Flyball Practice and New Dog

Well, we had practice this week. It seemed to go reasonably well. Some of the puppies and newer dogs made some progress. There is a little red and white aussie that is so desperate to please her owner she pretty much can't do anything but appeasement behaviours. I think her confidence will really improve once she understands what he wants of her, and learns the concept of learning. It would be fun to try shaping with her, just to help draw her out and have her offer behaviours. It's painful and frustrating to hear him call her and see her run back to her crate and hide. She's a rescue, and I would kind of like to do painful things to whoever had her before.

Never never never call a dog to you to scold it. I don't know for certain, of course, that is what the previous owner did, but I am really suspicious that it is. It sets up an unfortunate dynamic, because, of course, when the current owner calls her, and she hesitates or starts to slink, he can't help being frustrated and even if you try to hide that frustration, a lot of dogs will pick up on your frustration and become even more distressed. She's doing better, though. He was taking her over jumps on leash, and she went from being unable to take her eyes off him enough to make it over the jump and submissively flattening herself to the ground to looking forward and going over the jumps and then sitting in anticipation of praise.

There was another new dog, named "Nacho" that I think will have a lot of fun. He did very well playing with the other dogs. He's a cute little yellow mixed breed dog that seems like he has a terrier body and and a malanois head. I'm prejudiced towards him because Z-dog and he were playing together and it was cute. It's nice to have dogs that play something other than "chase me" games.

I was kind of bad though and didn't really work my dogs. Z-dog did run in a line up being passed both ways and was fine. He still is very leery of Captain, but, he ran after him in line up fine. I should have whined and insisted on using props when my dogs ran, but I didn't. So, even though their boxturns were good during boxwork with the props, they degenerated during actual runs. It's probably the worst thing I could do in their training at this point, and I am frustrated with myself about it.

Weasel consistently dunked her frisbee in the water bowl after every run. Z-dog still overleaps the timer beam so we can't get a time on him, the blasted boinging bunny rabbit. We still need a practice space and I still want an RV.

Life goes on.

http://www/weaselpuppy.com

Recall Training Techniques

One thing you find out is essential in flyball is a good, strong recall. Your dog needs to come running, sprinting, flying back to you as fast as he can, through a sea of other dogs, other handlers, flying tugs and rolling tennis balls. Most dogs that show up the first time at our team practice don't even come when called.

But, that kind of recall doesn't come drifting in on the summer breeze, it has to be taught. I'm certainly not an expert, but I have come across several different tips and techniques that I thought I would try to share. Take them for what they are worth.

Things most people do wrong:

Over and over, I see people standing there, calling "fluffy fluffy fluffy come here now bad dog come here bad dog fluffy fluffy BAD DOG fluffy." There are a couple of problems with this.

1. The dog's name isn't "fluffy fluffy fluffy come here now bad dog come here bad dog fluffy fluffy BAD DOG fluffy." However, if you call it like that, if it ever does learn to respond, it learns to respond to how you call it. If the dog's name is Fluffy, call "Fluffy" or "Fluffy, here!" Don't confuse the issue.

2. Don't practice failure. One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over and expecting different results. If Fluffy blew you off the first time, calling its name over and over and over just teaches it to dismiss that as irrelevant noise.

3. Don't call the dog to you to scold it. Think about it from the dog's perspective: She called, I came (eventually) she told me I was a Bad Dog. Next time I won't come. If you have to scold a dog or put it out when it doesn't want to or trim its claws or some other form of doggie torment, go GET the dog and bring it to you, do NOT call it to you.

Things to do:

1. Make sure your dog knows its name and respond positively to it. Say "fluffy," and toss a treat six thousand times. Fluffy will learn to perk up at his name. Do this in different environments to set the behaviour. I also unexpectedly pop around a corner say my dog's name and shake a tug toy or squeak a toy. Drop something while cooking? Say the dog's name. They'll get it.

2. Hide and seek. Once the dog perks up and looks at you consistantly when you say fluffy, hide, say fluffy and treat him when he finds you.

3. Play chase. Call your dog, show the toy and run away from him. Make the dog work to get to you. Make sure to play/treat when he finds you and keep it exciting.

4. Use your "happy voice" You know that annoying squeaky tone? Yeah, that one.

5. Always reward recall. Always. ALWAYS.

Issues that will come up:

1. You will be working with the dog. Fluffy will escape and start bounding around the field, bouncing like a kitten, circling around you and haveing a great time. Don't chase him. Don't watch him. Make everyone ignore him and if you can just go inside and abandon him safely, go for it.

2. Don't allow the dog the opportunity to blow you off until you are pretty absolutely sure of his recall. Yes, this means working with awkward long lines. Don't give him a chance to blow off the recall until he seems to have decided that playing with you is more fun than playing you.

3. At some point, doggie will escape and refuse to recall. You won't be able to just ignore him because you have to get him. DO NOT stand there calling his name over and over. It won't work. Find a toy and a treat. Call the dog's name and run away from the dog. Have everyone leave with you. He is about a zillion times more likely to come to you if he thinks you are leaving or if you are running away, triggering his chase drive.

THING TO ALWAYS REMEMBER:

The dog comes because he thinks it's in his interest. It doesn't have to do with love, or devotion, or loyalty. Ooodles of devoted dogs don't come when called. Give him a reason to recall to you, a toy, a treat, a "good dog." something. Never give him a reason not to come by calling him to a scolding or some form of doggie torture like a bath or being put outside when you go to work.