Category Archives: Obedience training

Getting the Behaviour: Luring

Luring is a quick way to teach a new behaviour. Initially, food is used as a lure to help guide the dog into the desired action or position. You can quickly get the dog to SIT or DOWN, practice close and straight FRONTS, lure into HEEL position, and encourage WATCH by luring with food. We [...]

Also posted in Dog training, operant conditioning | Leave a comment

The ABC’s of dog training

The ABC’s — Don’t make food the Antecedent Antecedent –> Behavior –> Consequence Correct: Command SIT –> Dog sits –> Dog is rewarded Wrong: Show food, lure and say SIT –> Dog sits –> Dog is rewarded One of the criticisms of “positive” dog training is the complaint “My dog only sits when he sees [...]

Also posted in Dog training, learning theory, operant conditioning | Leave a comment

The Premack Principle: “You have to DO something to GET something!”

If there’s a “secret” to dog training, the Premack Principle is it. In psych lingo, the Premack Principle states that the likely-hood of a high-probability behaviour occurring increases when reinforced by a  low-probability behaviour. In the vernacular, it’s also known as Gramma’s Law: “You have to eat your peas (low-probability behaviour) before you can have [...]

Also posted in Dog behaviour, Dog training, learning theory, Premack Principle | Leave a comment

Highlights from the Joanne Fleming Plumb seminar

I drove to Calgary for a seminar with the Chinook Schutzhund Club. The club was hosting Joanne Fleming-Plumb for two days. I went mostly for tracking ideas, because I sure need the inspiration! I’m still waiting for the tracking endorphins to kick in! Don’t devalue the reward A common thread throughout the seminar was one [...]

Also posted in Schutzhund, Tracking | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bridge words

Our Schutzhund club had Michael Ellis again for a three day seminar over Memorial weekend. He’s been coming here for over ten years, yet I always learn something new. One of the things that really hit home this time is the difference between a terminal bridge word that means “yes, that’s exactly what I was [...]

Also posted in Dog training, learning theory, operant conditioning, Schutzhund | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Saga CD

Saga finished the last leg of her CD on Friday with a 193.  I’m proud of the old dog!  I had shown her before Dax was born and achieved the first two legs, then basically retired her after her pups and never finished the title. When we decided to enter all the dogs at this [...]

Also posted in AKC obedience trial | Leave a comment

What were we thinking, indeed!

Five dogs, 14 events, 2 days, 2 handlers.  When I went to check us in on Friday, my opening comment to the table steward was “Jones, table for 7.” Friday was interesting… horrible weather with periods of pouring rain and some good winds that threatened to take out the canopies at ringside.  But the dogs [...]

Also posted in AKC obedience trial | 1 Comment

What were we thinking?

Back when Warren and I sent our entries in for Gallatin Dog Club AKC obedience trial, June seemed so far away. We’d have plenty of time to teach the broad jump and work on those pesky out of sight stays. Harley at least has the retrieves down, but Lexi was still in the learning stages [...]

Also posted in AKC obedience trial, Dog training | Leave a comment

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Consequences of not coming when called If your puppy is really too busy to come when called, you can practice “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”. In the beginning, this may be difficult to practice because you need to switch back and forth from the bad guy to the nice guy in the blink of an [...]

Also posted in Come when called | Leave a comment

Obedience FUNdamentals

(Notes from the Wednesday night Obedience FUNdamentals class) The foundation: puppies and adults. What they need to know: Active treat rewards: run – active back up, follow hand. Turn, take from low hand (from behind) left & right chase food through legs – teach for later use in front rewards “Positions” sit stand downs: move [...]

Also posted in Class notes, Dog training, Fronts & Finishes, Schutzhund | Tagged | Leave a comment