Monday, April 25, 2011

Will Work for Cookies

Maisy is a complete food hound. She will go with anyone who has cookies, and will do just about anything to earn them. Case in point:


Maisy had never interacted with weave poles before, and yet there she is, happily going in and out of them, working her little heart out for the possibility of a cookie or two. The kidlet also sent her through tunnels, over jumps, and on a wobble board.

I really wish I had video of that last one- Maisy has a strong aversion to things that move under her feet- and yet she was completely willing to get on it in exchange for a cookie. She also promptly freaked out when it moved, prompting the kidlet to declare that Maisy “has issues.” Oh, honey. If only you knew how amazing it is that she did it for you at all.

12 comments:

andrea said...

Darling!!!

Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duck said...

That is super cute!!! I think you should really put that awesome girl to work and teach Maisy how to do weave poles properly :) Have her turn Maisy into an agility star!

Go Maisy for conquering the wobble board!

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

I think the kidlet would be willing. Last week she told me that I don't have to pay her to train my dog, but she would accept tips...

Jane F said...

For dogs that have movement issues, I start them on a board (18 x 18 for example) with a single layer of corrugated cardboard underneath it. When the dog takes no notice of the one layer, I have students add an additional layer.

Anonymous said...

Ah that's so cool. I'm impressed twofold (of course because my dogs have these issues): Maisy's interacting with a child demon ('cus they're all demons in Emma's book) and she's QUIET while doing something totally new with a child demon ('cus Charlie can't stay quiet even with me). Way to go Maisy! I'm jealous.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Jane- that's a pretty brilliant way to break it down. I'll have to try that.

Ettel- Maisy isn't a huge fan of children in general, to the point where I don't allow them to interact with her. The kidlet is the exception. She's a dog trainer's kid, and quite dog savvy. She's also pretty good at using a high rate of reinforcement, and Maisy will forgive anything with cookies. :)

Sophie said...

Go Maisy! She looks pretty happy to be weaving for a cookie. :) She's just as food motivated as my silly hounds.

Patty said...

Great job Maisy! I think, Sophie would trade me in for a milkbone.

At our last flyball tournament her ball bounced out of the box into the other lane. She followed it and then proceeded to run down the wrong lane. In the past if that has occurred, she immediately runs to me when she gets to the end of the lane. Well this time someone on the other team had chicken. She completed her run and did a perfect front at their feet.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Patty, that's hilarious.

Joanna said...

You'd probably read about this through your own network, but I just saw that Denise Fenzi is doing an obedience seminar in Minnesota, and thought you might be interested. (Um, you live in Minnesota, right??)
http://www.mnmixedbreedclub.org/seminars.htm
I love everything I've read from Denise and would love to audit one of her seminars.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Yes, I live in Minnesota, and yes! I'm interested! In fact, I'm part of the club hosting the seminar, and Maisy and I are signed up for a working spot on Monday. I do appreciate you thinking of me, though- if I hadn't heard about it, I would have wanted to know! :)

Joanna said...

Hahaha, that's awesome! Looking forward to reading your recap of the seminar!! :D