Anthony Soldato & Zucca

[Anthony]

[Alana McGee]

Hey! This is much better! Ok, now we are off and running. I’d still like to see some short clips of her playing and super happy doing her favorite thing.

Yes, use chicken or other high value rewards. We are also interested in seeing what she LOVES so you can create jackpot moments when she does something awesome. Second video, 0:19 was a brilliant moment and we would encourage you to jackpot those with more than the normal reward.

We understand wanting to get it right, but this should be fun for both of you. Dogs are very forgiving and, while we want our training to be perfect, we simply aren’t perfect. Allow yourself to enjoy each session with Zucca and try to let go of the calculating thoughts. If it isn’t going well, end. If it is going well, have a party!

Generally speaking, let’s see how she does if you step back a bit and give her more room. Try to watch her without staring at her. Also, I’d like to see how she does with the clicker if you muffle it a bit. Wrap a cloth around your hand and the clicker. If she is used to verbal praise, offer some upbeat (and relaxed) genuine praise.

Training seems better with less obedience involved so stick with that for now. Well done 🙂

[Anthony]

[Anthony]

[Anthony]

[Anthony]

[Anthony]

[Alana McGee]

Hi Anthony.

For each of the photos you posted, please answer the following questions.

If it was morning, raining, and the wind was blowing from the (work with us here!) left side of your picture, how would you approach finding a target located in the left 1/3rd of that photo?

What if it was early fall, hot out (say 72 F or 20 C), late afternoon, how would you approach the same scenario with a target on the left, with the wind coming from the left.

You can add your comments to the post itself by using the edit button at the top of the post.

[Anthony]

I will definitely respond to those questions tonight.

Zucca and I have been improving. She is showing more enthusiasm with high value treats like chicken or turkey treats. Also, it really helps to have a continuous flow to the box session by throwing a treat to the side and avoiding commands for her to come/sit/etc.

Without much pushing, she is also moving toward active alerts by pawing at the box and then sitting for her treat. I will continue using those alerts that she has basically implemented on her own.

I hope to post some longer videos of our sessions this weekend including several from these areas posted above.

Thanks,
Anthony

p.s. You may not recognize Zucca in the next session because she got her summer cut last week and is a whole new pup! She seems to enjoy life with less hair given our recent warm weather.

[Alana McGee]

Sounds great! Looking forward to seeing it and very glad the enthusiasm is gaining momentum! Since you have a couple of posts coming, please be sure to wait for a response from us before posting again. This will keep your thread nice and tidy here for reference later. You will be glad you did 😉

I am always blown away at how Alana’s Lolo looks after a cut!

[Anthony]

Here is a session from last week. I still am unable to get good video coverage of her general demeanor but I will keep trying. She continues to show more enthusiasm for sessions.

[Anthony]

Here are responses to last week’s questions.

If it was morning, raining, and the wind was blowing from the (work with us here!) left side of your picture, how would you approach finding a target located in the left 1/3rd of that photo?

If the wind was coming from the left side of the picture, I would start by tracking from the right side of the picture, I would work either perpendicular into the wind with the dog.

What if it was early fall, hot out (say 72 F or 20 C), late afternoon, how would you approach the same scenario with a target on the left, with the wind coming from the left.

If the weather was warm, the odor would likely be closer to the ground especially in the afternoon (when it is likely warmer). I would use a similar approach and move perpendicular (back and forth) from right to left.

[Anthony]

Final post for this evening and I will give it a break until this weekend. I will start working through lesson 3.

Zucca is starting to use an active alert (pawing and nose bump) as well as passive alert (sitting) after she signals with her nose and paw.

[Alana McGee]

First video:
You clicked at 0:06. What was that for? Lure her away with a treat so you leave the scenario together.
At 0:20, sounds like you verbally stopped her from alerting on the target. It is the correct target and she isn’t wrong so we recommend rewarding EVERY opportunity you have to build a reward history. She doesn’t understand that you didn’t have the hide planted yet. She was correct and eager to locate it. Reward that!
0:34 you clicked. Where is the treat? Every single click should be followed with a treat. This is something Zucca needs to be able to count on. Without a doubt she should expect a treat anytime she hears a click. Otherwise the value for the reward marker is diminished. At 0:40, you click again and reward. Good. Remember to reward every time you click. Remember to lure her away. Put a treat in your hand. Put your hand up to her nose and lure her out of the scenario.
1:23 this happens again. First click, she is looking for her treat. That is the response we want to the clicker. She should have been rewarded for that. You leave together after this one and that is good. We still recommend a treat lure.
2:12 look at the video here. Do you see that whiplash turn? It’s just a moment, but if you can capture a moment like that with a click and treat, Zucca’s understanding will significantly improve. Even if you are unable to capture it, be very aware of that behavior. That is how it will look when she catches the odor! That was awesome! When that happens, you want to make sure it ends in success so even just offering some verbal praise and encouragement will help her understand that she was, in fact, on the right path. It’s a learning curve, but if you watch the video and begin to recognize that behavior it will give you clues as to what Zucca is or is not perceiving with her nose.

Second video:
0:04 she was on it and you pulled her off of the truffle. Make sure she is occupied or contained while you set up or be prepared to reward her if she beats you to the hide before you finish setting up.
0:15 is quite nice!!!
0:29 there is a click and no cookie. Accidental click? Still treat. Treats should follow clicks 100% of the time.
0:52 you were prepared for her to beat you back to the scenario this time and jumped right into action. MUCH better! Well done.
0:56 and 1:00 did you treat both of those clicks? Remember to lure her away.
1:40 was BEAUTIFUL! Did you see the head turn? You didn’t need to give the verbal cue again. She was on it! Lure away with a treat.

This is evolving nicely. Just be sure consistently know what you are clicking for and follow a click with a treat 100% of the time. We think Zucca will show much more excitement as your understanding as a team develops. She is getting a few mixed signals so that is causing a little confusion. This week’s training was a significant improvement. From now on, pick up the target and put it in your pocket before leaving the cone. Then lure her away with a cookie.

Looking forward to seeing her playing. It would be nice to add some play into these sessions depending on how that looks in video.

Good job. Work on those clicks and treats. Next video, let us know precisely what you are clicking for during the session.

Your answers to the questions regarding photographs look good, but I will open the door for Alana to chime in if she thinks it is needed. That is her area of expertise.

[Alana McGee]

This topic is now closed. We look forward to seeing you next session. Registration for Developing a Reliable Truffle Dog Team (level 2) opens July 26th. Class starts August 9th.

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