tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8576416884566050545.post6338212739861305540..comments2014-05-05T14:42:10.740-04:00Comments on Connecting with the Dots: Wednesday Agility class - Fun with Rear CrossesJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594393826897656453noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8576416884566050545.post-50981812499561077902010-02-20T18:23:34.424-05:002010-02-20T18:23:34.424-05:00Hope you had a good time at the seminar! And don&#...Hope you had a good time at the seminar! And don't feel bad...I think Peyton wants a new handler sometimes too. :)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04469471851586209650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8576416884566050545.post-81005619114487152372010-02-20T17:40:59.653-05:002010-02-20T17:40:59.653-05:00Yeah - the relationship bank is an analogy I hear ...Yeah - the relationship bank is an analogy I hear often. You'd think it would be drilled into me by now. <br /><br />I feel like I am still finding my way with Steeler and dishing out cookies. I think I will ask my instructor to remind me more often to give him a cookie when I screw up. But on the other hand I am frequently told I am "chumming" or being a pez dispenser - to be fair that is usually during obedience type stuff. LOL - Poor Steeler really needs a new handler! Steeler and I went to a Tracy Sklenar seminar this morning - I need to think about some things and decide what I am going to do next.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594393826897656453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8576416884566050545.post-46305439085580843952010-02-20T17:23:24.717-05:002010-02-20T17:23:24.717-05:00I understand...sometimes it's hard to remember...I understand...sometimes it's hard to remember everything you need to do in class. I'm just so used to hearing "give your dog a cookie!" so much from one of my trainers that now I do it without thinking. :) But it WORKS...also the more you can keep moving and keep that enthusiasm up (even if you have to circle back to try something again) the better. <br /><br />Ann B was saying at camp this month that she looks at rewards as making a deposit into a (relationship) bank and that she always wants her deposits to be more than her withdrawals. Every time a mistake is made and the dog has to do something over (that would be a withdrawal), she first makes a "deposit" by asking the dog to do something simple to earn a reward. She of course, said it much better, but that was the general idea. :)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04469471851586209650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8576416884566050545.post-69547654378599767602010-02-20T16:52:34.219-05:002010-02-20T16:52:34.219-05:00Thanks Kim! You're advice is ALWAYS welcome!!...Thanks Kim! You're advice is ALWAYS welcome!!!! I think you are right - Steeler was getting more worried with each run. I know that I get into that trap of wanting more and more and not stopping to reward when he does it right. I saw a lot of that today at an agility seminar - well not that they weren't stopping to reward - but that the timing was really important and you can miss the opportunity if you aren't quick enough. <br /><br />Steeler is definitely not one of those dogs that thinks the chance to continue is rewarding enough - and I KNOW that!!!! Now if I can just work on that in class.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594393826897656453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8576416884566050545.post-23692977575625224942010-02-20T11:10:53.858-05:002010-02-20T11:10:53.858-05:00First, I think you and Steeler look great! You guy...First, I think you and Steeler look great! You guys have come a really long way! I hope you don't mind some unsolicited feedback , but since we've worked through many of these issues, I'm hoping it might be a little bit helpful. <br /><br />If Steeler is anything like Peyton (and many dogs) he probably doesn't like to be wrong. Or even thinking that he's made a mistake. You can see that Steeler is thinking...am I doing this right? It's hard to tell from the video, but he looks like he gets a little more worried with each run. <br /><br />One thing that I almost always do with Peyton is that if I mess up, he gets a cookie. If I pull him off a jump, I immediately say "good boy" and he spins right back around, gets a cookie and then we try again. I think a lot of times, starting and stopping can cause them to worry, but if the dog gets a reward (even just a verbal "nice try!" ) when we goof up, it can help ease some of that stress. <br /><br />The other thing that I noticed was an absence of reward when Steeler actually does what you are asking. Sometimes just a verbal is enough, but for example, after he finally did the weaves, I would have probably stopped and had a party. I know the temptation to keep going is strong, but I don't think many dogs see the "you did it right so we get to keep moving" as a reward. Does that make sense? <br /><br />And finally, speed comes with confidence. I think once Steeler stops worrying, you'll see his speed pick up tremendously. So you better get your best running shoes ready! :)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04469471851586209650noreply@blogger.com