Can I Touch You Through My Computer Screen?
I thought the title of this post sounded a bit naughty but I figured, at the very least, it would get your attention. Today I have a great surprise for everyone. If you are a newsletter subscriber, and have read my latest newsletter, you will know that I am planning on launching an e-course, likely next week.
I truly want to help people move forward with their dog training, but I have to admit, being away from home as much as I have lately, really does have its limitations, on so many levels. I can’t be everywhere at once, so I have to turn down far more teaching engagements then I accept.
That is why I wanted to give this a try.
What I have done for the last week is act as if all of you, from countries all over the world, have been sitting in my office as I presented mini courses each day to help you solve a problem or improve what you have got right now.
Can I really make a difference without you being right in front of me? For many of you that have written in over the past week, the answer apparently is “yes”.
It is not that I will never do another seminar away from home, but I can’t think of a better scenario; help a greater number of people improve their dog training skills and, at the same time, sleep in my own bed at night. To quote Zig Zigler (I love him) ““You can get everything you want in life if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
More information on the e-course will follow next week but for now I have something special for you. I have a video clip that I am only making this available for the next week or so. This clip is 15 minutes long and it is content I am planning on using in a future DVD project . . . but you all can take a peak at it right now, as part of my commitment to this week-long-world-wide-seminar-experiment.
You have to sign in on the space provided in order to be able to watch the video. Those of you that sign in will be put on the “early bird list.” I will announce the opening of registrations to this list before any other, giving the “early bird” folk the first shot at filling the new e-course.
So click on this link and I will be there personally to tell you what to do next. Once you have watched the clip, please come back here to leave a comment, letting me know what you think!
Today I am grateful for fresh ideas.
Related posts:
Allison says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 5:58pm
simply brilliant stuff… looking forward to e courses
))
A&J says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 6:27pm
I have brillaint runaway retrained recalls if I do say so myself, but not so much with the face off recall. This really drove home the transition aspect, the missing link. Heading out to the yard now! Thank you, thank you.
Lynne Helmhold says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 6:37pm
Wow!! What a great plan for developing drive! plenty to work on for me… but looking forward to great results.
Kathy Smith says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 6:53pm
Very cool! I guess this is why my dogs have such good recalls as most of this I was doing from the beginning for foundation work in Flyball. I didn’t realize that it would have such an impact on my dogs’ whol lives!!
Thank you for putting it in a video as we haven’t done any flyball in a while and may not go back to it soon so I must remember to do all the same things since my dogs do pretty well!
Will buy the video the minute it becomes available (just like I buy all the rest of yours too!)
Kathy and the Kelpies
kathy says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 7:34pm
Thanks for the motivation!! This reminded me of all the games I played when they were younger pups. I bet they will be glad to see there fun mama back. I am very excited about the transition section.
Sue Eller says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 7:39pm
Great video – taking it to my daughter and her new puppy now. They will just love this and so do I.
Kathy Smith says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 7:42pm
I should have said also that I no longer consider my recalls “brilliant” as I think there is a lot of room for improvement!!
Kathy and the Kelpies
Robyn Fargher says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 7:54pm
This looks great, but my problem is that I live on my own. A friend can call in a couple of times a week and can do some assisted recalls then, but do you have any suggestions as to what I could do the times she is not there please? Thanks.
A&J says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 8:05pm
Recall session No. 1 was fun, educational, and left me with a luring question .. And was somewhat embaressing to boot. It went something like this … Loaded with A food and A toys (unknown to J) I head out to the front yard. Pushing what I thought would be the failure edge, I lead out 50′, faced him off, waited until he was halfway and ran. Too easy. Next rep I tossed two A toys on the ground 20′ in front of his crate, slightly off to the side. This time I allowed him to take two strides before I ran, gotcha. He came quicky, snagging a toy without missing a beat, bringing his reward with him. Next rep, I put the toys back in the same place (still having the A++ one on me) and led out even farther. Success!, even though it was harder. I did a couple more face off-run reps, both successful. Not the end of the story. To celebrate, I took both dogs for a walk in the back (near woods), sure enough, there’s Mr. Pheasant, who flaps away immediately, but must have off-loaded in doing so. As my dogs are sniffing the droppings, and while a voice in my head is saying “don’t do it”, “don’t do it”, I blurt out “COOMMME”. Standing there flat-footed, feeling somewhat helpless (the ultimate face-off), I realise my error, given previous failed recalls with this particular (huge)distraction. However, I see J stop what he’s doing, look at me and step, well stutter, in my direction. I take off in the opposite direction, trying to look back, but I go over a rise and drop out of sight. Still cursing myself, and preparing to go stomping after both dogs, I look up to see J on the run, with his not so fast brother in pursuit. But J can’t see me. I snag his A toy (almost as cleverly as he did earlier), pop into view, and as he catches me, I front cross all over the yard. Both gasping for air, we have a game of tug, and collapse on the grass. Then I look up… there’s my neighbour standing in his yard calmly smoking a cigarette watching me dart all over the yard like a crazed rabbit. Sigh. Should I tell my neighbour what a front cross is? That’s not my question though …
… here’s my question – I know there is a fine line between being chased by your dog and luring your dog, I expect I was more to the side of luring, given that J’s hesitation was barely an acknowledgement?
Susan says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:13pm
@A&J thanks for sharing that awesome story. I have no problem with your decision making . . . what makes it great is that you recognize the potential for reinforcing the incorrect response– that is what is going to prevent it from being an issue for you. SUPAA job!!
Terri says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 11:34pm
OK, that made me snort out loud!! Ya have to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes– I was recently describing how I run around my house, trying to build tug drive with my girlie, and realized that if my neighbors saw me through the windows, they might be calling 911!
Jan White says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 9:08pm
I can’t wait to try this!
Very good teaching; clear instructions.
Jan White
Marcela says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 9:58pm
Great video!! Very useful advises
Laura says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:14pm
Great video!!!
I would like some suggestions on what to do with a dog that does not have any chase or prey drive, nor does the dog have an opposition reflex ( and if it is there, I have never seen it).
There is NOTHING that is motivating to him and I have tried everything, literally.
Looking forward to the e-course!
Valerie says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:49pm
Is there some trick to getting the recall video to play correctly? It will play for about 5 seconds, then load for 15-20 seconds, then play for another 5 seconds, then reload, etc. I haven’t had any trouble playing any other videos.
Louise S says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 9:06am
Hi Valerie
I think that has something to do with the speed of your internet connection. I have had the same problem however if you let the video play through once in it’s entirety (I usually put it on mute and go have a cuppa) when it’s finished then press replay, it should run through smoothly for you the second time around.
Hope this suggestion works.
Cheers
Louise
Sandy says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:57pm
Thanks, this is great stuff!
JoAnne says:
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 11:31pm
I really enjoyed that, Susan. I’m sure your new DVD will be a great success, looking forward to it.
Kay says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 2:34am
Great stuff! I know it works as I have been doing this sort of thing for a while simply as a game without realising what the impact was going to be. I have Border Collies and they always run faster when I run away. They love it and it also gives a little more exercie to their day.
sian says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 2:55am
Thank you SO much for this! I am a novice with a 10mth old GSD and no training classes for 180kms. I too have ruined the “come” comand, so this video is excellent for me. Just gotta think of a word to replace it with now.
Thinking of “reeaady..” or “tea-time”.
mel says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 3:45am
Fantastic. Can’t wait for the rest.
Fiona says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 4:31am
Thanks very much for sharing that with us Susan, and also for the followup comments. I have been depositing into my perfect recall account since your comments over the last couple of weeks, and have found it interesting. I also don’t have someone to hold, and never did when I trained my pup – who is now 3. I hadn’t thought of using the crate, so will do that now with my refreshing. One of the things I taught as a pup when walking was “come” meant come to me, but didn’t necessarily mean stay with me. So my dog on a walk will come, take food and take off again. If I had a toy he would play quite happily, but just loves to run so after he had finished playing, would run off again with other dogs. He had a very quick sprint take off, whether to me or away from me – partially from my training as a pup and crate games. So, if he is in a wait position and I release him he never leaves it slowly, and he loves the anticipation games I play with him.
From your video your dogs also seem to sprint off. Do they also leave a wait quietly? How do they know the difference as to what they can do when? If I command him to stay close, he will, but is always looking at me to give him a release so he can sprint. He is capable of just moseying quietly with the other dogs, but not immediately after I have asked him to do something.
Julie says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 10:07am
@ Fiona:
But it works really well for my dogs! I find “ok” very useful for rare on leash release cues, or close to the street when my dogs can leave the front yard, or on the agility terrain (not the release before running a course, but after waiting for another dog to finish his/her course, to go towards the starting position).
I’m not sure if it’s what you mean, but I use two release cues with my dogs. “GO!” is the sprinting version, “ok” the quiet one. I say them in a very different way of course, “ok” is always said in a very quiet, non-enthusiastic manner, while I don’t move myself. With “GO!”, I sort of build towards it, if you know what I mean, make my dogs excited before I release them. It’s also said in an extremely enthusiastic way, and often I sort of sprint off with them: sometimes I actually move a couple of feet with them, mostly I only launch my upper body forward.
Quite hard to explain though.
Keri says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 5:42am
Awesome! I spent a lot of time doing “deposits into my perfect recall account” with my BC, but over the years had forgotten about progressing through the delays. What a great reminder.
denise says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 8:58am
Love the content and format of the video!!! Have been doing some of those games with my dogs but the “ninja” stuff is brilliant! I can see how those games are really going to improve my dogs recalls! Can’t wait for the e course and I hope you do more of these video teachings, they are fantastic. You really are inspirational as a teacher and extremely generous with both your time and knowledge. Thanks!
Jayne says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 9:17am
Thanks for some great ‘foundation’ steps…funny how the difference is in the details, I knew I was having fun with my dog and she has always chased me to play, but we still didn’t have a fantastic recall… looking forward to playing these games in a step by step plan with my dogs : )
Debbi says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 9:59am
Brilliant video of “Brilliant Recalls”!
Even more brilliant? E-COURSES !!!
Thanks so much for the willingness to include those of us unable to get to camps and courses !
Debbie S says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 10:26am
AWESOME VIDEO & splitting down the behaviors. I can’t wait to start retraining my recall today. I will let you know how it goes! Thanks so much!
Ann F says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 11:03am
When I got my BC pup she was 7mth old and our removing her from her only home triggered a very strong fear period so I was unable to do any type of restrained recalls with her as her 2 biggest fears at the time were people and dogs. All recall work had to be done on our own.
Now at 2 1/2 she will finally let my instructor hold her and we are able to do some restrained work…
Think the basic of this is something we can finally incorporate into our weekly lessons
Thanks Susan!
veronica says:
Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 7:54am
Hi Ann
I too acquired a BC at about 7 months of age and had similar problems to yours.It took a whole year and a mountain of “behaviorial books” to normalise her.Only then when she regained some confidence did I begin her obedience/agility training.She is now 3yrs old and a totally different dog.I think these dogs come into our lives for a reason.
She is so special.
sarah says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 11:45am
Great video, but do you have any suggestions for those of us who don’t have a training partner, so can’t do restrained recalls?
Ray says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 11:55am
AWESOME video, and can’t wait for the e-courses. I REALLY needed these videos as my 10month old agility Lab pup in training doesn’t have the best recall. I’m also working with my 3yr male Lab who has been competing for almost a year now, as I’d like to improve on his recall. It’s just not exactly where I want it. Bewtween a combo of your training and Control Unleashed maybe my dogs will eventually be virtually ‘bomb-proof’ lol:)
Bev says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 12:21pm
AWESOME …. I too am excited about starting this. Will comment on how it goes with my 6 year old and 9 month old. Thanks for letting us sneak preview!!!
Marianne says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 12:25pm
Great video Susan! You have such great tricks.
I was just wondering if using the dogs name as the recall que was ok? I have two dogs in the house that might be out together at the same time. On occasion I want just one of them not both. How would I approach this? Would it be “name” then “recall que”, or could it just be “name”?
thanks
Donna says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 12:53pm
I know I should return to foundation to build value in any skill but I had not really thought about returning to restrained recall to build more value for my recalls especially with my older dogs. Good info looking forward for more. You will hear restrained recalls in So Cal when I get home from work.
Ali Barnett says:
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 11:07pm
Restrained recalls are so much fun who wouldn’t want to do them??!!
Thank you for the reminder to mix up any training and go back to foundation level stuff. Even though I am stoked with my 3 yr old’s weaves I decided to go back to the basics of 2×2′s yesterday and man we had a blast!!
Anne says:
Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 5:36am
Brilliant, as usual! Just what I need at the moment for my young dog. Thank you.
Keli says:
Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 2:06pm
Like Sarah – I have no partner to do restrained recalls on a regular basis (like in your yard a couple of times a day). Any suggestions?
Melissa&Treo says:
Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 7:17pm
Very helpful, Susan. I think I have a lot of these steps in my notes from camp, but got some great nuances in the video that I can use right now. We’re totally going to work to improve the recalls in our household. I think it’s in the top skills to have for a great agility dog, and oh…by the way…might save a dog’s life too.
GREAT work! Thanks!
Pat says:
Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 11:56am
Your statistics show a large number of us who live alone – and I am one of those. For those of us who live alone, do you have suggestions on how to do restrained recalls regularly? I can ask friends but to do them several times a day, every day is not feasible. I’d like to see something that I can work on by myself to supplement the times I can get help. Thanks!
Pat says:
Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 9:29pm
I see now that I did not spend enough time developing enthusiasm. I was in too much of a rush to have the sit maintained and develop a recall. I tend to forget to not compete with others in the class.
heather wark says:
Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 11:19pm
Thanks, Susan.
Lots to ponder and practice as usual. I am full of respect for how great a dog trainer you are to develop this stuff. I can execute things pretty well, even teach it, but to come up with it…genius. My dogs are greatful for you too.
Ivette says:
Monday, July 12, 2010 at 8:14am
Thanks Susan, more great stuff as usual! I will be brushing up on my recalls for sure.
Karen M says:
Monday, July 12, 2010 at 8:37am
You know what worries me the most about unreliable recalls? I hate dogs being rude to other dogs (i.e. uninvitingly in their faces.)
Kirby says:
Monday, July 12, 2010 at 9:24am
Hey Susan,
Thanks for the great information. In the actual course, will there be videos to demonstrate some of the things you are talking about? The pictures were helpful, but I’m a very visual learner and seeing a few video clips here and there of what this looks like with your dog would be helpful. Sort of gives me an image in my head of what my ultimate goal looks like in terms of criteria.
Thank you!
Kirby
Allegra May says:
Monday, July 12, 2010 at 12:18pm
So disappointed! On my Mac the video screen is black and stays black and there is no sound, although the video is timeline advances. This is true for FireFox and Safari. So sad.
Janie Peirce says:
Monday, July 12, 2010 at 11:49pm
Help! My internet connection has been crazy tonight, going in & out, & during the RR video, finally it stopped at 5 min or so…I tried to get back to the video when I got a connection but it said (ERROR) I was already subscribed…how can I get back to the video again so I can see it all the way through…it looks great, at least what I saw! Thanks.
Mike says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 3:22am
You offer a lot of valuable informtion here. Keep up the good work. I think its great you are going to offer some e-courses. You should get some excellent response.
Take Care.
Nancy Hunter says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 7:51am
Great video- it has inspired me to get back to basics and get training! I love the idea of webinars or on line courses-it is good for you to be able to be home and it is great for us students too. I like watching the video and training at my own pace-watch and train, watch and train:)
Elaine says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 7:59am
What can I say, Susan? You are brilliant! I’m so happy that you say it is OK to be excited with your dog when you reward – the main trainer at the dog club where I teach, is dead-set against any excitement! I knew I was right! lol
I have good recalls more than 90% of the time, but the 10% need to improve – which is why I am here!!!
I have 4 dogs and will use one command that fits all (seems the best solution to me, as names would just bring individual dogs). A high-pitched “Pup,pup,pup!” is a new invention that got all 4 to turn away from a lake and come storming through the wood back to me the other day. So that is my command.
Can’t wait to get the follow-up course and get started!
Thank you, thank you.
Wendy says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 8:07am
Thanks so much for the step by step process. These are things I think we all know but forget that training is an everlasting process. You have to continue to train your dog and go back to basics to keep things fun and exciting for them.
Debra says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 8:11am
Brilliant as always, Susan
Thanks for sharing!
Laura Anne says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 8:33am
I am trying to find the video today and can’t. What am I doing wrong?
Jenny Ruth Yasi says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 8:40am
All brilliant suggestions! I will put these ideas into play!
Debbie says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 8:59am
Hi Susan
Your video was great! I have used aot of those ideas in my flyball training.
My girl is pretty good especially when I can call her off of a chase with a rabbit (rabbit is greatful)!
I’m a single person now & getting
helpers are hard to find & commit. Any ideas for my next puppy if I’m still on my own?
Thank you