We were a little early arriving to training this evening. Christina holds a class before ours so we sat in the car for a while to keep warm. As we waited, I heard the occasional loud bang that sounded like gunshots. Ellie's ears pricked up and she started to look a little nervous. I didn't think much of this as we would soon be inside training. However, once inside, the banging continued and sounded even louder as it reverberated off the tin walls of the barn.
Christina explained that this noise was the fancy bird scaring machine that was being used in the adjacent farm. Christina said that she has had to send a few dogs home from class as they have been spooked by the sound. I commented that Ellie was none too pleased about it either. Late last year, on Bonfire night and New Years Eve, hid under the bed to try and avoid the sound of the fireworks.
We tried to settle into some training, but alas, Ellie was becoming more and more agitated by the noise. At one point, she tried to hide in the agility tunnel!
Christina advised that it would probably be best if I took Ellie back home. I agreed with her as none of us want Ellie to develop a fear of going to the training centre. So, home we went. Ellie couldn't get into the car quick enough.
Quite what is going to happen if the bird-scarer is a permanent new addition, is anyone's guess, as it would mean that we'd be unable to attend training classes with Ellie. It's another price you accept for taking on a timid dog.
It's also valuable training time taken way from the pending Kennel Club Good Citizen exam on March 29.
Showing posts with label Training Class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Training Class. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
KCGC Bronze Training - Week Six
Another evening of training at the barn. Thankfully, the weather was a little milder this week, although that didn't prevent Christina from getting us moving around.
We did the usual sit/down stay for a warm up. We then played musical chairs. Christina placed a number of chairs around the barn and we had to walk around the barn to music whilst Christina was instructing us to change direction. When the music stopped we then had to place our dogs in a sit/stay and go and sit on the nearest chair. This was a really good exercise in terms of getting Ellie to stay put whilst relative strangers were passing very close to her. She did really well, and other than constantly wagging her tail, she didn't move for the duration of the whole exercise.
We then practised some heel-work to music moves and then put the individual moves together. Ellie and I really enjoyed this much to the dismay of Maz who, bless his heart cringes every time I even mention heel-work to music!
The heel-work to music exercises comprised of Ellie walking around my left leg, me putting my legs together and then her walking around both of my legs, another step to the right and repeat. After that it was a few leg weaves and then finish. She did really well apart from feeling the need to do "cop-cop" each time she went between my legs. I'm busy hunting for a good piece of music to do our first dance to...
After this we had a go at a bit of fly-ball. Ellie absolutely loved this, as we suspected she might. It's fast-paced and energetic. She did really well but couldn't resist having a mad dash around the barn - something she usually does when trying agility. Personally, I think she'd be better at fly-ball than agility, but time will tell.
Lastly, we practised walking along a trestle. Christina held onto Ellie's collar and I, with a handful of food treats, led her along the walk. She did fine with this, but she did get a little nervous at the end, on the descent.
We seemed to do quite a lot this evening, and thoroughly enjoyable it was too!
We did the usual sit/down stay for a warm up. We then played musical chairs. Christina placed a number of chairs around the barn and we had to walk around the barn to music whilst Christina was instructing us to change direction. When the music stopped we then had to place our dogs in a sit/stay and go and sit on the nearest chair. This was a really good exercise in terms of getting Ellie to stay put whilst relative strangers were passing very close to her. She did really well, and other than constantly wagging her tail, she didn't move for the duration of the whole exercise.
We then practised some heel-work to music moves and then put the individual moves together. Ellie and I really enjoyed this much to the dismay of Maz who, bless his heart cringes every time I even mention heel-work to music!
The heel-work to music exercises comprised of Ellie walking around my left leg, me putting my legs together and then her walking around both of my legs, another step to the right and repeat. After that it was a few leg weaves and then finish. She did really well apart from feeling the need to do "cop-cop" each time she went between my legs. I'm busy hunting for a good piece of music to do our first dance to...
After this we had a go at a bit of fly-ball. Ellie absolutely loved this, as we suspected she might. It's fast-paced and energetic. She did really well but couldn't resist having a mad dash around the barn - something she usually does when trying agility. Personally, I think she'd be better at fly-ball than agility, but time will tell.
Lastly, we practised walking along a trestle. Christina held onto Ellie's collar and I, with a handful of food treats, led her along the walk. She did fine with this, but she did get a little nervous at the end, on the descent.
We seemed to do quite a lot this evening, and thoroughly enjoyable it was too!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
KCGC Bronze Training - Week Five
I went along to the training class with Jan and Ellie last night. Typically, I managed to pick a night which was mostly talking. It was mostly talking because Christina, the instructor, had been given the dates for the KC Good Citizen exams. The Bronze, which is the first one that we will take, will be on 29 March.
However, the lack of activity was offset by being able to just view the other two dogs in the class - a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. Rotties are my favourite breed, with German Shepherds being my second favourite. The only reason that we don't have a Rottie is because of the ill-deserved reputation that they now have here in the UK. It doesn't worry me, but I don't want people crossing the street to avoid me. Further, if a Yorkshire Terrier grows up to be a lash-puller, nobody really bats an eyelid. However, if a Rottie ends up being a leash-puller, people take an entirely different stance. It's a huge shame and it's so unfair, it really is.
I did comment at the end of the class that the owners of both dogs were lucky that I hadn't run off with their dogs. But I did get to give each of them a bit of attention before the class disbanded. Then, moments after sitting in the car to return home, Christina invited me to meet another Rottie called Cookie, which had just arrived for the next class. It was worth getting cold again for. An absolute gem of a dog, with a stunning temperament; it was so docile.
While in the class, we did do a few exercises. Well Jan and Ellie did. I observed. There was the meet and greet, and I knew that Ellie wouldn't do well on that. That is her major weakness. She sees everyone who walks near her as someone who must want to stroke her. Her tail wags and she strains at the leash to get near them. I'm sure that in her mind, she's helping the person out by getting to them sooner. She just loves people. It's nice that she does, but we need to find a way to curb that enthusiasm. I think I might have to start some town walks again, where she will experience more people, and learn to ignore them. I also think that it will lessen with age too. Many dogs become less trusting of strangers as they move into adulthood.
There was the "send to bed", where Ellie did excel. She's done that since we got her pretty much, and so I'd expect her to do well in it. She passed the two-minute sit-stay without any problems.
There was a session of having the dogs walk past Christina, on leash, while she was holding food out in her hand. Again, any slight movement Ellie made towards that direction was to get to Christina, not the food. I've left plates of food in front of Ellie before today and she hasn't touched it, so I've little concern in that area. In fact, I think "leave" was one of the first things we taught her, and so it remains one of her strongest behaviours.
We also did an all over inspection of the dog. Ellie has usually been very good at this. However, and it might be because her season seems to be approaching, she seems to be a little sensitive around her back end at the moment. I'm going to focus on this quite a lot now until the exam, so that it doesn't become a major issue.
At the end of the class, each dog got the chance to run around a small agility route that Christina set-up. Only the Rottie really excelled in this, I must say. Ellie was awful, but then she is, by far, the least experienced dog at less then nine months of age. Everyone seemed to assure me that Ellie is usually much better than she was last night. Christina seems to share my view that Ellie isn't going to be far off her first season, as she seems quite distracted. But hey, I've been predicting her first season for a few weeks now.
However, what the agility run did confirm to me is that my heart really isn't in agility. I do admire those who can think quickly enough to get their dog around the twists and turns in the fastest time, but it just doesn't excite me. It wasn't just because I was watching and not participating. I just don't have the urge to participate in it either. I can see, for a start, that it needs thinking at a much faster rate than I am accustomed to thinking at, in order to be successful. But apart from that, it just didn't ignite me in the same way that competitive obedience does.
For me, there is something about competitive obedience that switches me on. I could watch it for hours, and I love the challenge of shaping a behaviour which, frequently, is completely alien to the dog. Agility just doesn't captivate me in the same way. Of course, that is one of the good things about dog breeds and dog-related pursuits. There really is something for everyone.
I think I'll need to go another class where there isn't so much talking, as, I'm assured, that they are usually much more engaging and active. It was just my bad luck to pick the night where the exam dates had come through. Still, it's really good to have the exam date. It was also interesting for me to watch how Jan interacts with Ellie in the class. She's much different to me and, I think, different to how she is at home to some extent. Usually, I am the reserved one and Jan is the outgoing one. However, when it comes to training Ellie (at least in the class), it seems to change. Jan seemed quite "stuffy" and unexciting, I thought. (Apparently Christina has commented than Jan needs to make herself more exciting too.)
I've learned through playing with Ellie in the fields, several times every day, that you have to be really exciting for her. For a start, she's young, and then she's a Border Collie. She needs to have a good reason to be near you and to pay attention to you, otherwise she'll quickly find something else to focus on. But then, who knows, maybe I would have felt more self-concious in such an enclosed area as the training barn too. (Actually, I'm sure that I would have as it's very me to do that.) I was just surprised to see Jan acting in a self-concious manner. It's not something that I'm used to seeing!
And so the next few weeks will be spent getting Ellie as ready for the KCGC Bronze exam as we possibly can. I'm reasonably confident that she'll do ok, but as is the case with dogs, anything at all can happen on the day.
However, the lack of activity was offset by being able to just view the other two dogs in the class - a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. Rotties are my favourite breed, with German Shepherds being my second favourite. The only reason that we don't have a Rottie is because of the ill-deserved reputation that they now have here in the UK. It doesn't worry me, but I don't want people crossing the street to avoid me. Further, if a Yorkshire Terrier grows up to be a lash-puller, nobody really bats an eyelid. However, if a Rottie ends up being a leash-puller, people take an entirely different stance. It's a huge shame and it's so unfair, it really is.
I did comment at the end of the class that the owners of both dogs were lucky that I hadn't run off with their dogs. But I did get to give each of them a bit of attention before the class disbanded. Then, moments after sitting in the car to return home, Christina invited me to meet another Rottie called Cookie, which had just arrived for the next class. It was worth getting cold again for. An absolute gem of a dog, with a stunning temperament; it was so docile.
While in the class, we did do a few exercises. Well Jan and Ellie did. I observed. There was the meet and greet, and I knew that Ellie wouldn't do well on that. That is her major weakness. She sees everyone who walks near her as someone who must want to stroke her. Her tail wags and she strains at the leash to get near them. I'm sure that in her mind, she's helping the person out by getting to them sooner. She just loves people. It's nice that she does, but we need to find a way to curb that enthusiasm. I think I might have to start some town walks again, where she will experience more people, and learn to ignore them. I also think that it will lessen with age too. Many dogs become less trusting of strangers as they move into adulthood.
There was the "send to bed", where Ellie did excel. She's done that since we got her pretty much, and so I'd expect her to do well in it. She passed the two-minute sit-stay without any problems.
There was a session of having the dogs walk past Christina, on leash, while she was holding food out in her hand. Again, any slight movement Ellie made towards that direction was to get to Christina, not the food. I've left plates of food in front of Ellie before today and she hasn't touched it, so I've little concern in that area. In fact, I think "leave" was one of the first things we taught her, and so it remains one of her strongest behaviours.
We also did an all over inspection of the dog. Ellie has usually been very good at this. However, and it might be because her season seems to be approaching, she seems to be a little sensitive around her back end at the moment. I'm going to focus on this quite a lot now until the exam, so that it doesn't become a major issue.
At the end of the class, each dog got the chance to run around a small agility route that Christina set-up. Only the Rottie really excelled in this, I must say. Ellie was awful, but then she is, by far, the least experienced dog at less then nine months of age. Everyone seemed to assure me that Ellie is usually much better than she was last night. Christina seems to share my view that Ellie isn't going to be far off her first season, as she seems quite distracted. But hey, I've been predicting her first season for a few weeks now.
However, what the agility run did confirm to me is that my heart really isn't in agility. I do admire those who can think quickly enough to get their dog around the twists and turns in the fastest time, but it just doesn't excite me. It wasn't just because I was watching and not participating. I just don't have the urge to participate in it either. I can see, for a start, that it needs thinking at a much faster rate than I am accustomed to thinking at, in order to be successful. But apart from that, it just didn't ignite me in the same way that competitive obedience does.
For me, there is something about competitive obedience that switches me on. I could watch it for hours, and I love the challenge of shaping a behaviour which, frequently, is completely alien to the dog. Agility just doesn't captivate me in the same way. Of course, that is one of the good things about dog breeds and dog-related pursuits. There really is something for everyone.
I think I'll need to go another class where there isn't so much talking, as, I'm assured, that they are usually much more engaging and active. It was just my bad luck to pick the night where the exam dates had come through. Still, it's really good to have the exam date. It was also interesting for me to watch how Jan interacts with Ellie in the class. She's much different to me and, I think, different to how she is at home to some extent. Usually, I am the reserved one and Jan is the outgoing one. However, when it comes to training Ellie (at least in the class), it seems to change. Jan seemed quite "stuffy" and unexciting, I thought. (Apparently Christina has commented than Jan needs to make herself more exciting too.)
I've learned through playing with Ellie in the fields, several times every day, that you have to be really exciting for her. For a start, she's young, and then she's a Border Collie. She needs to have a good reason to be near you and to pay attention to you, otherwise she'll quickly find something else to focus on. But then, who knows, maybe I would have felt more self-concious in such an enclosed area as the training barn too. (Actually, I'm sure that I would have as it's very me to do that.) I was just surprised to see Jan acting in a self-concious manner. It's not something that I'm used to seeing!
And so the next few weeks will be spent getting Ellie as ready for the KCGC Bronze exam as we possibly can. I'm reasonably confident that she'll do ok, but as is the case with dogs, anything at all can happen on the day.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
KCGC Bronze Training - Week Four
We started with some of the usual warm up exercises - sit/stay down/stay. Of course, Ellie did really well at this despite Christina wandering around trying to distract. We then did some trotting. This is a really nice exercise. Food treat at arms length and walk briskly so that the dog follows but because of the speed she breaks into a graceful trot. Very nice exercise.
We then did some recall presents, both sitting and stood up. After this, Christina did a talk about heel work to music and whether there was anything specific that we wanted to learn. A few ideas were thrown around the group and we decided on getting Ellie to walk backwards in a figure-eight around my legs. She does this forwards perfectly.
Christina explained the steps to take in doing this. One of the steps was to have her sit between my legs. However, there is a downside at the moment. As soon as Ellie sat between my legs, she thought that we wanted to do Cop-Cop which Maz is currently training her. I think she is going to have to do one thing at a time in this respect, but I look forward to her being able to walk around my legs backwards very soon!
We then did some recall presents, both sitting and stood up. After this, Christina did a talk about heel work to music and whether there was anything specific that we wanted to learn. A few ideas were thrown around the group and we decided on getting Ellie to walk backwards in a figure-eight around my legs. She does this forwards perfectly.
Christina explained the steps to take in doing this. One of the steps was to have her sit between my legs. However, there is a downside at the moment. As soon as Ellie sat between my legs, she thought that we wanted to do Cop-Cop which Maz is currently training her. I think she is going to have to do one thing at a time in this respect, but I look forward to her being able to walk around my legs backwards very soon!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
KCGC Bronze Training - Week Three
Tuesday night's training session was set in the form of a competition.
1. Stay
Ellie performed a stay for approximately 5 minutes whilst Jan was wandering around the barn.
Score: 10/10
2. Send to Bed
Ellie was sent to bed a number of times. Every time she went straight to the blanket that was posing as the bed and laid down without prompt.
Score: 10/10
3. Tricks
Ellie was required to perform three different tricks. We chose jumping over both legs in turn. A number of spins, and lastly offered a paw and held it steady.
Score: 10/10
All was going well....
Then it was time for agility. Each dog had two rounds each. Christina made both courses different and they were quite hard with a lot of turns involved. Alas, Ellie was let down on this one. She is so quick and Jan's coordination, in her own words, sucks.
Ellie, after the first couple of jumps went racing around the barn jumping over anything that was in front of her. Christina pointed out that if you're not one step ahead of a collie, they'll make up their own course - and that she did!
She tried really hard, bless her and she did really well all in all.
Score: 6/10 for the first round and 8/10 for the second round!
After the points were counted up we actually came in last place out of 4, but that was more down to Jan's clumsiness than Ellie's lack of talent, and the fact that neither Jan nor Ellie have really done agility in earnest before. Still, she was rewarded with a bag of treats, for her efforts.
In future, Jan will be writing up her own class notes, so they won't seem so disjointed!
1. Stay
Ellie performed a stay for approximately 5 minutes whilst Jan was wandering around the barn.
Score: 10/10
2. Send to Bed
Ellie was sent to bed a number of times. Every time she went straight to the blanket that was posing as the bed and laid down without prompt.
Score: 10/10
3. Tricks
Ellie was required to perform three different tricks. We chose jumping over both legs in turn. A number of spins, and lastly offered a paw and held it steady.
Score: 10/10
All was going well....
Then it was time for agility. Each dog had two rounds each. Christina made both courses different and they were quite hard with a lot of turns involved. Alas, Ellie was let down on this one. She is so quick and Jan's coordination, in her own words, sucks.
Ellie, after the first couple of jumps went racing around the barn jumping over anything that was in front of her. Christina pointed out that if you're not one step ahead of a collie, they'll make up their own course - and that she did!
She tried really hard, bless her and she did really well all in all.
Score: 6/10 for the first round and 8/10 for the second round!
After the points were counted up we actually came in last place out of 4, but that was more down to Jan's clumsiness than Ellie's lack of talent, and the fact that neither Jan nor Ellie have really done agility in earnest before. Still, she was rewarded with a bag of treats, for her efforts.
In future, Jan will be writing up her own class notes, so they won't seem so disjointed!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
KCGC Bronze Training - Week Two
First night at the Good Citizen Gold class. As stated before, it's not that Ellie is up to that standard yet, but Christina recommended that the mix of dogs would be better for Ellie's timid nature. She was correct, and Ellie was indeed much better this evening.
As per usual, the classes started with some sit and stay work. Yes, Ellie can do this just fine, but the Gold standard is to stay for 3 minutes with 30 seconds of that, with the owner out of sight. Jan wandered off and went into the shop out of sight for about ten seconds and was surprised to find Ellie hadn't moved. I was surprised that she was surprised, as I frequently do this with Ellie in the local field. I put her into a position (usually a down) and then I hide behind a tree, or a small shed-type building that is used by the local archery club. I've never timed her of course, but I'm sure she could do three minutes.
Ellie then performed three rounds of the agility course. She did really well and it was Jan who let her down a bit by getting flustered with her turns! Ellie loves agility; it's the kind of energy burst that really fires her up (typical Border Collie).
It was then time for some raised paw work. Jan had to ask for Ellie's paw and not let her touch her, meaning that she just her to raise her paw and hold it there. Christina demonstrated this, and Ellie seemed to grasp it within a few minutes. (And again once back home.) Christina then advised to practise and pause for longer periods as she gets used to it. This is just a trick which can be adapted to go with....erm...heel work to music! (Note to self: I really must get to writing why I hate heelwork to music as much as I do.)
Then came some heel work off lead where Christina gave us commands for everyone to get the dogs to sit and wait whilst owners walked away and then back to the dog. We then had to do heel - sit - owner walk away - walk back to dog and around them - stop - and then get the dog to walk around the owner. All good precision type obedience stuff!
All in all it was a really good session and we're glad that Christina suggested we move groups.
As per usual, the classes started with some sit and stay work. Yes, Ellie can do this just fine, but the Gold standard is to stay for 3 minutes with 30 seconds of that, with the owner out of sight. Jan wandered off and went into the shop out of sight for about ten seconds and was surprised to find Ellie hadn't moved. I was surprised that she was surprised, as I frequently do this with Ellie in the local field. I put her into a position (usually a down) and then I hide behind a tree, or a small shed-type building that is used by the local archery club. I've never timed her of course, but I'm sure she could do three minutes.
Ellie then performed three rounds of the agility course. She did really well and it was Jan who let her down a bit by getting flustered with her turns! Ellie loves agility; it's the kind of energy burst that really fires her up (typical Border Collie).
It was then time for some raised paw work. Jan had to ask for Ellie's paw and not let her touch her, meaning that she just her to raise her paw and hold it there. Christina demonstrated this, and Ellie seemed to grasp it within a few minutes. (And again once back home.) Christina then advised to practise and pause for longer periods as she gets used to it. This is just a trick which can be adapted to go with....erm...heel work to music! (Note to self: I really must get to writing why I hate heelwork to music as much as I do.)
Then came some heel work off lead where Christina gave us commands for everyone to get the dogs to sit and wait whilst owners walked away and then back to the dog. We then had to do heel - sit - owner walk away - walk back to dog and around them - stop - and then get the dog to walk around the owner. All good precision type obedience stuff!
All in all it was a really good session and we're glad that Christina suggested we move groups.
Monday, January 21, 2008
KCGC Bronze Training - Week One
Ellie attended the second week of the new formal training season last Tuesday. It wasn't her best week, and her nerves got the better of her a little. Given that, Christina, the course instructor has suggested to Jan that she move her to the Gold class. Not because she's at a Gold standard, but because the dogs in that class are a little less intimidating for Ellie, than the two Great Danes, a Rottie, and a Mastiff. I don't personally mind this, as long as the learning pace is still within Ellie's reach. Owning a timid dog can be very challenging at times!
However, while there, she did do the following:
We then were presented with four different things to do.
1. Send away around a traffic cone. Perfect!
2. Stand on a low step, or sit on it, or balance on it with two paws. Jan sent her away to the step and she sat right on it first time.
3. Pick up an object and place it in a bucket. Ellie has been doing this trick on and off for quite sometime now, and so she remembered it. She happily placed the ball into a bucket.
4 Send away into the centre of a hula-hoop or jump through the hoop. Jan started to teach Ellie to jump through the hoop and although they only managed it a few inches from the floor and it looked like she was just walking through it, she did it without too much fuss.
In other news, it was a dark day in the Ellie household on Saturday. Yes, dear readers, Jan took Ellie to a heel-work to music class. I will save my comments on heel-work to music for another post.
After that however, Jan attended her first meeting as a volunteer at the training class. She came back particularly enthused and, with typical Jan enthusiasm, has put herself forward to work help out in difference aspects of the classes and related activities.
Overall, Ellie is in a mixed mood at the moment. My spider sense tells me that she may come into season soon, but it's been telling me that for a couple of weeks now. She seems a little "down" for want of a better description, and not her usual bubbly self. She is licking herself a lot more, and, certainly last week at least, kept looking for "nesting" places to curl up under, such as the table. This is very unusual for Ellie. On the other hand, she may just be growing up and becoming all hormonal. Time will tell.
Behaviour-wise, she's still the perfect dog. Still hasn't chewed a single thing that doesn't belong to her, still happy to train, and still the most loving dog that you could hope to know. But oh, that timid nature....
It also occurred to me that she's going to be eight months old in a few days. Wow, that went quickly.
However, while there, she did do the following:
We then were presented with four different things to do.
1. Send away around a traffic cone. Perfect!
2. Stand on a low step, or sit on it, or balance on it with two paws. Jan sent her away to the step and she sat right on it first time.
3. Pick up an object and place it in a bucket. Ellie has been doing this trick on and off for quite sometime now, and so she remembered it. She happily placed the ball into a bucket.
4 Send away into the centre of a hula-hoop or jump through the hoop. Jan started to teach Ellie to jump through the hoop and although they only managed it a few inches from the floor and it looked like she was just walking through it, she did it without too much fuss.
In other news, it was a dark day in the Ellie household on Saturday. Yes, dear readers, Jan took Ellie to a heel-work to music class. I will save my comments on heel-work to music for another post.
After that however, Jan attended her first meeting as a volunteer at the training class. She came back particularly enthused and, with typical Jan enthusiasm, has put herself forward to work help out in difference aspects of the classes and related activities.
Overall, Ellie is in a mixed mood at the moment. My spider sense tells me that she may come into season soon, but it's been telling me that for a couple of weeks now. She seems a little "down" for want of a better description, and not her usual bubbly self. She is licking herself a lot more, and, certainly last week at least, kept looking for "nesting" places to curl up under, such as the table. This is very unusual for Ellie. On the other hand, she may just be growing up and becoming all hormonal. Time will tell.
Behaviour-wise, she's still the perfect dog. Still hasn't chewed a single thing that doesn't belong to her, still happy to train, and still the most loving dog that you could hope to know. But oh, that timid nature....
It also occurred to me that she's going to be eight months old in a few days. Wow, that went quickly.
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