Ruff Luv by Susan Garrett - book review

Not the high production value that Susan Garret turned out later on. This book looks home produced.

The mantra "Permissiveness is not positive" is good line for the book. You have to be consistent . You take away all play with other dogs until appropriate behavior is learned.

The book is definitely for DOGs that are highly trained and live with other dogs. You also need to have full cooperation with other family members.
I love Susan Garrett's webinars and was expecting more from the book.

Took two training seminars - For Cainines

For Your Canine - an interactive learning experience
4233 United Parkway
Schiller Park, IL
60176-1709
847.671.6844

First Seminar 9-10:30 am, Rock Solid Recalls

Rock solid recalls relies on first getting/keeping the dogs attention.
Always practice/work in a safe environment.

1st practice: place food/toy about 20 feet away from dog
then reward dog for staying until he is released.  The trick here is if dog goes for away food you must either stop him or beat him to the food.

2nd practice:  place dog in safe large area (use long leash if outdoors) and have dog follow you around.  Important not to make it a game where you are trying to get the dog and he is running away.

3rd skill/practice: Have the dog stay in a public place while people, cars, other dogs are walking by.  Here we did it with the dogs lined up on the side and another dog walking around.

The second seminar - Way to Stay
More of the same with less come to me commands (obviously).
Did some walking around, walking across back.....

In conclusion:
Three hours of training is a lot for a puppy.
Never use recall to take dog our to pooch park.  He will not come to you the next time.
Practice collar grab so that you can grab and leash him when you want.
When leaving for work leave dog with cone or other reward.
Bolting out of door is natural.  Practice stay command with every door in your house before using outside doors.

Best Friends Pet Care - Agility Training

Best Friends Pet Care(Windy City K-9 Club)
1628 North Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: (773) 384-5959
http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/


There are two rooms:

This is the larger of the two rooms with a full assortment of planks, tunnels, weave poles, a frames, seesaws.  There were approximately 20 dogs (3 shelties) and 3 trainers.  The class was divided into beginning and other.  We (beginners) went into the smaller room.






This room has ladder for the dog to become aware where the feet are, especially the rear legs.  There are also low height planks.  Most planks ramp up and down and it takes awhile for the dog to get used to the height.

The rocker stations on the left teach the dog to balance on moving platform.  The pvc squares on right are used to teach the dog space,  go there, reward him when he goes there.  Partnering with the dog to practice for improvement.

Katerina working with Ché at jump pole station.

Training May 3

A tunnel (curved) was added by the garage.  Learned the difference between heel and finish.  Heel is when you want the dog at your left side.   Finish is when the dog is sitting in front of you and you want him to go to heal position.  In obedience training this is the way one finishes?

Worked on crosses: blind cross - dog is in tunnel and you switch lead hand, reverse flow pivot - dog reverses direction, cross-over turn - dog goes from left side to right, front - cross ummm not sure what this is.

Worked on distance commands where the dog is further away and you say tunnel and get the dog to go thru the tunnel.

Ché and Samantha enjoying their cones.

Training April 26

Ellen working on jumps with Ché.   Puppy is starting to really enjoy training.  He comes to class with lots of enthusiasm and is really paying attention to handler.  In this lesson Ellen has better body language/body energy.  She realizes that dog's attention has to be maintained at all times.  When something is happening you don't want to have happen you need to communicate that.  Ellen is also doing this better.

Need to set a date for Good  Canine Good Citizenship Progam.  Ché has to model behavior like walking without pulling on leash, meeting other dogs without barking.  Right now Ché is jumping up when he hears high pitch voice.

Training more than one dog at a time is just more fun

and who is that dog tripping over the jump....

Is that Rusty (17 years old)?

Ché waiting for next run of course that includes tire, jumps, tunnel.


Some general observations:

• You have to command and maintain the attention of the dog.  Especially when switching  handlers.
• Say the command "once".  If you say it more than once you are teaching the dog ignore you.  You have to make the command count.
• Energy of the body is primary.   Work to minmize verbal commands.  This is what we will emphasize next training session.
• Use a command voice different than just talking to dog, especially negative commands.
•  Training is not easy and requires a certain amount of patience and humility.

Ché and Samantha playing together.  At pooch park with lots of other dogs.  Ché is the pooch park savant.  He plays with so many different dogs in different styles.  Chase/be chased, on top/on bottom, bulling head on head, running after ball, hearding, and sharing stick.  So nice to have Samantha to play with.

So much sheltie love

Ché, Mya, and Samantha waiting patiently, playing catch the next food bite - kibble.  You got to love Shelties and wonder why you don´t see more of them.

You got it. I'm glad you have some weave poles at home now because learning the poles takes lots of short sessions a few times a day. Remember to keep the poles open/slanted at first.

Training Session April 12, 2010

This session we worked the weave - in/out commands training Ché to start with left shoulder and move through the poles.  The trainer moves hand with treats in and out of the poles using body maybe hips to signal Ché to weave through the pole obstacles.  These poles are 40¨ with 5¨ spikes set 24¨ apart.

In the beginning it is useful to reward tiny improvements.  This is part of the process of training.  At some point rewards are given only for perfect execution and then very little ¨work for food, the process always evolving not always improving.  The goal is the performer to on command find the entrance of the weave with his left shoulder and go in and out of the weave as fast as possible with little direction.


Other suggestions/hints:

Train both hands and both sides.  The training has to be exacting, details so that the dog understands exactly what to do.

Generally use a loud voice when to send the dog away and less energy voice for closer maneuvers.

Stay command is used when you want the dog to remain in place till you come back.  Wait command the dog is waiting for the next comand in the sequence.

Dog Party

http://s181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/lindalana/Che%20and%20Samantha%20Birthday/


Check out link above. Che, Mia, and Samantha had their first party together. It was a big hit! Then Che and Mia went to the POOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH Park.



Great time!!!!!

Training March 15

Mon 15 Mar 2010 10:49:09 AM CDT

Karen's Training Session



t
low jump

tunnel

higher low jump


Work the sequence several times, both sides, leading with

Then make Che concentrate and do sequence without lots of talk

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Walk the line with Katerina


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