Because I’m juggling about a dozen work deadlines right now, Lilly and I haven’t been training much … just playing. We even bundled up and took a walk or two this week on days that weren’t just miserably cold. She’s been feeling really cooped up, so I owe her some outings. BUT, we’re still working on the Give Me a Break Game from Leslie McDevitt’s book “Control Unleashed” (CU), and I have a breakthrough to report.
I tried a different tactic this week. Rather than asking for the same behavior over and over with rapid-fire rewards for each, I asked for just one thing (“NEST,” which is her go-to-place command) and then fed her many treats (essentially a JackPot, delivered one at a time). Then, I’d say “BREAK,” and sit with her mat in my lap during the break time. And … Lilly actually came over and tugged at the mat to restart the game.
That’s a biggie. Whoo hoo!
So, just one cue, tons of reward, then break, and when she tugged, we’d do it again.
On our walks, I’m also working on her keeping at least some attention on me without having to get food the entire time. I praise the pants off her, but I only give food once in a while because I’d like to get to the point that taking walks is a reward of its own so that every single moment doesn’t have to be a training moment. Once in a while, I like to just BE with Lilly and not be DOING something.
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