A place to learn a new language, the Koehler Method of Dog Training, which is an entire language of communication between owner(s) and their dog. Let the journey begin.
SUCH A GOOD JOB YOU HAVE DONE!!! I would like another Approach by a Stranger video to add to this page, but thus far PASS!
Comments:
I love watching you work as I can see how very careful you are in thinking and practicing your mechanics. Like I said long ago, once you learn the mechanics and are comfortable with them, you will be an excellent KMODT handler. And that is playing out before my eyes as I watch you think, practice, adjust, process, think again and polish your mechanics. Just so very proud of you Nancy. I am dancing a jig'o'joy here in Utah watching you grow in confidence and skills. Of course, Sofie is improving steadily as you become a MUCH BETTER HANDLER.
Pointers (just a few) 1) When she flares on the AS, BEFORE her butt hits the ground, that is when you bump her and turn slightly to the left so she is forced to move counterclockwise. This mechanic trains a learning dog to, in time, self-correct and to do AS in correct heel position. 2) When you praise her, after the AS, you turn towards her ever so slightly which is an indicator to a learning dog that the exercise is done. Instead, I want you to remain in Heel position (after you do the above so she is in correct Heel position), and simply reach down and lightly praise her right cheek or under her chin. DO NOT MOVE AT ALL. This trains a learning dog (and handler) that praise given is not a license to eliminate correct positions. Not only do you have to think and countermove a dog whose AS is flared, you need to maintain your own personal self-control as you praise her. Why? Because as we go further into the training, there WILL BE A TIME when praise is given for an extraordinary effort. But right now, this is basic praise. Sofie is to be in proper Heel position to receive praise, you are to be in proper Heel position when you give praise. Make sense? 3) Watch you Halt mechanics as a few times you halted on your RIGHT and closed with your LEFT on an AS. The time to do that is when you do the Return to Your Dog (coming up beside the dog, from behind, when the dog has been left in a specific position. You are doing that extremely well. I just want you to remember an EF or a 3-step Halt is halting, planting that left foot and closing with the right foot. 4) I am amazed that Sofie held her Sit/Stay for 3 full minutes as her back legs were splaying and sliding. But, she did and glory Hallelujah, she held. So proud of her! 5) Stand/Stay on the curb works well, doesn't it? You did great (the 'set' sure helps the dog), the Conditioned Relaxation throughout the circle (even when the enthusiastic handler does an EXTRA circle for good measure I am sure-:). When the handler passes the dog with its RIGHT foot, the leash is kept loose and on the dog's right side, and the handler remembers that when coming up beside and from behind the dog to step into heel position with the RIGHT foot and close with the left foot (cueing the dog to maintain its Stay position), then an EF, the Stand/Stay is solid. You did so very well compared with the struggles you had earlier with the Stand.
So, the above is ALL a pass, just submit one more Approach by a Stranger EXAM video and we will have Lesson 5 this Wednesday evening.
WOOHOO Girl, you ARE becoming a competent, thorough and careful KMODT handler. And that, my friend, is 95% of the work when training a dog.
Wow! I am so very happy to hear all of this. I will watch my AS and EF's and step up with left foot and close with right. Thanks! OK, I will reach out to Kaitlin's aide Ashley who comes tomorrow morning to take Kaitlin to the farm and ask her to partake in the Stranger video again. Just so that I'm clear, palm down, hand outstretched toward Sofie's head, diagonal approach, don't say her name, just approach and then leave again diagonally while I am standing 4 feet away to her side parallel to Sofie??? Thanks again for all of your help and support. You are an amazing teacher and have the patience of a saint with me. Hugs, Nancy
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteSUCH A GOOD JOB YOU HAVE DONE!!! I would like another Approach by a Stranger video to add to this page, but thus far PASS!
Comments:
I love watching you work as I can see how very careful you are in thinking and practicing your mechanics. Like I said long ago, once you learn the mechanics and are comfortable with them, you will be an excellent KMODT handler. And that is playing out before my eyes as I watch you think, practice, adjust, process, think again and polish your mechanics. Just so very proud of you Nancy. I am dancing a jig'o'joy here in Utah watching you grow in confidence and skills. Of course, Sofie is improving steadily as you become a MUCH BETTER HANDLER.
Pointers (just a few)
1) When she flares on the AS, BEFORE her butt hits the ground, that is when you bump her and turn slightly to the left so she is forced to move counterclockwise. This mechanic trains a learning dog to, in time, self-correct and to do AS in correct heel position.
2) When you praise her, after the AS, you turn towards her ever so slightly which is an indicator to a learning dog that the exercise is done. Instead, I want you to remain in Heel position (after you do the above so she is in correct Heel position), and simply reach down and lightly praise her right cheek or under her chin. DO NOT MOVE AT ALL. This trains a learning dog (and handler) that praise given is not a license to eliminate correct positions. Not only do you have to think and countermove a dog whose AS is flared, you need to maintain your own personal self-control as you praise her. Why? Because as we go further into the training, there WILL BE A TIME when praise is given for an extraordinary effort. But right now, this is basic praise. Sofie is to be in proper Heel position to receive praise, you are to be in proper Heel position when you give praise. Make sense?
3) Watch you Halt mechanics as a few times you halted on your RIGHT and closed with your LEFT on an AS. The time to do that is when you do the Return to Your Dog (coming up beside the dog, from behind, when the dog has been left in a specific position. You are doing that extremely well. I just want you to remember an EF or a 3-step Halt is halting, planting that left foot and closing with the right foot.
4) I am amazed that Sofie held her Sit/Stay for 3 full minutes as her back legs were splaying and sliding. But, she did and glory Hallelujah, she held. So proud of her!
5) Stand/Stay on the curb works well, doesn't it? You did great (the 'set' sure helps the dog), the Conditioned Relaxation throughout the circle (even when the enthusiastic handler does an EXTRA circle for good measure I am sure-:). When the handler passes the dog with its RIGHT foot, the leash is kept loose and on the dog's right side, and the handler remembers that when coming up beside and from behind the dog to step into heel position with the RIGHT foot and close with the left foot (cueing the dog to maintain its Stay position), then an EF, the Stand/Stay is solid. You did so very well compared with the struggles you had earlier with the Stand.
So, the above is ALL a pass, just submit one more Approach by a Stranger EXAM video and we will have Lesson 5 this Wednesday evening.
WOOHOO Girl, you ARE becoming a competent, thorough and careful KMODT handler. And that, my friend, is 95% of the work when training a dog.
-:)
Roxanne - a VERY delighted Teacher.
Wow! I am so very happy to hear all of this. I will watch my AS and EF's and step up with left foot and close with right. Thanks! OK, I will reach out to Kaitlin's aide Ashley who comes tomorrow morning to take Kaitlin to the farm and ask her to partake in the Stranger video again. Just so that I'm clear, palm down, hand outstretched toward Sofie's head, diagonal approach, don't say her name, just approach and then leave again diagonally while I am standing 4 feet away to her side parallel to Sofie???
ReplyDeleteThanks again for all of your help and support. You are an amazing teacher and have the patience of a saint with me.
Hugs,
Nancy
And a Pass with the new videos on Approach by a Stranger.
ReplyDeleteYou ROCK, girl!