Tricks Class Week 5

Tonight we practiced backing up onto a platform, where you begin with reinforcing the dog in 2o2o position along the long side of a 2" platform, then lure the dog forward until the hind feet are just off the platform and then lean only very slightly forward with your lure so that the dog steps back onto the long side of the platform in 2o2o position and mark and reward. Eventually this will progress into Back up 5 feet which is an advanced trick.

We also played front feet on paw pods. Jackie loves this trick since she loves putting her feet up on many items.  She also successfully placed both front feet on the paw pods with both hind feet on a platform. 

Jackie has earned both her Novice Trick Dog Title her Intermediate Trick Dog Title and we've recorded three of the five required tricks toward her Advanced Trick Dog Title ("Bravo!" [Bow], "Guilty!" [Head Down], and Wave). We need two additional advanced tricks to complete her advanced title. Back up and Tap a Button are both advanced tricks we are polishing.

Pearls:

• Homework this week will be to reinforce backing onto a platform, and front feet on paw pods with hind feet on a platform
• Play paw pods for only a couple minutes at a time, unless you have already gradually built up to your dog being very fit; this is a strenuous activity and it takes much effort on the dog's part to perform
• This set of six balance pods hedgehogs will arrive tomorrow; Jackie played with both the smooth and nubby pods last night and seemed to like them both; I got the nubby ones to get started
  
  
  

Spaniel snoods

With the colder weather I've been keeping Rosco's ears and haircoat longer. Since pumpkin, fish oil, blueberries and mushrooms are added to his kibble, Rosco found himself in need of a good snood. I found a wonderful small businesswoman who makes snoods, and her company Maple and Paws has been wonderful to work with for fitting and ordering these 100% cotton handmade snoods.

Rosco's wardrobe is bespoke all the way

Pearls:

• Long, fluffly ears are kept clean and dry with snoods from Maple and Paws
• Fish oil, pumpkin, and other food-toppers stay in the bowl and out of the ears
• Rosco's ears and haircoat are kept in tip-top shape at his regular groomer The Paw Pad