Something New with Heeling...

Today mom took me out to the training field and we worked on a few sits, downs and stands.  Gotta love the treats so happy to do what the words are telling me.  Then she told me to "Sit", which I did and then came over to my right side (her left) and with her left hand she lifted my head to look up at her but more like her arm pit and then she dropped this ball from her arm pit.  WOW, I was not expecting that. 

I've seen other dogs that do this and the first time the owner takes the head this way the dogs resist but not me.  I think it was all that puppy stuff we did with the muscle memory.  That was what she did near a fence with food.  She would take the food over my head and I would put up my nose to it and there was some food.  We did this many days. 

We also did the retrieve with her using her hands around my muzzle in the beginning.  When ever she did this and I was calm about it she said the famous "Yes" and I would get treats. 

So the hand holding my head up was very comfortable for me and getting the ball this was was fun.

After I got the ball she would show me another ball so I would drop that one and go after the other one.  By the time I got back to her the other ball was not in sight.  She would take the ball I had and then tell me to "Sit" and come to my side.  Again she would hold my head up and wallaaaaa,,,  there came the other ball.

We did this a few times and I think I am understanding this.  She did not walk or move.  She just wanted me to keep my head up and it worked.

Hopefully she will be taking some pictures of me because I am sure getting big.

Can't wait to share them with you all.

Getting back to Training

Sunday was a beautiful warm day so in the morning mom took me for a walk in the neighborhood.  I got to see some cats, dogs, and people. 

In the afternoon we went to her friends place and did a little training.  As you know I understand the word down so sometimes a few of my other words get mixed up with this.  When in doubt sometimes I just do the down.  BUT, I am learning fast to listen for that word.

We worked on out touch pads, with me going to one and then another.  That was fun because I know the touch pad and they were pretty close.  Since I know the word Sit, mom is telling me to sit when I put my front feet on them.  This is getting a little confusing as I have always gone and just stood with my front feet on them.  Another thing to learn for me and more training treats to get.

Now I am working on the "Stand" word.  While I am sitting Mom fills her hands with treats and pushes into my nose so that my body has to move backwards getting me on my feet.  This is fun because I get lots of treats.

Next we worked on a little tug work.  I get the let go part but don't like to give it up so easy.  Keeping my cool calm composure is not always easy especially when it comes to letting go of that tug thing.

When I do I get the yes and more tug.  This time when she told me let go I did and then she slowly moved the tug closer to the ground and said "Down". As soon as I made the down a big yes came and I got to bite and play with mom.  We did that a few more times and worked with the tug on the word sit.  She would say "Sit" and as soon as I did a big "Yes" came and I got to bite again.

This was a fun day and very relaxing learing time.

Lazy Days

Last week we did not train so much.  Mom let me swim in the pool and have some fun dock diving for a few days in a row.  That was great.  Here in Florida the weather is pretty nice so we took advantage of that.

We went to the park after work one day and I just got to walk and sniff.  Ofcourse I still got to do some training and enjoy a few treats. 

Lazy days and a Lazy week... 

A Great Sunday

This is me at 5 1/2 months old practicing my biting tecquniques

Today we had another great day.  Me and my mom.  We went to a big open field and met with some friends.  One being the man who lets me bite on him (with bite equipment on ofcourse) and his wife who also trains her Belgian Malinois Boy in the same dog sport as I am in. 

First mom had to show them my down but being my teenage self, I roamed a bit and then came back for some yummy treats.  I did it only from the front of her like we practiced yesterday but I did it. 

Then she got out the touch pads and told me to touch one and then to the other one.  I did but then she told me to sit.  I know this word but it seemed strange to keep my little feet on the touch pad and sit at the same time.  She helped me with a food lure and my leash and collar.  It was a warm day so we did this a few times and then practiced on my bite work.

I have the best decoy who I really think likes me and for sure likes me to bite on the suit he is in.

First we started with the puppy or medium puppy I should say bite legs.  He can take them off and I can run around and back to him for more fun.

After a lot of me holding on, mom came up to the side of me where I could see she also had a tug for me to play on.  She blew her wistle and I came right off the decoy and bit on the tug to play with mom.  Ofcourse my mom's playing is not as exciting as the decoy so I let go and wanted to go back and play with him. 

During my bite I heard my name called which means to let go and not bite until he moves or I am told.  I still take those little cheating bites but no so much.  This time mom told me to down after I let go.  This was a tough one since I was used to doing this in front of my mom.  Now mom is behind me and the decoy in front.  hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,,,,,,  The decoy helped me to understand by helping me down using my collar and sometimes just pushing me down.  I caught on quick because the second I let go and went into the down I got another bite.  How sweet is that.

I was getting pretty hot from all this activity so we ended for the day or so I thought.  Mom took me for a cool down walk, gave me some water and put me in my crate so the other dogs could have a turn.

When the big dogs were finished mom got me out again.  I was amazed to bite on the big dog suit.  So was mom as she was cheering me on.  Again we worked on the "Out" "Down" and I got to bite.  I think I amazed everyone because I just caught on so quick.  

It was not as easy as I am telling it because I did take some little nips sometimes and had to get some help for the down sometimes but by the end of this session I think you can call me a pro at this part of the game.

I can't wait to train again... 

The Down and Stay & Touch Pad

This is me at 3 months old putting my feet up on the touch pad

Yesterday was my Birthday.  January 21st and I am now 7 months old.

We just went to the Training Field at moms work cause sometimes it is easier when I know a place.  I am less tempted to visit other smells.

Mom is teaching me the dowb word now.  I know the position with her hands going to the ground and for sure will follow them because I know there is those good tasting treats.  Then she started with a word and still the hands to the ground and then treats.  I caught onto the word the other day with me in the front of her and her hands full of food.  She would say down and there I would go.  She would say good meaning I am doing a good job but the exercise is not over.  She would still give me the food while saying good and then the big "Yes", I did good and the down is over.

I am only doing it with her standing right in front of me so not 100% sure of the word.  Still working off some type of body language.  I am sure in time the rest will come.  But for now mom is so pleased that I am getting the idea of the word without the big jesture.  How cool is that.

As you see in the picture above my little front feet are touching off the ground.  Mom glued a frisbee to the top of a dog food bowl because it is supposed to be off the gound in the beginning or until I get the idea.

We are past that part so now she just used the frisbee part or 2 frisbees about 10 feet apart to send me from one to the other.  I am getting the hang of it but not very fast yet.  She sends me and says yes so I know the exercise is over and then tells me touch and sends me to the other one.  That part I understand.  You know understanding what a human wants is a beautiful thing cause when I do good I get either a great treat or get to play tug with mom.  Love it.....

Finally Understood

Just so you know this is not me in my best "down" moment.  This is me at the beach just playing.

Yesterday I thought we were on our way home from mom's work but as usuall she makes a few stops on the way and I wait paitently to get to home so I can run in the yard and play.  This time was different. 

Mom did go into the store but then came back out and took me out for a walk.  I knew she had the liver treats so knew something exciting was going to happen.  We walked a bit and then she called my name and I came closer to her and walla,,  a liver treat for me.

Mom kept the leash on me because it was a busy parking lot, but that is ok because after I sniffed around a bit, mom had my full attention with those great tasting liver treats.  First we did a little refresher course on something I knew well.  Mom told me to "sit", I did and then came the "Good" and some treats.  I know "Good" means I am doing good but the position I just went into is not over.  Then mom said "Yes" and I got up and was given more treats.  Yummmmm

Mom said the "down" word and I just looked at her so she bent at the waist like she was going to motion me down with the food.  I beat her to the punch and was down as soon as I saw her body starting to move.  She said "yes" and I got up.  Mom tried with the word again and again I looked and she began to bend.  When this happened I immediatley went down with only a partial bend from mom.

I think my little brain was catching on.  Not really catching on because before the words were put into play we had months of just bending jestures from mom showing me the postition.  This was a new subject for me was to understand the words without body posture help from mom.

In the beginning when I knew the gesture and food was to come I immediatley went into the position, but when the words came and mom just stood still I was confused.  I am glad she thought of a way by just telling me the word and not bending and then just a bend after the word.  I think she started with the bend with the word and then only did the bend after the word when she knew I did not understand.  But yesterday we had a breakthrough when she said the word and did only little and then less of a bend until she just said the word "down" and so I went.  I got what they call a "Jack-Pot" full of treats then.  We did this a few more times and home we went.  How much fun is that?

Training at the Schutzhund Club January 15, 2012

Today is Sunday so mom took me to her freinds training field where they do Schutzhund.  I am no longer doing Schutzhund because I love that bite suit all the more and in Schutzhund they only use a sleeve.

We only did obedience because there was no Ring Sport Decoy for me to bite on.  But I was happy to be out with mom so we had fun.

Our first plan of action or at least I think was for me to pay attention to mom.  I love everyone so had to say hi since I have not seen them for a while.  BUT, when I go to them they just froze up making me choose to go right back to mom who gave me a treat.  After a few friendly visits I found staying with mom and playing with her was more fun because she gave me treats.

Mom had those touch pad things laying on the ground and sent me to one and told me good girl and gave me a treat.  Good Girl means I am doing good but the exercise is not over.  She is wanting me to hold myself on their longer and longer.  She would say "yes", so I could get off and as soon as I got my treat sent me to the other one which was about 8 or 10ft away.  This was fun and I clearly understood what she wanted.

She wanted to do the retrieve but saw I was panting so decided to just play with the tug working on my letting go.  I still had some of those little re-bites going on but think I am figuring it out.  After I let go I see mom waving it in the air and am very paitent waiting for her command to get it again.  She only does this sometimes because I think she is waiting for me to be clear on letting go and not re-biting until she says so all of the time.  I am getting there and soon this will be clear in my head and we can move to the next game. 

Training was fun today and I can't wait until the next time me and mom train again.  I am so happy with my life and my mom.

BUT, I did get into a little trouble the other day only I don't know why I am restricted from the yard.  Actually I do not realize I am in trouble, I just realize my freedom in the yard is missing.

How was I to know to leave that soft stuff around the Air Conditioner alone.

At least mom went to the store now and will get something to cover up my boo boo so I can not do that again.  Then I can have my yard running time back again... yippeeeee

Training January 13, 2012

Mom and me went for a walk so I could do what I had to do.  Oh, go potty..  only sometimes I get so excited to get going to the training part that I forget.  Today we walked a little farther so I would remember.  I did and off to the training field we went..

Mom took out that great smelling dog treat "Liver" and told me some things to do like sit which I have mastered and the down which I am still confused on.  I understand it when she bends over and then I know what to do but when she just says the word I just look at her all confused.  hmmmmm,,,,

After some of those she got out the ball so I could catch it.  First she threw one ball and then called me back and when I got close threw the out one.  A good game.  I drop one and go chase another one. 

Then she took both balls away and threw one to me and told me catch.  She did not go far away though and I caught it just about every time.

After the ball game she took out the tug which I really love.  We played tug and then she told me to let go.  I did but kept trying to get in those sneaky bites.  Sometimes she just told me know and sometimes gave me a little collar correction.  Each time I let go and did not try to re-bite she said "Yes" and I got to bite again.  But 90 % if the time I did those little cheat bites but working on my restraint only that is hard for me because I love the game of tug.

I think mom is working hard to try to make it clear to me that if I just wait for her "Yes" it is ok to bite I will get the bite sooner than her telling me "no" do not re-bite.

I think mom was a little tired because we were not out training too long but she let me carry the tug back to the car and into the crate I went with it.  She traded me for some food which I was happy to have.

Dock Diving Cali

Cali (3 1/2 months old)

At about 3 1/2 months my mom thought I might like to swim.  She did not want me to sink so put this cute yellow life jacket on me.  She put me in the pool and taught me the way out so that I never panecked to get out.  I am a fast learner and love to swim.  She took the life jacket off after a few weeks of me testing the water.  I swam just fine without the jacket.  I think my mom was more cautious than I was.

After practicing swimming and learning the way out I was almost ready for the big dive.  Boy was that scarey.  It is a few feet jump off the dock into the water.  I could not resist my favorite toy and there I went, off the dock into the water.  My mom cheered me on and was so pleased.

I am by no means ready for a competition but if the weather stays nice I will practice when mom takes me out to the pool. 

Ok, mom figured out the video.  Watch the fun I'm having now.  I am sure mom is to cause she is all happy and clapping for me..

Catch

January 11, 2011

Today was another great day. Although the picture here is of me at the beach, my fun day was not at the beach but did involve some ball playing.

My mom took me for our early morning walk as she usually does and then goes into work. I usually wait in the crate in the car. Don't worry because she parks under the bridge for shade and leaves the back open and of course me with water to drink when I want.

Sometimes I get to come into the grooming salon but with all the dogs in and out I have not yet learned to contain my barking because if they are out I want out also. Adolescence ,, geeeesssss

Today's training or should I say my fun outing with my mom was just that, "fun". She had her pockets full of stuff, from liver for treats to balls on a rope to that biting tug.

She took me off leash on the training field and since I know this place well I did not run around sniffing and was a little hungry so stayed with her to see what was in store next.

Yep, the sits and downs. I have the sit pretty well down pat but the downs on the other hand were not so good unless she used her food hand to go to the ground. BUT,,, today I had a break through. Without her bending and showing me her hand I actually heard the word and did the down. I thought my mom was going to scream in joy. She was close to screaming with joy and made the biggest fuss over what I just did. Hmmmm, now what was that I just did to get mom so excited.

She tried a few more times and it got easier and easier for me to understand that the word meant what to do and not the motion. "oh"

For some reason she is wanting me to catch. We started at home with food. She says catch and I hate missing a good treat so that did not take me long at all to learn. Today on the training field she tried it with a ball. The balls are on a string so if I missed the ball I got the string. "whoops", but eventually I got the hang of it. She would throw one and tell me to catch and then show me the other so I would drop one and catch the next. I really liked this game.

Mom would then stand on the side of me and drop it over my head to catch and in front of me and all kinds of places. She only threw it to me when she was in front of me but dropped it to me when I was on the side. Hmmmmm,,, I am wondering why?? But never the less it was fun and the future will tell why.

Then we had a really fun game of 2 balls. She would throw one and I would dash out and run for it. Sometimes falling over myself and making summer salts as I was going so fast. Then mom would call me back and I would run back real fast because she showed me she had another ball to throw. Right when I got close to her she would say "drop" the ball I had and throw the other one in the direction I was headed. Sure makes me come back and go out fast. Love that game.

Mom taught me to let go of the ball into her hand by using her thumb and press down on my tongue. Works for me.

I know she wants me to let go of that tug toy like I do the ball, but oh my it is so much fun to try to bite and not have to let go. Today after telling me to let go and I did than tried to re-bite again she said know and gave me a little tug on the collar. Next time the same.. I have to keep trying to bite at it. It is like something inside me says bite, bite, bite.

Then I think my mom had a revelation. Hey the tongue touch worked so well for the ball, how about trying it with the tug. (not recommended for most humans as they can loose a finger). I am still a baby and have been working on this for a while so at least I start to let go or let go but come back to sneak in a bite.

Mom did this game with me a few times and she was so happy that I was being patient waiting
for the signal from her to bite again that she let me run around and around and then come back to play some more. The run around was on leash in big circles but I love to run and hold that raggedy ole tug.

We were both pretty tied by the end of our little outing so mom took me back to the car for some water and a little walk and our fun for now was over.

But when we get home I get to run in the yard by myself (such a big girl) and then mom comes out to plays fetch with me with all those crazy stuffed animals I have all over the place.

Caley's Adventure Training Day

Training day 1/1/0/12

So today 1/10/12 my mom took me to the training field where she has her business with something on her mind. My guess it was to work on my sits and downs. I got the sit pretty good and just love that liver she gives me as treats but I am not sure I understand the down unless she does this funny gesture with her hands going towards the ground. Of course they are loaded with treats so I just follow it.

Oh, I am a French Dog Sport so my mom is teaching me the French words. The rest is just Jibber Jabber.... I will tell you my French words later as soon as my mom learns how to spell them... hehehehe...

While doing our little how can I get a treat game I spotted some kids near the fence. Being the sweet puppy that I am I took off to go visit them and heard my mom say something (like "don't pet the puppy"), but kids are like me and going to do what they want.

I finally came back to my mom and she said the "Yes", means I did well and gave me a treat. Of course I ran off again to visit my new friends. After a few pets through the fence from them I went back to mom and got another "Yes" and treat but this time she put the leash onto my little prong collar so I could not go visit. Yuck,

So we worked some more on our sits and downs adding in a stand here and there, but for some reason I am not getting the word down and waiting for the gesture with the food.

We worked a little on duration meaning that I know the word "Good", means I an doing it right but not that the exercise is over. I think I am understanding that part.

A few days ago we went to a new training field and I was a little bit out of control. My mom was trying to tell me to let go of the tug which I did but only to sneak in and bite where ever I could grab. Even her poor hands. I did not mean to but they were in the way of my mouth..

So today she took out the tug toy which I love to tug and play on and really not love to let go. She told me to let go and well I thought of it and then let go only to bite it which they call dirty biting because I was to let go and only bite again when she gave the "Yes" ok command.

My mom played with me for a while and then gave the word to let go. I did but was sneaky to get those few little dirty bites in. She told me know and gave me a little tug on the leash to let me know she was not pleased. We worked on this for a while and finally my little puppy brain grasped it. I let go and waited for her to say "Yes" it was ok to bite and play again.

Because I was so good that time she let me run around (on leash) in a circle and bring it back to her to play. I love doing that because as a baby puppy she taught me that was such a great game to come back and play with her.

She played tug with me again and told me let go. I forgot myself again and gave only 2 little dirty bites but never getting her hand. She told me know and gave me a little tug on the leash.

We played tug again and this time I let go and waited for the "Yes"... Mom must have been excited because she ran in circles with me caring the tug. We went for a little walk and I still carried the tug so excited to do so.

Training was over so we went to my place and she even traded me food for the tug. What a great day cause I got to eat and play tug.

Cali or Caley But Cali the Mali From California

This is my little Dog Cali the Mali From California. Now spelled Caley so it did not look like Calis on my title and just because. Cali was a very special Surprise and gift from a dear friend named OJ Knighten who is a breeder in California. OJ remembered me from my past life and sent me a wonderful gift. And now life is all about Cali.

I got Cali at 7 1/2 weeks a great age for her and I. There is something about the 8 week fear period that I know from 20 years breeding Malinois and I could not see a little dog flying on a plane during a fear stage so asked for her a little earlier.

Cali is a Belgian Malinois Born June 21st, 2011 and a little girl of course. She is teaching me many things from her arrival until this day.

I've raised many litters of Belgians and other breeds but never had the chance to raise and train only "1" (one) puppy with no other puppy distractions. So with that said, Cali gets all my attention for training.

I do have 2 other dogs but one is a 13 1/2 Malinois female who is my retired bomb dog and the other is a 7 yr old little mix dog and these are my good pets.

Cali is by far not my first dog nor my first dog to train for competition as I have been around the world training and competitions and of course raising and training many puppies along the way.

Cali is just my first pup I did not breed and my first puppy that I am training all the way to a competitive level.

When Cali arrived and I brought her back to my work place (I own a Pet Grooming Salon), I let Cali out of the crate to sniff around. She sniffed and pottied and then came to play and play she did. She loved to bite my pant legs and sneakers and that hurt even with a little iddy biddy puppy. I just redirected to many toys on strings and eventually the pant leg and shoe biting just went away. How nice is that.

Cali was fearless on her first day here. She just walked into the Grooming Salon like she was always here. Tile Floors, Fans going, dogs barking a vacuum cleaner whizzing around. She just did not care and I was so happy to see all of that...

I saw a video clip of a Malinois puppy playing with it's owner on the floor with a ball. One thing I wanted was for my little puppy to come back to play with me. So for the first week we would go to a quiet room and I would sit on the floor and roll the ball and pat my legs calling Cali back to me to bring the ball. Little puppies love this game because they get to come back into your lap and roll around.

My friend would come around to see Cali's progress daily and we would take her outside and play tug with some leather tied to a pole. In dog training known as a "Flirt Pole", to tease a puppy to chase and play and bite of course.

We did this until she was about 3 months old and then switched to some puppy sleeves (mini puppy stuff) and played that game until she started to teeth at 4 months old. We taught Cali to bring the toy or tug back to the decoy for more play and until this day she loves to come play. We taught her to get used to different materials in her mouth but using a few different kinds of sleeves. I even got the puppy bite work dvd from "Michael Ellis"

I thought or shaped her using food to sit, down, come etc. I started the focused heeling after watching a video from "Michael Ellis" how to do it. (many things over the years change in training and keeping up with it is the best).. Never stop learning...

Oh yes and the Send Away from Michael Ellis using Touch Pads. That is so much fun to train..

I attended an Ivan Seminar when Cali turned 6 months old and could do bite work again. It was wonderful seeing her transform in a weekend and watching all the other handler's and dogs. Learn, Learn, Learn.. Cali is like a sponge and I'm trying to keep up

We started tracking as I was going to compete in Schutzhund with her, but now that I met some French Ring People I am good to go with that as I love the dogs who bite on a full body bite suit.

So that basically catches you to now and going forward will be from Cali's point of view. Of course and mine to..

Cali is 6 1/2 months old now and going through some adolescent tantrum stages so Cali will tell how much fun that is giving her mom (me) a more challenging time.

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