Documenting the life and times of a Border Collie mutt
There is absolutely merit to a month's plan, and I will continue with that. Since June ended up having one week's plan covering two weeks, we didn't get as far as I'd hoped in certain areas. I split up into Topics covering manners, obedience, rally and agility. Since the foundations often overlap, I have put …
Folks on Friday, week 26 Reactivity and People - Borked at the preferred neighbour walking past us Monday night. No idea why - he likes her. Maybe it was the caps? Maybe it was frustration at being held back? Next day it was fine. Walking with our friend Wednesday. We decided to meet at my …
Journal Mid Week 26
This part covers the four level 1 skills that start with the dog going in front to sit facing the handler. Two of them involve the dog then moving around the handler's back from right to left, while the other two skills involve the dog coming straight to the left heel position. One of each …
Continue reading Tuesday Topic – Rally skills part 3; Fronts
Review week 25, and Training Plan week 26 General review: As mentioned in the mid week report, he has made a huge cognitive leap this week. A wheel is turning in his brain that he didn't even know existed in the past 12 months. "Where are my hind legs??" This unlocked achievement opens up a …
Reactivity and People - Walked with my friend again this Monday. Greeted her as she came out the door, with a sniff-and-a-wag. No launching, just pleasantly working on his loose leash walking. See, I can be nice! We did see a tractor - I took him 6 m off the road and stepped on the …
Continue reading Folks and issues Friday week 25 – where we do Zen and Slaying
Grooming and handling: Harness: Hand-target to get his head in. Managed all the way up to his ears. He even chose to stay in position until the treat came (liver cake), instead of 'in for target, retreat, in for reward'. An intermediate step I hadn't even considered, but it lines up with what I've read …
Continue reading Journal mid week 25 – where a non-stride is a long stride.
The second part covers simple turns, spirals and slalom between cones. 106/108/110/112 Right Turn (90deg, 180, 270, 360) - Based on Pivot skills, Cone-to-Cone, Sidestep, as well as Step Touch for drive (to the degree he needs it, but I suppose it will also aid focus 'into exercise'. Obedience Right Turn and About Turn. Also …
General review: "Focus is awesome. Focus gives progress." Of course when Life gives you lemons, it's hard to keep focus. So we have made some progress - but only about half a week's worth. Also this review/plan is getting longer and longer, and having a midweek review isn't really helping. Mum, help hold this chew …
Continue reading Review week 24, and Training Plan week 25 – Lemons and Steps
Reactivity and People - Monday he and I went for a walk with a friend of mine. He has met her once before, some weeks ago, and the introduction was done in just a minute this time. Once he recognises friend from foe, he is perfectly fine with people! I could spend the walk working …
Continue reading Folks on a Friday, and other issues. Week 24 review
Tales from the Apupcalypse aka My First Dog aka Fenris 