More on mat training
As part of our background work using ideas from the new book “Control Unleashed” by Leslie McDevitt, I went in search of a portable mat that I could use for Lilly’s mat training and
relaxation work. Here’s what I chose. …
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These are the contacts in our neighborhood
Sing along with me — ye, of the Mr. Rogers generation. These are the contacts in our neighborhood … in our neighborhood … in our neigh-bor-hood. One of my made-up strategies for
getting Lilly used to performing agility in public settings is to use things we find on our walks (especially in town) as obstacles. I figure if I can get her to do various agility-like things while
other people and dogs are walking by, while cars are zooming past, that it may someday translate onto the training field or the competitive ring. So, here’s a photo tour of a … -
ACK! Ringworm
Lilly awoke this morning with an oval bald spot on one of her rear legs. I’m 99.9% sure it was not there yesterday. A quick check online, and my best guess is ringworm. Tom’s going to
break out the black light when he gets home so we can see if it glows, but I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. Crap! … -
Week Nine: Anti-depressant update
Once again, due to weather, we missed our Sunday class. It took place at the indoor facility, but since Lilly does not yet feel comfortable there, I’m not going to risk accidentally
making it a “bad” place in her eyes. So, we stayed home. We did, however, pop by on Saturday for a little solo work in the parking lot. Here’s how that went. … -
News Flash – Lilly comes inside
As I’ve mentioned, Lilly’s recall at home has suffered of late, especially if she thinks she has to come inside. The problem got worse over the summer, but we seem to have turned a
corner. … -
Adventures in shaping
One of the ideas in Leslie McDevitt’s book, “Control Unleashed,” is to allow dogs to look at things they might react to. It’s something I wanted to try shaping in a low-stimuli
setting, so as recommended I placed an X of duct tape on the wall. I closed the door, got out some treats, manned my clicker and waited to see what would happen. … -
When Lilly shuts down
I realized recently that maybe I haven’t given you enough detail on what exactly I mean when I say that Lilly shuts down. So, here, in full glory — using the best literary devices I
know — is a description of a true and total shut down. … -
Emotional roller coaster
As suggested by frequent blog readers, I got myself a copy of Leslie McDevitt’s book, “Control Unleashed.” I read it once straight through, and now I’m going back to re-read, highlight
key things and mark sections that explain how to teach certain core behaviors to the program. On first read, I must admit that I rode quite an emotional roller coaster. Then again, it’s not not
uncommon for me to bounce from hope to despair in my work with Lilly. … -
Week Eight: Anti-depressant update
Well, it’s already winter here at altitude in Colorado. Snow, crazy wind, the whole bit. We missed our usual Sunday class due to weather, but Lilly had a private lesson on Wednesday at
Gigi’s new indoor facility. We wanted to wait until Lilly’s brain was duly soaked with serotonin to introduce her to the new space. We wanted her to have full run of the place and see what happens.
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When they don’t think we’re looking
When they are outside alone, I often watch Lilly and Ginko from various windows in the house. I particularly like to watch when they don’t think I’m looking. I like the unaffected way
they explore the yard or just hang out. I love watching them pal around, usually with Ginko in the lead and Lilly tagging along. In particularly, I enjoy seeing Lilly be relaxed and confident at
home. And, I hope someday she’ll be like that elsewhere too. …