Go check out the photos from yesterday's match......so cool!

Did you see the Applewoods Today blog post from yesterday?  Go check it out, it was a terrific day for Applewoods and our many, many students.

Roxanne

Graduation Photo

                           Here are some other photos I snapped during your test day class.

Congrats to each graduating student/dog team!

Really proud of each of you and the steady work it took to graduate from this EC class.  Elice has your graduation photo and has been terribly ill for over 2 weeks.  When she is well, we will upload that for each of you.

Which of you graduating students are planning on attending the upcoming MSC, this Saturday morning, Aug 10, from 7:30 am - 8:30 am?

HATS OFF!

Roxanne

Video of turns learned in class yesterday

Right About Turn for dog paying attention to handler.


Right Training Turn when dog is wide.

Left Training Turn for toy breeds....what hand position is missing? Yes, remember to slap the leash with your left hand on your left thigh just prior to making the Left Training Turn...this keeps the dogs head out back enough so you don't trip AND your foot can effectively move the dog. Remember...do this gently with a toy breed.




Left Training Turn for med to large dog forging slightly.

Class tomorrow morning is outside.

Class,

Because we will have one extra student joining for the remaining 2 classes, and because we have a nice sized "Peanut Gallery" coming, there isn't room enough for everyone to be downstairs in our ADT studio.

So, heat or no heat, we will have class tomorrow outside.

Dress cool and put on bug repellent as the bugs are vicious right now.

Roxanne

Applewoods Pool Party & Sugar is rapidly recovering!

Place

Double Place (notice the increased sag from Sherpa's weight?)

Every dog wants the bumper..

but Sugar is the fastest dog to launch for it.

After the pool party, tis time for cake.  Wait...what to do with all those wet dogs?

A 45-minute Down/Stay so all dogs could dry out.


What a great way to spend a summer Saturday afternoon-:)

No laughing at me now, we ALL had to start somewhere

Here are video's of Sugar, as a very young puppy, and I, as an Applewoods beginner, learning exactly what you are learning in class.  Notice how careful I am and quite insecure on if I am doing the right thing at the right time?  Please forgive the camara gal...she was 5 years old and these videos are all I have of this training moments so very long ago.

No laughing at me now.....


Sugar learns Sit/Stay, Days 3 & 4. He moved a foot so got a slight correction.








Ho..hum...ok he's got this exercise down pat now! The point of these video's is priceless...if I can learn to do this so too can you:) Roxanne

Video of 3-step heeling with Sit correction

Here's the 3-step heeling you were taught that teaches you how to halt correctly and help your dog to a correct Sit every time.

In this video, I'm teaching the Sit (so have completed the 400th Sit) and have moved into the Sit correction. However, you can use the same 3-step heeling sequence in preparation to halt by doing the first 200 Sits (molding of the dog into Sit) and Sit count 200-400 (molding + saying Sit) if that is where you are in your Sit count training process. The basic mechanics are the same, it's just after the 400th Sit, the molding ceases and you do Sit corrections from then on.

The key here is to set your hands up correctly with your feet so your Left, Right, Sit movement is smooth. Also, remember your verbal Sit begins on your 400 Sit and you will continue to use your verbal Sit at this point in the training.

Confusing as mud, yes? If it's any consolation, I had a tough time learning how to halt correctly with my feet, get my hand/leash sequence correct and remember to say Sit at the right time. I remember thinking, "WHAT? I don't know how to do this! WHAT, WHEN, HOW, HUH?"

LOL...Patience and practice will help you to memorize the correct sequence. If I can learn to do this, so can you.

SUGGESTION: Practice this with your leash and Fido, your invisible dog, until you can think "halt" (or have someone call "halt") and you can do the correct leash/feet movement easily and smoothly. The more you practice WITHOUT your dog, the smoother you are in communicating clearly what you want your dog to do as you are working it.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

Leash & collar payment?

Just going through my paperwork and realized our records don't specify when you paid for your leash and collar?  Please let me know that you have done so and would you be so kind to let me know how you paid for it, i.e. cash, check or PayPal?

You can respond to me at Roxanne@ApplewoodsDogTraining.com.

Thanks...sigh, paperwork:(

Roxanne

Update on Sugar

Sugar is steadily improving day after day. We are up to 15 minutes walking, 2 x a day, and he is moving well.  We started a 5 minute walk after one week when he came up to me and told me, "Ok..you are not taking me to work - ADT - and we are NOT going for my 3+ mile off-leash hikes, nor are we doing ANY obedience training.  I'm going nuts, please work me?" As an FYI...does his recuperation mean he does not work right now?  No, he is working, just not anywhere near what he was doing prior to surgery.

Margot is teaching a "Lights, Camara, ...ACTION!" class for advanced students who, like me, want to be able to do commercials and etc., with their trained dog. Last Saturday, without Sugar, I attended that class.  I got to use Sherpa to learn the mechanics of teaching an on-command "Jump" using a new training tool, the Jump stick.

With Sugar still recuperating, there is no way for him to do a full blown jump of any height.  However, I can teach the mechanics of this new command and so he is learning this new command on  very tiny, short 12" jump heights.

Additionally, as a puppy, Sugar was taught "Touch" which is a great way to teach a dog to target the palm of your hand and put its nose on it on command.  From that foundation, you can then teach a dog to target something else and go to it on command.  So, Sugar is getting 'worked' in the house, when outside in the back yard, and on our walks with the "Touch" command.

Sugar's training continues, as always, it just has changed shape to accommodate where he is at right now physically.

How is everyone doing?

Gasp,

I DETEST HUMIDITY!  Yuck!  Anyway, wanted to know how everyone is doing on their Week 3 homework?

Roxanne

Place using a Place cushion, Days 1 & 2, Days 3 & 4, Days 5 & 6

Class,

In these 3 video's you will notice the following:

Days 1 & 2: The Sit (molding) is happening and the Exercise Finish is part of the training.

Days 3 & 4: The Sit (molding + verbal Sit) is happening  and the Exercise Finish is part of the training.

Days 5 & 6: The Sit Correction has been added and the molding of the Sit has ceased.  Continue to use your verbal "Sit" command to help your dog understand what to do.

You can do more, but you must complete the 600th Sit by class next week in order to advance to the Sit/Stay. The Exercise Finish can and should be incorporated into your Place training sessions. It makes it easier to keep your Sit counts correct in your head and or tracking in a log.

 *CAUTION FOR YOUNG PUPPIES...it is better to do smaller segments of these sequences several times a day than to barrel through doing a days worth of training at one time. Puppies get tired and their muscles are still developing so less, done well, more often, is a sound training approach.**

*GROWN DOGS ..The rest of the class with grown dogs, work your training sessions as directed. A grown dog needs the mental discipline this training works.

These video's will help your dog to learn Place, Exercise Finish, and completing their Sit assignment this week.

Please note in the videos the homemade "Place cushion" which is simply a pillow sham stuffed with new carpet padding.  Roxanne had at least 8 of these made and keeps them in her car, around the house, and take them with her when traveling as "Place" is a portable command.



Place... Days 1 & 2

Place... Days 3 & 4

Place....Days 5 & 6

Delighted with this classes commitment to learning this correctly. You can do this and be ready for next weeks class which is Week 4 - the Sit/Stay.

Happy Training,

Jan

Exercise Finish - 1 step only

Remember that the Exercise Finish is set up with correct hand positions before you take a heeling step.

Here's the correct sequence:

1) Ready position,

2) Left, Right...(hand positions only here no foot movement yet and keep your knees soft not locked)

3) "Dogs name" BEFORE you step off as your left hand is positioned for a Sit correction..

4) As you step off..say "Heel",

5) Then say "Sit" as your left heel touches the ground.

6) As your right foot closes, you do a Sit Correction.. The Sit Correction is with your thumb upwards to the sky (thumbs up) and the Sit correction is done instantly. Collar should 'zing or pop' if you've done it correctly.

7) If your dog sits correctly, instead of a Sit correction, very soft stroke on dog's right side of face with quiet praise.

 Repeat a couple of hundred times...it gets easier.


 Jan

How to build your Negative Space

Negative Space:

Purchase PVC pipe and 4 elbow joints. Cut two pieces of PVC 22” and two 28”. Use PVC that is no more than 1” or less than ½” in diameter. Best to glue the elbows to the 22”pieces and leave the 28” pieces free, then put it all together and VOILA...you have a negative space. This facilitates carrying it around as well as storage.

Some good news and some not so good news

Sugar had his post - op today.  He was checked for Kennel Cough and doesn't have a fever or any other indications of Kennel Cough.  He is off pain meds (yeah).  However, he is fatigued and lethargic so to keep him on the healing track, he will be at home for another 3 weeks.  No ADT for Sugar till 3rd week of July.

Along with the need for him to rest and fully recover from the multiple prior infections, Crackers (his grandmother) also needs time to heal. Red (his mom) had an excellent check-up, but Crackers has been "off" for a couple of days. She's had some fatty tumors on her, but one had grown/shrunk on her belly, then grown again over the last couple of months.  Today's check-up revealed it was cancerous so it was removed.

Wished I'd had a video of the events coming home.  Crackers was carried to my car (Dr. Negola did not want her walking) and he put a Negola's Vet shirt on her instead of a collar.  Crackers really looks good in bright yellow shirts!  She was so disoriented that she kept doing a sing/song moan, groan, whine, whimper..and then repeated it all the way home.

I loaded up Red and Sugar and they both immediately went to her as if to say, "You ok?  What's with the crazy t-shirt getup you're wearing?"  On the way home, both Red and Sugar were thoughtful and considerate as she floundered about trying to get comfortable all the while doing her sing/song moan, groan, whine & whimper sounds.  I watched her in the rear view mirror and was fascinated at what was happening.

When she laid down, both dogs gave her whatever room she needed.  When she sat up, Sugar sat up next to her.  When she attempted to stand up, on very wobbly legs, Sugar stood up close to her as if to support her.  Then she'd crash down again and Sugar laid down next to her.  This went on for the entire 45 minute drive home.

A very drugged Crackers...but Sugar gives her room and quiet support

I  had to carry Crackers into the house (how can 60 lbs be so heavy)?  Currently, Crackers is wandering about the house like a drunken sailor.  Gratefully, her sing/song of pain have ceased and she stops, lays down and goes to sleep wherever.  Poor ol'gal.

Crackers sporting her new Negola's Ark attire on very wobbly legs.

Kennel Cough is making the rounds

You can research it, but essentially it's an airborne dog 'flu' with symptoms of a hacking/wheezing cough and sometimes a dog spits up white spittle. It is contagious and a dog can pick it up anywhere.

The incubation period is 2-4 days BEFORE symptoms show up and it can last from 14 to 21 days.

What to do if your dog gets it?

1) Rush to the vet, get medications, pay ALOT of money, and the dog gets over it.

2) Wait it out, let your dog rest, put honey on their muzzle and in their throat (it coats the throat), and the dog gets over it.

3) Try and keep your dog away from other dogs.  Good luck on that as often you don't know they have it until AFTER they show symptoms.  Usually, not always, but usually, once a dog has had Kennel Cough, their immune system builds up a resistance to it.

We are sorry to report that we have 2 young dogs with suspected Kennel Cough that have been at Applewoods recently. Your dog may have been exposed to it so just watch your dog and listen for a persistent cough.  We think it was brought in last Thursday or Friday.   It is your choice on coming to class this Saturday morning or not.   Young and old or dogs that are not healthy are more susceptible to getting Kennel Cough.  I will be there this Saturday as will Yuliya and Cassie to teach the class.

Please let us know if your dog shows any symptoms OR if your dogs doesn't show any symptoms.  That way we can track what is happening.

Roxanne

For Cayla: A current student shares her Applewoods retraining efforts with her 5-year old Poodle

My best advice for working the long down with a five year old dog is to have patience.  I'd also suggest making sure your bladder is empty and your chair is comfortable.  You do not want to give up before your dog is down for the 30 minutes and this could take several hours for the first week or so each day.

It is my belief that my five year old poodle was used to communicating with me in a certain way and this way is completely different.  He was not used to or comfortable with me not verbalizing what I wanted him to do. A younger dog has not been "set in his ways" so to speak.  Eli has figured out that he is supposed to go down and stay down until told to get up.  He still forgets and gets up 25 minutes in to a long down sometimes.  When this happens I have to remember my patience and start that time clock all over again.

Please do not get discouraged.  Although my Eli does do the long down at home, friend's houses, and even a nail salon, he will not yet do it at Applewoods.  Hang in There.

One other note when you are molding for the sit, stand, and down.  My five year old dog was in a state of confusion the first two days of each of these new commands.  Once I was able to verbalize, he was much more comfortable.  We are both learning how to re-learn.  The training will seem overwhelming at times.  Remember you are not alone.

Response to Cayla's question about Gir's refusal to do Long Downs..

Cayla,

 This situation comes up a lot with new students coming in with mature dogs.  Great question and you are correct that the Long Down is very important. However, remember Gir's life, what he has known and understood to be his life with you and Angel, has been totally uprooted and discarded.  He will do the Long Down when he chooses to yield to your leadership.

The Long Down is a voluntary surrender, a yielding of the dog's will, to your will and leadership. Think of it as a quiet battle of wills. It may take many months of staying consistent in the Applewoods training for Gir to really understand his former life with you is really, really gone.  Some dogs get stressed, some dogs fight (bite an owner), and some dogs simply stand and refuse to yield/surrender/lay down as they are letting you know they do NOT agree to your leadership and they are NOT yielding. 

You have 5 years of training Gir already to be exactly what he is right now.  To expect him to willingly yield right now, in a short time, is an unrealistic expectation on your part.  Ask me how long it took for Red (Sugar's mom) to get over her inner outrage of me changing her prior life of being a princess and then a queen (when she whelped the puppies) and then, she lost all status as I started to train at Applewoods.

Sigh...unknowingly, we (my husband and I) made some early training mistakes by excusing Red's behavior and justified what she had become at 5 years old - a spoiled, rude dog with very little emotional or physical self-control.  Once I started training Sugar at 9 1/2 weeks, I knew I had to change the rules and start over with Red and Crackers (the grandmother).

IT TOOK 10 MONTHS OF RED POUTING THAT HER PRIOR LIFE WAS FOREVER GONE FOR HER TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY LEADERSHIP AND BEGIN TO PAY ATTENTION.  10 months of her ignoring me, barking like a fool, stress whining and refusing to pay attention to me at all.   10 months.

Did that stop me from doing the Applewoods training on her while she acted out her frustration?  Nope, I just became PIC (Persistent, Insistent & Consistent)and learned to be a CCC (Calm, Cool and Collected) owner and trainer.  I learned a lot from Red about training a dog with a prior background.  I learned even more about myself training Red and how easy it was to expect her to learn (or in this case, relearn) an entire new language as I was learning it. It was a tough journey for both of us.

Red taught me patience as she tested me - not in anger or biting - but she tested me to see if I meant what I was teaching her and would stick with it. At the end of 10 months, Red yielded on her own, and we began a new relationship based on leadership and respect.  It was an incredible learning experience for me.  Was it worth the effort, time and energy it took to get through this journey?  Yes, 1000 times, yes.   Red and I are better now for the experience.

Cayla, please, please, please try to understand Gir's world, as the world he knew with you, is gone.  He has an entire array of emotions he is trying to sort out mentally.  He is having to think (instead of manipulate you) and he is confused.  He is a very smart dog and he will figure it out. 

It will take time, an incredible amount of time and patience and you learning to be calm in the face of him refusing to yield.  Gir will yield when you have earned his respect and he chooses to acknowledge you as a worthy leader - and not until then will he yield.

You have the right to teach and train him to do what you expect him to do.  He has the right to be stressed or whiney (avoidance behaviors) and to be upset.  He doesn't get to avoid practicing the Long Down, but he does get to choose when to yield.  When he does, recognize it is a gift and an indication of his mind shifting in how he views you.

In the meantime (and there will be a lot of meantimes) relax, do what you need to do with him, practice the Long Down and someday, one day (not in this class or maybe not even in the Middle School Class) when you least expect it, he will choose to yield.  That is his choice and you MUST allow him the time he needs to choose.

So relax, go find a couple of places you like doing the Long Down, and do them.  Don't worry about whether Gir is doing the Long Down or not, you can't make him (that's the entire point of this exercise) so give it up, practice it when you can as much as you can and Gir will yield when Gir chooses to yield.

Wait and see...Gir's mental inner transformation is only just now beginning. 

The best is yet to come.

Roxanne

To hot to train?

I know it's miserably hot and humid out there, but how are you doing on your assigned 400 Sits this week?  Some of you have trained dogs, like Sam, so he doesn't need the 400 Sits, but you, as the owner/handler can and should be doing ALL 400 Sits (as taught already) with Fido so your mechanics are correct.

Remember, if it's to miserable outside you can do the Sits at home, in your basement, at a Pet Store (HUGE distractions there) some Lowe's & Home Depots allow dogs.  OUR FAVORITE training place?  The Bass Outdoor Pro Shop at Anne Arundel Outlet Mall.  They allow dogs and you can spend hours training a dog while another family member goes shopping.

How is everyone doing?

Roxanne

Sugar is so tired he fell asleep with a favored toy (he won it at an obedience trial) in his mouth.

Sugar is so tired (and doped up) he fell asleep with his toy in his mouth.

Sugar has eaten a bit today and is drinking water and peeing - all good signs that he is recovering.  

Roxanne

4 comments from 2012 Elementary Class students...they know how you feel and what you are going through this week

Class,

I have asked our 2012 students to provide brief comments on teaching the Sit for your benefit and understanding.

1st comment: Pam/Piper

Establishing the Sit early in training is essential to success at the next levels.   I was not as consistent with my Sit practice and expectations as I should have been when I went through EC class.  While my dog Piper is progressing, I still struggle to get her to pay attention to me when she is supposed to and as the skills get more challenging, she is fighting me for dominance, including biting behavior.  If I had built a stronger foundation with the Sit, and practiced more, I believe she would be learning quicker and with more accuracy.  It was my failing - the homework as prescribed is essential.   

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2nd comment: Cassie/Misu

Going through the elementary class was EXTREMELY challenging with a dog as stubborn as mine. I was consistent with the all of the homework, but looking back, I probably could have done more than what was required. Our sits were not solid when we graduated EC and that hindered us in the upcoming classes, especially when you learn stand and down. Applewood’s teaches you in the exact steps you need to follow to be successful in all the new things you haven’t learned yet. Listen to everything the instructors tell you and if your dog is as stubborn as mine, double the homework. It pays off in the end.  

===================================================================

3rd comment: Becky/Abby

I often wondered why I needed to be so particular with the training, too. I'm not planning to do obedience trials with Abby; I just want a good dog. Over time, I realized that she can't learn to be a good dog if I'm not REALLY consistent with what I'm asking of her (example: heel/Sit position is exactly heel/Sit position and not someplace kind've to my left). 

I'd say one of the biggest benefits of Abby having a solid Sit/Stay and generally learning that I am the boss is that she now looks to me when faced with a distraction. Whether it's a kid on a bike, another dog, or any other "scary" distraction, her instinct, after tons and tons of repetition/teaching, is to look to me instead of react how she used to (which was lunging at dogs, growling and generally acting like a fool for no good reason). 

I also have very practical uses for the commands and they are a part of everyday life, not just for use at Applewoods. For example: "Place" is used when we are eating and when I'm exercising at home to keep the dog out of my way. Sit/Stay is used when I'm getting the dog and groceries out of the car at the same time. I can trust 100% that she is not moving, even if I walk to the other side of the car. I did not get the big picture during the Elementary Class, but seeing the entire program a year later has been extremely rewarding and has given us a completely different dog.

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4th comment: Joyce/Charlie

Think of building a pyramid. It doesn’t make much difference if the stone on the bottom is a couple of inches off—until you get a few rows up and the whole structure starts to wobble. That’s what Elementary Class is like. It’s a building process, and although each individual step may seem insignificant, when all the pieces are put together you’ll realize that every single one was important. You may not care whether your dog sits straight or at an angle, as long as you end up with a well-behaved companion. 

Problem is, each successive level depends on the strength of the work that has come before. Skip a step and the next one will be orders of magnitude more difficult. In short, if you’re willing to let your dog decide when and how to respond to your “Sit” command, you can forget about reliable heeling or coming when called. Better get out your hard hat and steel-toed boots; that pyramid is about to fall on your head. I wasn’t convinced, and I’m still dealing with the headache.

 

Suggestions for an excellent training routine

Just a suggestion, but incorporate the "Left, Right, Sit your Dog" (always done on your leather leash) along with your Longe Line workouts. Once your dog shows you it has "signed up for the training" by sticking to your left side during a Longe Line training session, switch out from the Longe Line to your 6' leather leash. STAND on your leather leash as you take the time to roll up your Longe Line correctly and clip it out of the way on your belt loop closest to your spine.

Then, say "Fido, Heel" and as you command ..."Heel" is when you begin to move forward. Heel until your dog begins to forge ahead of you and out of heel position then utilize the new Right About Training Turn (which you learned in class) and do a couple of those turns until your dog decides that sticking by your left side in the "safety zone" is the intelligent decision. Then begin to move forward again with a "Fido, Heel" and practice a few halts (you will learn the mechanics for doing a correct halt this next week in class). Do however many "Left, Right, Sit your Dog" exercises you have decided to do, then command, "Fido, Heel" and start heeling again.

Repeat the process above, but mix it up. The more random you are, the more your dog has to focus on you instead of the world. So be random in when you choose to do a Right About Training Turn or decide to stop (when there are terrific distractions) and/or do more "Left, Right, Sit your Dog" exercises. FYI....this above sequence training is less than 30 minutes TOTAL time.

When done correctly your dog will be what we call "mental toast" because your dog has been required to think, focus on you attentively and seek to figure out what you are going to do next.   Head home using the leather leash (do whatever you training needs to be done).  Just before you get home, in a safe location, switch to the Longe Line and stroll home. If you've done your homework correctly, your dog will be more than willing to just follow quietly beside you as all it wants is to go home and rest.

This is what we call "cool down time" as your dog is thinking and meditating on the lessons it just learned. Do a Long Down on a bench outside (if the weather is nice enough) or go home and do a Long Down or kennel your dog for 30 minutes. They will be very grateful to just give it up and lay down beside you. This is a critical processing "quiet time" for your dog to take the lessons just learned and begin to store them in their long term memory.

Doing the LL (Longe Line) workouts, then switching to your leash, then heeling including Right About Training Turns and Sits, then LL home, then ending with 30 minute Long Down sequence is a great training practice. Your dog will be mentally tired and that is what you want to happen. A mentally tired dog is tired dog and a tired dog is one ready to quietly relax at home which makes for very happy owners:)

Rain today? If so, nothing is better than working your dog in the rain as it is cool today and NOT so brutally humid:)

Roxanne

.

Sugar is home...we are tired

Just uploaded your Week 2 Homework, the video of the "Left, Right, Sit your Dog" human drill with Fido, a video of the Right About Training Turn, and a post blog showing the Left, Right, Sit your Dog in a photo sequence. Heading to take a nap now...yawn! Roxanne

Video of "Left, Right, Sit your Dog" human drill

Here's a video so you can practice with Fido (your perfect, pretend dog) and help you learn the mechanics of "Left, Right, Sit your Dog".

Perfect practice makes perfect. This is also excellent exercise:)

Roxanne

Sugar surgery update...

Sugar has been on antibiotics 2x in the last 3 weeks.  He should have been clear of ANY infection for his surgery today, but that was not the case. Dr. Negola --best vet in the country, in my humble opinion--said he had an infection UNDER his infected tonsils that the antibiotics hadn't taken care of.  The only way to get him well is to take the tonsils out completely and neuter him due to his on-going multiple prostate infections.   Glad we opted for the surgeries today. It was the right choice to make for Sugar's health.

He is drugged and sleeping in a kennel at Dr. Negola's.  I will bring him home tomorrow.  You will not see him as the demo dog for the rest of your class.


Roxanne

Cayla..and Gir?

Gayla,

How goes the Longe Line workouts with Gir since your Tutor Session this week?

Roxanne

Video of Right About Training Turn

Right About TRAINING Turn (use when dog is forging at end of 6' leash) and to begin to teach your dog to "read your feet" and turn with you.
Right About Training Turn for dog forging to far ahead to do Left Training Turn

Photo sequence of "Left, Right, Sit your Dog" (LRSyD)

DAYS 1,2 & 3 200 Sits must be accomplished within the first 3 days
Step # 1 "Ready" position

Step # 2 "Left hand position"

Step # 3 "Right hand position"

Step # 4 Part 1: Left hand starts at dog's shoulder and strokes down back to buttocks.. On Days 3, 4 & 5 add the word "Sit" as you touch dog's shoulder....another 200 Sits must be accomplished within 3 days.

Step 4 Part 2: Right hand brings straight upward pressure on the collar keeping the leash close to the left pant seam (don't pull in leash in front of your knee)...notice the left thumb position while scooping?

Step # 5 Left hand scoops dogs buttocks into Sit position...notice the left thumb position while scooping?

How is everyone doing?

You are very quiet class.  How are you all doing?

Roxanne

Gate Etiquette Exam at beginning of class next week...

We will be testing your Longe Line handling doing a Gate Etiquette Exam coming into the gates at Applewoods.  We will greet you at the gate and give you instructions on coming in, one student/dog at a time, for your individual Exam.

Please review the Longe Line Gate Etiquette video posted. Start practicing standing on the Longe Line close to your dog's collar, then open a gate, stepping off the Longe Line quietly and letting the dog choose to remain at your left side until you move forward (smart dog).  However, should your dog choose to move ahead of you (hasn't learned to read your feet yet), do the fastest turn IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION and keep moving until the dog follows you.  Repeat until when you can open a gate and ever so quietly slide your left foot off the Longe Line, give your dog the choice to remain beside you (smart dog) and then go through the gate with your left foot doing normal Longe Line work.

Remember, no speaking or looking at your dog when you do Longe Line training and this includes the Gate Etiquette.  We are helping you to train your dog that an open door, gate, anything means to wait and pay attention to you until further instructions.  Your dog is also learning to "Honor boundaries" and that will mean more as we go through the next couple of weeks.

THIS GATE ETIQUETTE EXERCISE CAN SAVE YOUR DOG'S LIFE.

Roxanne

PS: If yo don't pass the Exam next week, I will let you know and will recommend a Tutor Session.

Questions from Angel (the Peanut Gallery)

Class,

The only bad question you can ask is the one you didn't ask, so ask your questions.  Although our name is "Applewoods Dog Training", we are actually an educational company whose training is via dog training.  I appreciate all questions including from the Peanut Gallery-:)  Part of my professional background is that of a teacher, trainer and educator.

Roxanne

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From Angel: A couple of questions??

1. For the Peanut Gallery, should they keep from making eye contact or interacting with the dogs? I noticed that for a good portion of the class our dog Gir was just starring at me, whining, and even waving his hands to me. Should I sit away from him or is there certain body language I should portray? 

ANSWER: One of the ways we teach a dog to have emotional and physical self-control is to utilize "the Peanut Gallery" as the training distraction the dog learns to ignore when someone else in the family is 'handling, i.e. training the dog via the leash or the Longe Line'.  Is it fair to have eye contact with the dog when you are the Peanut Gallery - yes.  Is it fair to stare at them when they are working - still yes as the dog will, by Week 3, learn to ignore you and pay attention to whomever is handling them.

What was Gir doing yesterday?  Offering his cycle of 'behaviors' that he knows to do so you would rescue him from the new school you just signed him up for.  This is normal 'little dog' behavior, especially for a dog that has been trained to believe it is a toy (carried, picked & etc) instead of being treated as a dog fully capable of thinking for itself and learning manners.  

I'm not faulting what you have already done in the past with Gir, my intention here is to help you understand where he is coming from.  His prior world is gone and he hopes as he gives/ offers/does behaviors that have worked in the past to get his way with you (these are very predictable patterns in each dog), that he will avoid this new school and the lessons he is having to learn.  

WHAT IS NOT FAIR TO GIR?  Calling him, using his name, or rescuing him when Cayla is working him (via leash or Longe Line).  Gir is having to learn that whomever has the end of the leash or Longe Line is who he needs to pay attention to until that changes.  

2.  Is there anything that should be said to help the dog know they should be laying down (the long down)? 

ANSWER: No, as the dog is learning something new and that is new boundaries specifically set by the handler.  These new boundaries are being communicated do the dog in a language it already knows, body language.  Please read Woods Wise Words # 3: The Long Down.

3. What should the correction for barking, or whining be for the dog during a long down?

ANSWER: There are 3 choices you have as the handler. 

 (1) Ignore it as again this is cyclical behavior to get you to change your mind on the dog learning the Long Down lessons.

 (2) Get a Tritronic (only brand we use) Bark Limitor and put on dog so dog learns barking is a lesson in futility.  We have them for sale for $ 100 here at ADT.

 (3) Take whatever physical means necessary to stop the behavior.

4. What if the dog follows your tight left turn, or re-positions itself to be at you right leg?

ANSWER: If the dog is going to the right and you do a tight left turn Longe Line correction AND the dog chooses to wisely follow you, great and just continue towards your Point A or Point B.  The point of Longe Line work is NOT to make a correction, but rather to teach your dog the wise choice is to remain close to your left side  in the safety zone.  It also teaches the dog to pay attention to you, no matter what. When the dog goes one way, and you the other, the dog either gets a correction OR chooses to notice you are moving away and they hurry to get caught up and stay in the safety zone by your left side.

WHEN THE DOG goes to your right side, you take responsibility to help them by staying on the dogs right shoulder.  THE ONLY WAY to do this is when they are on your right side, you do a small, tight left turn AROUND the dog (continue walking briskly) and keep moving towards your original Point A or Point B.  We call this manuever 'picking up your dog'.

LONGE LINE WORK IS ALWAYS DONE ON STRAIGHT LINES FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

Either way, the dog is learning to pay attention as now, you are more interesting than the distraction.  The dog learns this either involuntarily (correction) or voluntary (notices you are moving away and hurries to catch up),  Either way, the dog learns you are the MOST important thing to pay attention to you.   Please read Woods Wise Words # 4: The Longe Line is CRITICAL.

5. How far away should Point A and Point B be from one another during the Longe Line workouts?

ANSWER:  The distances are detailed out for you in EC Week 1 Homework.  Ideally, you need 50' in all four directions to do a good Longe Line workout.  Keep moving where you do these workouts this week and find new distractions (what your dog finds distracting) to work AGAINST and teach your dog to pay attention to you DESPITE the distraction.

Thanks,

Angel

My pleasure to answer your excellent questions, Angel.

Roxanne

A couple of questions

For the peanut gallery, should they keep from making eye contact or interacting with the dogs? I noticed that for a good portion of the class our dog Gir was just starring at me, whining, and even waving his hands to me. Should I sit away from him or is there certain body language I should portray?

Is there anything that should be said to help the dog know they should be laying down (the long down)? 

What should the correction for barking, or whining be for the dog during a long down?

What if the dog follows your tight left turn, or re-positions itself to be at you right leg?

How far away should point a and point b be from one another during the longe line?

Thanks,

Angel

For Cayla and Angel,

You may want to purchase a buckle (not a quick release) collar for Gir to wear when not training with his training collar.  The training collar is to big for him so use it only when actively training (Long Down & Lounge Line) this week.  Once he gets more accustomed to it, by next week, we should be able to go to a smaller size. 

Remember to put it on correctly every time you use it.

Roxanne

Tutor Sessions available when you need them...

Class,

Tutor Sessions are available with me at a minimal cost of $ 15 per 20 minutes.  Tutor Sessions are paid from the student directly to the Instructor and cash works best. 

PLEASE, do not wait until Week 2 to schedule a Tutor Session if you are confused (which is normal) on doing Longe Line training correctly.  It is far easier to get in a brief Tutor Session (your dog won't be able to go longer than that timeframe) this week, than to wait.  Longe Line workouts are critical as they are the Active Training necessary to teach your dog to pay attention to no matter what else is going on.

IF you are going to miss a week, please schedule with me a Tutor Session to make-up your missed class.  Tutor Sessions are usually short, brief and intense (kind've like how fast Kiki decided to pay attention to whomever was working her after just a few Longe Line corrections) so they rarely take longer than 20 minutes.  As you saw today, it took just helping Andy learn to take shorter steps and Brianna did beautifully in class today. We call that 'signing up for the Applewoods training program' and that is what you are looking for in your dog.

THOSE OF YOU WITH PUPPIES or DOGS THAT CAN OVERHEAT...do multiple small Longe Line workouts rather than two 30-minutes training sessions.  Remember, in this heat, dogs can die if overheated.  The best thing is to work them in the early morning and/or in the cooling dusk evening someplace where there is grass.  Course, you can always buy them a Cool Vest which will give you approximately 45 minutes to work a dog safely during heat spells like we've had.  Watch your dog and it's tongue as it will tell you if the dog is overheating.

Sugar has a genetic issue and will overheat and die if I don't keep him cool.  This vest is a lifesaver for him and I think he's quite handsome in it also!

Remember to end every training session with a Long Down or quiet kennel time as this helps the dog shift the lesson just learned from short term to long term memory. 

 Roxanne

Videos of Longe Line including Gate Etiquette training for exam next week

When you get overwhelmed, stop, think "Johnny Cash and Walk the Line", compose yourself, step off on your LEFT foot and begin again.







  Feel free to share here any struggles, victories or ask any/all questions.

Yuliya and the gang

Hello!
I am Yuliya and I will be one of Roxanne's assistance during your class.
I have three dogs : two kerry blue terriers and one giant schnauzer.
you probably will get to see all of them as some point during these 6 weeks:-)

Juan & KiKi

Hello! My name is KiKi. I am a 3 year old mixed (hound/beagle mix of something) breed. In addition to being very sweet and very smart, I love sweet potatoes and get up on the counter to snatch one every chance I get. Juan and I are both hold overs from the April elementary class. We both look forward to continuing our obedience training adventure.....

Cassie & Misu

Hi everyone. I am Cassie and I will be one of Roxanne’s assistant's in this class. I have a Golden Retriever named Misu and he will be 3 in December. We have been attending Applewoods since April 2012. We have gone through the following classes with Applewoods: elementary, middle school, high school, Novice, and retrieve (twice). We both have learned A LOT through training with Applewoods and both Misu and I have come A LONG way from when we started. Misu earned his CGC in July of 2012 and I just submitted his paperwork to get him registered with AKC to start showing him in obedience runs. Welcome to Applewoods!

Andy & Briana

Hello class,
My name is Briana. I'm a 5 months old toy poodle.