Distance Work

Part 1 of distance training is working well. Starbuck working in the X-pen at 50 feet and Fly at 25-30 feet.

New Toys - Hoops

First Picture: Fly testing out the new Hoops.

Second Picture: The six hoops, still need to be glued and end caps put on.

Third Picture: The south east corner of the new dog yard.

Sunday Fly and I went the NADAC fun match. We haven't had NADAC agility trials here in Fairbanks so this was learning event for everyone. It was fun! New events, the tunnels was a blast. They use hoops which was new to Fairbanks. The night before they got built for the event. This was great. Something to play with Fly with without jumping. Last night I built 6 hoops. Having my new miter saw it was real easy. I need to finish gluing them tonight. Starbuck and Fly had fun with them last night. It was getting dark when I finished. These are a few pictures from the new dog yard. It is really nice having that working space.

Morning Training

The sun doesn't rise now till about 7am so it is pretty dark at 5am. We go out at 5 for a potty break and then do some tugging, sitting stays ans close in work. We then went inside and with some top class treats did sits, stands, downs, touch's, and target's. Trying to get those really snappy. The nose touch's are good hard nose wrinkling touch's.

Pictures Again Soon

My good camera broke! But there was a really great rebate ($400) if you bought a printer and a camera together. It happened to be the printer Max wanted and the camera I wanted. I was able to order the camera body for half price that way. Yippee for a change I found out before the offer went away or bought the printer alone. So more good pictures soon.

Brilliant Recall Class Finished

The Brilliant Recall Class Finished with the daily games. There are still 2 bonus games coming and one more Distraction Webinar. This was a great class. I know it sound funny to do a dog training class over the web but it worked. Each day a new game got posted with hints for trouble shooting and a video. There were lots of comments from other students who were also working things out. There were a few live webinars too. Everything we did in the class helped all that I am doing with Fly. So many of the games built the relationship. I now have a new tool box to work with. If you haven't check out Susan Garrett's stuff you should. I really like the way she trains her dogs. Susan Garrett's web site.

Fun Puppy Class

Puppy class went pretty good. Weak sports are heeling and a real strong desire to play with all the other dogs. We had fun running in the yard tonight. It is starting to get darker now. Still not total darkness yet.

Mirror Me

This morning I was doing recalls with Fly. I sat her in position and walked away a bit. When I went into the ready, crouched position, she crouched down too. Then I tried standing up and she went back to a normal sit. The dogs are loving running in the new yard in the dirt. It will be so nice when it is grass!.

Just Wow

I have been working on the Brilliant Recall E-Course with Susan Garrett since the first of August. The homework has done amazing things with Fly and especially with Starbuck. Last night I did some rally practice with Starbuck. He was glued to my side or where he was suppose to be. He has focused on me so strong. We normally do the equivalent of one course and he has enough. Last night we kept going and going and he was loving it. This morning I took him for a walk on his long line(50'), still don't trust him. The dogs next door came to the fence and started carrying on. He headed over to check it out. I called him and he turned and came right back to me and even better he park himself at my side in the Reward Zone. I had no treats (opps) but he loves being rubbed and patted real hard as he rolls in the dirt. He got a good reward and we both had a big party right then. I also took my puppy out and she is on a 6' lead in case I need to catch her. She got to run and again the dogs next door started in their noisy things. She ran along the fence with them until I called and she came right away. Tugging is her top reward. I let her run again a few more times and when she was involved in something other than me I called and she came. I have had a bit of trouble when I call her she locks on me, sits and waits for something. Today she came. We need to tighten up the position in the reward zone, but it has moved from out front to my side. All where at distances over 100'. Oh what fun we are having!

Toy Pile Reward

All the ball flat and full and eaten along with other goodies are piled along side of the front lawn. This is the reward pile. After Fly has worked with me she gets to go pick a toy and play for a while. Round balls she rolls to me and we kick and herd it around. Flat balls she runs laps with and brings to me to throw. After a bit I put the toy away and we work. I have "Pick a Toy" as a command that allows her to grab the goodie of her choose. I have "Toys Away" when I put it back on the pile and we go do something different. The toy pile gets a look every now and then. The closer we "work" near the pile the bigger value the distraction. In the last week we have only had a few escapes to the toy pile and it was when I work to long and I knew it. Just trying to get one more in. I am getting better at stopping sooner. I always want to finish on a high note. These four pictures are selecting the flat ball after being given the command pick a toy. She goes over an pokes around a bit before selecting what we will play with. I had a cup balanced on top that just had to be nosed over.

Doing Homework Day 1

Starbuck works for food much better than Fly. Fly is much more easy to distract, a bee, a leaf, or a vole taking a short cut. Even getting Steve to take pictures was a distraction.