Lazy Leash and Distractions

Below is a Flip of this morning's Step 2 (Leash) training session with Landry.....the standing in place, the Chutes and Ladders of steps first up to 5 with a turn and then gradually increasing.

We had already worked our way from the gate to the grassy parkway, taken a nice sniffing break on the grass AND done some DownStay work on the grass itself....now we were doing a session returning to the yard.  Landry is working for his breakfast (kibble) and I am giving multiple pieces (2 or 3).

The CRITERIA is staying In the Zone and thus keeping the leash loose.

AND I am attempting to click the good DECISION (when he decides to reconnect with me).

As you can see, because of the time of day, we soon have multiple distractions - big ones!

So then the CRITERIA shifts to a loose leash and refocus (still clicking the good DECISION).  I took advantage of what the environment provided.

Landry's Outing to the Flight Line

The "Dynamic Duo" - GO TO MAT and CRATE

I set things up for success. The mat we most often use for training this behavior and in the location we usually train it. Minimal distractions. I gave the cue, cold. Landry wasn't ready.

So, immediately drop the cue and Re-teach, Re-view, Remind....the 3 R's. It literally took seconds for Landry to get In the Game and recognize what we were doing. He showed me "where he is" in the learning process. And that's where we worked.

Now we're clicking. (no pun intended!) But I'm still adding the cue while he is dependably committed to the behavior. Isn't it interesting. By watching closely it is evident when he begins to lose interest and we quit immediately (I'm beginning to be able to read this boy).

Landry is still In the Game. Just tired of that game. So we move on to CRATE.

As soon as I set the crate out, Landry voluntarily goes and gets in it. C/T. The crate itself was the cue. The second time I cued the behavior but I clicked early. This part gets me really excited. If you ever doubted the precision of the clicker, watch what Landry does the moment I click! He is committed to going in the crate but stops his forward motion the instant that he hears the clicker. This is HUGE!

In the course of Landry's CRATE work, in addition to cueing going into the crate, "Get In", Dale and I have chosen to teach him to remain in the crate until released, "Let's Go". IOW, Crate ZEN. Just because the door is open doesn't mean that you are free to leave. First, adding the "Get In" while he is voluntarily getting in and "Let's Go" while he is voluntarily exiting the crate.

Then I close the crate door briefly and "remind" him that his job is to stay there once the door is opened.

Incidentally, we are doing this with the leash, too. We are not "releasing" him when taking off the leash, but instead drop a few kibble on the ground when the leash comes off so he doesn't change demeanor and run. A continuation of Leash ZEN. Self control.

Training "Get In" and "Let's Go". Adding Distance by tossing the treat further away. Adding Duration in tiny increments. Not using Chutes and Ladders at this point.

Landry rides in the truck and the car crated, so duration isn't a problem for him. Remaining in the crate until released while in a vehicle becomes a safety issue.

Landry is often crated at home and at Lily's. He understands both cues. But Dale and I need to remember to continue training this behavior, too, even though we use it all the time. That way, "Get In" doesn't always mean that he will be confined. Either at home OR in the vehicles.

Classic LUMPING

The original Flip of this session is 9 minutes long.

The Flip below however, is 31 seconds. The Flip below is where I should have stopped because it is only during these 31 seconds that we were truly successful.

Well, that's not entirely true. The DISTANCE that we traveled in the Flip below is all the farther we should have traveled during the session. And it would have been a successful session.

Even if it had been 9 minutes long (way too long). Training too long - another form of lumping. Ah! The siren call to keep on keeping on. Or to "work through it".

Later today, we could possibly travel 2 steps further. Successfully.

Instead we went to the sidewalk and back, backed up several times, encountered Patrick, the orange cat, did LAT (or so I fooled myself into thinking we were doing - Landry had totally lost interest in treats by that point). Whatever was I thinking? That's the problem when we lump. We aren't thinking.

This was a training session. It had a goal. It had a plan. I knew my criteria. I had treats.

My goal was to walk to the sidewalk on a loose leash. The criteria - to follow Step 2, on leash, clicking for being In the Zone. But, as in any training session, I had the option of changing the goal to meet the situation at any time. This wasn't like yesterday, where Dale was leaving and his goal was to go home. I let attention to my goal cloud the picture of where we really were.

I didn't even look at the remainder of the Flip. I got this far, hit myself in the forehead with the flat of my hand and issued the only words possible, "Duh!"

OK, Dale. Here is the entire clip. After a little editing, I got it under 9 minutes. There's a lot in there that is done correctly. I reward for being "In the Zone". I reward for turns. I back up. We encounter Patrick, the orange cat, seated just to the left of the camera. Landry's leash is tight. I should have backed away and left. There's so much that can be said here. And Landry Man had many successes. Notice, too, where he refuses treats. For this little guy this is usually the first signal of over threshold.

But the point is....in the first 31 seconds we were successful. Had it been a Sit or a Down or a Stand, we would have repeated the success over and over and over. Why not here? Why wasn't 31 seconds of Lazy Leash on the jungle path not good enough? Lumping. That's why. Should I beat myself up over this? Of course not! Just remember to train "step by little step" and be thrilled by the progress next time.

WWSS

Dale, these two little Flips are worthy of some analysis. Main thing to watch - what is the click actually marking? What is the click telling Landry? Towards the bushes, is he even aware of the click? Let's do a training session sometime this week on this. And on the use of the Sensible harness vs the collar.

I was barefoot taking these Flips. The street surface was REALLY hot!!! I wonder, though, if Landry would have had fewer distractions had you walked to the truck in the street instead of on the narrow sidewalk? There are so many things to consider in this short time span and distance. What is the goal? What is the criteria? I wonder.....WWSS?

ZEN: Level 2

Last week Landry gave me 10 seconds duration on his Hand Zen AND 10 seconds of duration on his Floor Zen. This morning, cold, I chained the 2 ZEN behaviors into Level 2 ZEN. Still a work in progress - especially on Open Hand Zen, but as the day progresses he will get better and better. His Food Zen is really quite strong. I want to begin putting Cheerios on his paws this week. He's more than ready! AND build more Duration (up to 20 seconds on Hand AND on Floor Zen) using Chutes and Ladders. Lofty goals!

STAND: Level 2

Training in the Loo! Introduction to STAND. Luring from a Sit. Trainer seated.

Introducing STAND again in another room. Luring from a Sit. Trainer standing.

A few more sessions of this, then I will begin dropping the food lure in my hand and just do the motion the very same way. (I won't "drop" drop the food in my hand. I will make the luring motion without any food in my hand!)

No cue yet. Just working on getting the behavior. But what a nice shift of his center of gravity and lifting of those rear legs.

Training to "Through a Dogs Ear"

I have a 5 disk changer on my stereo system and over the weekend I loaded it with Landry's Gun Music, Through a Dogs Ear, and a 3 disk set of relaxing music for your dog. I have gotten into the habit of turning it on each morning after we have trained and after the dogs have romped and raced and played. So, the music was playing and all 3 dogs were quiet in their crates. I had just vacuumed and mopped the floor beside Landry's crate. It was noon and time for his lunch.

I opened his crate, waited 8 seconds and gave the release cue, "Let's Go". He stretched and yawned and ever so slowly left the crate, drank some water and we headed out to the yard so he could "Get Busy".

C/T for walking back "In the Zone" and off leash.

I had set up a mat for some GTM practice. The music continued to play. Here is the most mellow 15 week old puppy, still In the Game but soooooooooooooo relaxed that he almost put me to sleep.

Go to Mat: Level 2

Re-teach, Re-view, Re-mind

The Three R's

I went out and ran some errands, leaving all the dogs crated once again. When I returned, I pulled out one of Lily's pop-up tents and asked Landry Man if he was interested in playing the training game. "Ho Hum!," he replied, "If you insist".

Crate: Level 2

Re-teaching while seated on the floor

"Expect the unexpected"

Our first OTR training session of the day.

MAIN GOAL: That Landry learns "leash on, leash loose" in his soul.

TODAY'S GOAL: Using Leash: L2: Step 2, 5 steps at a time, with a hungry puppy, testing threshold.....

Can we get from the gate to the sidewalk?

CRITERIA: Tight leashes do not go where the puppy wants to go.

CRITERIA: Stay "In the Zone"

We have been working on this step on leash and off leash in every room of the house, in the front courtyard and the back patio and up and down the sidewalk inside the walls, with Lily and without.

We have been working on this front path in small increments with Chutes and Ladders.

We have obtained this morning's goal before. And so has Dale.

I set up the Flip and did a cat check. I had good treats and a clicker. My criteria was clear.

I am a dog trainer. I am watching the clasp. And missed what was almost under my nose. Here is what happened.

We achieved our goal. Patrick ran away, Landry made a quick recovery and we proceeded to our second destination - the street in front of my house.

I picked up the tripod and Flip and we walked together (Lazy Leash) 5 more steps to a shady spot in the street beside my car.

Waaaaaay over threshold in the street. From every direction. Only once did Landry release the pressure on the leash and accept a treat for the click. I couldn't understand why. Watch Landry's tail.

Can you guess what was holding Landry's attention just out of range of the camera, under my car? Yep. Ace. Patrick's black and white cat father, who was lying under my car watching it all unfold.

Because I have taken "the tight leash pledge", I had no alternative but to pick Landry up (all 32 pounds of him) and carry him back to the house.

NOTE: Yesterday, leaving class, the distractions were so overpowering to Landry, I had to carry him from the classroom to the car as well. Dale is thinking about attaching Landry's "truck crate" to a little red wagon to prevent a bad back while Landry is learning. You may need to get that wagon this weekend, Dale!

Landry makes new friends

MILESTONE: Landry goes to class for the very first time

So much to see.

And a new friend to play with. Another Marine....just like his dad.

Was he over his threshold? Yes.

Could he perform any behaviors? No.

Was he able to control himself and relax in the x-pen? Yes.

Could he be handled by Mark, the puppy man? YES!

Was this a good first experience? What do you think?

Another outing for Landry

GOAL: focus and attention in public

CRITERIA: loose leash in public

CRITERIA: Level 1 behaviors in public

Oh, Landry Man. There is such a wonderful world for you to discover!

Boats, birds, bicycles, pedi-bikes, people, dogs, bushes and breezes to sniff.....could he take it all in? Landry's world expanded multi-fold this morning and he handled it admirably.

But, I'm ahead of myself.

First I had to check the bushes for "the devil cats". Alright. The coast is clear! Off we go from house to car. The first challenge. Clicking for being "in the zone". Clicking for moving into light pressure on the leash.

Then, take a look around before riding in the "truck crate" in Lynn's car (another first).

A shady spot in the far corner of the Il Fornaio parking lot on San Diego Bay. Goal here is to get Landry's attention in the car. Criteria. L1 behaviors. Had to repeat the Sit cue, but Sit from a Down on one cue is a Level 4 behavior, anyway. Goodonya, Landry Man. You gave focus and attention. AND took in all the distractions at the same time. No rush. We have all morning.

Landry was content to stand and take it all in. There were a few tight leashes, but mostly it was slight pressure on the leash (Step 1). Shows me that with a lot more work on Step 1, perhaps giving in to the pressure will become default. But then, that is the goal after all. Once again, Landry is able to give focus and attention and perform his Level 1 behaviors at this location.

We move to our second location in the same parking lot. Now we are closer to the water and the activity. This is more challenging to Landry. As well it would be. Remember, this is only his second day out and about.

In the car. Chutes and Ladders for Car Safety Zen....remaining in the crate until released ("Let's Go"). I know. Switching criteria mid-stream. But this is focus and attention every bit as much as Level 1 behaviors.

Outside of the car. Too bad we weren't testing Leash: Level 2!!! At 229 those are tight leashes. The ones following are Step 1 light pressure. His disinterest in kibble indicates the lack of balance in his focus, which comes and goes but mostly goes. Productive training is over at this point. Time to leave or time to relax and just enjoy.

Then I totally changed both goal and criteria. We backed into a space right up by the sidewalk. As close as you can get to the water, the people, the passers by. My goal is now just to rest quietly in the car and watch. Criteria? Non-reactivity. Interaction when and if appropriate.

Wouldn't you know? Almost immediately a female bicyclist stopped to adjust her pedals, so Landry got to meet his first bike and rider, helmet and all. Not the most flattering picture here, but a totally positive experience.

Several dogs and young children passed by. Landry was curious, but totally non-responsive. Criteria achieved. More bikes, pedi-bikes, tourists, etc.

Landry made some new friends.

Then we ended our outing with some LLS - Loose Leash Sniffing.

COACHING SESSION REPORT: 8/10/10

Today was Landry's first public coaching session. Now that he has had all of his shots, it's time to start exploring the real world......as much as he is able to handle.

Dale and I were out to determine Landry's public threshold. We chose a parking lot on base that is usually empty and quiet. It is beside the flight line. Wouldn't you know? Today the F-16s and the Hueys were shooting Touch and Go's. One right after the other and in formation.

When we discovered the activity, we decided to see what Landry's reaction would be to the noise and the proximity of the planes and helicopters and move if we needed to. Landry was more interested in sticks, leaves and smells on the ground. So we remained and trained for about 30 minutes - with frequent breaks.

Landry rode in my car wearing his restraint harness. Lily rode in Dale's truck wearing her restraint harness. First time for both.

CRITERIA for Landry: maintain a loose leash

GOAL for Landry: The "Rooster Ramble" - focus and attention in the car; focus and attention doing Level 1 just outside the car; Leash: Level 2: Step 2 (5 steps forward, turn, and return). This is the pattern that Dale will follow as he begins taking Landry into public....far corners of parking lots and places of low distraction as Landry's ability to focus and give Dale his attention strengthens and becomes default.

We used Cathy and Jan's Coaching Form and kept it simple.

Landry getting settled and comfortable in Lynn's car.

At the flight line, just getting acclimated. Gusty winds, an active runway. Very near the beach. There are ground squirrels all around, but we did not see a single one.

Landry was quite willing to give Dale focus and attention in the back of the car. We had gone to the base for our session almost immediately after Dale came to my house after work. Landry had not seen him all day. Talk about controlling the environment! The bond between the two of them is wonderful to see. Landry is working well under threshold here.

Despite the noise.

Landry performs the Level 1 behaviors in the car for Dale. Still under-threshold.

Dale lifts Landry out of the car, but soon discovers that he's not quite ready to train. Clicker, treats, keys in his pocket, etc.......so he learns an important training lesson, returns Landry back to the car and gets all ready before beginning again.

CRITERIA: maintain a loose leash while "in" the environment at last.

We kept that first experience short and successful. Dale put Landry back in the car, we talked things over and decided to repeat the Leash exercise. Still under-threshold and able to give focus and attention AND maintain a loose leash (clasp hanging vertically).

Still working under threshold, Landry is able to Sit and Down for Dale outside the car. But Target and Zen are beyond him, so it is time for a break.

Dale uses this time to work Truck Zen with Lily, out of sight of Landry. Landry is retrained by his harness, comfortably resting and watching the goings on. When I walk over to watch Lily and Dale, Landry begins to verbalize, so I return and use this opportunity to Chutes and Ladders distance. The following 3+ minute Flip is just that - 3 minutes of Chutes and Ladders. In the security of the car and with my presence, Landry is once again under threshold.

When Dale returns, we move the car about 10' and facing in a different direction. At this point about 30 minutes have passed since we entered the parking lot. The air traffic is increasing and Landry must work hard to respond to Dale. After the first 30 seconds of this Flip, we should have read Landry's body language, ended the session and gone home. We will remember this next time.

We were both quite pleased by Landry's aplomb. He handled himself and the environment remarkably well.

CRATE: Level 1: BMO

Begin having the dog "Get In" to other things: your car, a room, other crates in other places, a tunnel perhaps?

Re-teach from the beginning. "When you change anything about a behavior......."

Introducing the funny round thing. Luring. Dropping the lure and having him move through the circle to touch my hand. (Could this be a precursor to TARGET: Level 2 (Paws Up?) It also has elements of DISTANCE: Level 2 (Go Around).

But for now, just go back and forth through the circle. The concept of going through. From both directions.

Now, the tunnel. It is a short tunnel. It is anchored securely. I use a combination of training tools: luring, shaping, cueing. Most training uses a combination of tools.

First Landry enters the tunnel, turns around and lies down. Perfect CRATE behavior! But I want him to learn that the criteria will soon be changing. It does and he gets it quickly.

Is this a finished behavior? No. Gradually I want the tunnel to be free standing and to roll and move and to have Landry conquer it. Eventually he will run from a distance. Eventually we will use a longer tunnel. One that turns in the center. One where you can't see the other end when you enter. Courage! Eventually I may even change the cue.

But for now, Landry has met the challenge! He will "Get In" something else.

CRITERIA:

• walk through hoop
• walk through hoop both directions
• look at tunnel
• enter tunnel
• go through tunnel
• return through tunnel from other direction
• add cue

(sort of)

Not a 3-minute behavior, but close! (And hasn't he been growing? 15 weeks old and 32#.)

Landry and Lily talk things over

15 weeks old

COME: Level 1: BMO

"Call him for good things."

Good boy, Landry.

Come!

Sit for your supper.

Puppy Hide n Seek

Landry definitely has a mind of his own. And he is bright. He will not be bribed. But he can be shaped. I am using Hide and Seek to make COME a fun game with high value rewards for coming. He gets IN and OUT of the game at will. No point in demanding "Come" with this puppy. He is willing and eager to be trained.

Week Seven

15 weeks old

32 pounds

CUE DISCRIMINATION: Handsignal Puppy Pushups

FREE SHAPING..

? ? ?

Who can guess what the criteria is ? ? ?

? ? ?

Only Dale and Landry know the answer.

Puppy Fun

Landry Man is all puppy! If this doesn't bring a smile to your face, nothing will!

Mystery Behaviors

Dale explains: I put a treat under a little bowl (one of his touchables). He should have treated the bowl like the muffin balls - he failed. He left the treat and took
the bowl to chew on instead.

The second mystery flip was the theory but I was using a mini-flower pot. He moved it far enough to get
the treat then as you an see walked away.

The third and last mystery flip was a little china bowl for dipping sauces. He left the treats and took the bowl.
He must have fallen and hit his head or something - or maybe it was the trainer that hit his head.

TARGET: Level 1: BMO

Touching Dale's hand and then touching the Target Stick. Taking several steps to touch.

Where can your dog sit? CHALLENGE

A training lesson

What is the criteria?

What training "quotes" come to mind watching this session that might make the criteria clearer to Landry?

MIXED MESSAGES

There is an "environmental cue" in this session that is causing Landry a lot of confusion.

Again, what is the criteria?

Fetch

CRATE: Level 2

BIRDS ! ! !

This here's a huntin' dawg!

The Muffin Tin Scent Game

Dale introduces the Muffin Tin to Landry.

Then Dale moves away and lets Landry play the Scent Game on his own.

Generalizing the Scent Game in the yard. Landry's got it!!!

RETRIEVE: Level 2: Step 2

STEP 2: The Dowel

"Let's start with a piece of wooden dowel. When you first have her touch the dowel, don't worry about where she touches it, just get her going well on the touching. Once she's eager to touch it, start positioning it so it will be easy for her to touch it in the middle. Gradually you'll stop clicking her for touching the very ends, but click any other touch. By changing how you present the dowel to her, you can keep your click rate very high, while not rewarding her for touching the ends.

When she's still eager to touch, and is aiming for the ends of the dowel less than one time in ten, you can stop clicking any touch but those that land in the middle. You're shaping her to touch the middle, so be careful not to frustrate her into quitting. Keep her excited about the target and gradually move to the point where you're only clicking for touches in the middle."

Here Dale is beginning Step 2 using a dumbbell instead of a dowel. But the distractions compete and Landry is no longer In the Game. Time to move this step back inside where you can control the environment.

RETRIEVE: Level 2: Step 1

STEP 1: Touchables.

Although Retrieve seems to replicate Target: L1, it really is an entirely different behavior. Retrieve: L2 is the beginning foundation of the controlled Retrieve. All we want to teach Landry in this behavior is to be willing to touch any object that Dale presents.

"You've already got the dog targeting your hand and a target stick, so getting her to target other objects shouldn't be any problem at all. I like to keep a basket of "touchables" handy to practice on: a pop can, a pencil sharpener, pen, rolled-up newspaper, old cell phone, a videotape, Kleenex box, plastic cup, spoon, glove, leash snap – the more things you have her target, the better she'll understand life as a series of objects to be manipulated."

WATCH: Level 2 (Click for Contact)

We've moved outdoors. Just clicking for contact again. We have changed our location so we are re-teaching. Both Dale and I get Eye Lock inside - Dale gets much stronger Eye Lock and longer Duration, too. Inside. And play The Get Lost Game. Outside? It's an entirely new behavior.

Now seated.

Week Six

14 weeks old

Introduction to Floor ZEN: Level 2

Dale, remember when you introduced this to Lily? In the SUV? Following the Steps in Sue's new book? Look how Landry catches on!

Follow the links to you and Lily and re-view the "new" Steps to teaching this behavior. Remember re-teaching Floor Zen at the Club House? In the parking lot?

And now YOUR Landry is learning the same thing!!! Step by little Step!

I'm just using his kibble for all the exercises this afternoon.

ZEN: Level 1 (duration)

We were able to exceed our 10 second goal with Zen: L1 as well. Funny how we seem to have reached another plateau of 12 seconds on this behavior as well. Maybe 14 week old Landry can only hold still for 14 consecutive seconds!

BUT, we"re also outside and there are lots of things going on outside our garden wall. Every time Landry turns his head and appears to be looking at the camera, he is really looking at Lily and Shayla on the other side of the courtyard gate.

DOWN STAY: L2

Working toward our goal for the week of 10 seconds.

We have been working on Down and Down Stay alternating between in the house in the family room carpet, the hallway tile and outside in the front courtyard.

In the first Flip is am randomly reinforcing. In the second Flip I am using Chutes and Ladders.

Mission accomplished!

Threshold again

Landry meets the girls. Turns out he's a very social guy.

"Control the environment".

"When the teacher is doing more work than the student, the student isn't learning and neither is the teacher".

Other Ailsby quotes come to mind?

We came home after our mentoring session in Balboa Park, Jan, Cathy and Kat. Landry had been crated for almost three hours. Although he had had a handful of his breakfast before I left, he should have been hungry. The plan was to have one of the other trainers train him to a Level One behavior. In the usual training room. Seated in the usual training chair. Re-teaching a behavior that he already knows.

What a classic example of distractions controlling the environment. No dogs were present. But three new people, two with treats still in their pockets. I was holding the Flip camera.

Watch Landry carefully. Read his body language. Watch Jan and how hard she is working to get Landry In the Game. Landry, however, has other ideas. Kat held special appeal to him. He instinctively turned to Cathy for comfort and affection. Jan even had his most favorite treats.

But when a dog is over threshold, treats hold no appeal. Landry simply cannot concentrate. Time to close up the training session and just relax and live in the moment.

This Flip and the one that follows show us so many things about training. Please comment below some of the lessons that can be learned.

He's cooperating as much as a 14 week old puppy can cooperate, but his heart's just not in it.

Over threshold

Didn't catch this on a Flip, but it's worthy of a "verbal" Flip.

Today I took a lovely Lazy Leash, Step 2 and opened the front gate. Dale walks Landry in and out of my house down the front path to and from the truck every day. The "real world" was way over Landry's threshold and no amount of HV treat could compete with the plants, the smells or the cat.

I backed up. And backed. And backed some more until we were safely back inside our comfort zone.

Dale and I have been talking about this all day. Emailing and quoting and discussing. Any time Landry has a tight leash he is being taught to pull. We need to be consistent.

Today when they left, Dale carried Landry to the truck. When you are aware of the leash, you know when it is not loose.

Back to training Steps 1 and 2 at home. Back to training Steps 1 and 2 in every room of Lily's house and in the yard. Time to get a 30 second Floor Zen and to train Step 3.

No tight leashes ever again, Landry Man.

"Where people go wrong with teaching loose leash walking is that the loose leash is only a priority once in a while. What they need to learn from Song is that you cannot reward the behavior you don't want sometimes. You have to never reward the behavior you don't want. You can't say, "Well, he almost made it to the car yesterday on a loose leash, and today I have to get groceries and get home before supper so it won't matter if he pulls today." SA

DOWN STAY: L2

Chutes and Ladders. 8 seconds. That's good. Our goal for the week is 10 seconds. He loses interest and we quit

Week Six

14 weeks old

Level 1: SIT and DOWN: BMO

Yesterday Landry forgot that he knew how to DOWN on cue when in the backyard. So today we will begin in the front courtyard with the distractions of the morning.

RE-mind, RE-view.

Week Six

14 weeks old

Generalizing GO TO MAT: L2: BMO

Re-teach, re-view, re-mind. Changing the mats. Making everything else easier.

"Go lie down" on the pink mat

"Go lie down" on the brown bumper.

Dale, how many mats has Landry been trained to "Go lie down" on at home?

Week Six

14 weeks old

CRATE: L2 from a distance

Entering the crate on cue from a distance of 5'. "Get In". Remaining in the crate until released, "Let's Go".

Landry does CRATE: Level 2: BMO in a different "crate"

And yet a different crate in a different location (BMO). This is Landry's "traveling crate". He rides in Dale's truck in this smaller crate.

Since we're working on increasing Duration on the other L2 behaviors, we will work at extending Landry's "open door" crate as well. Self-control. Zen in everything.

Week Six

14 weeks old

COME: Level 2

Landry will come when called from my bedroom upstairs where he is tormenting Shayla, all the way down the stairs to the family room.

Here he comes from play outside when called inside. We are trying to remember to only call Landry for good things........not when he is going to the x-pen. Not when we are taking contraband away from him. Only for the best of things. We want the recall to be really reliable!

Week Six

14 weeks old

GO to MAT: Level 2

First Landry goes 3' to the mat, then 4' and finally 5'. We are now moving this same mat outside and to different rooms of the house. Landry goes to different mats at his house.

Week Six

14 weeks old

MILESTONE: Landry passes Level One !