Cavalier Connection Message Board

[MaxandMindysMom]

I think we had a breakthrough at obedience class tonight. Rylie did NOT bark throughout the whole class. Before going I determined that I would reward him for focusing on me and not worry if he couldn't add in any of the work yet. It worked (although he may have possibly had a whole bag of liver treats ). I know he can and will do the other stuff in a class without Max so for him to be able to focus on me all class made me proud. He does really good sit and down stays and anything stationary but doing a moving exercise where he can't be right beside Max is problematic and has produced high pitched screams. For the beginning of the heeling we just sat and I rewarded him - after a bit we were able to do a loose leash walk (not a heel but better than him trying to chase after his brother).

I'm also very excited that because of a free shipping offer I ordered a real tunnel and a chute for an early birthday present from my hubby . I told him I probably wouldn't get to use it until after my birthday (March) anyway!
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Debbie
Mom to Mindy (tri) Feb 8/1998 - March 2010 - I miss you more than words can say
Max (ruby) Sept 23/08
Rylie (B&T) June 5/09

[gocamping]

Sounds like good progress. Don't rush it. Oh, I love the tunnel idea as a b-day gift.
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[MaxandMindysMom]

I think it is good progress. The biggest thing I've learned is that putting them both in the same class isn't a good idea.
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Debbie
Mom to Mindy (tri) Feb 8/1998 - March 2010 - I miss you more than words can say
Max (ruby) Sept 23/08
Rylie (B&T) June 5/09

[drawadog]

I think that you're doing wonderfully with the training, it really is a trial (no pun intended) isn't it? After all this time, I started working with a 'click stick' to teach Pixelle to finally heel. And though the process is slower than molasses, she is being such a good sport about it. I tried using peanut butter on a long handled spoon and walking with it at my side before. Well, I was so focused on the spoon that I didn't see where I was walking. I tripped and fell. That was the end of that idea, but the upside was Pixelle came over, ignored the peanut butter and licked my face. So I guess in the long run, she's a great girl with her priorities in the right place.
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"Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog. But you're never friendless ever, if you have a dog."
Douglas Mallock

Sher & Pixelle

[Cavaliers2kiss]

Cute click stick story.

I haven't had much luck with it either.
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Bridgette, Lacey, Jackie O, Dolly & Tilly

[MaxandMindysMom]

Thanks for sharing and for the encouragement. I don't know if I shared but when I took Max to puppy camp the director is very keen on tugging (it was essentially a pre pre agility camp). I have probably ruined Max for enthusiastic tugging by treat training too much. Anyway we were supposed to tug with your dog immediately after releasing them from their crates and before doing any exercise (as well as in between exercises. If you dog really doesn't tug you should run and have them chase you - the idea is to get their heart pumping before work (and most likely to encourage the lazy handler to work more on tugging) anyway - I had run a LOT of laps over the weekend with Max chasing me. By the last afternoon we were both beat. I called Max out of his crate and he half heartedly sniffed at the tug toy. Not knowing I was being watched I called it good and went on to the work station. I hear this voice "DEBBIE THAT IS NOT TUGGING" so I obediently take off in a run with Max in hot pursuit - I tripped over my shoelaces and landed flat on my face - Max immediately came running over to see if I was ok and licked my face

I do want to go back to another seminar because we got a lot out of it so Max and I have been working on tugging. He will tug about 80% of the time I ask him but I'm not sure if he'll do it in a more distracting environment. I have tried to make sure NOT to dissuade Rylie's tug drive.

Rylie's probably NOT as bad as I make him sound - he's just eight months old so he's still very wiggly and the joint class is a challenge - although I think it's good for all of us - it teaches the dogs to work independently of each other when they are close and it challenges me to come up with ways to facilitate that.
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Debbie
Mom to Mindy (tri) Feb 8/1998 - March 2010 - I miss you more than words can say
Max (ruby) Sept 23/08
Rylie (B&T) June 5/09