Saturday, December 31, 2005

Thursday Training - Protection

Seeing as most people could make it early, we had a training session at the NEC on Thursday afternoon. Phil Behun and Cherie are down from Chicago to get married this afternoon(31Dec05) and were at training. Many of you will know Phil and his Mali Ripp. I was trying out my new Olympus E-500 (santa was good) so here are some of the shots from Thursday.


Ali with Madison in Fus





Ann & Basco between Blinds 1 & 2



Basco in A Blind 2 Hold & Bark









Ali & Aron between Blinds 1 & 2



Aron rounding Blind 1



Aron Rounding 2 as Jojo runs for it









Aron and Jojo doing the Escape









Back online

Ok So I didnt write much over the holidays... There was some training going on with Ali standing in for me and doing really well taking instruction from the sidelines. The dogs accompanied us to the in-laws for Christmas dinner and behaved well with their dogs, shared in some turkey.

I have never seen a dog that enjoys a pool as much as Aron, If the gate down to the pool is open at the in-laws he is off at full speed, and all you can hear is the faint sound of the splash. The fool dog with literally swim laps, treading water to play with the pump jets, chasing down any wayward leaves that happen to be floating, gernerally having a ball. Yesterday I watched as he quite happily amused himself and swam for a good 20 minutes until I called him out to get back in the car. Madison loves to swim from the boat but only joins him for a lap or two when in the pool.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Play Training & Running a blind

I'm still all slung up so Ali filled in tonight to help burn off some GSD energy.

I set up one blind under the floodlights, and after some explicit instructions...(not that kind of explicit) Aron ran the blind and can barreling back to her for the tug... The momentum of the hit kinda pulled her about 5' backwards but she barely managed to stay upright, a noble effort, considering she only outweights him by about 30lbs.

Madison ran the blind for both the tug and for food. Ali was very impressed with the pup. She was initialy so focused on the food that the blind may as well have been invisible for all she cared, but it all worked out and she became really fast.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Protection

There was a good turn out at Port Royal School today. Jojo brought Gunner, Kiristi brought Walker, Ann had Basco, William brought Kiara(Czech GSD) and Margaret came with Briggs(Cda GSD). Ali the substitute handler (my wife) handled Madison and Aron really well, even though they are a little smaller than the horses she is used too.

We started Aron running the blinds for the tug and he worked fast, striking hard on his return to Ali. Jojo was in the fourth blind and he went right into a strong hold n bark, good hard fight and we put him up on that.

His second trip out was made up of several drag bites... and I mean he really dragged her ass across the field.. and several escapes.. It was really pretty amazing that he ignored Jojo figeting with the sleeve but was on him in the instant he lifted his foot to run.

Madison started out with some good basic line bites and on her second trip did some excellent obed with Ali for food... her great weakness.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Obedience ???

Tooks the dogs up to NEC for training tonight. Had my substitute handler (my wife) filling in. It was certainly a fun night.

A quick walk to stretch thier legs and she started with a long recall across the entire main ring... That Shepherd is damn fast... He just about cleaned her out. Then a harness pony showed up to turn laps and the dogs became entirely focused on this pony running laps around then, whining etc etc etc.

Once he left Madison did some good work for food and Aron did some work on a tie out.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Surgery

Well I went in at 9:30 yesterday out around 3:30.... dont remember much else.

The doctor has a site explaning the whole thing here.

I should find out all the bits and pieces on Monday... Slings suck.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Last night of training for a while......

I go under the knife tomorrow for arthroscopic surgery to repair a tendon in my right shoulder. Hopefully all goes well and I can be training full force in a couple months. Tracking will continue after a couple weeks and other work will have to depend on recuperative progress... shitty.....

We took advantage of my last night to go to the NEC and train with Ann & Basco under the big lights. Broke out the camera and took some shots, funnily the ones without the flash are much brighter.... wierd.

Basco Airborne


Basco without flash


Aron knohe


Aron Sit-in-Front


Aron Into my Arms


Madison Sit-in-Front


Madison Airborne

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Progress

Under the lights just as it began to rain....

Aron is coming along nicely as we worked for the tug, the ball and the piece of PVC pipe. He is getting used to playing tug with the hard pipe and not chewing, he is improving slowly with the command out of drive. I think I should switch to German, the slavik commands aren't as hard sounding, the more syllables the slower the reaction hmmmm... I finished with throwing the dumbell(handle wrapped in "vet wrap"), and sending for the retrieve. He sat in heel, waited staring at the dumbell and leap out, grabbed and flew back. I played tug with it and let him carry it back to the house.

Madison did some good drive work, in motion excercises, and playing. She gets so down when I tie her out to work Aron, then so excited when its her turn again...

Back in the house the pups are being kept in line by Maggie....

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Beat the dark

After spending the day at the horse show I raced to get in some drive work before dark.

I alternately tied them out while working the other. Madison did some good heeling, recalls, sit in motion and sit in front.

Aron worked on commands out of drive, a couple steps of heeling with focus, and calming into sit in front while fighting with the tug. All in all a good evening.

Tracking

It was a nice warm morning at Southside. Ann had Basco out and Kay brought Loki.

Aron's track was longer than usual with fully half the track without food. The spaces were from 8 - 15 paces including the corners. I was really happy with his work. he focused and even ignored a dog being walked nearby that fired up right at him. The last corner in particular was good with 10 paces before and after food free. I finished him with 20 paces with food in every step and I came up alongside to make sure he was precise to the end.

Madison worked her track intensely, I think once she starts I could leave and wait for her at the end. I increased the distance between food up to 20 paces and she figured out to follow the scent of the footsteps not merely smell for the food.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Protection

We met at Port Royal School at 3:00. Ann brought Basco out, Jojo brought Gunner, Kiristi had the puppy and Charles brought his 7 month old GSD.

I worked Aron on the blinds again. Today I took him out and worked 4 blinds with a tug without the helper(JoJo) on the field. He was coming strong and fast.After the second run through JoJo went into the 4th blind and we started from 1. He rounded 2 and head to 4. I had a brain freeze and didnt get "NO" out of my mouth until he was almost in the blind. He can back to me in the center of the field when I called which surprised the shit out of me because he was in a strong hold and bark. We then started back at 1 and he ran the four perfectly twice. Finished with a drag bite.

Madison did some line work with me doing my best post impression. She was having a hard time getting out of defense and a lot of growling.

Aron's 2nd session we followed the same program and ran the 4 blinds empty and then ran with Jojo in #2. Some good fighting for the sleeve, he ran in a circle and into arms and running and into arms etc etc and carried the sleeve into the crate.

Tracking

A good morning out at Southside. bit of a breeze and Ann was there with Basco, Kay brought Loki.

Aron worked really well, I eft the first steps off the scent pad food free, then ran it downwind, generally working 10 or so steps with food and 5 to 15 steps without. Corners without, last 30 paces with. Although I ran most of the track between 6' and 16' behind him, for the last 30 paces I again worked my way up the line and made absolutely sure that he was step by step to the end.

Madison ran her track well but she was easily distracted today by Kay retruning with Loki. a firm "No.. such" got her back on the track. her track again ran inbetween the playground equipment and she did well. I am strating her with the line under the right front leg and once underway reaching under and switching it to the left. She doesnt react to my hands being there at all but if it is on the right she tracks with her ass off to the left.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Late night

A subcontractors christmas party later and I got home to start training around 9:00. The two sets of worklights (500W halogens) worked really well at lighting up the yard for each side.

Aron settled down and even after a good fight over the tug he settled into a sit in front and let me touch him with my leg (alternating left and right). I managed to get through the entire session without having to out him although he did somehow manage to get the tug I was using to tempt him to let go into his mouth with the other still in there...

Madison worked well and I tried her on a tie out for a few bites. As long as the rope was on the ground I could entice to bite and then once on the bite she would hold hard no matter what, but if the rope got tight while I had in drive... dead stop... Amazing the affect one lunge against the line on a 2" collar a year ago is still having...

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Obedience & Drive under the Lights

Tonight was a good night up at the NEC under the huge floodlights. The crew was setting up all the jumps in the ring for the horse show this weekend so we used the pony racing track around the outside for training. Ann came with Basco, Mark brought Cesaer and Jeanette had Nancy.

I worked both dogs with food for the first session, fus, sits and downs in drive. I had Aron on leash with the prong and corrected for anything out of position or slow, it worked out well, his food drive has been so much higher since we started tracking that he never dropped out of drive and I managed to be fast enough to stop him picking up anything from the ground.

Aron' second session was fus and drive commands with the tug and we set up one blind and worked on his revier, returning to me for the tug for a fast hit, practising for the courage test.

It was good to work the dogs with all the commotion going on around us as the guys moved the jumps, with the tractor, trucks, trailers and even dragged the race track while we worked through it.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Drive & sit in front

A good quick session alternated with one tied out and the other working. I hooked up a couple floodlights down the end of the yard and between that and the house lights it was enough to see.

Drive building, some out of drive commands, and lots of running with the tug, into arms and sit in front, no outs. It was a good session, Aron settled down and maintained a good hard grip both in the arms and in front without anticipating the out. Madison has a great grip in play for a dog that can be so weak in protection.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Tracking

We met Ann & Basco out at Southside this morning. The wind picked up a little from yesterday and the ground was dry.

Aron's track was continuous serpentines, with random sections up to 8 steps without food. He picked up his head 4 times, then resumed tracking by himself. He didnt not move off the track around the corners or up the mounds. He was less concentrated at the end of yesterday's track so today I moved up beside him for the last 15 ft to make sure he stayed focused and on the footsteps and it worked beautifully. He was pulling quite hard, I have to give it some thought as to whether I try to fix this or accept it.

Madison ran her track of mostly straight sections with 4 corners. She did well and for most of the track there was a slight loop in the lead. She did overshoot one corner that had no food on it, so I held her and she worked it out and found the track again.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Protection

It was a good day at Port Royal School. Ann brought Basco who was still groggy from having hip xrays done, Jojo brought Gunner, Kirista(formerly known as Rawn's daughter) brought Walker and Mark came with Ceasar.

I worked both Aron and Madison on drag bites and escape bites. Man Aron can pull... the grass was wet and I should have had my cleats on... He was hitting well, I think next time we'll work on shorter drag or stationary bites for the courage test targeting. His technique on the escape is working out nicely, with him fast off the start and coming around the side hitting the sleeve centered and hard.

Here are a couple shots of Kirista and Walker, and Jermaine & Jojo working Walker.


Tracking

Beautiful sunny morning out at Southside with a good layer of dew on the grass.

Aron's track was a series of continuous serpentines, with spaces up to 10 steps without food, sometimes on the bed itself. He maintained focus only lifting his head once about 60% of the way through, but at the end he started to move quicker and was less concentrated leaving about 15 pieces in the last 30 yards.

Madison's track was a little harder with some humps and bumps she had to climb over. I did a little ob for food before leaving the parking area and it calmed her down some so she started out a little more settled. She left a total of 10 pieces of food on the track but missed one sharp corner. I held her from going forward and she searched the track out and continued.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Obedience

Everyone was tied up tonight, however the Dressage Group was working so the lights were on at the NEC.

I worked Aron on the sit in front. He was progressing well with the tug but he was quick to let go of the ball.

Madison showed him how to do it. She also worked on a play retrieve.

We ended up down at the in-laws for dinner, they own the golden and the white mixer is my brother-in-law's.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Couple days off

Aron is getting really good at fus and focus for his dinner. He has to heel with me from the kitchen outside, sit while I leave his side to put the bowl down, then when I am back in place he has to focus on me for anywhere from 1 sec to 30sec before I release him to eat. On ocassion I will heel a couple steps after putting the bowl before releasing.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Tracking

It was a good morning up at Southside. The wind was intermittent but nowhere near yesterday's recorded 30kts. Ann had Baso, and Kay brought Loki.

I laid Aron's track with continuous serpentines, and up to 8 steps w/o food, at least 10 step of food between any two sections without. He ran it methodically with a consistent speed over the whole track. He even tracked up a steep bank on a diagonal consistently. On one of the serpentines I put in a sharper corner w/o food on the corner and he stuck to it and never missed a footstep. He missed 5 pieces of food from the entire track.

Madison's track was little more challenging. The ground cover was a little more patchy and I started her immediately up a bank with a corner at the top. Se was very excited to begin and settled as we went on. I will have to start giving her dinner the night before to settle her a little off the start. I have also taken to putting the leash under her left front leg as she was walking down the track on an angle with her ass off to the left before. Madison missed 6 pieces of food.

Here are a couple pictures from this morning of Kay and Loki.


Saturday, November 19, 2005

Protection

We did a quick session with the club up at Port Royal School this afternoon. Jojo brought Gunner, Ingrid had Star, Rawn's Daughter had the dobie pup(Star's littermate), Ann had Basco, Mark had Caesar & Nancy.

Aron ran two blinds. We worked on increasing the distraction from the helper before sending him to the first blind. He had no hesitation at all which was great to see but I had to really shout the hier to get him to return to me for a big pat and quick revier. He carried the sleeve back to the truck and then up and down the length of the field until eventually I had to put him in the crate and he dropped it.

Madison worked on keeping her in drive a little longer and stretching out her attention on the helper before sending for the hold and bark. The first 2 worked well and the third I left it about 1sec too long and she wandered off instead of going in to the helper. We finished her on a good note and ran back to the truck.

The 2 of them are so different....

Tracking

There was a light misting rain down at Southside this morning. Ann brought Basco, Kay had Loki. The tracks I laid got a lot harder than I anticipated. When I laid them there was almost no wind which picked up to about 15kts by the time I ran the track and they were into the wind.

Aron worked well, and methodically but he was pulling harder than usual. He picked up speed over the empty footsteps which is new also. I think this had a lot to do with the wind.

Madison's track was even harder as it was more exposed and the Serpentines much sharper. She worked it well and didnt stop working until she got to the end.

Friday, November 18, 2005

Swelling and pressure bandages

Well it was an long night waking up every couple hours to release the pressure on the bandage so my fingers could come back to life and then cleaning up the bathroom from all the blood that started pouring out. Left for work a little early and swung past the hospital for a check. Tetnus up to date, no stitches and now it stops bleeding. More bandages and some anti-biotics and off I go to work. Definitely the best time to go to the hospital, left the house at 6:30 and still managed to get to work for 7:00, there was noone in emergency.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Blood Under the Lights

It started as a really good Thursday night session at the NEC under the big floodlights. Ann had Basco, Jojo came with Gunner, Rawn's daughter was there with their older Dobie, Mark & Jeanette came with Ceasar and Nancy.

I took Madison and Aron for a stroll around the outside of the track to stretch their legs, then began to work Aron first. We started with some drive work, then moved to a little heeling, worked alittle on a low broad jump to get him to stretch out his jump. I noticed that he was trying much harder for the tug to the right and realised that I was falling into the habit of only giving the tug from the right hand. I then only gave from the left for the next couple bites.

The last bite on the way back to the truck Aron missed the tug and bit square on my left hand, puncturing the vein on the back of my hand. Blood shooting everywhere all over the race track, clothes, truck. Apply lots of pressure and eventually it slowed enough to get to my in-laws house(he is a doctor), there it started pouring again until it was bandaged up and still more pressure. Hopefully it seals itself overnight, if not I'll be off to the hospital in the morning for stitches.

Madison never did get to play...

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Sushi Night

A little play between work and sushi and other than that they ate for free tonight.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Drive Fus and playing with the Office Cleaners

I had to go into the office tonight to chaperone a meeting in my ocnference room. So of course the dogs came along.

They spent some time passed out cold at my feet under the desk and then we went out back to the lit parking lot for some drive work. I had 6' leashes on them so when working one the other was hooked to the cargo rail on my truck.

I worked the drive building and attention excercises, move into some fus, then sit & platz from drive. It is amazing how wired they get for obedience from watching the other dog work, ain't jealousy a bitch.. I used the leashes on the prong to emphasise the quickness with short sharp pops. They reacted well and there was tons of drive for the tugs whether hidden or visible that the pops had no effect on attitude.

After training for a bit we went back to the office and ran into the cleaners in the hall. The dogs love the husband/wife team even though she gets nervous when she sees them bounding down the hallway.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Tracking

Another windy day out at Southside. Ann and I met for tracking at 7:30 this morning... Well she was there for 7:30 I was dragging ass a little....

The liver treats worked a trip. Aron ran at 20mins, food in almost every step, serpentines and a steep bank, 2 90deg corners with no food, one article about 30' before the end. He was awesome, really impressed me. Ann followed behind and picked up any food he left. All of 6 pieces out of 2 full cups.

Madison worked about 35 mins, her track was very similar but with no article. I think the two of them have been plotting and scheming because she also left only 6 pieces out of her whole days food. I was able to ease up any pressure on the leash, just keeping it snug with no weight on it for her. Aron still pulls from time to time.

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Protection

A good cool day up at Port Royal school field. JoJo brought Gunner, Ann worked Basco, Stan brought his old rottie bitch and Rawn's daughter had the young dobie pup.
We started Aron with running 2, 3 and 4 blinds. He did perfectly for the tug in my hands and then with the helper on the field cracking the whip he needed a real strong "Revier" to get him started. Thankfully he listens well, so when he rounded 2 and headed straight for 4 he stopped and came back to me with a strong "No!" "Hier!". After the first time he ran all four beautifully, almost like he had to test it out to see if I would let him get away with it. In the fight with the helper Jojo went to the ground and once he lay down, Aron dragged his dead weight a good 6' before he slipped the sleeve. We finished both sessions with a drag bite.
Madison unfortuneatly seemd a bit confused.. She came out of the truck ready and raring to go and then after running 1 headed at speed for 2, but 15 feet before the blind, altered course 5deg to the right and headed off the field to do a perfect, fast sit in front before Maureen. It had something to do with the liver treats in her pocket. Damn chow hound, what kinda rottie is she anway...

All in all a good day.

Tracking

We got in 2 good tracks this morning. It was blowing about 20mph so I took a step back, only subtle bends, food in every step. Aron ran at 20 mins, he left a good handful of food behind but kept deep and methodical. I ran Madison at 45 mins and she left 11 pieces behind. There were no ants today at all, the temp was down (damn cold in the mid 60s). I managed to get to Noah's Ark Feed & Supply (a really great club sponsor) today so for tomorrows track if it warms up I have more of the liver treats that the dogs love and the ants leave alone.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Drive building & Concentration

Why is it that even on a holiday I end up outside doing drive work in the dark. There was just enough light to be dangerous. I alternated between dogs, this time I had the "resting" dog tied to a tree, watching all the action and going nuts.
Madison brought some good drive, had fast fus, sit in front was still a little crooked, platz & sit were really good and instant. She hates being tied out, just stands there with a depressed look.... poor bugger.
Aron of course went nuts, jumping around on the tie, and when it was his turns flying through the air. His reactions to the platz(lahni) sit(sahdni) and fus(knohe) are fast and surprisingly precise. On one of his passes at waist high he managed to miss the tug just barely and snagged my hand, damn that hurt. He got me but good that time.

Tracking

Ann and I took advantage of it being a public holiday for Remembrance Day and got some good tracks in this morning.
Aron worked well inspite of the ants. The track was continuous serpentines with food in most footsteps.
Madison kept deep and worked through again continuous serpentines, food in most steps, and she only stopped once to roll trying to get the face full of ants off.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

World Rugby Classic

Well the classic (www.worldrugby.bm) won out over training. The thursday night semi-finals between France and New Zealand, and between Australia and Argentina. We had some great seats in the sponsors tents courtesy of Schroders. Those bastards are big, fast and fit.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Drive commands

Tonight I managed to squeeze in a quick intense session before darkness fell. I made them wait behind the gate until I was ready then worked then both at once.. drive building, quick sits, quick platz, quick fus while the other was in a down 10' away, alternating dogs after say3 excercises. I will have to start putting leashes on soon even though so far I have been lucky and haven't had to correct beyond with voice. 10 minutes of that and all 3 of us are sitting crashed. (I did manage to remember to stop before Aron got tired).

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Ali & Desi

Hey guys this is Madison check out this link to see mom on my sister Desi during the World Dressage Challenge last year... its neat that they used her picture on the FEI site.

Basic Position & Sit in Front

I managed to drag my tired ass outside and get some training in. I really need to work on some more lighting now that the clocks have changed and I come home from work in the dark.
I worked Aron on his basic position and the beginings of a sit in front. Madison also got some practice in. I have to say that I really like using the Gapay vest with the ball pocket to teach the position and first steps of fus.


Monday, November 07, 2005

Day Off

Well it was supposed to be an obedience day, drive building and attention.. but the call of sushi won and the two gorged dogs had the day off. I ate the sushi and those two finished of the last couple scraps of the legs from yesterday. I couldnt believe how fast they finished it off, this morning there was literally nothing left but a little bit of skin and hair.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Bull's Legs

A farmer slaughtered three young bulls on Friday and so I got a call to see if I wanted some legs. The tracking program of the weekend didnt let me feed the dogs until this afternoon but boy are they ever loving it now.

Tracking

Well kids this morning at Southside we were treated to an outstanding example of TD style tracking. Kay and Loki ran a perfect track indicating all 4 articles and Kay laid the track through everything from chest high grass to a heavily travelled gravel pit at 23.5 hours old. Ann and Basco continued with a fairly straight track, leaving some food out.

Unfortuneately I ran out of liver treats yesterday so Aron & Madison had to soldier through the ants. Aron ran an intense track only raising his head a couple times when the ants got to his nose. He did the 2 serpetines beautifully.

Madison had a rough start as the ants were really bad in the area but after the first 15 paces she settled in and followed the track step for step. Her track also had 2 serpentines and I began to leave some food free steps.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Protection

It was surprizingly warm at Port Royal School field this afternoon. Jojo brought out Gunner and Star. Ann had Basco and Duane brought out his young puppy for some socialization.

I continued to work on Madison's stick aversion. Post work, switching drives from prey to defense and back, and holding the stick either against the sleeve or threateningly. She worked through it and bit fairly well for her. The best bites were early on, in defense, without the stick being too close. Progress was made and she became more comfortable with the stick being around as we went on.

I need to remember to warm Aron up before doing protection work. I walked around a bit when we first arrived but forgot to walk for a minute before taking him on the field. I am still a little wary of hurting his rear ligaments again. Started by running 3 and then 2 blinds, the helper agitated as we approaoched the first blind. He is switching from a fast prey gallop to the blind immediately into a solid bark when he finds the helper. The step to agitation as we start is new for him and some restraint was required for him to calm a little and run the blinds in sequence. We ended up with a drag bite courage test.

Tracking

A good morning track at Southside. Ann ran a great track with Basco, it is unbelievable the improvement in a week. Kay did a TD style track with Loki.

Aron really impressed me, I put in a single serpentine and he methodically worked down the track and didnt seem to care. Kay walked alongside and halfway down started making noises for distraction, he didnt look up at her once.

Madison was very excited and I tried to settle her before the track but she was all gung ho to get moving. Once again she seems conflicted with running down the track and going sideways to get all the pieces. I need to think about this one. I might need to start her on the serpentines sooner rather than later not sure yet...

Friday, November 04, 2005

Tracking

Racing against the sunset managed to get up to Southside and get in 2 tracks before loosing all light. Of course the dogs dont care, I just cant see the pieces of food to lead me down the track.

Aron was again very happy the ants were ignoring the liver treats and he worked down the track intensely. Madison get overwhelled by the excitement of having food down that she ends up working the track sideways, ass off to the left reaching back for the last piece. New type of treats with bigger pieces so the tracks were a little short.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Obedience

Another great night under the lights at the National Equestrian Center.

Ann was there with Basco
Jojo brought Gunner
Mark and Jeanette made good progress with Cesear and Nancy

Aron seems to be completely over any lameness and was crazy excited to be out and about. He only got me once with the ball in my hand... I really have to work on being quicker, the last scars are only just healing.. We worked on concentration, fast sits and downs out of play, and the basic position with a couple steps of heel.

Madison demonstrated her focus on the food and we began to correct ( minor jerks on fursaver she is so soft) looking away or slow action. She knows the excercises but is out of the habit of working quickly when there isnt a hotdog in my hand. The light bulb went off and she was rewarded at the end of the session, still cleaning up the drool.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Tracking

First time to try the liver treats instead of the regular kibble. The ants are leaving it alone and the tracking has improved tremendously.. no rolling, scraping their mouths, batting the food to get the ants off.. Just intense concentrated tracking. Madison has shown clearly that stray cats are more interesting than food, but patience seemed to work the best. She gave up staring at the cats after about 2 mins and returned to the track by herself. Aron was intense and never looked up from start to finish. We are still working food in every step, the whole days meal is on the track.

Monday, October 31, 2005

Flinks Bermuda Seminar 28-30 Oct 05


The Bernhard Flinks Seminar was a great success. We had a total of 14 participants including 4 police service dogs.

Aron (18mon GSD) unfortunately was a little lame, I think from running at 100mph through the dining room on the slippery wood floor, picture the Roadrunner when he takes off running on the stop... So he concentrated on tracking and taking a step back has increased his focus and attention to each step. Luckily we dont have fire ants but at this time of year there were many regular ants on the pieces of food and it was a distraction.

Madison (3.5yr Rott) with her legendary food drive ignored the ants and sniffed out every piece of food, pausing only to sneeze. I worked her basic position, simple heeling, out of motion excercises and was happy with her progress. At some point in the last 6 months she became stick sensitive so we worked on that and she improved greatly over the course of the seminar.