Shaping Fun

Having spent much less time than usual working with the dogs at home, I'm back to business.

Both dogs had already started to offer backing up, but I'm trying to do it over again the right way. I get a dog standing in front of me, then click any backwards motion. I'll accept any paw, and even a strong shift of their body weight. Sadie started by just lying down and looking pathetic, so I had to get her back on her feet by stepping back myself. She quickly began offering backwards motion, starting with her just adjusting her stance, but moving a paw backwards.

Maxwell gave me his best, most intense JustTellMeWhatToDoAndI'llDoItC'MonTellMe! He gets so serious when he's "working" that he doesn't offer behaviors. For this, I moved myself into his space, eventually causing him to yield and move back. It's funny how I've spent tons of time acclimating him to me being in his personal space, so now I have to be practically on top of him before he moves.

I'm also shaping Maxwell to lie down across my lap when I sit on the floor. He tries to cheat by just plastering his face to my leg, but remaining standing. It doesn't look comfortable! I just sit quietly until he plops down, then give him lots of kibble. Between reps, I toss a few bits down the hall and ask him to FIND IT. It's great because he races out for the food, but also races back to me for the next try.

Sadie's other new trick is built on her EARTHQUAKE move.Once she's sitting between my feet, I walk forward or backwards a bit bowlegged. Sadie maintains her positing relative to me, matching my movement forward and backwards. If her head gets too far back or too far ahead, the kibble stops magically finding her mouth. She's getting quite good at this one.

Not shaping, but I'm working with Maxwell to learn disc-play. I bought him a small, soft throwing disc that is also appropriate for tugging. He seems to be nearly as keen for it as for a tennis ball... though not quite! I give him easy tosses. He gets clicks only for catching it in the air, and earns treats and/or tugging. A good tug session earns treats and the next toss. If he misses the catch I won't tug, and ask for something easy (SIT, DOWN, or TOUCH) to earn a toss and another chance at a click.

I'm also excited for the new class session at PCOTC. Sadie's Novice Competition class started last night, and this time there are only 5 dogs. (And one wasn't there anyway) She's doing really well, and the instructor noticed improvements in her jumping and weaves. This Friday both dogs have Intermediate Agility. My little boy is in the same class as his sister! There are four dogs, which means lots more running time compared to Saturdays (when there were eight dogs). I'll be run a bit ragged I expect, since my dogs are half the class! I'm very interested to see how Maxwell does with a wide-open floor and a longer sequence.

And tomorrow, shelter doggies!