Class,
You are training your dog that it has the power to 'turn-off' the pressure from EC by obeying.
When I put pressure on a dog's 'button', some dogs make a small sound, some dog's yell, some dog's make no sound. Regardless, when I command "Fetch", my set up is correct, I square up (Jessi's terminology), the dog's head is straight ahead, (watch Jessi with Nova's EXAM she just posted), and the set-up remains IN PLACE UNTIL the dog's mouth is on the dowel all the way. So the EC occurs immediately on command and there is not only 'pressure' on your dog's 'button', there is also pressure of you physically moving your dog's head forward and promptly. No lolly gagging. It's takes some practice to get all of these mechanics, many incredibly tiny mechanics, almost done simultaneously, done smoothly.
Why practice? Because you can't ask your dog to perform well when you are fumbling around or when your 'pressure' is incorrect or marginal (which is called nagging your dog).
Practice with your Fido until your mechanics are fluid, streamlined and smooth. The point of an EC done well is so the dog believes you CAN and ABSOLUTELY WILL surely do an EC when the dog fails to obey. THAT is the mindset for doing the EC'S well. Make them count, so the dog believes you, then you don't have to do them.
Roxanne
Remember, since 'Distance erodes Control' is it far, Far, FAR to do the EC well NOW, while we are at 1", than when we go to 6" (Lesson 4).
Food for thought
ReplyDeleteRoxanne, this is where I get confused. If the EC occurs ‘immediately on command,’ in my mind, I am supposed to give an EC *with* each command. Does that make sense?
DeleteGranted- as we discussed, I have not found the correct EC, but I think one of the reasons the exam *without* ECs caught me off guard was because I thought each command was supposed to be given immediately *with* an EC.
Great question Kat.
ReplyDeleteInitially, Lesson 1 EXAM, the dog opens their mouth on WITH your help.
Lesson 2 EXAM the dog opens their mouth upon presentation of dowel with your help (brushing of teeth).
Let's stop here a second and review what the dog has learned.
"Fetch" = the dogs mouth on dowel. At least 20 x a day for 1st week = 120 retrieves in 1st week with us helping the dog to understand the concept.
2nd & 3rd week, "Fetch", with the Set up, no pressure, brushing of teeth if needed, so dog has done another 240 retrieves in ever increasing levels of distractions.
"Fetch" Lesson 3, dog should have done at least another 120 retrieves, in increasing levels of distractions, by the time the EXAM is due.
By now, your dog has learned a new concept, been shaped into a new exercise, and by Lesson 3, for the first time, is being held accountable for following through doing what we have invested weeks and multuple repetitions training it to do.
"Fetch" = their mouth on dowel immediately. What does that mean to you as the handler with your timing? You are ready with setup, NO pressure yet, present dowel at eye levell as simultaneously command is given. If your dog doesn't immediately move forward upon presentation and of dowel AND command, give EC until dogs mouthis on dowel.
It's the timing of EC on the button that motivates the dog to 'Look' and launch immediately.
Does that make sense?
Yes! Thank you. ❤️
DeleteI commented 2x as this was a great question. I wanted to emphasize how important it is you understand the sequencing, timing and mindset.
ReplyDelete