Monday, September 26, 2016

Day 6: Fun in the Sun

Today Margaret's training was woven into two fun events: a trip to the beach, and a "chicnic".

Before that, we did our usual morning training, today with focus on indoor recalls, using leftover baked chicken as an exciting reward. If Margaret is occupied with something (especially something naughty  - like heading for a toilet roll) she may not respond to being called. This becomes even more pronounced outside where higher level distractions are common. Foundation training for this involves multiple simple repetitions in a low distraction settings, with very high value rewards.  

This morning I called Margaret from all over the house, always giving her chicken and lots of praise as rewards for coming promptly.  She is getting much more responsive, and has fun while she is learning.

As a young Golden Retriever, Margaret has a typically strong tendency to put things in her mouth. She loves to dive into grass and rip it up by the roots, or try to eat dirt, or chew on sticks, for example.

I always watch her closely, and do not leave her alone and unconfined. And we practice Leave It - a lot! If she goes to grab something she shouldn't  have, I will either interrupt her with UH UH or Hey! (if she really must not grab it and i want to be firm about it), or I will say "Leave It" if there is room for error and I think we can practice successfully with more repetition.  Whenever she is successful, I make sure to reward her with something she likes.

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Our trip to the beach in the middle of the day was another exercise in coming when called, and Leave It  (crab shells, sand dollars, stones - we weren't taking chances!)

More exciting from Margaret's point of view - this was her first experience of the beach, and she loved it!

It was something of a temperament assessment too - it was interesting to see how Margaret reacted to something her first experience of the ocean.  She was confident, thoughtful and took her time to figure things out. She explored sand, waves, sea foam, crab shells, with methodical interest. She didn't show any interest in chasing seagulls, and ignored other people and dogs,  but threw herself into swimming in the estuary, and loved trying to catch the handfuls of sand I tossed into the water.  She never lost connection with me, and although she ran ahead once she got used to the beach, she checked back in with me and was willing to come when I called her.  All in all she was a wonderful beach companion!


First crab shell
First view of the ocean 



First sea foam







Sand diving!

 Once I was sure Margaret would come when I called her, I took off her long line and gave her some free running time, just for a little while.


 Back home it was time for another fun training opportunity - a chicnic (picnic lunch with the chickens).

Again "Leave It" was the focus of our training, as there were quite a few things we could use to practice this with.

Who gets the corn chip? Margaret practices self restraint while Lola approaches. 
Rufous, Sophie and Lola check out their furry picnic partner.
Practicing Leave It with chicken poop in straw
Rufous and sunflower
See how good I am?!
Sophie and Rufous run for a corn chip
Margaret holds a Down-Stay while curious chickens approach 
Rufous and Margaret go nose to beak 
Leave it? Sure I can! 
Even with chickens at my back, I can leave that corn chip!
Gorgeous Margaret.
End of the chicnic. 
 Fast forward to the end of the day - Dinner School training in basics, a nap and then an evening of still energetic dog trying to find things to do! Time to break out the toy box.

That kept Margaret happy for quite some time, particularly trying to chew through the top of a Wobbler toy (not how it is supposed to work, but never mind! That was Margaret's solution, and it's made of tough plastic!)


I am having fun, hope you are too!


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