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.