Sunday, February 21, 2010

Second Class - Abby Still No Where To Be Found

Abby had her second Rally-O class this afternoon. She did almost as good as her first class - her heel was a bit forward. But if that is all I have to complain about, then that is good news!

We really didn't practice at all this week because all my focus was on Mole - his back went out again. This time was worse then before because a few days on his meds didn't help at all. We had to add a steroid and a muscle relaxant. He seems to be doing a bit better but you can always tell when the meds are starting to wear off. Mornings seem to be the most uncomfortable for him. By early afternoon he starts to feel too good and decides to do something stupid - like jump off the bed - and you can see he pays for it afterward. Poor old man.

Just because mole can't do anything, it doesn't mean that Abby can't do anything, right??? Wrong! When Abby gets trained, Mole throws fits. Full on, toddler-in-a-grocery-store FIT! He gets really naughty when someone else is getting food and he isn't! And in the spirit of keeping the household calm, no one gets trained!

Since we didn't do much training this week, it showed in class. But I still think that she did exceptionally well. She knew why we were there and was ready to work right when we got in. This class had more continuous training, but we still took a few time outs. We trained almost solidly for 80-90 minutes. I'm super proud of her willingness to continue to work with me. And the more we work together, the easier it is for me to see how to work with her better. It's amazing how much you can learn about training your dog when you just pay attention to the feed-back that they give you. And by paying attention, and responding properly, you find that the training comes easier and feels less like work and more like fun.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Aliens Stole My Dog!

Remember back to this post when I talked about how my dogs become aliens at work? Well, it seems that the aliens really invaded and they left a "normal" dog instead of Abby. SERIOUSLY!

Abby and I went to our first Rally-O class this weekend at a facility in Redwood city, taught by Just Rewards Canine Training. Our instructor is very nice and was careful to accommodate Abby's issues. The funny thing, was that Abby didn't have issues! SERIOUSLY. She acted like a normal dog! I was shocked to see how well she was doing in a NEW place with STRANGE people. Once she realized what we were doing there she fell right into position and did exactly what I asked. I was super proud of her!

I, on the other hand, was a bumbling fool. No surprises there. Part of the issue was that we have always practiced rally using AKC rules and we are taking a class for APDT. There is a bit of a difference because in APDT you can reward your dog (using food) and they marry the signs. They also uses sign holders instead of cones (confusing if you are used to looking for orange!). Most of the signs are similar, but a few are different. My main issue was walking a straight line. I never have been able to walk a straight line. When I first started training dogs, my instructor would set me up on a painted line and I would have to follow it. Even with all that, I still don't know where I am on a course. I typically trip over agility jumps and occasionally on my own dog!

Despite me, Abby did great! I have always said that Abby should do obedience because she gets the game. I am just surprised that she still did so well in a new facility. I am not sure when the aliens traded my dog, but I am glad they did. I like this new one!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Pushing Through

The rain FINALLY died down some and we were able to go to agility last night. It was an interesting experience to say the least, and Abby was all over the map with her behaviors.

We started out great, having a ton of fun. We learned new things and worked on some problem areas. All signs were pointing to a great class. Then a student came in late - with two dogs. For most of the class, this was fine - a bit disruptive, but fine. Abby didn't take the change well at all. She completely shut down. Tail tucked, ears back, not focusing, wanting to run away. . .

This hasn't happened for a long time, but it doesn't really surprise me that it did happen. And in the past, I would have ended training with her. Training is supposed to be fun, and if it isn't fun, it's not worth it. While I'm having a blast doing this stuff, we are really doing for Abby's confidence. And if she is stressed out, then learning doesn't take place. And if we aren't learning, then we are wasting our time standing out there in the cold.

This week, I didn't stop training. I didn't take her off the field and we didn't go home. I didn't make her do the full course like the rest of the students were doing. But I did sit her at the start line and make her take the first jump. It took a while to get her to do it - she wanted to run around the jump to the door. But I took my time, I didn't allow myself to get angry or frustrated, and I made her take the jump.

After seeing Abby progress for these past (almost) two years, I knew that she wasn't going to have a break down. I knew that this wasn't going to fry her brain and that it wasn't going to alter her opinions on agility as a whole. She has come so far, and has learned so much, but she still needs to learn to work through her stress a bit. She can't keep shutting down when her environment changes. Not just for agility, but for life.

I probably looked like a mean mom, but I didn't do it to be mean. And after the jump, she got a lot of cookies. And we moved to the far back of the field where we worked some jumpers drills away from the crowd and in plenty of light. Abby recovered some, but not completely. I fed her tons of cookies before leaving the field. And when we got back in the car, she was fine. She even asked for her special "all done" cookie that she gets on the drive home. She was no worse for wear.

I took me all night to realize exactly what happened last night between us - Abby did what I asked even when she didn't want to. That is HUGE for Abby. It means that her trust in me is growing. It also means that our training is paying off. I've seen a lot of change in Abby in this past year, but this is the first time that I realized how our relationship has changed. Last night was Mole-esque, nothing like the original Abby at all. Through this past year of dedicated training, she has learned to trust me and to follow commands. She may be scared and nervous, but she will do what I ask. She will put her fears aside and work with me because I asked her to. And now that I have that kind of trust from her, I have to be extra careful not to break that trust. I look at Mole and I see where 6 years of working together has brought us, and this change in Abby makes me hopeful for our relationship too. Not that anyone could ever compete with mole. . .

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Take Me Back Tuesday



Mole - right after he lost all his pre-forever-home weight. He still has some black on his muzzle in this picture! Next month, it will be six years that I will have had this old man. Looking back, I can imagine how I survived the first 25 years of my life without him!