It has been a very busy time for us here at Say Yes over the past 7 days! It started with Adrian Rooyakkers coming to give an awesome three day handling workshop. The focus was on running European style courses aimed at helping those of us heading over to the UK for WAO. That ended last Wednesday and then on Thursday John and I teamed up to host a four day obedience workshop.
Yesterday I turned my attention back to Swagger in order to help my, now 12 week old, puppy find the joy in retrieving. I have been adding value for bringing ME toys while working at convincing Swaggie that there is more fun to be had with me than anywhere else other he may find.
This video shows how close the distance between two points may be when one decides it is time to “be the squishy ball!”
For those of you that may not be able to view the video here I will also post it on my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/SusanGarrettDogAgility)
Today I am grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful puppy!
After just taking your most recent Recallers (2013) I have been searching and searching through your online blogs and videos for the precise steps you used to go from Bad Boy Swagger to Great Retriever Swagger. Please please tell us more about how to build value for the retrieve – esp the return. I am trying on my own to shape it and Premack it but need more guidance. I never had to work through this particular problem of building drive for the retrieve because all of my past dogs were “natural” retrievers.
May I ask, why are you taping his ears?
So they will both sit up (ideally sit up and tip over) rather than have one up and one down.
Truly amazing!It took me quite a bit longer than that to teach my pup to retrieve!
Just awesome to see the progress in a week’s time. Thank you so much for putting in the work to share the videos with us. “Average or better” ….. going right into my repertoire of training tools, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish that I had tried this with my 2 yr. Aussie. I am still having problems getting her to bring anything back to me.
Do you have any idea’s on this problem?
Glad that you decided to keep your Swagger boy! He’s doing so great!
Great update. What a cutie he is and losing that “naughty boy” touch.
Can I put in for a consideration of doing a 5 min formula on competitive obedience? I would have loved to come to the obedience seminar, but couldn’t swing it. Online would make it do-able. Thx!
Can’t stop smiling after watching this. I noticed you brought out the big guns when training, using IYC with the food. Really enjoyed seeing how you handle the below average response.
Lovin’ it! Great job both of you!
it is so fun to be able to see how you work through the challenges with your pup.Thanks for posting these videos!
Puppy JOY!!! How could you ever not want a BOY? This is simply amazing.
I am on pins and needles hoping you have a puppy class in time for my now 2 week old girl!!! 🙂 I want to share in the JOY I see here!!!
Suasan …WoW! Swagger has well and truely accomplished a huge milestone.
Brought tears to my eyes just to see the wonderful relationship between you two.
I bet Swaggers learning will now accelerate.
Arn’t you glad you kept him.
He looks every bit a champion.
Now we can visulise it.
Just love how you can put more ” positive” into positive training.
Great stuff!!!
Sorry “Susan” wasn’t wearing my glasses.
WOW. What about those RZ returns on the Long Squishy Recalls. How cool is that?
Amazing! When did you find the time? Between Recallers and workshops at your place – when do you sleep?
Susan, what was your plan if Swagger decided to chew on that bone you gave him instead of bringing it back?
Thank you Susan! I was trying to show a boy at class last night that if he started out with tiny drops of the ball and traded for cookies that he absolutly could teach his dog to “retrieve”. I’ve forwarded your video on to him. The joy Swagger shows in one week is worth “thousands of words.”
absolutely awesome !!
Oh my…he’s even retrieving a METAL spoon !!!
Thanks so much for sharing !!
Amazing! I love those Swagger videos – watch them over and over again. Looks like pure magic – but it’s all about a solid foundation, timing, criteria=joy!, reinforcement, consistency, average or better, I’ve learned (from you 🙂 – but you know what? Knowledge alone doesn’t make a brilliant trainer, it’s as well dedication and love and respect for your training partner – your puppy. I feel honored and grateful for being part of the Recallers community and being able to learn from you. You give us all so much inspiration and motivation! Thank you, Susan!
What a great lesson! Truly what a difference a week makes!
Never doubted for a second that you would bring Swagger into the joy of being with you, Susan!! Puppies, like children are not born knowing how to act… it takes loving parents and owners with much patience and joy to bring about that foundation. Loving this year of the Swagger!!
I can’t stop smiling!!! Goooo Swagger you show that Momma she was right to choose the BOY dog!!!! 🙂
Um…WOW!
There is no wonder why you are smitten with the boy! The two of you are looking swell!! Makes me want to go play some more Recaller games right now.
Re-affirms your mantra…
anything is possible
He is spectacular!
Wow wonderful to see his enthousiasm.
And did I see it right that first long distance retrieve of the squishy ball only paid with complements and not a cookie?? Average or better I guess?
Forgot to mention, first long distance retrieve he didn’t come back right away but made a little detour???
@Esther you got it, average or better!
Ha! You have conditioned me to visit your blog to get my JOY fix 🙂
And I am conditioned in other ways too. “Did she not reward that first long squishy ball retrieve?” popped into my mind unbidden. Before Recallers I would not have even noticed, but now I subconsciously mutter “Average or better…” and watch with satisfaction to see Swagger’s performance improve in a single rep.
Freakin’ awesome.
I remember reading “I am a professional dog trainer and I feel like I am capable of reining this boy in.”
Boy did you, and he’s more excited about this game than he was about playing with his ball on his own. You rock! Thanks for sharing the joy!