CU Training

I'm cutting and posting most of what I wrote on the poodle lists here. Just a little more detail.

Morgan and I spent the day at a Control Unleashed seminar. I learned a lot about myself and my dog. I am very glad I went but, in a way discouraged, because it pointed out the holes in my training that I have to conquer before I ever want to show this dog.

Our participation in the seminar started out great. Morgan was relaxed on her mat she was chillin' and looking very calm. She lay flat on her side and was acting so sweet. Only had eyes for me. The first couple of exercises were wonderful-- doggie zen, and jumping with the mat and one other dog in the ring. We have been working from the book pretty diligently for the past three or four weeks and that helped a lot. Morgan looked like the star. I kept telling people, just wait because they all wonder why my dog is in these classes when she seems to be so good.

Right after lunch, Meagan really upped the ante. They set up a little circular course sequence in the box --two jumps, tunnel, two jumps tunnel. Then we were asked to find a place around the box. We started out fine with each person finding a new spot for themselves and their dogs and we did it one by one but had to pass by other people's set-ups to get there. Morgan did great. Then, I sat on the floor with Morgan, got her all settled and laying on her side seeming very relaxed. I didn't know how unfortunate my choice of a spot was until dogs started running courses. We were away from other dogs but right behind the tunnel. Bad idea.

The first dog ran the sequence, not a problem. The second dog caused Morgan to look over at the course. Good, we played the look-at-that game and she did okay. The third dog was an exuberant border collie who whooshed through the tunnel with amazing thunder. Morgan was up and barking immediately. I was able to get her to focus on me and the cookies after a few seconds but now everyone was aware of our challenges. I stayed in the same position for the next dog and now that Morgan was alerted that dogs were actually doing agility in there, she perked up but stayed under control. However, when another fast and big dog went into the ring, Morgan was up and off, snatched the lead right out of my bad hand and when I went to grab her with my good hand I hit it against the dog walk and boy did that smart. To her credit when I gathered my wits enough to call her to me she came running back. YAY!
Needless to say we moved further from the tunnel after that and I was able to keep her focus a lot better. Talk about embarrassed! She was the only dog to have such a major reaction. Meagan didn't ask us to move but I figured I should because she was being so bad.

Morgan's ballistic reaction to dogs playing is why we are doing CU work.
After today's seminar, I'm encouraged that we have come as far as we have but discouraged that it seems that we have so much further to go. I need to add a few things to her training plan. If we have puppies in September, her training plan will need to be altered anyway. I think I will wait to change the training plan until we know for sure she is having puppies.

C U Training

Morgan and I go to CU training tomorrow and I am excited about what we are going to learn. We have been working on a lot of the skills in the book but we haven't gotten as far as I would have liked us to be at this point. We've got the leave it and go to the mat but her focus on me is still shaky. But, hey, we paid $90 for this so it is what it is right now. We'll see how we do. Gotta go cook liver and bacon and hot dogs :)

First Homework From Sue Garrett Class

I signed up for the Brilliant Recall e-course with Sue Garret. It cost a pretty penny so I am forced to actually do the homework. The class doesn't even start until August 1 but we have homework already. Today, I have to make a Master List of Distractions.
Step 1 -- List
Other dogs moving and playing
toys
people

My list is short but that's all I could come up with right now because the list is VERY General. Susan has a much more detailed list which was the second part of the homework, look at her list and add to mine. So here is my revised list (using her suggestions). I added more detail and I added some that would have 0 value for Morgan as that is what the next directions called for. Now I'm going to rate them from 0 to 10.

5 Park with kids on climbers, playing soccer or just running
0 Sheep, birds, horses
9 Door bell ringing
8 Balls being thrown/rolled
8 Good smells on the ground
10 Dogs running loose near by
10 Dogs doing flyball near by
10 Toys all over the floor
6 Food in containers on a chair
7 Food in containers on the floor
3 Nail clipping time
9 Food scattered all over the floor
10 Another family pet out playing
7 A thrown toy like a flying disc in mid-air
4 Obstacles in the way between handler and dog
6 Squealing children (no need to hurt the children in order to set this one up)
9 New environment—different training building, friend’s back yard
10 A cat running by
8 A delivery man (or mail man) walking by
8 Full dinner bowl on the floor
3 Opening of the front door
10 Stuffed things, I love stuffed things
2 Dogs in crates near by
7 Dogs on leash near by
2 Squirrels running in a park
3 Squirrels running in your yard
1 Obstacles in the way between handler and dog
1 Empty dinner bowl on the floor
0 Hose, sprinkler, running water
1 You standing still, not moving at all, when you are calling and waiting
0 Sheep, birds, rats, horses
4 Other family pet being petted
0 Me on the computer
1 Me on the phone
0 Me eating dinner or drinking a beverage
4 Other dogs barking

Now I have to make a chart with 11 columns and fill these in. I may juggle a few while I do this. I need to do it quick before I go out for the evening.

Scary

I just tried to get on this blog through the url and it was blocked. I had to come in through google. That was wierd and scary.