September 9, 2014

Looking Ahead: Training Update and Goals


I've admittedly gotten quite lax with Ruby's training, and have been hesitant to post any sort of progress report because the truth is...we really haven't made a lot of progress, and I am seeing regression in some areas. The blame is entirely on me - I see results when I am consistent and dedicated, and I just haven't been. The summer seemed a bit hectic with an unexpected car purchase and hunting for a new barn for my horse, not to mention that there is more activity in my neighborhood with everyone enjoying the outdoors. Even my usual management methods have a higher rate of failure when there is a dog, a bike or a stroller around every corner. 

I feel like Ruby has gotten worse about dogs, although in the last few days we've had a couple of successes where she has for certain seen the dog, but I was able to make an exit without a spinning/lunging/barking meltdown. One of these instances was on our way to the vacant field and Ruby's "digging hill." There was someone with a medium-sized dog walking perpendicular to us about half a block away, and Ruby was so excited to go on a dirt-flinging binge that she couldn't have cared less. 

Trigger stacking is a very real issue for us, and I notice it particularly with cars. If we're having a quiet walk, cars can pass unnoticed. If Ruby has just seen another dog or several rabbits, the next car we see warrants a reaction. Luckily, although I live near a very busy street, my townhome complex is in a sheltered area where we can navigate a decent 30-40 minute walk on fairly quiet side-streets and alleys. 

The good news is that things are quieting down as the seasons change. School has resumed and I've already noticed a difference in the evenings - kids are inside doing homework instead of rolling down the sidewalk on razor scooters and skateboards.  Soon enough our evening walks will be in the dark again - not something I love, but distractions are definitely diminished. Now that Boca has a good foundation I can get back to splitting training time between both dogs.

New Goals 
  • Continue Boca's training with focus on gradual exposure to more crowded/complex situations. I plan to take her to the farmers' market this weekend. 
  • Look into Canine Good Citizen preparation classes for Boca
  • Continue recall training with both dogs. Currently I'm able to call them away from barking downstairs with nearly 100% success. Consider long lines.
  • Resume solo training walks with Ruby and counter-conditioning with people/cars. (dogs are still very difficult to CC in uncontrolled situations). I believe 2-3 times a week is realistic.
  • Brush up on Ruby's tricks and apply for her Intermediate Trick Dog Title before the end of the year.
  • Continue working on DRI with Ruby and rabbits. Currently I am asking for a "sit" and this works fairly well.
  • Try the Calming Cap in the car with Ruby again.
There is never any shortage of stuff to work on with two smart dogs. Ruby is a complicated puzzle and Boca is a food-motivated goofball. They provide such a nice balance for me and I love seeing the ways their personalities contrast as their individual strengths shine. September and October are my favorite months in Colorado - they always feel so full of promise. I think it is the perfect time to re-dedicate myself to the ginger sisters' training. 

14 comments:

  1. I find that, pragmatically, there has got to be some ebb and flow in the training. Otherwise I just go crazy. Don't feel bad for having shifted your attention elsewhere for a while.

    I should scurry over to my own blog and post my September goals before it's too late...

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    1. I didn't put a timeline on mine, other than the trick dog title, but I do find that even just publicizing them adds an element of accountability.

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  2. I love that you are setting training goals for the dogs, that's awesome. I'm currently working with Dottie on some things but Boomer needs help too. I think now that I've started a pack walk we can work on some of these issues... I hope...

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    1. I love the idea of group walks! I think that would actually be great for Ruby because once she meets the dog she is super. It is the *not being able to meet them* that sends her into a frenzy.

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  3. Your post gives me some motivation as well. Andy and I have our wedding in our backyard in 18 days (yikes) and its been very intense as far as finishing remodels in our home and landscaping our backyard ourselves. Stella's training has been neglected so much! BUT the only thing that makes me feel less guilty is that all of our friends have been helping us with the projects and they bring their dogs over. So Stella has tons of playtime with old and new friends. I cant even tell you when the last time we walked her. So training neglected...yes... Stella not very neglected. We did take her to a nursery with us last weekend. I was trying to control my high anxiety!! She saw a dog, but the other dog reacted and the owners were very sorry... somehow that gives me a little joy when others are apologizing for their reactive dog because I GET IT. I felt like they were in my club. We had some trigger stacking, but a woman was able to stand with us without her reacting. we left when I could see her getting to anxious. BUT it was a good day. thanks for your post. after the wedding my focus will be back to Stella Monster!

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    1. It sounds like Stella is having a great summer. I can't wait to hear about and see pictures of your wedding!

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  4. I really need to work on Bain's recall. This gave me some more motivation, as we have been slacking slightly in training.

    I was actually just thinking the other day about getting him his Canine Good Citizen, so that's another goal we have as well =)

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    1. I feel like recall is something that dogs either have or they don't, based on their personalities. Obviously it can be trained, but if it doesn't come naturally it's a challenge. Boca really loves to please and is incredibly food-motivated, while Ruby is independent and very prey-driven.

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  5. Keep going. I feel BD and I have taken a massive step back since we spend less time together this has motivated me to do better!!

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    1. It must be so hard when you don't have the dog full-time - like co-parenting!

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  6. Training is always ongoing, but it can definitely be hard to find the time. Buster being a brachycephalic breed already limits me a good bit - we can't go out when it's too hot, and he doesn't like the cold. We're supposed to get a pretty brutal winter here this year, so it will be interesting trying to keep our training up. You've set up some great goals though!

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    1. I've heard the same about this winter - it's already snowed in the mountains here. Boca doesn't like the cold either, being from the tropics!

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  7. I think you should be really proud of the efforts you're making with your girls. It's especially hard to do your training in real world conditions.

    When I was prepping Honey for her CGC, it really helped when our trainer brought his dog for us to practice with. And since then, Honey and I have volunteered to help neighbors with dogs work on reactivity.

    Sometimes it's nice to have an ally with a dog working in controlled situations.

    Sorry we don't live closer. But maybe someone from your training class would be a good partner.

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    1. Thanks so much, Pamela! There was only one other dog in our class, handled by a very shy teenage boy. I have a friend who is working toward Rally Obedience goals with her Rottweiler and I know she'd be more than happy to meet up for some practice.

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