Jackie Graduation from Intro to Treibball

Jackie graduated from Intro to Treibball class at Lucky Dog Training. She did a great job learning "Go out!", "Come by!", "Away!", "Push!", and "That'll do!"

Pearls:

• "Go out!" is the cue where the dog leaves the handler's side and goes out to a target. Eventually we'll fade the target and the dog will go out to the indicated ball.

• "Come by!" is the cue that directs the dog to move clockwise.

• "Away!" is the cue that directs the dog to move anti-clockwise.

• "Push!" is the cue that directs the dog to herd the target toward the handler.

• "That'll do!" is the recall cue that directs the dog to return to the handler. The dog comes to recognize "That'll do!" as a form of praise and recognition of a job well done.

Video clip of Jackie learning urban herding in Intro to Treibball class:

Nosework with Jackie

Jackie learning to freeze and hold her nose on source

Today Jackie did her first buried find in nosework class. Jackie searched birch scent on a cotton tip inside a tea ball shallowly buried in sand. 

Jackie did her first handler discrimination search. I handled a new clean cotton glove for a few minutes, then Jackie learned to find the box containing a glove with my scent versus empty boxes or boxes containing gloves with strangers' scent. 

This was an entertaining game that Jackie took to immediately.

Pearls:

• Continue to reinforce Jackie's correct alerting behavior. Jackie should freeze with her nose at source for a quick count of two, then the handler marks and goes in to pay at source. If Jackie looks up at the handler after freezing and holding her nose at source for a couple beats, simply wait her out until she returns her nose to source again for a couple beats and then quickly move in and pay while Jackie's nose is at source.

• The end goal behavior is that when the dog finds the source of the odor being searched, she freezes and holds her nose directly at source, keeping her focus and nose on source while the handler calls "Alert!" and the judge says "Yes!" and the handler moves in to pay at source. 

• Buried hides are typically challenging because of how scent moves from within the sand out to the edges of the container. Often smaller/shorter dogs have an advantage over larger/taller dogs in buried finds because smaller dogs tend to sniff the edges of the containers where scent travels up from the sand and along the container's edge. Larger dogs tend to sniff the open grid of the container from above and sometimes have to re-follow the scent where it has moved.

• Store your handler discrimination glove in a glass jar, rather than plastic which can absorb odor. It's a good idea to saturate your glove with your scent by wearing and handling it often.

Jackie learning her handler discrimination glove that I previously handled

Basic Manners with Meggie

Meggie in her travel crate

Meggie was an absolute superstar in her first Basic Manners group class. She loved greeting our teacher Rachel Simmons and the other friendly staff at Lucky Dog Training Center. Meggie aced the first week's agenda of name recognition, nose touch targeting, sit and release cues, and loose leash walking. 

Meggie travels perfectly in the car, immediately settling quietly in her crate. She pottied on command when we got to our destination and conducted herself brilliantly for the entire class, including some very stimulating distractions. I'm very proud of her.

Apply to adopt Meggie through Border Collie Save and Rescue.

Meggie will be learning in Basic Manners:

Treibball with Jackie

Jackie is doing a great job learning urban herding. Pearls this week include:

• Gradually increase distance to Jackie's "Go out!" target. Start close with a single target, then incrementally increase reinforcing further distances.

• Collie Ball is a resource for yoga ball covers.

• We will eventually fade the target and have Jackie go out to a ball. For now, continue using the target to let Jackie know exactly what the handler is asking.

Treibball

Jackie is continuing to learn the sport of urban herding, known in Germany as Treibball. The idea is to herd yoga balls into a goal, similar to soccer.

Our homework this week includes:

• Practice "Go out!" then wait behind the ball while the dog stands on the target mat. The dog should wait to hear the "Push!" command before starting to nose the ball.

• Play "Front!" around objects such as a laundry basket or hassock.

• Continually practice increasing distance to the "Go out!" target. Distance is one of the biggest challenges in Treibball, so be sure to gradually increase confidence and distance to the target.

• Keep playing "Go out!"(dog goes to the indicated target), "Come by!" (dog moves clockwise), "Away!" (dog moves anti-clockwise), and "That'll do!" (dog returns to handler).

For "Push!" foundations, use a two-foot, three-inch PVC pipe with fittings on the end. Place a food treat directly under the pipe, and the end fittings allow the pipe to roll over the treat without smushing it so the dog is reinforced for pushing the cylinder out of the way to eat the treat. Fade the food treat as you progress to the command "Push!" with increased distance from the handler. 

Clip of Jackie playing Treibball foundation game "Push!" with a cylinder:

Basic Manners Group Class Orientation

Pearls:

• Meggie excelled in her first basic manners group class, showcasing her intelligence.

• She demonstrates potential as a sport dog prospect with her ability to navigate a lively multi-dog environment.

• With only three more weeks of activity restriction, Meggie is ready for adoption through BCSave. 

Today Meggie successfully attended her first group class: orientation to basic manners. She was a star pupil and excelled in the exciting multi-dog environment, including a loud and rousing agility class in the next room.

With her intelligence, high food drive, love of toys and tugging, and now demonstrating she can conduct herself in a group class setting, she is a definite sport dog prospect. 

With only three more weeks of activity restriction, Meggie will be even further equipped for all her next big adventures. Apply to adopt Meggie through BCSave.

Grateful thanks to Melinda Meche, Rachel Simmons, and all the staff at Lucky Dog Training Center in Keller, Texas. Melinda Meche was so kind and helpful in directing me to enroll Meggie in the orientation class, and Rachel did a great job teaching.

Meggie doing a great job in a multiple-dog group class setting with lots of distractions

Final Heartworm Treatment

                                       

Meggie received her final heartworm treatment injection this week and is now ready to find her forever home through BCSave. After just four more weeks of activity restriction, Meggie is cleared to resume normal play and exercise and will be heartworm-free soon!

Seventeen inches tall at the withers, 26 pounds, and two years of age, Meggie is the perfect dog as a single companion, a busy multi-dog family, sports, a hiking companion, a lap cuddler, and convenient for travel and outings. 

Meggie has accomplished so much in the few months she has been with us. She is potty trained, walks nicely on a leash, is crate trained, and loves going for walks. She has overcome her barrier reactivity around other dogs and is calm and polite at veterinary visits and other outings. Meggie has learned to get along with our resident dogs and displays herding behavior through appropriate play. Meggie has high toy, tug, and food drive and with her athleticism and intelligence she is an excellent sport prospect.  

Meggie is an exceptional lunch date at pubs and restaurants, always getting compliments on her perfect behavior. Her affectionate and outgoing personality is her top asset. Meggie loves learning and is very motivated to do what her person teaches.

Meggie at Fort Brewery

Meggie loves going to pubs where she sits perfectly on her travel bed and enjoys discussing great books and good movies over a pint.

Having a stroll (below) and enjoying company on her mat (above) at The Point restaurant

Waiting for pizza at Maple Branch brewery:

In addition to pub-hopping, Meggie also loves going for river hikes and walks in the neighborhood:

Meggie's auto-sits are legendary.

Best of all, Meggie loves her family, whether cuddling up for movie night, hanging out by the pool, or sitting on your lap:

Apply to adopt this exceptional pup through Border Collie Save and Rescue.