Comments on: Testing Feature

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:14:47 +0000

I love to see that we are all human and yes everyone has failures. It’s what people do with those failures that counts. I loved this entry as clearly the ‘test’ was well thought out, planned and tested.

I can imagine Feature’s face when she had her time out and all the others were able to play I had no doubt in my mind she would nail it the next time before I even read further as the proof is the proper foundation and that she understands what is expected in the performance.

What I admired most from this entry is the time spent analyzing what went wrong and how to proof and test it. I find that so many are quick to blame the dog yet when the behavior is repeated (aka missed contact) the dog does the same thing when the obstacle is repeated clearly there is a link broken – I believe it all goes back to the foundations and criteria and were we consistant with teaching it.

Thanks for sharing

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:53:47 +0000

Susan,
I laughed when I read this post because I just did something like it recently and it worked so well. My high drive ACD was giving me perfect contacts in training and in fun matches but not so perfect in trials. lol Then one day there was a fun match at a place where he had only been in a real trial. What an opportunity! The first course was perfect. Tunnel and then an A Frame right away! So I didn’t warm him up at all as, like you, I was aiming for failure. He did a mondo fly off and I smiled, picked him up and walked him back to his kennel. No words, just put him in. The, mostly Novice people watching were very concerned. Was he hurt? He was doing so well, why did I take him off?

I waited until everyone had finished their run and then I took him back and did the same two obstacles. He gave me a perfect two on two off and stuck like glue! I ran out of the ring with him and gave him a very special jackpot. For him, it worked so well because he thought it was a real trial!

My purpose wasn’t to test him but to hopefully fix a problem with my trial wise dog! I had no idea just how well it would work.

Thanks for you blog, Susan! I enjoy your writing style and the stories and training tips that you share.

By: Mary Muliett

Mary Muliett — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:28:33 +0000

What a discussion in the last few posts!

Loving it….

Didn’t know you were on this Blog Ron. In case you’re not registering my name I met you at UKC-Kzoo, I am the last foster home for the….cutest puppy in the world Mr. Jax

-little inside joke here!

Take care – Mary

By: Ron Watson

Ron Watson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:17:36 +0000

Jason,
That was a quick turnaround of an off the cuff remark. Very cool!

I think an important concept that you might be missing is this:
the only one who really knows what’s being reinforced is the dog.

We can think that we know, but we’re really just guessing. Paul’s comment above comes to mind here. I do think Feature understood the reason for the lack of reinforcement, but the question – What does the dog think is being reinforced? is an important one.

By planning a failure and making it happen under a microscope, Susan was able to gauge Feature’s understanding of the criteria – Susan was able to check to see if Feature was catching what she’s been throwing at her.

Take two gave us all some insight into Feature’s understanding of that criteria.

I think about the clarity that Feature and Susan experienced after this session and just shake my head. Great stuff!

I do this a lot in our game, but not nearly as elegantly – perhaps it’s the flair in the writing, or the frolicking dog image that’s in the set up, I don’t know, but my ‘tests’ are not nearly as cool. I’m also not a very precise trainer – teaching and learning, check, proofing… not so much.

Thanks, Susan, for sharing.
Peace,
Ron

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:32:08 +0000

Ok Jason, I laughed so hard when I read this post I just about spit my herbal tea all over my computer. I don’t know who said it but “frustration is a necessary part of learning” so it sounds like you must be killing it by way of education! Don’t be afraid to ask if you need clarification on anything. I have already started a post for next week based on some of the questions I got from the “Testing Feature” post.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:22:51 +0000

I get lost and overwhelmed when i read your posts. I mean you say it all very well, I just wish there was a starter section or laymans translation of every post you make. By the comments it appears that many of your readers totally get it. Fine, I’ll be the class goof.

It seems pretty simple, your overall methodology. I got the principles from puppy camp and your book, Shaping Success. Ron Watson said it well when he said that “the simpler something is, the less parts there are to understand. which means that you must fully understand the parts, or the gaps are HUGE.”

I’m pretty sure i don’t understand. I think i fell in one of those gaps.

I can hear you saying, just start with the foundation, do your crate games… Seems like there is more to it though. Some critical piece is missing for me. Experience seems a likely suspect. But if I had all the same paint, and the same years of painting, even a paint by number guide, would I create a masterpiece like Picasso? (art opinions aside)

I guess there is some drive or desire that makes the difference? I know I am slightly off topic here…but here is the thing…how in the world, do you come up with -

Feature’s response to planned failure gives you all the clarity you need regarding her criteria?

Is it what you said previously? That you just can’t stand it. So you live to correct that behavior. There is not another option for you. Like – you will solve it. End of discussion. It will never be repeated. So…where does that come from? What combo of frozen breakfast shake, wii and yoga produces relentless demand for excellence?

Seriously. I want that pill. Do you sell it in your store? Can you just touch the tv or bless my dog or something? I know, I know…crate games. But keep me posted on the pill idea…I’ll order bulk…

By: denise

denise — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:20:38 +0000

Thanks for the follow up post on Feature’s contacts. It’s given me some guidance on what to do with my own dog’s contact problems. Thanks!

By: Bobbie Bhambree

Bobbie Bhambree — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:03:12 +0000

All of the planning and prep work required in dog training for agility is spotlighted in this piece–something I find very helpful. Thank you!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:08:53 +0000

While I find your foundation training information absolutely invaluable, I find it equally important to learn from excellent dog trainers about what to do when things go wrong. One of the most important times to evaluate and understand your training is when your training fails. Thanks for an awesome blog, I feel really priveledged to be a part of this online think tank.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:27:01 +0000

Paul: I think Feature’s history of reinforcement was so high with the correct performance that when she didn’t receive a reinforcement immediately, she knew she had not given the correct behavior. The time out in the crate was merely a continuation of the reinforcement being with-held. With the addition of the non-reward marker (you win a prize) immediately after the incorrect performance, the small amount of time spent walking to the crate wasn’t long enough for Feature to “forget” that she hadn’t received a reinforcement at the end of the dog walk.