I've recently been working with Marshall on a "stand stay." He has to stand still while I walk away. Today, I wanted to test him while he worked the booth at the farmers market.
I instituted the help of another puppy raiser and the children of another. I got Marshall to stand while the "helper" touched or nudged Marshall with their knees, kind of pushing on him to get him to move. He is not allowed to move until I return to him and release him.
He's still a work in progress, but he did pretty well.
I even think this training spilled over to his "pr work". I would have him standing and a person from the passing crowd would be asking about him, and it seemed Marshall would look over to me as if to ask, "can I stop standing now?" I would tell him 'ok' and he would sit to be petted, as commanded.
It's times like thesethat offer great opportunities to work in a little training for more real-life environments to which he might be exposed--lots of things to look at, but learn to focus on the job.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Stretching the mind
I sure missed Marshall while he spent time with another foster to work the BMW Charity event. He came back and I saw he was SO big! I guess you don't see them growing in front of your eyes.
I've been told we need to work on Marshall's over exhuberance with a tennis ball. I had been thinking about how I could stretch his little mind even before he spent time away. So, for a few days now, I've been introducing holding a dumbbell in his mouth...the first step to learning to retrieve. (If I can get Marshall to retrieve my shoes like my first own dog, I will be VERY happy, but he has to learn the concept first). I started with just helping him hold in while I held his mouth closed around it. Last night we tried the next baby step, actually reaching for it. It is getting it!
Julie also suggested we "search for our dinner." That has been quite a fun game. When I feed my own dog, Marshall already knows his bowl isn't going to be handed to him. He lets my other dog start eating, while I tell Marshall, "Search." His bowl has been hidden behind doors, and under things. Last night it was outside. Tonight, we just might have a larger search as we find a place, perhaps down the street?
All this is to help Marshall understand that his world is bigger than a tennis ball. Hopefully he will conquer all there is in this big wide world and that process of learning fun!
I've been told we need to work on Marshall's over exhuberance with a tennis ball. I had been thinking about how I could stretch his little mind even before he spent time away. So, for a few days now, I've been introducing holding a dumbbell in his mouth...the first step to learning to retrieve. (If I can get Marshall to retrieve my shoes like my first own dog, I will be VERY happy, but he has to learn the concept first). I started with just helping him hold in while I held his mouth closed around it. Last night we tried the next baby step, actually reaching for it. It is getting it!
Julie also suggested we "search for our dinner." That has been quite a fun game. When I feed my own dog, Marshall already knows his bowl isn't going to be handed to him. He lets my other dog start eating, while I tell Marshall, "Search." His bowl has been hidden behind doors, and under things. Last night it was outside. Tonight, we just might have a larger search as we find a place, perhaps down the street?
All this is to help Marshall understand that his world is bigger than a tennis ball. Hopefully he will conquer all there is in this big wide world and that process of learning fun!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Marshall rang the bell
When I first brought Marshall home, I had hung an ornament made of multiple bells on the back door. I had quickly trained my older dog to "ring the bell" by hitting it with his nose to signify "outside." I never really had a chance to purposefully train Marshall on the bell.
My dog, still being a bit bigger than Marshall is always the first to reach the bell. I say "outside" and he hits the bell.
Just now, as I was doing dishes, Marshall was standing by the door, looking at me, and hit the bell with his nose. I asked Marshall, "did you just tell me something?" and he hit the bell again. I reaffirmed his action by saying "outside" and he hit it again. Followed by a party of lots of praise, and of course a little trip outside.
He seems to have learned just by watching all these months--how cool is that!
My dog, still being a bit bigger than Marshall is always the first to reach the bell. I say "outside" and he hits the bell.
I thought Marshall had hit the bell the other night, but it was hard to tell, with two rambunctious dogs at the door.
He seems to have learned just by watching all these months--how cool is that!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Marshall at the Movies
Well....more of a drive in.
On Friday night, a local church was offering a movie on their grounds. Young families, kids running, dancing, loud music, balls and frisbees flying. Kids running through the crowd past Marshall's face...snacks and popcorn treats on the blanket beside him, just within reach, which resulted in only a few of those puppy stretches that is really pushing the boundaries of a true plotz, but a little "ah ah" redirected his attention to treats of his own for a good response.
Marshall was alert and watched the balls flying, started to get up a few times to chase them, but was quickly redirected to sit or plotz. Just a few corrections to sit to allow some kids to pet him, I explained that he needed to learn how to sit still for his job.
With all those wonderful distractions, Marshall pretty much layed at my feet through all the comotion. Having gotten there a little too early, we took a few little walks around to let him stretch his legs.
And I actually got to watch the entire movie!
On Friday night, a local church was offering a movie on their grounds. Young families, kids running, dancing, loud music, balls and frisbees flying. Kids running through the crowd past Marshall's face...snacks and popcorn treats on the blanket beside him, just within reach, which resulted in only a few of those puppy stretches that is really pushing the boundaries of a true plotz, but a little "ah ah" redirected his attention to treats of his own for a good response.
Marshall was alert and watched the balls flying, started to get up a few times to chase them, but was quickly redirected to sit or plotz. Just a few corrections to sit to allow some kids to pet him, I explained that he needed to learn how to sit still for his job.
With all those wonderful distractions, Marshall pretty much layed at my feet through all the comotion. Having gotten there a little too early, we took a few little walks around to let him stretch his legs.
And I actually got to watch the entire movie!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Marshall plays Little League
Tonight Marshall charmed the crowds at the Heritage Park little leage diamonds. The only seats left were right behind home plate. An interesting place to be with a little dog who loves to chase balls!
He was all eyes and ears, but held his plotz with just a few corrections and even just sniffed at the peanut shell debri on the ground.
We walked around to different fields with various levels of play. He wasn't too sure as we passed some of the batting cages, but quickly regained his confidence.
He walked calmly by my side...better on the left than on the right.
He even held a plotz as some kids were practicing beside the sidewalk and three balls rolled right beside us.
He was all eyes and ears, but held his plotz with just a few corrections and even just sniffed at the peanut shell debri on the ground.
We walked around to different fields with various levels of play. He wasn't too sure as we passed some of the batting cages, but quickly regained his confidence.
He walked calmly by my side...better on the left than on the right.
He even held a plotz as some kids were practicing beside the sidewalk and three balls rolled right beside us.
O Pups Go Visiting
The new Pupstart Center is nearing completion! Today as our wonderful contractors were packing up and preparing to leave, we brought the "O" puppies in for a brief visit. The terms sharp teeth & fast feet sum up this experience pretty well. These little terrors are now 6 1/2 weeks old, and definitely getting harder to herd....I mean 'manage!' But they're still seriously cute, and we are enjoying their babyhood immensely. Decisions are almost finalized about which pups will be going to which jobs, but there's still about a week left to make final evaluations. All of us at DFA are tremendously grateful that Leadership Greenville Class 35 has provided this wonderful facility for puppies and classes. We appreciate their efforts so very much--the Pupstart Center is already making a world of difference to the entire DFA program! (Hey you there...you puppy by my foot....Thou shalt not bite the videographer!)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Marshall Update
This weekend was a little difficult because of a chemo treatment for me, but I wanted to report on some interesting behaviors from Marshall.
We were able to meet another puppy raiser at the park early Saturday morning to get some training in. But after that, Marshall hung in there with me for lots of naps on both Saturday and Sunday. I had him on a leash with place nearby the couch and he was very content.
But the interesting thing was this morning. He did something that has been described by some of the other puppy raisers...He wouldn't let up until I got out of bed to go to work!
As I've reported before, Marshall is very attuned to his schedule. Our typical work day is to get up at 6a, eat and play then back in the crate while I get ready for work. Today, we got up at 6a, but I needed more time in bed. I gave him a chew. Usually he goes back in his crate to enjoy it, but this morning, he went in the same room as my other dog, all was well.
When it came time for me to get up, he was done with his chew, but he kept pulling on my hands and barking until I got up. I know it's not good for the "teeth" restriction, but he was persistent. I got up, put him in his crate and he settled right down....job well done, little guy!
We were able to meet another puppy raiser at the park early Saturday morning to get some training in. But after that, Marshall hung in there with me for lots of naps on both Saturday and Sunday. I had him on a leash with place nearby the couch and he was very content.
But the interesting thing was this morning. He did something that has been described by some of the other puppy raisers...He wouldn't let up until I got out of bed to go to work!
As I've reported before, Marshall is very attuned to his schedule. Our typical work day is to get up at 6a, eat and play then back in the crate while I get ready for work. Today, we got up at 6a, but I needed more time in bed. I gave him a chew. Usually he goes back in his crate to enjoy it, but this morning, he went in the same room as my other dog, all was well.
When it came time for me to get up, he was done with his chew, but he kept pulling on my hands and barking until I got up. I know it's not good for the "teeth" restriction, but he was persistent. I got up, put him in his crate and he settled right down....job well done, little guy!
Monday, April 20, 2009
More Azaela Festival
Here is Mills (left) with Warren and Marshall (right) with Patrice...and Sherry also manning the booth.
Azalea Festival
Here are some pictures from Saturday's Azalea Festival. Thanks to Lucy, Naomi, Mills and Marshall for taking time out of their busy schedules to entertain the city of Pickens with their brother and pal, McIver.
Check out the new puppy vests. McIver is beginning to feel more like a service dog. 
Sharon tempts Naomi with a treat.
McIver patiently waiting for visitors.Saturday, April 18, 2009
Lucy Enjoys the Ocean
Lucy really enjoyed the ocean once she figured out she couldn't drink the water.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Learning to Stand
In addition to working on "back" as we were taught in class, this week I introduced Marshall to "stand." He stays pretty well on sits and plotz so I am asking him to stay while standing. He broke a few times, but I was able to walk slow circles around him. If he moved, I put him back and started over.
Tonight, I was also amazed at something. Marshall got his new vest/cape. Typically when we take a walk after work, I have Marshall and my other dog walking at the same time. Our goal on these walks is more for exercise than for training...although a loose leash is required.
Tonight, I wanted to see how Marshall would adapt to his new uniform. So he wore it during our after work walk. Usually the dogs walk side by side, not pulling, but out in front of me. Tonight, with his vest on, Marshall responded greatly to my "easy" and walked very much at my side...even with my own dog out front leading the way.
We walked through what I call the gauntlet--a narrow path between two fenced yards with barking dogs. Marshall showed an interest with perky ears and tilted head, but was easily brought back to my side. Then we practiced plotz/stay in the cul-de-sac with the other dogs still barking. After not very long, Marshall rested his head on his paw as if he expected to stay down for a while.
Tonight, I was also amazed at something. Marshall got his new vest/cape. Typically when we take a walk after work, I have Marshall and my other dog walking at the same time. Our goal on these walks is more for exercise than for training...although a loose leash is required.
Tonight, I wanted to see how Marshall would adapt to his new uniform. So he wore it during our after work walk. Usually the dogs walk side by side, not pulling, but out in front of me. Tonight, with his vest on, Marshall responded greatly to my "easy" and walked very much at my side...even with my own dog out front leading the way.
We walked through what I call the gauntlet--a narrow path between two fenced yards with barking dogs. Marshall showed an interest with perky ears and tilted head, but was easily brought back to my side. Then we practiced plotz/stay in the cul-de-sac with the other dogs still barking. After not very long, Marshall rested his head on his paw as if he expected to stay down for a while.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Puppies on Napping
The O puppies are showing more and more of their personalities. Basically, this one's view on life is, "Don't do anything halfway...even a nap!."
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Marshall update
Marshall's "drive" was observed this weekend through some search games. We placed objects in the back yard...well, little plastic eggs with treats inside...while he was in the house. I know it would be better to search for people, but this is what I had....
I walked him around the back yard saying "search." But he didn't really have a clue what that was or why. When he noticed the first egg, it was like his head turned quickly to see something he had never noticed before. I had a party, rewarded the find and we continued our walk around the yard and continued little parties with each find.
Today we worked on directed jumping/running followed by a game of find the ball. I showed Marshall a tennis ball (one of his prized possessions) and hid it under a traffic cone. I told him to find the ball, and did help him a little. After enough of that, I added a second traffic cone and wanted to see if he could figure out which cone it was under. He would sniff around each cone, but then would start digging at the cone with the reward.
I then took him out of the room and someone else put the ball under one of the cones. I brought Marshall back in...and he found it! Now, if I could just borrow a person and play hide and seek. I think this guy just might win!
Another amazing thing...for the past few days, Marshall has been putting himself on place while I eat dinner. I have eaten many cold dinners putting Marshall back on place over the past few weeks really trying to get this message across.
He really is determined when he puts his mind to something good or bad...which makes enforcing his manners all that more challenging. When he gets it he gets it!
I walked him around the back yard saying "search." But he didn't really have a clue what that was or why. When he noticed the first egg, it was like his head turned quickly to see something he had never noticed before. I had a party, rewarded the find and we continued our walk around the yard and continued little parties with each find.
Today we worked on directed jumping/running followed by a game of find the ball. I showed Marshall a tennis ball (one of his prized possessions) and hid it under a traffic cone. I told him to find the ball, and did help him a little. After enough of that, I added a second traffic cone and wanted to see if he could figure out which cone it was under. He would sniff around each cone, but then would start digging at the cone with the reward.
I then took him out of the room and someone else put the ball under one of the cones. I brought Marshall back in...and he found it! Now, if I could just borrow a person and play hide and seek. I think this guy just might win!
Another amazing thing...for the past few days, Marshall has been putting himself on place while I eat dinner. I have eaten many cold dinners putting Marshall back on place over the past few weeks really trying to get this message across.
He really is determined when he puts his mind to something good or bad...which makes enforcing his manners all that more challenging. When he gets it he gets it!
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