Sunday, May 15, 2011

Training Update: Baby Retrieves!

It's been a very long time since I posted any kind of training update. Honestly, I haven't done much lately. I started a new job recently, and it's left me kind of wiped out. Still, we go to class regularly, so we're still making some progress:



I'm really pleased with how she's doing with her retrieves. It took forever, but we've mostly gotten rid of both nudging the item with her nose and the paw lift when I reach for the item. Both things pop out once in a while, but given how hard it is to train out superstitious behaviors, I'm happy with how far she's come! I also like that we're getting a bit of duration.

9 comments:

andrea said...

That is so neat to watch!
I should work on that with my guys ;) but I think that every cool trick/behaviour I see you do :)

Congrats on the new job - I hope it isn't too stressful :)

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

I've done all of Maisy's retrieve work through shaping, mostly by following Shirley Chong's method (google it and you should find it online). It's been fun!

Thanks so much for the congratulations. I *love* my new job, and while it has its moments, I really do strive on just a touch of stress. It's been a month and a half now, so it's getting much easier to balance my life. Hopefully that will mean more training. :)

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

Love it! Especially how she's not dropping the item right away when you touch it but waiting for the click!!!

I actually liked some of the trials with the flower better than the others as in those you're clicking while she is in motion towards you rather than stopped and you having to reach your hand towards her. But it depends on what you're trying to teach :) I teach retrieves to my hand, actively seeking out my hand, before holds and before fronts. If you are just working on the hold then I would have all trials in front of you like in the ones with the dumbbell.

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Thanks Laura! I was just trying to click for "keep front feet on floor," (with a little bit of duration) but your tips are EXCELLENT. I will DEFINITELY keep those in mind as we move forward.

Sophie said...

Maisy's retrieve is adorable! Lola just drops things by my feet; she doesn't wait for me to reach out and touch the item or anything. This has reminded me I really need to teach her a 'hold'!

Ninso said...

Looks good! Retrieving is so fun with so many applications! The other day I was at Fleet Farm and saw a set of 3 little plastic baskets for $3. I thought to myself, "Dog training game!" Jun and I have been having fun playing different retrieve/deliver games with them. She does a directed "deliver to basket" (take the item to the basket I point out) pretty well, but has more trouble with a directed retrieve for some reason, though she does better with the baskets than without them.

Joanna said...

The flower is so cute! Good job. :)

Katie said...

Two thumbs up to Shirley Chong's retrieve! That's how I taught Luce, who had no natural retrieve.

Maisy is adorable as always!

Crystal (Thompson) Barrera said...

Thanks everyone! :)