Dogs on the Run dot net

Joon has now been with us for a week. I’ve spent my time with her largely evaluating “how she works” (or not), or better said, what makes her work and what doesn’t.

All who meet her agree that she’s extremely sweet. She loves to jump up on everyone, very gently, for hugs and pats. And she’s so gentle about it that no one complains, but is suckered into the hugs and pats. In a group of people she’s constantly trying to catch someone’s eye so she can entrance them, like everyone else she’s captivated.

She’s a complex mixture of go go go go go and oh no I can’t go. Read more…

1. Establish short- and long-term goals. Write ‘em down!
2. Break the goals down into behaviors to teach the dog.
3. Train these behaviors, recording all steps, whether successful or not. Both successes and setbacks provide very good information.
4. Review goals regularly. They’re not set in stone! It’s probable that new mini-behaviors will need to be added in order to progress.
5. Be diligent and honest in your record-keeping.

LONG-TERM GOALS

For Joon to be a stable, happy dog with plenty to keep her occupied physically and mentally, interactive with other dogs and humans, comfortable in her own skin. For her to be a successful agility competitor to the level of her handler’s competence.

SHORT-TERM GOALS (OH MY!)

{Goals to be achieved are in black; goals felt to be achieved in green; and additional goals are in red.}

1. Housebroken.
2. Learn name. [11/26/06]
3. Gain confidence.
4. Play with me – tug, retrieve games – tug – tug. [Note: only one tug has been colored in at this date, 11/26/06 - she's coming along!]
5. Come when called.
6. Other obedience behaviors: sit [11/26/06] – down – stand – stay – walking on lead.
7. Pre-agility behaviors:
   1. Target to hand
   2. Target to object on ground
   3. Spin left and right
   4. Back
   5. Quick down
   6. Directionals (left and right)
   7. “Motivational” stay (1-2-3 or ready-steady-go)
   8. Shadow handling
   9. “Get out” (lateral distance)
   10. “Go on” (forward distance)
   11. “Come in” (like a recall but in motion)
   12. “Through” legs and wrap around leg (for stretches)
   13. “Easy”