Weekly Training Update (Jan 4)

You’ll have to read the book to get the whole idea (see page 148), but basically you train in very short, very high reinforcement sessions. Something like 10 treats in 30 seconds for doing a certain behavior over and over. Then, you give an intermediate release command (we’re using BREAK) so that the dog knows she can do whatever she wants for a bit. You sit in a chair and wait a minute or so — or until the dog engages you to work again.

Then, another short session and a BREAK. When you’re done, use a final release word so that the dog knows the game is over. We’re using ALL DONE for that.

So, if you’re keeping track, Lilly has 3 release words that mean different things.

Leslie has since corrected me, but I made the mistake of training different known behaviors between breaks. You’re suppose to train just one behavior. Start with something easy the dog knows, then try something new in later sessions. Leslie likes to use this method to really solidify mat training, where dogs begin tugging on their mats during breaks as a way to restart the game.

But, here’s how our first real Give Me a Break session went:

First break: Lilly thought the break was part of a The Relaxation Protocol (RP) exercise and threw a lovely relaxed down (head and all) at me from a distance on a rug in the basement.

Second break: Same thing

Third break: She had a full on kissing fit, trying to engage me. (That’s a really good sign.)

So … I start thinking she’s getting the idea.

Fourth break: An RP-esque down, but very intense face.

Fifth break: Another RP-esque down with intense “what next” face.

When I asked Leslie for input, she said Lilly gets an A+++++++++++++ for engaging me one way or another during breaks. In other words, she didn’t go off and do something else. She threw behaviors at me as a way to try and restart the game.

Now, remember, we were working in our pretty boring unfinished basement. As training with the game continues, we’ll do it in more stimulating environments.

Like I said, this game is designed to build enthusiasm for working. But, it’s also designed to help dogs who stress by giving them breaks from intense mental contact with us.

Other news
A quick note about LEAVE IT … we’ve worked up to me throwing fists full of treats at Lilly and her not trying to eat them. Unfortunately, I’ve trained her to catch treats in the past, so she seems very sad when I throw food and say LEAVE IT rather than CATCH. So, Leslie recommends that I use very different tosses for each. That way, it won’t hurt Lilly’s feelings or make her feel like I’m doing some kind of bait and switch.

We’ll see if the LEAVE IT holds up at our next class. I hope so. Clearly, Lilly understands what the cue means.

Next up is more work on her reorienting to me and then the whiplash turn. I cannot work on this at home because I can’t shake Lilly off. She’s ALWAYS oriented to me at home. ALWAYS. ALWAYS. We’re very bonded, what I can I say?

Once I get the whiplash turn solid, then I think we’ll be ready to schedule some training dates with others using the “Control Unleashed” methods so that we can graduate up to some parallel games.

I’m also going to work on adapting the Relaxation Protocol to my needs. For example, NOT throwing her very-excited, 35-pound self full on into my back when I’m putting on my coat and hat to go outside and play. Or, NOT barking like a broken record when it’s Ginko’s turn to play. Or, NOT popping up and racing out of the room every time I slide back in my office chair. Or, NOT screaming to play every time I hang up the phone.

The basic protocol helped for a baseline, but I now need to adapt it to my specific needs and Lilly’s many odd triggers.

Have a great weekend.