The Bug and I attended handling class last night at Masterpeace. There were less than 10 dogs there, so a smaller class than the last time we attended. It went well!
Things I need to remember and work on:
1. When Bug is on the table the leash goes around my neck so it is out of the way and I am not holding it all clumpy-lumpy. I remembered the second time we were on the table. (But I did remember where to set him correctly – front feet maybe 3” from the edge – yay!)
2. Practice holding the leash for gaiting, etc. It feels long for its purpose and I am awkward about holding it in one hand.
3. Practice “wide-vision” when gaiting, i.e. stand up straight, look up and ahead, but still watch the Bug out of the corner of my eye in case I am walking too fast and he thinks he needs to lope.
4. Practice picking up the Bug’s feet the CORRECT way while he is on the table if I need to make an adjustment . The correct way being over the shoulder versus snaking between his legs or some other foolish way! Currently when I attempt to make a slight adjustment the Bug sits. I SAW him allow Holly to make adjustments so I know he can get over being freaked by me making an adjustment.
Mini-breakthrough…..I used hand touches to keep the Bug engaged and standing while waiting for our faux-judge Kerry to inspect us. I am trying very hard to only reinforce standing not getting up out of a sit, i.e. Bug sits because he is bored and I essentially lure him back into a stand by moving etc. Wouldn’t you keep sitting down if it meant you were going to move and maybe get a cookie? So we worked the hand touches. His cue is “hit it.” The added benefit is that He thinks it is a fun game so we get lots of happy ears!
It was a fun class. There was one person there who was not what I consider not very “nice” to their dog. Lots of angry verbal corrections – gives me the heebie jeebies. It also seems like a fair number of people offer repeated leash pops which I find odd. What’s that saying?
“You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”
3 comments:
I think is common for people to use leash pops. I saw a lot of golder retriever people do that before they even started walking with there dog at that Chris Zink seminar. I dont like that either. One time(at an agility trial) I saw this lady training her dog to retrieve a bumper. When she took it from the dog and he gave it to her, she popped him in the mouth. I guess he wasnt suppose to let go until the verbal command. It was very upsetting to see at least to me. Diana
Lots of people use the little 'leash pops' as a non-verbal reminder of "let's go!" (usually in addition to the verbal command "trot" or "let's go" or whatever they use). Some feel it serves as a reminder to pick their heads up -- this is true for Strata. Then again, a 'leash pop' for Strata consists of one finger lifting the leash a little, since anything more than that would screw up his gait anyway!
So I don't see it as a correction or as an aversive... more as a simple reminder. That said, I KNOW a couple "regulars" in Kerry's class can rip a dog's head off if they feel it's not performing... and that's not right.
I think it is just something I focus on because I am not accustomed to seeing it.
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