Hi Ange, Well things didn't go as planned last night. Charlie followed Ruffy's lead, and did a bolt during the heeling routine. Charlie was leaping around the ring with his tail wagging, chasing floating dandelions!!! The judge was very nice, and we just had a chat while Charlie "did his thing". Leo then asked me, that as I had already failed, would I like to continue. I said yes, as the experience would be good. Well, Charlie must have felt a little guilty, as we scored 158 points in total (zero for heeling which was worth 40 points). This meant that we only lost 2 points in the remaining exercises. Charlie Giles and Patricia were sympathetic, but also amused by Charlie's antics, which were totally out of character for him. Interestingly enough, neither of them had any suggestions about proofing for floating dandelions. I was very proud of Cheryl and Jet though. Only two handlers and their dogs passed at novice, and I'm glad Cheryl came 1st, as the other handler kept shouting at his poor dog. Niccola did well, and managed a 3rd place. It's a shame that she didn't qualify. There is always the next trial! Gabe
At least he had a really happy experience so that's great. As for proofing for floaties, possums, etc, same as for a tennis ball, set it up and click reward for ignoring it. Hopefully the Clicker Clique positive training methods will get some notice and people will start saying 'wow - they get good results and never yell, prod, push their dogs'... one can dream.
Hi Ange,
ReplyDeleteWell things didn't go as planned last night.
Charlie followed Ruffy's lead, and did a bolt during the heeling routine.
Charlie was leaping around the ring with his tail wagging, chasing floating dandelions!!!
The judge was very nice, and we just had a chat while Charlie "did his thing". Leo then asked me, that as I had already failed, would I like to continue. I said yes, as the experience would be good.
Well, Charlie must have felt a little guilty, as we scored 158 points in total (zero for heeling which was worth 40 points). This meant that we only lost 2 points in the remaining exercises.
Charlie Giles and Patricia were sympathetic, but also amused by Charlie's antics, which were totally out of character for him.
Interestingly enough, neither of them had any suggestions about proofing for floating dandelions.
I was very proud of Cheryl and Jet though. Only two handlers and their dogs passed at novice, and I'm glad Cheryl came 1st, as the other handler kept shouting at his poor dog.
Niccola did well, and managed a 3rd place. It's a shame that she didn't qualify. There is always the next trial!
Gabe
At least he had a really happy experience so that's great. As for proofing for floaties, possums, etc, same as for a tennis ball, set it up and click reward for ignoring it. Hopefully the Clicker Clique positive training methods will get some notice and people will start saying 'wow - they get good results and never yell, prod, push their dogs'... one can dream.
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