14.00 or you can purchase the whole conference. They don't provide any details on the session, just the title and speaker so you have to either do some research or take a chance. Jean Owen - Advanced Agility Handling Skills with One Jump - sounded worth buying on spec, but a few moments Googling revealed Owen's expertise.
Might be something to listen to on those long drives to trials.
Canine SIM Games
A simulation game, or sim game, is a mixture of a game of skill, a game of chance and a game of strategy, which results in a simulation of a complex structure that reflects a real life society or creates a fantasy one.
Simulation games have been played with pencil and paper since time immemorial. Recently, simulation games have come to the computer. Computers are inarguably superior to humans in creating simulations, and they have allowed simulation games to become more realistic than ever before.
PawIt, Canis Major, Showdog.com, and Furry Paws, all allow you variations on raising, training, handling and competing with a virtual dog.
Simulation games have been played with pencil and paper since time immemorial. Recently, simulation games have come to the computer. Computers are inarguably superior to humans in creating simulations, and they have allowed simulation games to become more realistic than ever before.
PawIt, Canis Major, Showdog.com, and Furry Paws, all allow you variations on raising, training, handling and competing with a virtual dog.
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