A place to learn a new language, the Koehler Method of Dog Training, which is an entire language of communication between owner(s) and their dog. Let their journey begin...
The first video is the test up to the extended stays. I can clearly see with this video in particular that I need to shorten my steps and pick up the pace. I'll keep working on that. From weeks 5-9 Piper's Recall to SSIF have been sound. This last week she has majorly regressed. She comes easily but finishes really sloppy. We made multiple attempts after the video was stopped. Including place board/no place board, long lines and short lines. She did okay on a 6' but not great. I am going to restart her on this command back to square one to try and rebuild it properly. The only thing I can think has changed is joining the RC and HHPR. I suspect the lack of peer pressure is showing on this solo command, especially since she was performing it fine yesterday at HHPR.
Video 1 - She's a bit distracted but responded well to pace change and not stopping abruptly like I did on the first halt. She recalls almost perfectly every time, but has broken down on the sit. Even the finish is generally slow but solid, but def not the sit. I'll start doing beginner recall/ssif/finish doodles multiple times a day to see if it changes. Suggestions appreciated!
Video 2 - 3 minute sit/stay and 5 minute down/stay. I had to reset the down at the 3 minute mark because she was distracted by a bug walking in front of her nose... never thought to drill against bugs. lol She nailed the second effort.
“Train hard, test easy.” This statement from Roxanne kept echoing in my mind as I prepared to take Zoey for her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test. I knew I had trained hard and was hoping the second part of the statement would come true. I wanted to share my experience with everyone just for fun. Recently, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and have Zoey tested for her CGC. I was nervous, apprehensive, and quite frankly worried. How would she perform? What if she didn’t come when called or broke her stays? Mentally, I worked hard to prepare myself, reminding myself that I wouldn’t know how she would do unless I tried. So, I scheduled an appointment for the following Monday, which only gave me one day to prepare. This helped me to not overthink or overtrain due to worry. I solely had to rely on the training we had done.
When the time came, I walked into the testing facility, trying to project confidence, though inside I was terrified. The tester asked if I wanted to practice, I said no, we were ready. She then asked if I cared about the order of the 10 test areas. Again, confidently, I said no, Zoey and I would be fine with whatever order she chose.
The test began with a sit/stay and then a down stay. (sorry, I wasn’t in the video frame for this part). For each skill, I followed our training routine with an exercise finish, probably seeming a bit odd to the tester, but consistency was key for Zoey. During her down stay, I wanted to demonstrate how well she could hold it, so I stomped my feet and ran around a bit. Zoey did not break her stay. I did a return to dog correctly, and we proceeded. We moved on to the heeling patterns, where the tester had set up cones. I politely asked if we could just go in an L shape instead of turning around the cones, and she said that was just fine. She said that the only reasons she puts cones out is to help the dogs. Confident from our week 9 and 10 heeling patterns, I knew we would succeed without the cones, and we did.
Next was the recall. The requirement is to have the dog stay, the handler walk 10 feet away, turn, and recall. Ten feet seemed too easy, so I went about 30 feet. I wanted to showcase the effectiveness of Roxanne’s program and how well-trained Zoey was. I gave the recall command, and Zoey immediately ran to me, sitting with a straight sit in front. Then, I gave the Heel command, and Zoey stood, walked around me, and sat right to my side. I was so worried she might fail this part, but she nailed it. Yay! Both of our confidence just increased tremendously. For the next test she said she needed to create distractions of throwing things and running past to see how she would react. Well, all the times of stomping around her, throwing toys in her direction, placing food that she loved around her, as we practiced “place” and “stays” paid off. She didn’t move but looked at the lady and thought “really, you’re not even giving me a challenge”.
The last area we tested was having Zoey Walk past other dogs without reacting or lunging. Zoey had no problems with this, which I strongly believe is due to the long line training and all the times we practiced on Roxanne’s driveway, walking our dog’s past and around each other. Wow! Who would have known how valuable that piece of the training was? One interesting part of this test was when the tester told her group that they could practice without treats if they wanted to. One lady immediately spoke up, saying, “I just don’t think I can do that,” and I could hear the panic in her voice. This tells me she has no confidence that her dog would do what was expected without a treat. I don’t know about you guys, but I sure don’t want to carry a treat bag around my waist all the time to ensure my dog listens. And what about the times you forget the treat bag? Then what? Dogs are smart; the first time they don’t get that treat, they are done minding.
Watching the video, I noticed the other ladies giving treats to their dogs every time they even came close to something they didn’t want them to look at or sniff. The dogs weren’t looking at the handlers but to the treat bags. I am so thankful that Zoey looks to me for guidance and direction, not to a treat bag.
I share this not to brag, as Zoey and I are far from perfect and still have many issues to work on, but to emphasize that the training we receive from Roxanne is top-notch. It builds a belief in the dog to follow commands without treats, based on trust in the handler. The dog is truly working for you! I am so grateful I followed Roxanne’s motto of “train hard, test easy.” Yesterday was a true testament to that. Despite all the hard tests, difficult weeks, tears, and frustration, experiencing the payoff of our hard work in even a small way was incredibly rewarding. To everyone, stick with it, rely on the help and support of Roxanne, Jessi, and Mary. They are all phenomenal and want you to succeed. I know from experience the Foundation course is not easy, and most days you may feel defeated. But by finishing the class and seeing the outcome it has all been well worth it.
Wow, this is a blast! We came to practice Week 9 drills... Mary and Molly, Karen and Cosmo.
We used the Richfield HS tennis courts. There were already courts being used. As we were finishing the second attempt and filming the actual test, the high school arrives and started drilling in the adjoining courts. We also have a few UTV's pass by, lot of teens on bikes, cars and construction. Quite a few distractions. Listen for the UTV and watch how Piper hears it and DECIDES to stay with me. Truly priceless!
The first video is the actual test, with Mary calling out commands. The sound didn't come through very well with all the surrounding noice.
Mary and I both considered the first test so successful, that we decided to make a run through without the leash. There was one point when we were going into a SS when the Music and PA blasted next to us. You can see Piper lose focus for a moment and forget to sit, but we recovered nicely and continued. I'm super pleased with my magical girl! Side note on this video... it is uploading with an error "Copyright - Visibility partially blocked". Don't know what that means or how to correct it Actually, it's probably because the teams was blasting a popular song on their PA. Hope you can see it!
Per Roxanne's texted request, we filmed the 100m down/stay. We have perform this 5-6 times over two days since I kept messing up the videos. These two actually look better that I thought possible from the glare and all the bouncing. Thank goodness my dog is magical.
Here are two videos. The first is the walk out and the second is the walk back.
