Candy's first rally class (really the third class)

[Bobbie]

This course is usually held in a local park, different parks for different distractions, but today it was at the instructor's agility facility. It was a gorgeous drive out there with the snow-covered foothills visible (most of the time they aren't) and everything green.

I took Merlin for the ride and Candy and Jack to do the class. First we did some sit and down proofing, neither a big deal for Candy as he doesn't need to do them and he already knows how, but Jack would have flunked instantly so he isn't ready to take Candy's place there. Maybe later!

Then we worked on a course and on individual stations Geri Lu had set up. The course was pretty easy for Candy as it was AKC Novice. I worked on a station that wasn't really there- send over a jump. There are two sends in APDT- in one you sit the dog, then call them over the jump, and the other you send over the jump as you run by six feet away. Candy caught on as soon as I figured out that he knows to go out because I say out, not because I say over. We did winged jumps (no bar) and regular jumps with the bar on the groun.

Then I gave Candy a break and brought Jack out, even though we weren't really doing agility things. I taught Jack an automatic sit and then let him practice weave poles. I think I could get Jack up to AKC Novice Rally if I spent any time on training him. And APDT has the added benefit that even though its harder I can reward him after sits.

[CorgiMum]

Sounds like an interesting time. It's nice that you can do some training with both of them at once.

[MVons]

Sounds like a productive day, and the scenery nice topping.

[Dillydoodle]

Sounds like a good day for everyone. Candy really is quite the inspiration! Was Jack watching while you worked with Candy? Do you think it helps for one dog to watch on the sideline while you work with the other? The reason i ask is that when i took Dillon for her herd instinct test , i was told that if i got there early to have a seat and have Dillon watch the other dogs work the sheep... that it sometimes helps them to see what it is they are supposed to be doing... I dont know if that helped or what, but Dillon quietly watched with great interest and when it was his turn he was a natural!

When working with two dogs doing Rally, can one watch and pick up "pointers' on what they are supposed to be doing? Just a question for you....

Glad you had a good day with your two!

[Bobbie]

Jack was in the car. He would have been barking or sleeping if he had been out but in his crate. He is not one to watch patiently and learn! (And I don't want Candy learning any more from Jack.)

It is a good idea, though, with normal dogs.

[CorgiMum]

Jack was in the car. He would have been barking or sleeping if he had been out but in his crate. He is not one to watch patiently and learn! (And I don't want Candy learning any more from Jack.)

It is a good idea, though, with normal dogs.

Dylan is the same as Jack. A couple of weeks ago during one of our night classes it was too cold to leave Dylan in the van so he came in to lay down beside Gary while Danny and I worked. I didn't bother dragging a kennel out of the vehicle as Dylan is (usually) very quiet. Not so that night, he insisted that he have a turn working too!+EMBARRASED+

I would have been more embarrased if his whining hadn't been partially drowned out by the wind, & donkeys braying. We were on a farm.

[Bobbie]

When the instructor was done running people through the course someone said, "I think Bobbie wants to run her other dog through." I said, "No way, he just learned the sit today!" I do think I could get to AKC novice pretty easily, though, the hardest would be the down-walk around. He has a really good wait from agility and his down isn't bad. His biggest problem is lack of attention in a stimulating setting (or any other kind) so in that sense APDT would be better because I can carry treats.

[CorgiMum]

Treats in Rally. That reminds me of the night we did a run through in our Rally Excellence class and I found out that in the CKC Rally Trial ring toys and food are used as distractions.:EEK:

[Bobbie]

In APDT the treats are used as rewards only- you can treat after a stationary exercise, that is, something that ends in a sit. You cannot use a treat to lure behavior or have one in your hand while you are working. You can't have a treat pouch that your dog can see, either. The idea is that immediate rewards are much more valuable than waiting until the end of the course.

I don't use them with Candy because it is points off if you or the dog drops a treat on the floor, and he doesn't take food neatly and sweetly- he grabs and bites! It would take too much time to offer it in a flat hand and keep him from grabbing. Plus, he works just fine without it. But I can see it being VERY useful for Jack.

Keep in mind a Level 1 APDT course is 18-20 signs, nearly twice as long as AKC, so a judicious reward somewhere on the course helps a lot to keep a less- motivated dog happy.

[CorgiMum]

Sounds like it's six of one and half dozen of the other when comparing APDT & AKC Rally. But that that mostly holds true with any competitions.

I looked at those Rally Flash Cards Bobbie, thanks again for the link, I'm definitely going to print them out.

[Bobbie]

We had our second class today. I took Jack and Candy as Candy was limping and I didn't want him working for 90 minutes. So first Jack did the basic stay and heel exercises. He gets pretty excited by all the new dogs but with treats paid attention to me and was pretty good about ignoring them all. He needs a very active class as he gets very bored with anyone talking for long and starts to bark. He does not have a very good stay so we worked on that and also his sits with heeling.

Then he did weave poles beautifully four times and I put him back and got Candy out. The instructor had some practice stations set up but I decided to work him a bit on the retrieve. I'd gotten a small paint roller cover for him to retrieve, so I got the treats and started working on it. First it was touch the roller, but within about 15 minutes I had him taking it briefly in his mouth. So that's going VERY well. (Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't teach a retrieve without force training!) If I actually remember to practice I should have Candy retrieving soon.

Then he did the course that was laid out. It was in grass with interesting smells so Candy was sniffing a lot and he didn't ignore the food bowls. Luckily our trial is indoor on mats, but we need to work on those food bowls. Everything else he is pretty good on and he is better in a real trial.

Weather was absolutely perfect, t-shirt weather but not too warm after working the dog or too cold to sit in the sun. About 64-65 and sunny.

[CorgiMum]

Glad to hear the the paint roller worked out well. And food bowls, they must be a huge distraction.

Sounds like a fun and productive class, nice that the weather was pleasant for you too.