Dog Training: When You Fade Too Late

After Memorial Day Weekend, I prepared to amaze you with a new video of Lilly showing off her trick called BALANCE. It’s essentially where she sits up like a chipmunk. It’s actually an old trick, but over the long weekend she suddenly could pop up from a seated position without any help from me.

That help? I had to pick up her front feet, cue BALANCE, then let go. As long as she is focused on something a bit above, she is fine. Sticks work better than toys or food.

I don’t know how it happened, but I thought FINALLY! Finally, Lilly can pop up into this position on her own.

I also assumed the new feat would stick, so I didn’t run inside for the clicker and cheese to make sure I could mark and reward the breakthrough.

Usually, once Lilly “gets” something, the clicker isn’t necessary.

Alas, I haven’t been able to get her to repeat the feat.

I tried to get a new photo of the finished trick, but the one day last week I had time to try, Lilly had her own agenda. Based on both her and Ginko’s behavior, I’m guessing there was a bear nearby. That smell overrode my requests 10 fold.

So, this photo taken a couple summers ago will have to do.

My Mistake?

I didn’t fade the help soon enough. It’s a classic problem. Do you know how to fix that? Or when is the best time to fade any “help”? I know the idea is to fade early, but how early?

Maybe I should have called this post: Can this trick be saved?

Unicorn of Lilly Training

Perhaps an unassisted BALANCE will enter the hallowed halls of never-to-be-seen again … kind of like that ONE time Lilly did the agility teeter without fear.