Nested Rally Courses – September 10, 2012

The following courses are nested which means that the course changes between courses or levels are minimal and the trial or class can move along quickly. This is especially important at large trials or when a person is running multiple classes. The following team courses from a trial in June 2012 are nested in the order they are listed.

  1. Novice Team
  2. Advanced Team

Post-Test Plans for Tracking

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.

-Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Oh haven’t you heard? I’m so done with feeling bad about the tracking test.

While I am not over it, I am moving on, negative feelings are – to use a word – exhausting. Between teaching classes, taking agility classes and driving to Winnipeg for herding classes,  I’m a busy lady and unfortunately, there’s no room (or time) left for these horrible feelings to overstay their welcome.

I have come to a few conclusions over the past few days:

  • Corners are not the problem.
  • The problem is distinguishing between ‘looking for corners’ and ‘looking at distractions’.
  • Bear does not have the problem solving skills he needs to find a track after he’s lost it.
  • I have not been handling Bear in such a way as to encourage him to look.
  • I have not been communicating success in way Bear best understands.

My new approach is going to continue from where we were in our training – which was adding more corners and increasing age of the track with the following changes:

  • I am going to take the food off the track.
  • I am going to use articles in place of food.
  • I am going to use my clicker to mark the discovery of every article and reward Bear immediately with a cookie party – therefore making the articles ‘gateways to food’.

So far in my tracking reading and online research, there is very little in the way of discussing the applications of using a clicker or marker in tracking. Where I have found a short discussion on this is when it comes to developing an article indication.

While, I am certain there are people out there with some strong feelings against clickers and tracking, clicker training is the method I have used to teach Bear the foundation behaviors for agility and rally obedience and I do believe tracking bears some similarities to these sports:

  • Just like tracking, these sports involve complex behavior chains and independent behaviors.
  • Just like tracking, no training equipment or food is allowed while you are working so dogs must learn to perform without the use of any training aid, be it  an electronic collar, walking harness, head halter, bait bag or clicker.

The clicker is used to build competence and enthusiasm for specific behaviors and, once a Bear becomes competent and proficient I have gradually increased my expectations requiring more behavior or better performance between clicks and eventually, I have been able to eliminate the clicker all together.

I don’t think the clicker will interfere with what seems to be the method for teaching corners (sadly I don’t think there’s a magic method) which is apply line tension before corners, plant your feet while the dog looks and release tension when the dog commits to the track in a different direction. In fact I am hoping that using our preferred communication tool, the clicker, will make the goal of the game incredibly clear to Bear so that he learns the fastest way to the article (and the cookies) is to use his nose to find the things that smells of the tracklayer.

At least that’s what I hope. Fact is, I don’t have much to lose by trying, do I?

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

-Albert Einstein

Notes: Tracking lecture by John (Jack) Wilhelm September 2, 2012

The following is my interpretation of some of the topics covered in a short (2.5hour) lecture delivered by John (Jack) Wilhelm after our tracking test last Sunday. I am posting them, like I have for other seminars in the past, because writing helps me process things. I’ll add my thoughts/comments at another time.

Training vs. Practice

When working with dogs, we need to remember to have an objective for each training session. The objective could be training (teaching) a certain skill or practicing (testing) a skill.

Praise & Corrections

  • According to Jack correcting a dog by yanking on the line/harness is not something a person should ever do but there is a place for correction in tracking. The examples he gave were of a verbal correction “hey get back to work” from the end of the line or dropping the line, marching to the dog and getting in their face. He also mentioned that when dogs make the proper choice after correction – copious praise is due.
  • On the subject of praise it is his opinion that praise is often offered when dogs are not performing the desired behavior and then it becomes meaningless to the dog.
  • What is not okay in tracking is to remove the dog from the track if they are acting up. If the dog is not into it, this is when having an article on hand for the dog to discover is appropriate before ending the training session. The dog should always find something.

Training vs, Test Day

  • Do in practice what you plan do to the day of the test.
  • Do not change your handling on test day – this will only confuse your dog.

Corners & Cross tracks

  • When working with dogs on corners and cross tracks, use back pressure to slow them down at the corner and praise/release line tension when dog locates and commits to corner/appropriate track.
  • Many cross track problems are the result of training which has not challenged the dog. Examples of challenges include cross tracks at very tight angles, walking a cross track carrying weight, even laying the cross track by riding a bicycle.
  • Below is one method suggested for starting to train cross tracks. Using the same field lay a track – do your work – and the next day, lay another track your track across it. You can increase difficulty by decreasing the hours between tracks.

Beginning-Cross-Track

Distractions

If dogs are distracted by something and recover, allow the dog to investigate distractions after track is done and harness is removed – ideally off leash. This allows the dog to ‘be a dog’ while maintaining a clear distinction between work and ‘free time’.

Test Preparation

  • Practice plotting tracks using landmarks.
  • Practice at different times of the day
  • Practice in different ground cover.
  • Practice with someone following you in rain gear or a hat/sunglasses.
  • Practice driving to a test site and having the dog go to work right out of the car.

Line handling

When dog is off track and looking, stay in one place and let line out as they go farther, pull in as they come nearer. In a blind track, the handler does not know where  the track is  – having the dog circle the same path is ineffective because the track may be 30 feet behind you.

Common causes of team failure

  • Guiding by the handler– all examples were of handlers guiding with the tracking line by pulling the dog to perform a circle or corner.
  • Handler accidentally corrects the dog– usually when the tracking line gets tangled or the dog takes a hard fast turn and the handler is not ready. The dog is essentially corrected for following the track and may be less likely to seek it out after this.
  • Handlers pull the dog off of track before they have officially started– When start lines are a distance from the road, the track layer will be walking through the exact same area you have. Handlers who punish dogs for sniffing before they get to the track may not be able to get past the start line because the dog is hesitant to continue tracking.
  • Handlers expecting the picture perfect indication they see in practice – Some handlers wait for the “perfect” indication rather they have seen in practice when the dog has obviously found the article and indicated it in an other way. Waiting too long may encourage the dog to resume tracking and follow the tracklayer’s path off the track.

Dogs that appear to be on track, and working…but aren’t

Someone asked a question about what to do with a dog that appears to be on track but that  overshoot corners consistently always moving in a straight line with the impression the dog would go straight forever.

This brought up a shot discussion about reinforcing the effort vs. reinforcing the behavior you want. Jack suggested that this dog had learned that ‘assuming’ the position meant he would be allowed to continue forward. The solution – lay known tracks and use back pressure to slow him at corners – only releasing pressure when he is on the track.

Recommended reading

One person asked if there were any books on tracking that he could recommend – he did not as he said he hadn’t really read much in the past few years.

Our First TD Test – About as good as it could be…without passing

Before the Test

We met at a Denny’s for the draw. In tracking there is an advantage to an earlier track – early tracks are often aged less and are likely to have more dew remaining on the vegetation. Dew is good because moisture enhances scent.

Before the draw I got to meet a Facebook friend in person! Kristine travelled all the way from Calgary for the test.

I don’t know what I expected for the draw but the test organizers had four lovely mugs lined up, filled with dog cookies and wrapped in cellophane. We each chose a mug and on the bottom of the mug was the number corresponding to the track number we would be assigned. We drew 3rd track.

TD-Draw
Our lovely tracking test memento!

The Test

I got Bear out of the car, let him pee and then we had a few minutes to wait until the track was old enough. we walked the short distance to the scent pad, and I put Bear’s harness on backwards. Once I got it on properly, I showed him the scent pad and told him to find it.

I brought him back to the track once before the 2nd set of flags and we were off. Before we hit the second leg, Bear squatted to poop. I looked back the judge and tracklayer were standing watching but no whistle so once Bear was finished – we continued.

After the car, we drove en masse to the test site at Beaudry Provincial Park. The terrain is almost exactly the same as what we have here in Shilo. Natural prairie grass about knee high. We got to watch the first track, which I was looking forward  to since I’ve never seen a test. Luckily enough the team was comprised of a novice dog but a an experienced handler. From far, it was really neat to watch. It was obvious to me when the dog was on and off the track. there was only one little “discussion” along the way where the dog was certain the track ran along a ditch and the handler was not so certain. Eventually the dog made her point clear and the handler followed. They found the article and finished the track in what seemed like less than 15. It was very educational – training alone means I never get to watch a team work from far.

After track #1, I had to return to our original meeting point in the park because they had to lay my track and I would be able to see the tracklayer at work from track #2. The good news is that meant we would have a relatively fresh track. The bad news is that we would not be able to watch Kristine and her Rottie Teah and I would be alone in my car with my nervousness and anxiety. During our wait, I took bear for a walk, a pee, made sure he did not have to poop, gave him a drink of water and then cocooned myself in the car, checked up on Facebook and blogs I subscribe to distract myself.

About a half hour after they left me, someone came back to take me to our track.

The Track

I took bear out of the car and, since we had some time to wait before the track was sufficiently aged, I took Bear out for another pee and organised my tracking line and harness. It was fairly windy (I would guess 25-30km/h) and our first leg was into the wind. I got Bear inbto his harness backwards, then readjusted it, showed him the scent pad and told him to “find it”.

On the first leg we had some difficulty and I brought him back to the track once before we hit our 30m marker flags.  About 60 feet into the track, Bear crouched down for a poop. I stood, and looked back embarrassingly at the judge – expecting a whistle. Nothing came, so we continued. Before the test, I decided to go wherever Bear lead me. and about 80 feet in he circled a bit and then turned right…we continued on without a whistle so I assumed we made the first corner.

On the second leg, we progressed through some vehicle tracks and what looked like a place where deer had lain for a time as we moved forward, I saw the start flags for the final flag ahead and figured our corner was coming. Turning to the right would take us back to the road so I assumed at some point, we were going right.

Bear did turn right onto what I assumed was the third leg and then we had some more difficulty working into the wind and through some sort of animal droppings (goose, I think). Bear did a lot of stopping, starting, crossing back and forth, chewing (on lord knows what!?). We went ahead for quite sometime like this – it felt like an eternity. I tried using our find it key, I tried holding my ground and waiting for him to commit but he kept circling and coming back to look at me as if to say “what the heck is going on here?”. he also stopped to listen to train whistles and watch folks pass by on the road. It had been at least 10 minutes and he was starting to huff and puff so I just decided to let him go and see what happened. he found some sort of trail, urine marking a few spots along the way and about 60 feet later, we heard the whistle – It was over. I was relieved and disappointed.

Our very kind track layer Val, helped us find the article, even tough I wanted to race back to the car and cry. She also commiserated – her dog did not pass the TDX test on Saturday – she knew how it felt. I think if she had not been there, I would have packed things up and headed home.

The last and final track was right after ours and, after blowing my nose and wiping my eyes, I stayed to watch. The team was whistled off about as far into their track as we were.

At this point everyone headed back to ‘base camp’ for ribbons the judges comments and lunch. Of the four teams in the TD test, two were successful – the first team and Kristine with Teah!

To help myself not be overly disappointed, I have decided to summarize the day:

The Bad

  • We did not pass.
  • One person said she saw bear indicate the 4th leg and that I interfered with his work.
  • Once we lost the third leg, bikers passing by, trains and just about everything became a distraction. in the past, only prairie dogs have been a distraction for Bear.

The good

  • I got to meet a Facebook friend , her husband and her very sweet dog in person.
  • We got through 2 corners when I was aiming for one.
  • The first 3 legs were through some vehicle tracks and what looked like deer beds – these have been difficult for us.
  • This is the first time Bear has followed a track laid by someone else since the seminar we went to in 2010.
  • This was our first blind track ever.
  • The judge said I had very good line handling skills – moving when Bear was on track, planting when he was off track.
  • As expected, lunch was delicious and folks were very kind.
  • One of the host club members took some beautiful photos. I like the one below a lot. Originals are viewable here.
Tracking-Test
Photo by Jill Dicken

What I learned

  • A dog is not whistled off for eliminating on track.
  • I should give some thought to giving Bear more space when we work.
  • I was the only person training on my own.
  • It’s easier to spot a working vs. non working dog from far especially when that dog has a tail!

Next Steps

I am going to need to think about what to do next. There is another tracking test in Regina in about 4 weeks and then that’s about it until next year.

Right now I am feeling more discouraged than disappointed. Training on my own has it’s advantages but the biggest disadvantage is that there is no one to reassure me that I am on the right path, and that in time things will be fine, that my dog has talent but just needs more training…

Nested Rally Courses – September 3, 2012

The following courses are nested which means that the course changes between courses or levels are minimal and the trial or class can move along quickly. This is especially important at large trials or when a person is running multiple classes. The following courses from a trial in June 2012 are nested in the order they are listed.

  1. Novice
  2. Advanced
  3. Excellent

Our First Tracking Test – Prepared for the worst, hoping for the best.

This weekend, Bear and I are going to a tracking test. This will be our first time at a test – I was too much of a chicken last year and backed out at the last minute. This year I’m still a chicken, but I’m going anyway.

Between some time off tracking in the spring and being rather busy with agility, work and rally this summer, I have not been able to fix our main issue – corners. Pair the lack of progress with oppressive heat and you have a perfect recipe for lack of motivation.

Without direct, in person, access to a tracking teacher or experienced tracker, things are difficult. My training so far has taught me how to solve problems, my experience has taught me how to identify problems in many ways but I’m struggling with Tracking. I think I am struggling the most because: I’m not exactly sure how to create circumstances that help Bear to be successful; I don’t know what the progressive steps are between ‘not knowing corners’ and ‘knowing corners’ and, most of all, it is not apparent to me when Bear is losing scent – I know there HAS to be a signal but it is either too subtle or I have inadvertently conditioned it out of Bear.

I was not really that motivated this spring to go and do some work with some more experienced folks in Winnipeg and, in hindsight, I should have taken advantage of their offers.

Prepared for the Worst

I sit here almost certain that we will fail, but we’re going anyway.

This is going to be very hard for me.

By nature, I like to be good at anything I do and I’d prefer to be perfect. This preference means I also have a fear of looking incompetent in front of others – especially when I am incompetent!

The last time I did something I was horrible at was when I trained for – and ran – a half marathon. I was overweight (especially compared to the other runners), slow as hell, and not even in the universe of placing – even in my age class. Sticking to the program and finishing the race was a challenge to try something I am awful at and see what I could do.

I am trying to look at this test in the same way – as a character building, humbling experience. I am also forcing myself to look at all the good things that will come of going (and failing).

  • I know that we will meet some new friends and that their more experienced eyes might have some helpful feedback.
  • I can almost guarantee that more experienced people (including the judge) will have failed a tracking test at some point in their lives and they will likely be sympathetic.
  • I have also recently learned that the judge is going to give a 1/2 day tracking seminar and cover some of the issues that pop up over the test. I am going to learn a lot – I know it.
  • Bear will have a good time – he never has a bad time tracking and he nevergets upset about missing corners.
  • There will be lunch – Lets face it, a good meal puts a lot of things into perspective!
  • This will be an excellent opportunity to remember what it’s like to be new at something – something I think judges in any venue should never forget.

Hoping for the Best

If, by some miracle, we make it past at least one corner I am promising myself to be thrilled. That’s all I’m hoping for. Fellow trainers have told me that Bear might surprise me and make it to the end of the test. I won’t rule it out but I know that unexpected success will be much easier for me to cope with than unexpected failure.

TPD/PDD August 2012 Rally Trial Recap

Last weekend I was at our own Two Brown Dogs and Prairie Dog Daycare Rally Trial. I judged two half days and entered Bear in the runs I was not judging.

From a Judging perspective, this was one of the nicest trials I judged. Handlers were kind and patient with their dogs, people  stepped up to help if we needed help timing or course setting and there were no dog/dog issues as everyone respected everyone else’s space. We had quite a few teams new to CARO and I think they all went home feeling pretty good about themselves and their dogs. Oh yeah, did I mention we awarded 21 titles over the weekend!!!!

From a competitor’s perspective, things were interesting.

Saturday

I judged first thing Saturday morning and it was a cool 13 degrees so Bear waited in the car. When it was time to start thinking about working I brought Bear out for a potty break and went through our pre-run routine of stationary focus work and a few tricks.

Our first Advanced C run was interesting. Bear was ‘with’ me but rather punchy – lots of jumping, forging and a bit of silliness. We lost 22 points for double cues and crooked sits. We did not lose any points for sniffing, licking or biting at the food bowls. From a technical standpoint, a cruddy run but from an attitude standpoint, just fine.

I figured by the time we got to our second run, in Excellent C, Bear would have calmed down a bit. I was wrong, he was even MORE punchy. We had to repeat a station and then a few more…all stations Bear usually does well. He did not appear overly spacey or stressed, just a little too excited to stay with me and pay attention so we repeated those we got wrong and he did them correctly on the second try.

By the time our 3rd run in Excellent Team came around, I decided we would do some mat work before going into the ring. We haven’t done the mat as part of our routine for a while but it was very effective. We did some settle and then went in to do our work, completing our half of the run with a 2 pt deduction for an extra command. Our team partners completed their half with only a few deductions and we qualified, earning the last leg we needed for our Excellent Team Title! I believe we are now the first to earn this title in Manitoba and that Bear is the first Rottweiler in CARO history to earn the CRXT.

Our 4th run of the day was in Versatility C. I love Versatility courses because Bear seems to work well heeling on either side and because Versatility courses are mostly novice level exercises. We had a few deductions for extra commands and for Bear moving slightly on a sit down walk around (my fault, I sat him so close to the wall I had to squeeze to get around) but qualified with a 191, earning our 7th leg towards our Silver award.

Overall, I was pleased with the day. No stress behaviors from Bear and the punchy-ness was easily corrected with a little settle work. He got to come out and wander around as we vacuumed up before leaving and he literally tore around the building – energy to spare!

Sunday

On Sunday, we only had two runs in the morning.

We had entered Excellent Team and while we earned our title on Saturday, our partners still needed one leg for their title so we were a bye team. We did our pre-run settle work and we had a nice run with a few deductions for crooked sits. We ended up with a score of 192 and a title for our partners!

Our second run of the day was in Versatility C. We did our settle work as before and Bear seemed calm and focused. The course was challenging with lots of angles. These courses are particularly difficult for handlers (where am I going?) and dogs (what the heck is my handler doing?) and the level of difficulty rises in C stream when a person only has 3 minutes to walk the course. Bear was perfect, I got a little lost and almost went off course. Once I found my way back to the course we finished off very nicely. Our final score was 198. We lost 2 points –and rightfully so – for the loss of flow/handler error.  This was our 8th leg towards our Silver award.

This is the first time ever that Bear’s behavior kept me out of a potentially bad situation. The fact that he was calm, attentive and engaged meant I could find my way back to the course without having to worry simultaneously about keeping him focus and finding my place.

Good Dog, Bear!

Our next, and likely last trial of the year, is in about 3 week’s time in Regina Saskatchewan. I am entered in 3 runs each day and judging 7 runs over the weekend. I am looking forward to taking our show on the road to a new venue and hoping that the work we have done at home will become evident in a new environment. I am also hoping that we can earn the final two legs we need for our Silver award.

Herding – August 22, 2012

Bear and I went to another herding lesson today. The skies were clear and the sun was shining so we got to work outdoors. I decided to go in for the early class which would get me home earlier and ensure I got my beauty rest – I do have a rally trial this weekend, after all.

Our first session was in a small round pen – maybe 50’ diameter – seemed tiny. Bear was on to the sheep from the minute we went in. The pen was small enough that it seemed to me like Bear was on top of the sheep or like they were on top of me. After a few minutes of back and forth with some intermittent driving,  Bear started Sheep Bowling (diving in, nipping and scattering them) so I asked the trainer with me of that was okay. She told me it was okay at the beginning as it helped new dogs gain confidence. Not long after that he grabbed a sheep hard enough on the leg to draw blood. That a great sign that he was way too far over the top and we ended the session. The sheep was examined, and I can only assume her wound was deemed minor because they applied something to it, took her out of the pen for some rest and carried as if something like that happens fairly frequently. Since dogs take turns in the pens (much like we take turns on agility equipment in agility class) I had some time to settle Bear down. We moved into some shade where the sheep were not nearly as visible and he was able to settle for a time.

As Bear was cooling off I noticed a barn swallow nest and got to see baby barn swallows pop out of their nest, mouths agape, as momma bird came in to feed them. I’ve never seen this before and it was really cool.

I also got to watch a boxer herd the sheep. He was vary laid back with the sheep but clearly, knew his job. The Canadian Kennel Club permits all breeds to enter herding tests which I think is kind of neat. Since herding is, essentially, prey drive (without the killing, dissecting and eating) it stands to reason that many dogs of many breeds have retained this instinct whether herding is actually one of their historical purposes or not.

Buy the time our second turn came around, Bear was considerably more relaxed. We entered the ring on leash and I noticed one of the farm border collies laying in the corner, just watching. I was worried that Bear might go after that dog but was assured the dog would stay put. the dog did not stay put 100%, she moved when the sheep got within 30 feet of her. Bear just looked at her and continued doing his work. You could have knocked me over with a feather. For him to leave a strange dog in a strange place in a very high arousal situation, especially when I knew he was wound up enough to bite, is AMAZING.

This time we worked in a larger field and had space to move the sheep around, in a pattern similar to that which we will see in the herding test. The herding tested course is basically walking around the ring and keeping sheep between the fence and a few panels.

As we worked I was told that I when Bear got silly I could ask him to down until he settled and then release him to gather the sheep.  I actually used this same kind of thing to build stays and start line stays in agility so Bear knows that dogs who stop, get to go and dogs that try to play their own game, leave the ring. Because we have done so much work that has required me to be very much in tune with Bear’s behavior, I have the added benefit now of knowing when he’s starting to go over the top before he actually does. For these reasons, I think the downs, more than any pressure or physical correction, are more meaningful to him because it’s a system and a structure he understands. We finished our turn on a very good note, and once the sheep were penned, Bear walked away calmly with me.

After this lesson, I have a few things to think about including:

Keeping Bear’s arousal at it’s optimum – Somewhere lower than biting but higher then sniffing/rolling in sheep poop.

Working on downs, at a distance, with some added arousal – We usually only practice downs in the rally context which is relatively laid back  but I can think of a few ways to get Bear wound up to help him learn to think through his arousal. As I write this, the Off Switch Game in Control Unleashed comes to mind.

Teaching Bear to move away from me (any by extension the sheep) on cue. In a test/trial situation I have my body, my voice and a stock stick. In these classes dogs are taught to move from pressure buy the stick hitting the ground in front of the dog (or the dog if he is too close). I don’t doubt that this works (many dogs are trained this way) but I prefer to train Bear to use his brain to make choices rather than force him to change his behavior through intimidation, fear, force or pain. From what I have seen at class no one is overly heavy handed with dogs so I don’t think the corrections are abusive but If I can find another way I will – and I already have some ideas – more on that later.

We likely won’t get out on sheep again for the next few weeks, between a very busy work schedule, a rally obedience trial and a tracking test but I hope to work on a few of these skills to see if they make a difference for next time.

CARO Versatility Side Changes – With Videos

Next to right and left side heeling, side changes are going to be one of the most important things you work on for the Versatility class. There are 7 side change exercises in Versatility however the fact that they must be performed from either side means there are actually 14 side change exercises.

In a Versatility course, there must be 4 side changes and in a Versatility Excellent course, there must be 3 side changes.

The side changes do not appear at any other level, therefore these exercises will be brand new to both you and your dog and you will need to invest some time learning a few foundation behaviors with your dog before moving on to the complete side change exercises.

Below I will cover the basic things you need to know about side changes and, for simplicity’s sake; I’ll divide side changes into two categories:

HEELING (IN MOTION) SIDE CHANGES

Cross in Front (V5)

While heeling forward, the handler cues the dog to cross in front and resume heel position on the opposite side of the handler.

Cross Behind (V4)

While heeling forward, the handler cues the dog to cross behind and resume heel position on the opposite side of the handler.

Weave Thru Legs (V7)

While heeling forward, the handler cues the dog to weave through his/her legs to change sides. Handlers who are not comfortable with performing this station due to the large size of their dog, or handlers who are physically challenged, shall make this known to the judge and the judge shall substitute this station with either V4 or V5.

CHANGE OF DIRECTION SIDE CHANGES

Turn In (V1)

The dog and handler simultaneously turn in towards each other and resume heeling with the dog on the opposite of the original side. This station will result in a change of direction of travel for the dog and handler.

Turn Away (V6)

While heeling forward, the dog and handler perform simultaneous turns in opposite directions and the dog resumes heel position on the opposite side of the handler. This station will result in a change of direction of travel.

Side by Side Left (V2)

The dog and handler perform simultaneous parallel left turns and resume heeling with the dog on the opposite of the original side. This station will result in a change of direction of travel for the dog and handler.

Side by Side Right (V3)

The dog and handler perform parallel simultaneous right turns and resume heeling. This station will result in a change of direction of travel for the dog and handler.

SIDE CHANGE SCORING

  • -3 to -5 points: Depending on how smoothly (or not) the side change is performed.
  • NQs for this exercise are not specified and will depend on the judge’s interpretation of the rules.

FOUNDATION BEHAVIOURS FOR SIDE CHANGES

The foundation behaviors your dog should be able to perform before you begin to teach the side changes are:

  • Sit or Stand – in heel position on both right and left sides.
  • Spin & Turn – in front of, to the right and to the left of the handler’s body.
  • Weave Through Legs – when the handler is stationary.
  • Hand Touch/Target Stick – optional, but can come in handy with particularly large or small dogs – or dogs that lose their minds at the sight of food.

Herding – Part Deux

herdingpart2
See that grin!? THAT’s what makes me drive 5 hours to go herding!

Last night, Bear and I spent about 5 hours driving for the opportunity to get about 30-40 minutes of sheep herding in. If you think I am insane – you might be correct.

After our very first experience herding in April I knew this was something I had to do. Of course, Bear’s iliopsoas injury kind of put the kibosh on just about everything but now that he’s back to normal, and that I’ve taken some weight off of him, I figured it was time.

I wasn’t sure how the second meeting with sheep would go. I was a bit concerned that having seen sheep once, he might think he ‘knew’ the game and be overly enthusiastic.

I couldn’t have been more supervised when I walked into the arena and he spent the first 5-10 minutes sniffing around while I walked around with the sheep and the young lady that was teaching us. Once he caught on to following the sheep around, he would dive in, sniff at sheep bums and back away as if he were, afraid of the sheep. Then, about 15 minutes into our first session, a switched flipped and 100% of his attention was on the sheep. This ‘attention”’ included barking at the sheep and running in to nip at their heels.

It was very interesting. I think all the sniffing at the beginning was partly a ‘city dog’ finding all sorts of interesting smells in a barn. I also believe, given the initial sheep fear that maybe he was using the only language he knows and was offering calming signals.

Apparently he is ready for a Herding Tested at the upcoming trial at the end of September. I, however, need to figure some things out. Like staying with the sheep and letting Bear walk behind me for a start.

I have the option of having someone more knowledgeable handle him but, to be honest I want to be the one to do it. For me, this whole herding thing is about letting Bear do something fun that comes to him naturally. After completing the Herding Instinct Test – it occurred to me that Rally is not something he loves but something that he does with me and for me because I ask him to and because we have both worked hard at coming to an understanding. The kind of understanding that involves work in exchange for rewards in the form of cookies or a game of tug. Because he has done so much for me, I want to be there in the herding ring with him because I think working on this together will bring some balance to our relationship.

Needless to say, we’re diving for 5 hours next week for another 40 minutes of herding.