The goal in R+, force-free training is help the dog be successful. We must be able to identify when the dog is having difficulty then slice training into smaller pieces to the point where the dog “gets it.”
This team has worked through a lot! Dog engagement has been the biggest hurdle for the owner and then being able to sustain Millie’s engagement.
Millie has trained with us for 8 months and owner Rochell has worked diligently. The speed circle reveals that Millie shows sustained engagement (rather than wandering off), looks to Rochelle for direction, has forward movement, jump commitment and clears the jump without knocking the bar.
Congratulations Rochell. We are so proud of what you’ve accomplished and excited to watch Millie blossom 🩷🩷🩷
Agility is an exhilarating sport for you and your dog. What sets our trainers apart from others is their training toolbox is full of different techniques assimilated over years and years of training and trialing at the highest levels. If one way doesn’t work, we try another until the dog is successful. 🩷
Obstacle commitment, collection and extension of stride, distance control and the timing of handler cues…we worked on all of the bits! The video of Zander 🦎 shows ideal performance of a speed circle. Did you see his initial blooper? 👀. Even top dogs make mistakes! No fuss, no muss. 😉
Never mind the barking…Tervuren girl is anxious for her turn. 🙈
Super Awesome class tonight guys…we are so, SO proud of you ⭐️ 🎉 🏴☠️ 🦎
Mexia’s introduction to the dog walk. 😂 She dictates the speed and has great confidence. Who said a Basset can’t do agility? ❤️
First two jumps on the way to a series of five! “Worry” came up from Core Foundations 1 to Agility Flatwork and now in Agility Jumps class! We love the process of carefully building a trained dog. 🐾. Congratulations April…you are doing so AWESOME!! 💝💝
We talk a lot about enrichment for our dogs. But enrichment benefits other animals, too. 🖤
“Worry” had an eventful Jumps class. She first learned “Wrap!” It was an easy behavior for April to shape as her timing was good and the toy toss/tug was meaningful reinforcement. 💥.
There is criteria established for wrap at the cone. As the dog understands the increasing levels of criteria, the final product begins to take shape. “Shape”. 😂 That’s what we are doing…shaping complex behaviors. 🐾🐾. Can you see that one direction is a stronger behavior the the other?
Wrap! Wrap! Wrap! 💥
Agility Flatwork class introduced jump wraps last night. A “jump wrap” occurs after a jump; the dog turns either direction in as little as 90 degrees or, as much as 360 degrees back past the jump they just took. It’s like a U-turn 🤷🏻♀️ At a run 😂
Because we “slice” behaviors into the most basic steps, we introduced the “wrap” using a cone, a clicker to mark the behavior and a treat to reinforce the positions. Within ten minutes, all dogs were “WRAPPING” and the owners were celebrating 🥳 their dog’s efforts. No intimidation, yelling, or fear. Just Operant Conditioning 😉
“Memphis” has no prior “jump wrap” experience and here she is! We will continue to add skills to this, which will result in the final product. Congratulations to the Tuesday night Agility Flatwork class….I’m so proud of your progress. 🎉
Classes enrolling now for week of Sept 11
💎www.HighIQk9.com
💎903.246.2622
💎Brashear TX
I thought this posted earlier. 🤷🏻♀️. Watch this lovely Border Collie search the course for 🐀. 💥 Can you read his indications? 💥. I love how he grabbed the bales to show a hide…he was determined to tell his handler “it’s here!” Climbing on the bales and navigating the tunnel are worth extra points. It was a fun day with great people and wonderful working dogs!
Agility jump training: fun with an occasional “let’s see what happens!” Samantha is “cheese bowling” with 4 month old Xander 🐾 As intended 🤞🏻, he cantered through the oddly-spaces jump lane poles without a hitch 🎉. Never mind the last pole…the handler 🤓 needs to improve her cheese tossing distance 😂. Limited to FIVE students, this group is full of talent and Good Dogs 💖
Teaching our Dogs to Soar 💫 We split all training into the smallest steps/criteria rather than “lumping”, which is teaching too much of the behavior at the same time.
In Agility Flatwork class, the Border Collie mastered the ladder 🪜, knowing exactly where her hind end, especially the feet, are.
Now enrolled in Agility Jumps, the first skill is to work a jump lane, where the dog learns to collect and extend its stride. With “Kestrel”, Karri helps her stay in the lane and maintain the speed suitable her competency. You can watch the paws 🐾 carefully navigate the uneven spaces between the ground poles. Textbook 📗 perfect! 💖
Jumping‼️. We start at the beginning to ensure the dog stays safe and enthusiastic 🤩. There is no better tool than the ladder 🪜 to help a dog understand how many feet and legs he has and how to make them work together. After a few false starts 😂 “Memphis” put it all together!! Excellent!!! 🌟 ⭐️ 🎉
www.HighIQk9.com
“Memphis” had an auspicious start at High IQ K9. She spent the first class lying on the training floor. Disinterested 😩. Sarah and I strategized and 💥, new dog second class. Every class since, Memphis has required more complex hides and finds them easily with clear indication. Heartfelt congratulations to Memphis and Sarah on your graduation from Scent Work Introduction 🎉. Video below is a snippet from a homework session.
