1-29-24 Mary works Nova 1st time

Week 1 Lesson Update, Loni to the rescue...

After a really sketchy session last week, I had become very cautious and hesitant to train Piper in public.  She was being even more nervous and reactive than usual; no doubt she was also picking up on mine.  When I read the Week 1 exam, my anxiety spiked and I knew we were never going to get there without solid help, so I reached out to Loni.

After we made arrangements to meet on Monday (today), I bought Piper a travel kennel that scared her, but surprisingly, only took 30 min and some string cheese to get her past it..  Now she goes in and out without hesitation.  The bonus... she exits the vehicle calmly and under complete control.  

I took Piper to Home Depot on Saturday and we had a great session allowing us to achieve two unbroken 30 minute QT's in public and an  80% lunge line.  It was very good for grounding us but didn't offer enough distractions.  

Loni suggested mixing it up with Tractor Supply on Sunday.  We spent almost three hours there yesterday and the best we achieved was one 20 min QT.  Lots of distractions, neighbors, dogs, UTV's, nosy folk with no boundaries, lol, you name it.

This morning we got two unbroken QT's in the house (which is now easy for her) and a 60% Longe line with lots of running farm animals taunting her.  We went down to Hoovers at 12:30 for a QT session before meeting Loni at 1pm.  We achieved zero down time since Piper could smell her dogs from across the street and was too anxious to settle.

When we parked in the lot, I left Piper crated and Loni introduced me to Shadow and Keesh.  Both younger than Piper but so well trained and calm that you'd never know they weren't older.  After a quick walk to release tension and go potty, we got started.

Loni is such a pro!  She refreshed me on all the basics, then started us drilling.  First giving us wide berth to warm up and acclimate, then drawing the dogs in closer and closer.  All while calling out clear, concise and calm instructions... Left... Right... About... Halt...  She made it very easy for us to track.  

Eventually, we were circling tight confines around benches.  Loni had Shadow sitting on a table and was walking Keesh around us.  The worst thing Piper did was ignore me at times to focus on sniffing the ground.  She did try to approach Shadow a few times but it wasn't with aggression.

After almost and hour, we stopped and let the dogs do QT while we chatted, taking a bit of time to get to know each other and our overlapping worlds.  Piper was calm and quiet the whole time.

When we wrapped up, Loni gave us feedback and explained again what the Week 1 Exam expectation was and how Piper had already been doing it during our session.  She was confident we wouldn't have any difficulty filming the test by the end of the week.

Loni has been such an enormous blessing for us!  She's restored my confidence and optimism.  Piper has been calm and attentive all evening and is already showing the early signs of behavior change in response to consistent work.  Praise God!

Loni, I know I've said it already but thank you again for your generosity, kindness and willingness to share your wealth of knowledge and experience.  You are truly a blessing and I'm so very grateful for your help!

BTW...  So far the muzzle has been on hand every day but not needed.  I may change that once we start working in the stores and restaurants, but for now she's doing fine.

Week 1 EXAM

Link to Week 1 EXAM 

Week 1, Day 3 & 4 update

Day 3 was another solid progression with low to moderate distractions.  I upped the ante by walking her by the neighbor with their rottweiler.  This time when Piper tracked, I changed directions and gave her another attempt and she tracked but didn't lock on.  We did it a few more times and went loose line the walk home..  Huge success imo.   Even the quiet time sessions are home are progressing nicely.  

In the field, it's a whole other story.  Welcome to our day 4 nightmare...

Yesterday, I was going to take Piper to Hoovers to at least start getting her used to vehicles.  I figured that would be good prep for meeting Loni on Friday.  Instead, I got a call from another friend who trains dogs.  I'd seen her in action and thought maybe it would make an even better challenge for Piper.

Instead of working outside like I'd anticipated, she was inside a training area with her three dogs.  I immediately got nervous and Piper was already on high alert from the horse and dog scent filled approach.  

We finally got seated in the very back corner, seemingly out of the way and safe in case she got reactive.  I reminded my friend how crazy Piper could get and felt we at least needed at least the illusion of a barrier, so she put one up.  

As soon as she released her first dog, Piper went nuts.  Her dog felt the pressure and performed perfectly.  Piper started to calm down.  Then my friend started throwing toys in our corner and Piper really flipped out.  It happened multiple times with two dogs.  

I finally started scruffing Piper with my left hand and grabbing her muzzle with my right in an attempt to control her.  She came very close to redirecting at my hand more than once.  If we didn't have such a long standing solid relationship, I've no doubt I'd have been bit.

Once my friend was done and the dogs crated, Piper calmed down and even lay down.  My friend said she was going to move the dogs to the house and meet me there when we were done being quiet.  When she opened the crate of the first dog that trained in front of us, the dog bolted and came racing back to us... sending Piper and I both into a huge slathering panic.  The dog appeared to just be playful and curious, and returned to my friend with a bit of coaxing.  

The craziest part came when the exact same thing happened with the next dog... this one of a breed that can be quite aggressive.  I immediately grabbed Piper by the collar and pushed her behind me, putting myself between the dogs as much as possible.   Had the dog jumped the barrier it would have gone horribly, as it was the dog also just curious and not aggressive and recalled eventually.  

The damage for Piper and I was already done and complete.  We were both shaken to the bone with adrenaline.  We stayed in the quiet room about 20 minutes to regroup and I walked her back to the truck.

When we got home I put her in quiet time at my side and she wen't right to sleep.  We never did get in a lunge line session.  

In hindsight, there were many things I could have and should have done differently.  Once I realized that we were in way over our heads I should have insisted we leave immediately, barring that we should have at least locked ourselves in one of the large kennels.  

This morning I rescheduled with Loni for next week.  I was still way too scared to put either of us around more big dogs without better preparation.  At lunch today with Roxanne, she helped my unpack the experience, gain a healthier perspective and set some boundaries.  

I have a strong plastic muzzle I bought Piper to stop her from grazing on nasties in the yard (didn't work) and for the next 4-6 weeks of training I'm going to have her wear it in public so that I feel safe in case she locks and lunges at a dog or child before I can stop it.

Yesterday was bad and good.  It gave me a much better idea of where we are and didn't surprise Roxanne in the slightest.  She still stands by my dog and me and is positive we can both work through these behaviors.  I believe her and you Jessi. 

Tomorrow we are heading to Home Depot to work in their lot.  We WILL come away successful... and I'll blog about it.  Xo!

 

Kellie

 As requested, I have created a new section for you.  It's at the bottom of the Home Page and is entitled, "Prior Student Videos and their stories".  Here's a Link to Alfie, AKA 'Murderous Beast' Testimony.  As I locate the old videos, I will upload to this section and Comment so you know I have uploaded new material for you.

Enjoy

1-22-24 FC Week 1 LL Lesson in open field with HUGE distraction

 

Week 1, day 2 update...

I've been doing quiet time with her at my desk both pre and post training.  She's adjusting well, but there haven't been any significant distraction yet.  I'm doing client 1099's today and maybe tomorrow and should be ready to spend lots of time focused on her.

Post training snooze

Here's a video of our training area to give you an idea of the level of distraction.  Low to moderate, but would shift to high in a blink were there deer or elk around.

I've stopped stepping on the leash to prevent her moving away from me.  Instead, this am I just watched her body and when she became too distracted, I changed direction.  She quickly learned to keep one ear on me for when I'd stop or change directions, while using her nose to scent, eyes to scout and one ear on the world around her.  I don't know if that level of multi tasking is normal or even good, but it seemed to work at least 80% of the time.  She spent most of her time within a 5-6 radius of me and never crowded close unless I was putting her through a series of inside turns.

And on the last half of the way home, I shifted to loose line unless she got distracted, then shifted back.  Had to do it 2-3 times before she figured out the boundary.  And you're right of course, she can tell the difference between the two.

All in all it was a good session and I'm shooting for a second one about 3pm.  

1-22-24 HOMEWORK Week 1 is uploaded

 Kellie,

The HW Week 1 is uploaded. Still working on today's Week 1 lesson videos and photos.

Inverted longe line location & practice update

 

North side property line and paralleling pasture 

Good morning gals, update from yesterday.  After reading and viewing some of the homework I realized I'd been longe lining Piper on the bike path, which is a narrow path but also asphalt.  So we moved to this stretch next to the house.  It's ideal because it's soft, narrow and full of distractions from both vehicles and goats in the pasture.

We used it yesterday for the first time, pacing it at least 10-12 times before she yawned and let me know she'd had enough for the day.  The more we did it, the more she understood the expectation of how to behave around distractions.

The first half dozen passes, she tried to approach the distractions and gave herself correction, but slowly learned that she could be as interested as she wanted as long as she stayed by my side.  By the end of the session, she was doing a lot of the nose in the air for scenting, but not allowing herself to get so focused she lost awareness of her proximity to me.  It was nice progress.  Weather permitting, we'll do it again this afternoon.

Oh, and I found it interesting to note that during our pre-session poop walk, she stayed on my left side of her own accord.  It's all about the little things. :)

See you gals at CV Park tomorrow at noon!

Week 1 training questions

Snoozy Piper post longe line session this afternoon

Hi Roxanne & Jessi,

I've come up for air from work for the afternoon (the rest of the week will be hectic while I wrap up my largest clients and then it should all be quiet again) and thought I'd catch up the blog and get in a quiet time and longe line.  Btw... I think there were a slew more posts on the old blog than on this one and I replied to the only one I'd not yet read.  

I'm running into a few challenges that I need to clarify before the next session, which I can realistically commit to happening on 1/29.  That gives us all next week to practice hard.  I really should have waited to start until after year end was done and I could give each day sufficient dedicated time.  My apologies again for the temporary start-stop dance.

1. Whenever I put a leash on her she needs to poop at least once or twice, within 5-10 minutes.  My horse Sundance does the same thing as soon as he receives the bit.  Trying to keep her in quiet time before she gets to poop is proving quite challenging even without distractions. We didn't have this issue in our first session because I'd let her run and empty out before we came to your house.  I'm fine with not using her e-collar to let her run until after the course, but can I at least give her a loose leash casual walk for 5-10 minutes before we start the training?  Then bring her back for quiet time and longe line work?  I suspect we'll have much better focus and success once she's empty.

2.  When on a longe line.... I watched Roxanne release her to a loose leash walk but I didn't hear a command to let her know the difference between controlled walking and casual walking.  Theoretically, she is focused on my feet not my hands, so how does she know which mode we are in?  I know we are supposed to stay silent so I'm a little confused how to transition her between the two modes.

That's it so far.  She's doing really well walking the longe line on the bike path.  Today we tried a nice smelly farm access road and she got overwhelmed by scents and confused with me switching modes back and forth on her.

Thanks for your patience and guidance and I'm looking forward to passing the week 1 exam on the 29th!

Kellie

Review of Intro to LL: Day 1: Redd and Inverted Longe Line + Quiet Time in a new and very public place

Long ago, in a state far, far away (MD)

It's been a busy day. Redd's photo shoot was today celebrating her graduation from my Mannerly Puppy Courses

Then it was on to Frank's Produce (which opened again today) for some fabulous LL work in the aisles. We did Sits, Stands, and Downs also.

And finally Quiet Time in a rather windy, noisy place.

1-8-24 Lesson 1: Introduction to ILL (Inverted Longe Line)

 

And so it begins...

The warm up (against distractions)  

 And then Kellie's turn...

And after less than 30 minutes of good Longe Line work, how is Piper?

Tired

Physically tired

Curious, but no longer willing to go towards the distraction (Nova)

A VERY relaxed dog. See how soft her eyes are? 

Remember to do Cool Down after EVERY ILL or LL workout.

Kellie & Piper Foundations Course training locations

 

This was the best of a series of photos we took just before moving to Utah.  Piper was just turning two.

Here are the location videos for training, you'll likely see her running around in the field videos.  I left her in the truck at Hoovers, the rest area and the park.  All of the locations are quiet in the winter and busy the rest of the year.  

I wasn't able to find any fully enclosed locations and will have to rely on pet friendly stores, unless you have another recommendation.

Parking lot corner of Clear Creek & Hwy 89:

Hoovers Parking Lot and covered porch:

Rest Area across from Hoovers, open lot with covered patio:

Fremont State Park grassy area with benches, no shelter:

There are also a couple of wide open, low distraction, fields where we can train:

Clear Read Road:

Next to Caboose Village:

That's it.  Not sure what kind of photos you want of the house.  But here are a few that will give you an idea of her environment:

Feeding area and a striped pillow bed, but she prefers the loveseat when I'm sitting in the chair.

She loves my bed, but since I'm a restless sleeper she spends most nights on her own bed.  I keep a cotton sheet on top for easy washing.

The crate area is messy, but it doesn't bother her.  I used to keep the crate in the main room where the striped pillow is now, but I use it so rarely that it was annoying to look at.

That's it for the first blog post!  Hope you can open all the videos.  

Welcome Kellie and Piper, 1-1-2024

Piper, Christmas 2023

Kellie, welcome to your new blog!  Please click on each and every article and Comment. This trains you quickly on how to Comment to a Post.

Then, click on the link "Homework: Before you Begin" and follow those instructions.  This trains you to 'go fishing' and locate your training various areas. 

Take photos AND a video (or two) and click on the link "How to Embed YouTube video code inside a Blog".  This trains you how to quickly upload photos and videos within a New Post. 

*PLEASE NOTE, YOU MUST 'COMMENT' TO EVERY NEW POST' SO THAT NEW POST THEN AUTOMATICALLY POPULATES INTO THE CLASS EMAILS. MAKES YOUR LIFE, AND MINE 100% EASIER.*

My intention is to move away from teaching my FOUNDATION Course, to begin writing my book, SPIRIT DOG - Life Lessons through the eyes of a dog trainer.  I have been dwelling on this book for well over 10 years now.

I have been working to 'pass the leash' onto Jessi, my Lead Instructor for just over 3 years now. Jessi is a phenomenal Instructor, one of the best I have ever seen, and she will be your FOUNDATION Course Instructor. I am present at every lesson and will be there to assist when needed or to share one of my infamous 'dog stories'.  I am on your Blog so here as a backup when needed. 

And of course, local HHPR students have an unprecedented advantage to hiking with my Pack 6 days a week. One can ask questions, watch carefully what is going on, chat with the other HHPR students and 'learn as you hike'.   This is a REALLY great perk, I only have a handful of students that get to experience my expertise while we hike the glorious trails here in Sevier Valley.

So have fun going down 15 years of my 'Dog Adventures in my Memory Lane'.  It is a wonderful journey.

Welcome Kellie!