I began this morning with the journey of finding a solution to Tempest’s misunderstanding about his “toy entitlement.”
I wanted my training to address 3 scenarios:
1) stationery exercise, release and reward with toy … with Tempest on the ottoman at the base of our bed, I asked for a down … Tempest assumes a down position and I tell him “stay” … I toss the toy onto the bed … I say “okay” to release Tempest and “get it!” to encourage him to jump on his toy … I immediately grab part of the toy to engage him in tugging with me.
2) moving exercise, reward with toy … I ask Tempest to hop off the bed onto the ottoman … I tell him “hup up” onto the bed and toss the toy … I say “get it!” … I immediately grab part of the toy to engage him in tugging with me.
3) retrieval of toy for tug game … with Tempest on the bed watching me, I randomly toss the toy saying “get it!” … when he hops on the toy I immediately grab part of the toy to engage him in tugging with me.
Verbal cues I use include “Get it!” which means get the toy and bring it to me for tugging, “hup up” which means perform a moving exercise which corresponds with the physical cues I’m providing (ex: pointing at the bed, tossing the toy, etc), and “stay” which means hold that position even if I move, point, toss the toy, etc.
Missing elements might include:
4) stationery exercise, reward with toy in place, no release from stay
5) moving exercise with different equipment and longer sequences
6) retrieving different toys for tugging as well as for treats
In other news, the hullabaloo surrounding the membership vote to restore TDAA to private ownership versus member ownership and board of directors is dying down. With this vote we’re expecting a member mandate to assume leadership roles and institute some policy changes.
A couple of clubs have expressed interest in hosting the 2011 Petit Prix and we’re brainstorming improvements to the annual event.
We’re also considering clarification or changes to on-going programs such as judges’ code of ethics, limitations on judging assignments, and club-building weekends (formerly known as working seminars).
In the meantime, registrations, memberships, and jump height cards are being processed daily.
All these functions, as well as trial approvals / advertisement / premiums, trial results postings, and title certificates are being scrutinized to ensure that members are getting the best possible service for their TDAA investment.
Tags: 2-Minute puppy training, basic dog obedience, Bud Houston, dog agility, dog performance sports, Marsha Houston, puppy training, TDAA, teacup agility
The 2-Minute Dog Trainer Blog 
November 29, 2010 at 9:55 pm |
Marsha, this post maybe the break through that I need on getting my Yorkie girls to play with toys. I had never thought that they needed needed to be taught that the toy is a reward. I just assumed that they would grab the toy and know that was what it was. Some how what I read when people talk about the toy reward is that their dogs inherently knew that the toy and tugging was the reward. My girls play terrier games with toys but that does not include tugging with me. I have had trouble creating the tug game as reward idea and reading how you are going about this with Tempest is helping me see how I maybe able to get these Yorkies to see tug as a reward.