When Tempest finishes his novice titles I’m going to create an electronic book from the 15-16 months of 2-minute dog trainer blogs outlining his foundation training for dog agility.
This blog will continue to be my training journal for the second phase of my partnership with Tempest.
Because he has begun to have seizures, my blog will address my attempts to de-toxify Tempest’s environment (some dogs are more sensitive to flea and tick treatments, for example, than others), and will become my seizure journal.
At the suggestion of my vet and several friends with dogs-with-seizures, my journal of Tempest’s events will include — 1) what he had to eat and drink before and after, 2) what vaccinations / meds / treatments he had before, 3) phases of the moon, 4) activity in the house before and after, 5) level of exercise before and after …. what else?
My hope is that Tempest’s seizures will come less frequently, and that I can control them.
My hope is that Tempest continues to do agility and grow as my agility partner.
It would be a terrible shame to have to retire this little boy when his sun rises and sets on me and dog agility.
2-Minute Dog Trainer – phase 2
Phase 2 of this training journal will outline our journey for advanced agility titles and building a working language.
When we refer to a working language we’re referring to the dog’s understanding of what we mean when we present specific physical and verbal cues.
“When I do this it means you should do that.”
Dogs continue to build their understanding of language as their handler presents consistent cues.
My easier job, once Tempest has developed his obstacle performance, is to teach him sequencing cues.
My harder job, one with which I struggle, is to present consistent cues.
I’ve watched video of myself and frankly I’m a bit twitchy, but over the past few months I’ve been working on keeping my physical signals consistent.
More on this later. This weekend we’re off to CATC for 2 days, 6 runs, all novice. We need 1 standard Q, 2 FAST Qs, and 3 JWW Qs.
Tags: 2-Minute puppy training, Bud Houston, dog agility, dog performance sports, dogs in motion, Marsha Houston
The 2-Minute Dog Trainer Blog 
July 22, 2011 at 11:40 am |
Sorry to hear about T’s seizure activity. My second Britt developed seizures at 6 months, went on low dose phenobarbitol and had a frequency of about one per month. After he reached 5 years old he never had another one, even after discontinuing the phenobarb. Hopefully this will also be a transient issue for T, and really shouldn’t impact his agility career.
Good luck this weekend and see you soon.