Successful Session 1!
Yay! We had a little session on the back deck and he did it! O.k, so he is still a little confused on the 'Stand' bit, but once I had him standing he stayed standing as I sloooowly took a step in front of him while whispering 'Yes, good stay, good stay Banjo, yes'. He got three very short, very close to me stays in a row, so we called it quits on a high note.
I am so pumped and want to do at least two more sessions on it today to get him really getting it. Hooray hooray hooray!
Session 2
FAIL! He is confused and I got too frustrated which I know doesn't help.
Session 3
Maybe making progress...
Loose Leash Walking
I decided to go for a walk on the street this evening and he did great. One bit of barking and pulling at a dog that was barking at us, but he settled really quickly and walked on a loose leash at both brisk and slow pace for the rest of the walk. We are definately making progress.
We did a few more stands and stand stays using the 'yes' marker, but I still don't think he knows what the 'yes' is for where the stand is concerned..
Thursday, May 13, 2010
I Am Really Not Much Good At This.
A New Park
We tried a less busy park on Wednesday, and took Lucy with us. Lucy stayed in the other wise empty off-lead area while I trained Banjo outside the area.
Again, it took him AGES to settle and work with me. Eventually though, he did work with me and heeled all the way to the gate of the off lead area without getting excited and pulling ahead. Hooray! Maybe if I go there more often it will click that after he is good outside, he gets to go inside.
Once we were in a young couple with a 9 week old American Staffy cross Bull Terrier came in and asked if their pup could meet my dogs. I said yes and they put him down. (I thought they would just keep him on their lap or something) It was too scary for the poor little fella and he ran off squealing to hide under the bench seat when Banj and Lucy sniffed him.
They both followed him sniffing and Banjo put a paw on him so I quickly put him on lead and called Lucy away. It all happend in just a few seconds. I was worried Banjo might think he was a prey object with the squealing and running.
I am surprised he lacks manner when out because he is great with Scrappy and Riki, the Chihuahua cross mini foxies next door. He adjusts his play to their size and their is never a problem. Scrappy refuses to play alltogether with just a growl and a look and Banjo respects that. Riki jumps around full of puppy beans and Banjo bows, jumps in circles around him and softly paws him. He was fine with the tiny breeds at the other dog park too. I feel like a really bad dog owner. I will make sure I don't let him meet nervous dogs again with out ensuring he is on lead and calm. (So not for a really really long time!)
No Treat Training - Fail!
Yesterday I decided to train at home without treats. He heeled fine, sat fine, was reluctant to drop, and broke his stays. So treats have to be phased out more slowly. I was hoping to only use them for distraction training, but it looks like that will have to be built up to slowly too.
I really really really suck at not letting him practice problem behaviours.
We tried a less busy park on Wednesday, and took Lucy with us. Lucy stayed in the other wise empty off-lead area while I trained Banjo outside the area.
Again, it took him AGES to settle and work with me. Eventually though, he did work with me and heeled all the way to the gate of the off lead area without getting excited and pulling ahead. Hooray! Maybe if I go there more often it will click that after he is good outside, he gets to go inside.
Once we were in a young couple with a 9 week old American Staffy cross Bull Terrier came in and asked if their pup could meet my dogs. I said yes and they put him down. (I thought they would just keep him on their lap or something) It was too scary for the poor little fella and he ran off squealing to hide under the bench seat when Banj and Lucy sniffed him.
They both followed him sniffing and Banjo put a paw on him so I quickly put him on lead and called Lucy away. It all happend in just a few seconds. I was worried Banjo might think he was a prey object with the squealing and running.
I am surprised he lacks manner when out because he is great with Scrappy and Riki, the Chihuahua cross mini foxies next door. He adjusts his play to their size and their is never a problem. Scrappy refuses to play alltogether with just a growl and a look and Banjo respects that. Riki jumps around full of puppy beans and Banjo bows, jumps in circles around him and softly paws him. He was fine with the tiny breeds at the other dog park too. I feel like a really bad dog owner. I will make sure I don't let him meet nervous dogs again with out ensuring he is on lead and calm. (So not for a really really long time!)
No Treat Training - Fail!
Yesterday I decided to train at home without treats. He heeled fine, sat fine, was reluctant to drop, and broke his stays. So treats have to be phased out more slowly. I was hoping to only use them for distraction training, but it looks like that will have to be built up to slowly too.
I really really really suck at not letting him practice problem behaviours.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
Sunday at Home
Banjo found another escape route on Sunday and has to be supervised or on the veranda again. He only seems to escape where he sees the kids climb the fence. I think he figures that if they can do it, there must be a way, and sets about finding it. This time it is logs near the fence that can be climbed on to get over.
The park trip didn't happen. We did a short session on the foot path till a dog came out and Banjo got too distracted, and a quick session in the yard when our neighbour, his young son, and small dog 'Scrappy' came over. He didn't do so great to be honest, but at least we trained a bit.
Finally We Get INSIDE The Dog Park
On Monday the dog park was miraculously empty when we arrived, so I decided to go in and do some fetch and catch before training. Once we were in there with so many doggy smells, fetch was far too boring for him to be bothered with. Even cheese, ham and chicken loaf, and carob drops right under his nose could not distract him from the smells.
A German Shepherd dog arrived, they met politely and had a big play. We went out of the park and did some heel work, then back in for another play. More and more dogs arrived, I think there were twelve or so when we left. He was very good at meeting them all politely, no bounding up to them head on, just a slow approach and a sniff. Oe wolf houd cross looking dog growled at him and he walked away.
He really just loved the German Shepherd dog though. While their meeting was quite polite Banjo just didn't know when enough was enough. The GSD was walking away, laying down and generally trying to ignore him, but Banjo just kept going, so we left.
When we are out he has an annoying habit of staying just out of reach when I have a lead in my hand, lest I put it on him and stop his fun, so every few minutes I would walk up to him, lead in hand, and grab his collar, offer him a treat and let him go again. (He never ate the treats, the other dogs were far more interesting than treats)
Obedience
Wow, He did great! A different dog to last week. I think the big play earlier in the day helped a lot, but hey, he got to practice behaving well with all those other dogs about! Hooray!
I was bit taken aback when the instructor described him as fear aggressive to the rest of the class. This must be from what Jane has told him. He has never been aggressive with other dogs at all. Unless barking back when dogs are barking at him and trying to pull me over to them counts as aggressive??? Maybe it is my use of the word 'Lunge' that has caused a misunderstanding, or maybe that is considered aggression. Or perhaps because it would appear aggressive, so could easily cause a fight? I will have to ask her and clarify.
Anyway, Banjo had excellent focus as we walked between two line ups of dogs. After the lesson he tried to drag me off to play with another dog and the instructor commented on how well he is doing for a fear aggressive dog, being able to walk between all the other dogs, and that even when he dragged me after the lesson he obviously just wanted to play and wasn't being aggressive at all.
I did explain that we have not had any probems except when he is being barked at, and then he just wants to bark back, get over to them and sniff them to say hello properly. He really didn't seem to hear and continued along with the 'fear aggressive' thing. Maybe he thinks I am in denial, or maybe I really am in denial. I will ask Jane what she thinks.
More Training Outside The Park
Tuesday (yesterday) the dog park was full again with the pet sitting lady's dogs. As soon as a car pulls into the car park, they all run to the gate barking. As soon as a dog gets out of the car they start carrying on louder, barking, some growling, some biting at the fence. I wish she would call them away from the gate. Seriously, who is going to open that gate and let their dog meet that pack head on? I am starting to get more than a little annoyed with the lack of etiquette, but at least I know where to go to train with dogs providing distraction. On the flip side, maybe she is getting annoyed with that idiot who insists on parading her dog up and down on the other side of the fence, causing her dogs to riot.
Banjo found another escape route on Sunday and has to be supervised or on the veranda again. He only seems to escape where he sees the kids climb the fence. I think he figures that if they can do it, there must be a way, and sets about finding it. This time it is logs near the fence that can be climbed on to get over.
The park trip didn't happen. We did a short session on the foot path till a dog came out and Banjo got too distracted, and a quick session in the yard when our neighbour, his young son, and small dog 'Scrappy' came over. He didn't do so great to be honest, but at least we trained a bit.
Finally We Get INSIDE The Dog Park
On Monday the dog park was miraculously empty when we arrived, so I decided to go in and do some fetch and catch before training. Once we were in there with so many doggy smells, fetch was far too boring for him to be bothered with. Even cheese, ham and chicken loaf, and carob drops right under his nose could not distract him from the smells.
A German Shepherd dog arrived, they met politely and had a big play. We went out of the park and did some heel work, then back in for another play. More and more dogs arrived, I think there were twelve or so when we left. He was very good at meeting them all politely, no bounding up to them head on, just a slow approach and a sniff. Oe wolf houd cross looking dog growled at him and he walked away.
He really just loved the German Shepherd dog though. While their meeting was quite polite Banjo just didn't know when enough was enough. The GSD was walking away, laying down and generally trying to ignore him, but Banjo just kept going, so we left.
When we are out he has an annoying habit of staying just out of reach when I have a lead in my hand, lest I put it on him and stop his fun, so every few minutes I would walk up to him, lead in hand, and grab his collar, offer him a treat and let him go again. (He never ate the treats, the other dogs were far more interesting than treats)
Obedience
Wow, He did great! A different dog to last week. I think the big play earlier in the day helped a lot, but hey, he got to practice behaving well with all those other dogs about! Hooray!
I was bit taken aback when the instructor described him as fear aggressive to the rest of the class. This must be from what Jane has told him. He has never been aggressive with other dogs at all. Unless barking back when dogs are barking at him and trying to pull me over to them counts as aggressive??? Maybe it is my use of the word 'Lunge' that has caused a misunderstanding, or maybe that is considered aggression. Or perhaps because it would appear aggressive, so could easily cause a fight? I will have to ask her and clarify.
Anyway, Banjo had excellent focus as we walked between two line ups of dogs. After the lesson he tried to drag me off to play with another dog and the instructor commented on how well he is doing for a fear aggressive dog, being able to walk between all the other dogs, and that even when he dragged me after the lesson he obviously just wanted to play and wasn't being aggressive at all.
I did explain that we have not had any probems except when he is being barked at, and then he just wants to bark back, get over to them and sniff them to say hello properly. He really didn't seem to hear and continued along with the 'fear aggressive' thing. Maybe he thinks I am in denial, or maybe I really am in denial. I will ask Jane what she thinks.
More Training Outside The Park
Tuesday (yesterday) the dog park was full again with the pet sitting lady's dogs. As soon as a car pulls into the car park, they all run to the gate barking. As soon as a dog gets out of the car they start carrying on louder, barking, some growling, some biting at the fence. I wish she would call them away from the gate. Seriously, who is going to open that gate and let their dog meet that pack head on? I am starting to get more than a little annoyed with the lack of etiquette, but at least I know where to go to train with dogs providing distraction. On the flip side, maybe she is getting annoyed with that idiot who insists on parading her dog up and down on the other side of the fence, causing her dogs to riot.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Banjo can Catch! and other news
'CATCH!'
On Friday before we went to the dog park I got out Banjo's bouncy rubber toy jack for some fetch. After a couple of throws I decided to try get him to catch it. I put him in a sit, took a few steps back and tossed him the jack. Success first go!!! We made a big fuss and did it again and again, with just a 'good boy' for returning it to me when he missed the catch and a big fuss and treats for catching it. I'm not sure if he understands yet that catch is different to fetch, but it's lots of fun for all of us so we will continue and he will surely work it out.Snake Killer
Later in the day I went outside and found him rolling on his back with something long and scaly looking hanging out of his mouth. I stood at a distance and asked 'Umm, Banjo, what have you got?' He rolled onto his feet and yep - a snake. Fortunately for him it was a harmless keel back. We call them our resident snakes and like having them around - they keep down the toad numbers and are a bit of a talking point.So he gave me the snake and I really wasn't sure what to do with it. I just told him 'uh-uh' every time he tried to get it back off me. In the 'old days' he probably would have been cheered for a job well done, or beaten with it to teach him to be afraid of them. I did neither. It's not a good idea to take on snakes, so no 'good job' from me. And I'm pretty sure me beating him with it would be more likely to end with him having an aversion to me then to the snake.
I looked at Snake avoidance training, and it sees they put a remote controlled shock collar on the dog and shock him when he approaches a snake. I'm not sure I want to do this yet. I'm also wondering if his thick coat would protect him somewhat from the very short fangs of our Australian snakes? It wouldn't help on his legs or face though so probably not really a consideration.
Distraction Training At The Park
The same lady was at the park with all the dogs, but she had a few friends with her this time. Again it took Banjo some time to settle in. We were doing really well but obviously I pushed it too far again. He was walking well while some dogs ere barking their heads off at the fence, and I was feeling pretty damn proud. All of a sudden, a louder, deeper bark joined the others and that was it - Banjo lunged and barked, and a few pops on the lead did nothing to stop him. I had to do my excited, high pitched 'BanjoBanjoBanjo' and jog away with him. Even at a distance it took him awhile to re-focus. I really must try to take it slower and be more aware of what is going on around me to avoid these mistakes.
Saturday, a Slack Day
Saturday is rock climbing day in the city for Jo. It's always a nice relaxing walk and sit by the river for me, and Reuben plays with the little brothers of the other climbers. I am tempted to take Banjo, but two hours is a long time to have him out if he is not behaving! I will get a soft crate, keep working with him, and hopefully be able to take him in a fortnight's time.This week I took Lucy and her grooming stuff and spent most of the time brushing, combing, trimming fur and cutting nails. Then she had a bath on the way home and looks gorgeous! I'm not much good at grooming, and have misplaced the thinning scissors, so too most she probably looks a mess, (especially her feet), but to me she looks much tidier.
Banjo had to suffice with heeling, sit stays, down stays, stands and some catch and fetch in the yard. We are using a ball for 'catch' now and it seems to be easier for him to catch. Between rock climbing, shopping, a bit of house work and going to visit Grandma for her birthday, we just didn't find time to take him on an outing.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Where we're at in our training journey
Banjo and I are doing o.k, for a begginer handler and young dog. We attended 8 weeks of puppy classes together. He is toilet and crate trained. He will sit, and drop, and stay and wait - provided we are at home, no dogs are around, no kids are playing, no birds are flying by, no... well, you get the idea.
Our current challenge is to get him walking on a loose lead and obeying basic comands when outside the yard. And to eventually be able to walk past barking dogs without lunging at them. We also need to teach the 'Stand' command, which we haven't worked on before.
Yesterday we went to the park. The kids played, and we trained mid way between the kids park and the fenced dog park. Only one lady was there but she had 20 odd dogs with her!
It took a good ten minutes to settle in and get him focused, but we did manage to walk on a loose lead, sit, stay and drop, and practise a few stands (I have to hold his rear up to stop him sitting). I attempted twice to take him into the smaller off lead area in the corner of the bigger one that had all the dogs, but they barked growled and snarled and Banjo reacted, so no play this time.
We are going back this afternoon to practise some more. Hopefully the lady with 20 odd dogs won't be there!
Our current challenge is to get him walking on a loose lead and obeying basic comands when outside the yard. And to eventually be able to walk past barking dogs without lunging at them. We also need to teach the 'Stand' command, which we haven't worked on before.
Yesterday we went to the park. The kids played, and we trained mid way between the kids park and the fenced dog park. Only one lady was there but she had 20 odd dogs with her!
It took a good ten minutes to settle in and get him focused, but we did manage to walk on a loose lead, sit, stay and drop, and practise a few stands (I have to hold his rear up to stop him sitting). I attempted twice to take him into the smaller off lead area in the corner of the bigger one that had all the dogs, but they barked growled and snarled and Banjo reacted, so no play this time.
We are going back this afternoon to practise some more. Hopefully the lady with 20 odd dogs won't be there!
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