Gobble, gobble.... (Antics)
Last night we did a drop in at an Advanced Rally class in preparation for a trial this weekend. My intention was just to clicker him for paying attention to me during heeling, as opposed to exploring or trying to read the signs himself. The first run through was okay and the second run through showed some improvement. Someone had brought some turkey from home and left it out on the table near the ring entrance for everybody to use. I decided to reward him by giving him a small taste for his efforts after the second run through. Big mistake! Though I did not realize it at the time. Mr. Lack of Impulse Control could not even enter the ring for the third run through. We walked to the start and because I could tell he was in another zone we declined our turn. While we were sitting waiting for another chance to go in the ring he kept sticking his nose in the air. We entered the ring again, totally distracted of course, but I was able to grasp his attention long enough to get him to sit and to remove his leash at Start. I noticed he was looking at the corner diagonally opposite of us where a German Shepherd was sitting as the "honor" dog. I am thinking "What the heck? He didn't care about the honor dog before." When the instructor asks us if we are ready I stupidly answered "yes". I turn to Harry and say "heel" which he of course interprets as "tear across the room to the honor dog taking out signs in your wake if necessary".  After dragging his fuzzy butt back to the Start, I miraculously got his attention which I gave a click. From that moment we were able to complete the course. It was then that it occurred to me that he wasn't running to the dog but to the handler who was carrying turkey with her. 
The Poultry Incident last evening must have been weighing on my mind all night because when I woke up this morning I had a Hayley Mills "scathingly brilliant idea" moment. I will teach him the word "turkey" and that it is associated with that yummy stuff. Then as we are plowing through the course I can just start "Talking Turkey" to get him to pay attention.  |
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I'm thinking Harry's next title conquest should be in tracking....  |
got sheep wrote: I'm thinking Harry's next title conquest should be in tracking....
BTW I don't think the words "Harry" and "Title Conquest" have ever been used in the same sentence before.
What is Chewie doing this weekend? I can buy him an Amtrak ticket and he could act as a ringer in the rally ring. Those judges think all sheepdogs look alike anyway and it is not like Harry submitted an ID photo with his entry. |
SheepieMommy wrote: got sheep wrote: I'm thinking Harry's next title conquest should be in tracking.... BTW I don't think the words "Harry" and "Title Conquest" have ever been used in the same sentence before. What is Chewie doing this weekend? I can buy him an Amtrak ticket and he could act as a ringer in the rally ring. Those judges think all sheepdogs look alike anyway and it is not like Harry submitted an ID photo with his entry. LOL - good one... actually we are doing nothing this weekend, just working on stuff at home and maybe doing some BBR (basset rescue) stuff this weekend. I can see if the Amtrak station is near where we will be.....
Simon would be thrilled to lose his big hairy brother and get some "Mom time". |
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| One of my nightmares. I must try Tiggy at tracking. If anyone drops a treat at training Tiggy is the girl to find it. And until she does its nose to the ground and "Who, you? The twoleg walking beside me, mmmph not interested, I smell food, fooooood." |
Mim wrote: One of my nightmares. Mine too Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: Mim wrote: One of my nightmares. Mine too Kristine Not me ....and just so you don't think I'm gloating...we have our own private hell...... Chewie LOVES his tug, and even has been known to nab it out of pockets, waistbands while on the fly..... |
| After lots of lunacy on my behalf Tiggy has become convinced that a squeaking ball with feet and little devil horns is THE BEST. I save it for training at the park only. I asked if the squeak would cause problems at Agility training at the info session last night and they said no as dogs are on lead except when running a course. They did talk a lot about tugs and I think they'd prefer it if that were her thing but hey the dog choses the reward. Maybe I'll put it in a sock and tug but it'll still squeak. I'm hoping this may overcome the need for treats. |
| I love Harry antics! |
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