Catch up time

Ok... I haven't posted in the last few days.  I have been training, just got hectic!

So, I tried the 2 x 2 for a few more days, and decided that the method just wasn't working for Rigger and me.  I can see it working for a dog like a border collie, but Rigger just found way too many things to do with the poles, and it didn't seem like he was getting a clear idea of the job I wanted him to do.  So I have gone back to doing the channel method, which has the advantage of being a "number of reps" based method, so the training sessions are MUCH shorter!  The struggle here is convincing him that he needs to weave once the fences get backed off enough that he can run straight.  Still, it seems like a better method.  I don't have as much video as I would like, because the camera glitched and I didn't realize it.

He's doing good in his Saturday class.  We're working on "sad dog", which he has gotten really good at.  Need to build up the duration in class now.

And I have started up the Relationship Walks class at FDSA.  Still working through the first lecture on that one.  Initial "Watcha Doin" assessment:

He wants to be in the same area that I am. I have an L-shaped yard, and when I went from one leg of the L to the other, he would run over to be in the same area and then promptly ignore me to go sniff around the grass and other plants. He would occasionally glance my way, but spent most of his time working locations where the lizards like to hide. When I talked to the plant, he eventually came over to see what I was doing, but it took a while, and he promptly wandered off in search of lizards again. (My yard is very "healthy" with a large insect/lizard/other critter population, so there is pretty much always somewhere nearby that has critter scent.) When I went to the toy, he came over and sniffed it, but it was right next to Lizard City, so he quickly took off again to go work that.

So, he is more aware of me than I actually expected. I found it interesting that, while never actually trying to interact with me, he was apparently keenly aware of where I was in relation to him, and wanted to keep me in sight. What I would like is more focus and engagement from him. I'd like him to solicit work or play from me, and to want to choose me over the local wildlife. To be fair to him, I struggle with making myself more interesting than the wildlife! So there is hope that having more games to play may help with this.

Multi-day videos: