If I only knew then, what I know now.

The agility blogosphere is taking on a topic challenge. The , "If I knew then..." question.

I'm going to focus on foundation impulse control. I think it is the one thing that newbies just don't understand (I sure didn't) and do not spend enough time with this basic skill.

The idea is to ensure that your dog understands that it is their choice.  That if they choose wisely the rewards will fall from the heavens and they will be happy.  Making the incorrect choice (lack of impulse control) the consequence is lack of reward and possibly a time out. I never understood how important this was, I just wanted to do obstacles.

Many people today equate impulse control with "crate games."  Susan Garrett started the crate games craze, but often once the dog reaches a certain age, I see handlers stopping their impulse control games and the dog no longer is rewarded for the basic rules we gave them as puppies.

Example A:

• You open sliding glass door and dog darts out, runs around the back yard, tongue out, tail wagging. Totally rewarded for darting out.
• You ask the dog to sit and put your hand on the door, dog acts like they are going to dart, remove hand. Hand back on, door opens, dog goes to dart out, door closes. Reward is removed. Dog sits, door opens, you treat the dog with food reward and then release the dog to go out, dog runs around the back yard, tongue out, tail wagging. Just rewarded for impulse control.

Example B:

• Julie walks in the ring, walks to the line with her dog, barely gets the leash off, and the dog darts out and has completed 5 obstacles while Julie is yelling the dogs name. Dog totally got rewarded for running and playing without the handler.
• Julie walks in the ring, walks to the line with her dog, dog starts to act like he is going to take off, Julie walks back out of the ring. Repeat until dog can sit. Dog gets rewarded for sitting.

Four dogs barking at the gate when I open the door or four dogs laying down nicely at the gate when I open the door.  I know which one I'd like to have, well for most guests. 

Impulse control bleeds into all aspects of agility. Startline stays, tight turns, coming to you at the end of a run, walking to the line, exiting the ring, etc. If your dog understands that making the incorrect choice has a consequence of reward being removed, they will learn to acknowledge your participation and leadership in the game of agility.

The hardest aspect of this is controlling the environment so the dog is not rewarded by things you had not anticipated.

Working on the idea that "It is your choice" you can play all kinds of games teaching the dogs behaviors of control as you go. 

• Using food in the hand, dog gets food reward when he ignores food.
• All crate games are ways to reward good behavior.
• Playing with a toy, taking the toy out of the dogs mouth, waiting for a down, reward for more play.
• Start line stays, go back and reward with food or toy. 

Reward, reward, reward.  Dogs must have value for controlling their behavior.  Adult dogs as well as young dogs.  I believe the It's your choice rules should be in effect the entire life of the dog.

Check out all the other agility bloggers here.

Maybe, Possibily, Someday....

I might want to take Fin on an airplane ride.  Maybe even to visit a friend that happens to live across the country.  Possibly to visit Fin's brother.  Could be we'd want to fly to an agility competition...hey, it could happen.

No, I am not teaching Fin to get in the bag so I can take her on vacation with my husband next fall.  I wouldn't even THINK of taking a dog on that vacation.  No, didn't even cross my mind...well, don't tell him...OK?

So we are practicing.  Got the biggest bag possible for in-cabin flying and we are working on Fin learning that it is the best thing ever!  Not only is she enjoying her "bag," but she is having fun learning and figuring it out.

Happy Leap Day From Whiz World

 

AGILITY!!!

Fin and I are playing again, albeit, carefully.  Had a fun weekend with one day AKC and one day Derrett seminar.  Learned so much both days.

Jumpers:  The opening felt really great, it was smooth and fast.  I was behind on the straight away to the weaves and we lost it there.  Never really got our mojo back, but had fun getting outta dodge :)



Ah. Standard:  Note to self.  Practice leadout using a collapsed tunnel.  Otherwise a fantastic run.

 Things to take away from both the trial and my seminar.

• Work on my lead out pivots, success and failure. Success with jumps, failure with the collapse tunnel. 
 
• Work my rear crosses, need to tighten those up and run through them, no more decell to set Fin on the correct line, move into it rather than stopping.
• Work around the back (my out cue) in a lead out pivot situation.
• Work independence on difficult lines (90 degree from weave to a broad).
• Contacts, whew, at least those are good.
• Continue weave independence training

Honestly, I'm just happy my knee is holding up.  Mild discomfort still, but healing really nicely.  I certainly dodged a bullet on this one.

Turkey!

I do live in the country.  Guess who came to visit.  Two huge Toms with a bunch of girls.

This is looking up the hill from my house.

As I was watching, a car came down the hill.  The boyz took it on.  They stood in the middle of the road challenging the car saying, "gobble, gobble."  The car just stopped.  All the girls continued across the road and once they were across and on the neighbors lawn, the boyz followed and allowed the car to continue.  Must be spring.

Worms

I had no idea.

 How much duct work was actually in my house.

When I look at the condition of these ducts I'm really glad that I'm getting them all replaced.

Motivation you ask?  Why Vici.  What could possibly make me replace all my duct work in the middle of winter (although you wouldn't know it was winter based on the wonderful weather we are having).

So, remember the rats that love me.  That like to come to winter at my house?  Well evidently they discovered the mysterious and wonder of the heating system with all the cozy nooks and cranies making themselves at home.  Tazz found a new sport, running from heater vent to heater vent making things scurry.  Totally freaking me out.

On a side note, 12 years ago I moved into this house and had it inspected.  Both the house inspector and PG&E told me I needed to replace the heater.  Funny how I can procrastinate for 12 years...but then how a furry little creature can motivate me to action.

Such is life.

And the beat goes on

Ahh the joy.  My knee is so much better.  I even worked out a bit today.

I am still unable to gracefully get up from the ground, but that will come.  Agility looks promising for the weekend.  Hike, no so sure...but absolutely a nice long walk.

Today I am incredibly grateful that I did not break something and that the contusion is showing signs of great improvement.  I'm grateful that my dogs don't care and just want to hang out and play with me whether I'm running or sitting on a bench in the backyard. 

I should be grateful that the heater people are here replacing all of my heater vents under the house and providing me with a new heater.  But honestly, I'm just cold.  I hold all of that grateful feeling once the heater gets turned on  (looking like Friday)!