We've had some great training sessions in the last couple of days, really getting back to where we were before on our retrieve holds (and more!) before I stopped training them in order to concentrate on finishing Level 2. We've got to the point where Knightley will walk three or four steps on cue, take an object from my hand, and hold it with me for at least 10 seconds, 5 of which he is holding it by himself. I then start holding it with him again, then tell him "thank you!" and he gives it to me. The ne... read more »
7 months 3 weeks 1 day old This is an oldish photo, but still demonstrates the variety ofobjects I am getting Knightley used to holding. Once I am surehis mouth is soft and controlled, I will move to personal thingsthat I might actually drop and want him to pick up. One of thethings I am going to be asking him to pick up is my handbag,when it's on the floor, so I am going to perhaps reinforce part of thestrap to also givehim a target to know where to grip.Knightley and I had a really good training sess... read more »
So the hubby got off to England as planned, and made it safely many many many hours later. It has been very quiet since then, and I've done a lot of resting which was very much necessary. I'm still overly tired, just not my normal self. However, with no hubby to distract me, I've been getting some more training done. We're concentrating on loose leash. A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article (link above near the title banner) about head halters and how I was feeling about using one on Knightley. I had... read more »
7 months 3 days oldThis is a post to say I haven't died! Not sure how long it will be....Since the show we have had days and days of rain, to the point yesterday the nearby storm water drains were flooding their banks and going over the footbridges. It was an impressive amount of water!Poor Knightley hasn't really been for any walks since the show, so he has had a lot of time to digest the experience! Every time he comes back inside he needs toweling off, even if I put his rain jacket on him. I hope he d... read more »
This is part of Sue Ailsby's Training Levels. As part of each level you need to do homework, and for Level 2, you need to list 10 reasons why a dog might not obey a command. I've thought about this before and I knew finding 10 things would not be easy. This first couple come to you quickly, but after that..... Well, we'll see!I have written comments after the reasons in italics, which spell out clearly what I can learn as a trainer from each reason.1. You may not have your dogs attention when you give th... read more »
Knightley a couple of weeks ago with his Freedom Harnesson. I chose the Freedom Harness because it is said to be thebest for not obstructing the natural gait of a dogs shoulder.Many other no pull harnesses sit right over the dogs shoulderjoint. The Freedom Harness has been a great tool for teachingloose leash walking and has made out walks much morepleasant. I just think I need a halter to train some public mannersbut I don't want Knightley wearing it for long, no matter whichI choose.I've been thinking ... read more »
5 months 2 weeks 5 days oldI am beginning to see the truth in what Sue Ailsby says, in that zen is the foundation for all training. Zen, when used in this context, basically means doggy self control - especially on cue. Like when you don't want your dog to follow you through a door even though he really wants to go, or you are eating food on your lap that he wants to steal, you can use your zen cue (mine is leave it) and he should retreat from whatever he wanted to go through or after. Saying leave it in... read more »
For kids who outgrow stuttering, the normal stage of speech development is know as pseudostuttering. Characterized by brief repetitions of sounds, syllables or short words, It's a common speech irregularity that comes and goes. However it is most noticeable when the child is excited, stressed or overly tired.I can still remember my 2nd grade classmate, she used to stutter at that time but when we were already 4rth grade, i noticed that she no longer stutters. Children who stutter regularly are more likel... read more »
