Homework this week will focus strongly on two-on-two-off contact behavior "Feet!" because we are gearing up to begin the baby dog walk soon! We'll continue using Jackie's plank and the ceramic nose target to reinforce "Go walk!" "Feet!"
Interestingly, I can add a bit of distance in class but at home when I add too much distance Jackie occasionally plows past the end of the plank and misses the reinforcement zone. As always, slow and steady wins the race so for now I will add only the tiniest increments of distance at home to keep a high rate of reinforcement and motivation.
In class today we re-visited start lines, which are very important and set the tone for your entire run. Jackie did very well on her first start line. When first learning to go through a hoop at the start line, it is helpful to put your back to the line and sit (or down) your dog very close to the hoop, to make it obvious to the dog where she should run. As we add the tunnel obstacle, I must remember to keep moving at the same speed so Jackie keeps her forward momentum into the tunnel.
Using an exploding lotus ball stuffed with cookies today for the first time seemed to be a viable tool. Ideally we will continue to use the lotus ball to toss in front of Jackie to reinforce running distance ahead of the handler.
Jackie adding a tunnel obstacle to the startline, reacquainting herself with the tunnel after not seeing it for several weeks:
- Practice contact behavior this week, as the baby dog walk is debuting soon!
- Start lines are worth perfecting and proofing, and set the tone for your entire run
- Tunnels are fun! Don't slow down at all as I cue the tunnel and approach it and run; expect Jackie to enter the tunnel and keep moving-- don't slow down at all, keep the same pace
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