I took Quinn to the Greater Lincoln Obedience Club building. There was an Agility Fundamentals class and a Good Dog Level 1 class so there were plenty of dogs present.
He was barking when we pulled into the parking lot, but I waited him out and made him stay in the crate (door open) until he calmed down.
We then walked around a bit and let him potty if needed. When another trainer drove in we moved to the street. She had her very calm Border Collie with her and Quinn barked maybe once, but quickly calmed down.
We went into the building and he initially barked a couple of times, I corrected him and started rewarding him for being calm. I moved in to the office door several times and moved so he could see the other dogs in the building and again rewarded for calm behavior and then moved back into the office.
At one point another trainer brought her dogs towards the office. She came up on us quickly and Quinn began getting very upset. I asked her to wait for a minute in the doorway, then I calmed him down and moved him to the back of the office. He did very well, he didn't bark at them as they came close and left the building. He knows her dog, but on-leash in the building is very different from off leash in my backyard.
Overall I think he had a good session. I'm working up to being in the ring next to a beginning class or agility class. I don't think he'll ever be able to handle a Flyball class.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Day 2, Petco
My trainer gave me homework. It was to go to PetsMart and spend 10 minutes just walking around the store. No shopping, focus only on Quinn and interrupt or correct his bad behavior and reward the good. She also suggested I find a smaller class at the obedience club and get him either into the class or take him into the building--I'll work on that later!
Today I decided to take him to Petco, it's the same isn't it?
Apparently not. PetsMart on Friday is very very different from Petco on a Saturday. Quinn was over the top. When we first started in, he was fine. We got just inside the doors and he spotted the rescue booth. It wasn't the two Italian Greyhounds there to be adopted that make him bark, but the little Schipperke that was dancing around while the owners talked to the rescue people.
At that point, correcting him did not work. I just turned and got out of the entry-way. I should have turned around and left.
I worked on rewarding him and trying to stay as far away from the Schipperke and his people as possible. We were there about 5 minutes and had worked our way back to the grooming area. He barked a bit over the dog barking in the grooming room, but soon calmed down. We moved away to the Aquatics dept. He was nervous at first, but calmed quickly. We did a couple of pivots and were admired by a Dad and his daughter buying fish. As we moved back toward the door, I knew we'd have to pass the rescue booth. I moved up to the end of an aisle near the booth and we worked on not growling or barking at the Iggies (that he now decided needed to be barked at). When he calmed down I moved away and back up the next aisle, closer to the door and the booth.
We were almost even with the booth when the Schipperke and his people came down the main aisle, back to show off his new coat to the rescue people. Quinn once again went over the top. We moved back by the ferrets because I couldn't get him to calm down at all. Once the Schipperke was out of sight, he calmed down pretty quickly (he didn't care about the ferrets at all).
As soon as the Shipperke and his people left, we got the heck out of there. I now know, do not go to the store on a Saturday morning!
Today I decided to take him to Petco, it's the same isn't it?
Apparently not. PetsMart on Friday is very very different from Petco on a Saturday. Quinn was over the top. When we first started in, he was fine. We got just inside the doors and he spotted the rescue booth. It wasn't the two Italian Greyhounds there to be adopted that make him bark, but the little Schipperke that was dancing around while the owners talked to the rescue people.
At that point, correcting him did not work. I just turned and got out of the entry-way. I should have turned around and left.
I worked on rewarding him and trying to stay as far away from the Schipperke and his people as possible. We were there about 5 minutes and had worked our way back to the grooming area. He barked a bit over the dog barking in the grooming room, but soon calmed down. We moved away to the Aquatics dept. He was nervous at first, but calmed quickly. We did a couple of pivots and were admired by a Dad and his daughter buying fish. As we moved back toward the door, I knew we'd have to pass the rescue booth. I moved up to the end of an aisle near the booth and we worked on not growling or barking at the Iggies (that he now decided needed to be barked at). When he calmed down I moved away and back up the next aisle, closer to the door and the booth.
We were almost even with the booth when the Schipperke and his people came down the main aisle, back to show off his new coat to the rescue people. Quinn once again went over the top. We moved back by the ferrets because I couldn't get him to calm down at all. Once the Schipperke was out of sight, he calmed down pretty quickly (he didn't care about the ferrets at all).
As soon as the Shipperke and his people left, we got the heck out of there. I now know, do not go to the store on a Saturday morning!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Quinn's Re-Training
The last time I posted (Wow! Two years ago.) I mentioned Quinn was a little shy in PetsMart and had some issues with over-reacting around unfamiliar dogs. Though we've been in competitions and he earned his BN (Beginning Novice) title, we now have to go back and address his issues.
My goal is to earn his RE title and move on to more obedience (Novice, Open and Utility). So to actually succeed, he needs to learn to calm down around strange dogs.
The first and last time I tried to compete in Rally Excellent, he really went nuts over the Dachshund that was supposed to be working in the ring while he did his honoring. Luckily, we found this out before going into the ring. I pulled Quinn, not only did I not want him to practice the behavior, but I didn't want to mess up the other dogs chances.
The one thing I've learned is 'out of control' dogs push Quinn's buttons. The other thing I've learned is that many of the dogs in Rally are out of control. They don't really know how to heel and if their owners couldn't use fake lures, the dog would be gone. (Yes, I expect some will take exception to this, but I've seen a lot of dogs that shouldn't have qualified, get their titles-- Missy is one of them!)
So, I've decided to work with a trainer. Intellectually I know what to do. I've helped many other people with the same issues. But knowing and doing are two different things when it's my dog that's acting like a fool.
We met yesterday at PetsMart, he wasn't interested in meeting her at all (that's fine). So she and I talked a while, I told her his history and she watched us walk through PetsMart. I don't know if it was lucky or not, it was very quiet, not many dogs or people. After a while she told me what I was doing right and what I needed to work on. Yay!
One of the things I had thought I was doing wrong was corrected him when he went over the top and began barking. She told me to keep doing it. I had been moving back while correcting him, she told me that I shouldn't do that. Keep him in place until he calms down and make moving away a reward for calm behavior. Wow! Such a small thing, but it really makes sense.
She brought her dog in and we worked on getting him to just allow them to move around us. He did really well and as we left the store we walked out together. Quinn and her dog were about 4-6 foot apart, but Quinn was ignoring her dog!
I do have to admit, I put Quinn away, got into the car and cried.
My goal is to earn his RE title and move on to more obedience (Novice, Open and Utility). So to actually succeed, he needs to learn to calm down around strange dogs.
The first and last time I tried to compete in Rally Excellent, he really went nuts over the Dachshund that was supposed to be working in the ring while he did his honoring. Luckily, we found this out before going into the ring. I pulled Quinn, not only did I not want him to practice the behavior, but I didn't want to mess up the other dogs chances.
The one thing I've learned is 'out of control' dogs push Quinn's buttons. The other thing I've learned is that many of the dogs in Rally are out of control. They don't really know how to heel and if their owners couldn't use fake lures, the dog would be gone. (Yes, I expect some will take exception to this, but I've seen a lot of dogs that shouldn't have qualified, get their titles-- Missy is one of them!)
So, I've decided to work with a trainer. Intellectually I know what to do. I've helped many other people with the same issues. But knowing and doing are two different things when it's my dog that's acting like a fool.
We met yesterday at PetsMart, he wasn't interested in meeting her at all (that's fine). So she and I talked a while, I told her his history and she watched us walk through PetsMart. I don't know if it was lucky or not, it was very quiet, not many dogs or people. After a while she told me what I was doing right and what I needed to work on. Yay!
One of the things I had thought I was doing wrong was corrected him when he went over the top and began barking. She told me to keep doing it. I had been moving back while correcting him, she told me that I shouldn't do that. Keep him in place until he calms down and make moving away a reward for calm behavior. Wow! Such a small thing, but it really makes sense.
She brought her dog in and we worked on getting him to just allow them to move around us. He did really well and as we left the store we walked out together. Quinn and her dog were about 4-6 foot apart, but Quinn was ignoring her dog!
I do have to admit, I put Quinn away, got into the car and cried.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Petsmart Training
Okay, I admit, I like to go to Petsmart and Petco and train my dog. I like to shop there too, it's a win, win situation.
I took Quinn and Missy to Petsmart for a little training/shopping. I had two store clerks show interest in Quinn, since I usually am training we aren't often interrupted. It really hit home that he is scared of a lot of things. He's almost as shy as Jojo in new settings.
No wonder he sometimes freaks out at dog shows.
I've been thinking this may be hyper vigilance --looking for out of control dogs to bark at, is really part fear of out of control dogs and fear of the 'unknown.'
At one point he spotted an adorable Eskie getting a haircut in the groomer's window. He growled at it I gave a correction and I made him do a 30 second sit stay and 30 second down stay with the dog at his back. He did okay.
I then brought Missy into the store (because I wanted to buy some rawhide that was on sale) and she didn't 'see' or wouldn't acknowledge the 'doggie in the window'. She was a little friendlier with the store clerk, she doesn't care about people much. After meeting Missy the store clerk asked me: Have you ever considered training?
LOL
I didn't say that they both had obedience titles, just that I was training Missy for Agility.
I took Quinn and Missy to Petsmart for a little training/shopping. I had two store clerks show interest in Quinn, since I usually am training we aren't often interrupted. It really hit home that he is scared of a lot of things. He's almost as shy as Jojo in new settings.
No wonder he sometimes freaks out at dog shows.
I've been thinking this may be hyper vigilance --looking for out of control dogs to bark at, is really part fear of out of control dogs and fear of the 'unknown.'
At one point he spotted an adorable Eskie getting a haircut in the groomer's window. He growled at it I gave a correction and I made him do a 30 second sit stay and 30 second down stay with the dog at his back. He did okay.
I then brought Missy into the store (because I wanted to buy some rawhide that was on sale) and she didn't 'see' or wouldn't acknowledge the 'doggie in the window'. She was a little friendlier with the store clerk, she doesn't care about people much. After meeting Missy the store clerk asked me: Have you ever considered training?
LOL
I didn't say that they both had obedience titles, just that I was training Missy for Agility.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Playing Catch Up!
March 2009
Training is continuing for Quinn, but I haven't worked with Missy in a while.
Danny was diagnosed with Insulinoma, it's a type of pancreatic cancer that causes him to have chronically low blood sugar.The vet has given him 2 weeks to 8 months to live. I'm spending a lot of time with him and also have switched him to a low carb, raw diet. I'm hoping it will stabilize his blood sugar a little. He's now on Pred and Phenobarbital. I'm preparing to take Quinn into Rally Advanced this spring. He's doing very nicely.
May 2009
Quinn and I competed in RA at the Seward County Kennel Club Show at the end of April. We earned our first two legs with a 90 on Saturday and a 97 on Sunday. Sunday we earned first place. We've been practicing the jump, but I got a little nervous and instead of telling him to 'look' at the jump. I said 'Watch' which he did, as he ran right into it.The judge said later, he's never seen a dog run into a jump before, evidently he's never seen a dog who had good attention and trusted his handler. Quinn did the jump on the second try. I've been working a little with Missy in Agility and we went to an outdoor Agility trial in Omaha the first weekend in May. She left the ring all four times. I was afraid she might jump the very low ring gates, but she found little holes to run through. She didn't really quit working (though the judge whistled us off) she was just too full of energy.
I now have another Aussie named Ketch. He was returned to his breeder, because he was unable to herd cattle. He was then given to a family, who decided they didn't have time for him. He's about 18 month old, and looks like a Border Collie mix, though I have his AKC papers. He's never really been in a house. He's learned stairs and house training. The one major issue is he chases cats. I'm working with him, still not sure if I'm going to keep him or place him.
June 2009
I had planned on taking all the Aussies to Vermillion for the SVKC show and then camping afterwards, but I've been diagnosed with a stress fracture in my foot. So no hiking, I've sent my entries in so I'm going to go ahead and compete in Vermillion. On Saturday 6-20 Danny was having serious trouble standing, and he was vomiting pretty badly. I took him to the vet pretty sure that this was the end. They gave me hope and said it might be just a bacterial infection. Sunday morning he was still breathing, but unresponsive, I think he just had a series of small seizures all night and it was too much for him.
Rest In Peace, Danny!
Eatinrocks Sunshine Dancer RN CGC
2000-2009
July 2009
I took my sister, her Aussie, Ketch, Quinn and a friends Border Collie to the SVKC show in South Dakota. Quinn earned his final leg for his RA on Saturday 6-27 with a 95 and Second Place. He earned an insurance leg on Sunday with a 94 and Second place again.
My sister and her dog Lacey, earned their final two legs for their RA as well.
Overall it was a bittersweet weekend. I missed Danny very much.
Monday, December 8, 2008
December--already!
Here we are another month gone by and I'm not posting frequently. Classes have ended at the obedience club, but I'm still assisting with a new instructor. I'm trying to teach Missy some tricks--my goal is to teach her several tricks (roll-over, shake, spin, etc) to distract people from trying to pet her. Until I've gotten her over her fear of strangers, I need to keep people from causing her to regress. Our stand stay is coming along. She's learning to allow me to come up to her and touch her on her back. Even my sisters cause her to 'melt' (lay down with ears pinned back). I've begun teaching her go outs and the glove exercise. Nothing really formal, just the basic ground work right now.
Quinn has learned to actually play with toys. I played fetch with him at the building with a rubber knot toy. He played with a plastic Frisbee at my house and at my sister's . This is a huge step, because always before he was too frightened of Danny to play with anything.
Quinn has learned to actually play with toys. I played fetch with him at the building with a rubber knot toy. He played with a plastic Frisbee at my house and at my sister's . This is a huge step, because always before he was too frightened of Danny to play with anything.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Not Bad, Just Enthusiastic!
Well, I decided after Missy's fiasco at the agility trial, I need a little more control over her.
So I'm taking a Novice Ready class with her. I've always called her my 'bad dog' because she's just a little wild and out of control. I now have to rethink that. It seems she can really settle down and do some nice heeling. Her stays are terrible, she stands or comes to me at anything out of the ordinary. Obviously as confident as she appears, she needs to be more comfortable on long stays.
She has a great stand-stay, but the exam part causes her to melt into a white puddle on the floor. Right now I'm having people walk up to her and feed her on the stand or walk around her. I need to make sure she doesn't practice the melting behavior.
Her agility is improving, I can't see it, but my instructor says she is getting better.
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