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.
Landry's first public appearance went way beyond my expectations. I was impressed with the way he behaved with all of the various distractions. It was very clear to me how important Zen played a part in all of this. It was obvious that he had a lot of control even though in a different environment - not once, but twice a different environment. Lynn has done a magnificent job introducing him to different sights and sounds and maintaining Zen. I am very proud of him and what he has acomplished in such a short span. -- Proud Father.
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