Need something new!

[Naya]

Harley loves our training sessions each day, but I’m getting a bit bored with doing the same things. She loved it when I taught ‘middle’ and now does this at home and when on walks (which has helped with distracting her from other dogs). She knows; figure of 8 through my legs, paw, high five, shake paw, touch, sit, stand, down, treats on paws, hiding treats around the house, paws in a box, both paws.

I am not very mobile at the minute due to my stomach ulcer (had it 3 months now) and an inflamed stomach and a small hernia (diagnosed through an endoscopy today). I’m still walking Harley each day (well, bumbling along really), but I would like to teach her something different at home that isn’t too energetic for me.
Any suggestions?

 

[snowbunny]

I’m working on pivots at the moment with my lot; it’s just a tight heel position but with them staying alongside as I turn on the spot in both directions. When you turn anti-clockwise, the dog has to back up as they turn to stay in place.
Also working on backing up; Squidge loves this game! I’ve put it on a “beep beep beep” cue, like a lorry reversing

 

[snowbunny]

Another fun thing is spins in both directions, on different cues. I have “spin”, which is them turning anti-clockwise and “turn” is clockwise. I’m adding it in to “middle”, too, so from that position I can ask for a spin or turn and they will wrap around my leg and back to middle.

And Squidge also loves staying in middle while I walk forwards, backwards, turn in circles...

 

[Leanne]

I was training this recently

My trainer recommends it as you can train them to cross their legs one way and then the other. Might be good for the days you are not able to be so mobile?

 

[Ashley]

I taught “around” which is a circle around me ending with a sit in front. I think you’ve done some training so you might have this already, but last winter I worked on sit and downs in the proper heel position (for rally o) and did it mostly inside then moved to walks. In tricks class we learned sit pretty (or beg) which is now her most popular trick - but maybe this is what you mean by both paws? Currently I’m working on her identifying toys by name and touching them with her paw....progress is slow

 

[Leanne]

What about teaching her with a touch stick?

 

[Selina27]

I am not very mobile at the minute due to my stomach ulcer (had it 3 months now) and an inflamed stomach and a small hernia (diagnosed through an endoscopy today

Sorry to hear.

What about Magic Hands? Cass loves that, it's also quite useful in distracting situations.

 

[HAH]

I’ve put it on a “beep beep beep” cue, like a lorry reversing

I do this with Kipper! Mainly backing out of cupboards he’s exploring but I’m hoping to shape it into a command.

 

[Atemas]

I have a variety of things I do with Red at tea time - just for ten minutes and minimal movement on my part really. I use two cones and place them in our long hall - Red will do no end of things around those two cones - weaving, wrapping, going round etc - I just stand still and direct . I get the box out sometimes and she spins. In a middle she lays down and I ‘scatter’. I also ask her to sit and stay and go to another room and either call her or use the whistle. I do this until all her tea is gone - really doesn’t take long but she gets quite a work out.

 

[Naya]

Thanks all. I could definitely do spin and turn as we used to do this, but I haven’t done it in a long time. She does back up really well, but I could add it to me turning as well. The cross paws looks really good too. The cones could be fun too! I will give these a go.

Sorry to hear.

What about Magic Hands? Cass loves that, it's also quite useful in distracting situations.

What is magic hands?

Thanks for all of your suggestions x

 

[HAH]

@Naya we learned a couple of variations on Middle last night and I thought of you. The first was Sit Up and Beg - you ask for Middle,then shift your legs backwards slightly so you’re almost behind her and ask for a sit so she’s pretty much sitting on your feet. Then treat above her head so her front feet come off the ground. Mark and Treat until she’s sitting up supported at her back by your legs (this bits important so she’s got the muscle support). Keep working this until she’s developed a strong enough core to gradually remove the support.
The other was Front Feet On in Middle - in Middle, ask her to keep her front feet on yours (if you can turn your feet in a bit) and then start taking tiny steps forwards, keeping her feet on yours all the way.

We were light years off either of these, only just having got Middle!

I hope you’re feeling a bit more comfortable, at least the wet weather helps encourage reduced exercise.

 

[FayRose]

Oh, I like the sound of these things though I don't know what some are, can you help me please? What's 'middle' what are pivots and what is 'magic hands' ?
Molly does all the usual basics but I'd love to teach her some of these for those days when I'm not too mobile.

 

[HAH]

Middle is a super one we’re just learning @FayRose - it’s taking us a while but might be a lot quicker for you and Molly. The aim is to get Molly voluntarily putting herself to stand between your knees when you stand legs akimbo. There was a Forum challenge on this last September: https://mylabradorfriends.com/threads/september-forum-challenge-middle.728/
We started by standing with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, then luring the dog from behind to between your legs and treating from the front with your other hand. Do lots of repetition to make it a brilliantly reinforcing place to be, then you can use it as a base for all sorts of behaviours.

 

[Cath]

I am not very mobile at the minute due to my stomach ulcer (had it 3 months now) and an inflamed stomach and a small hernia (diagnosed through an endoscopy today).

So sorry you are ill. Hope you will soon be better

 

[FayRose]

Thanks HAH, have just watched that Now, can someone tell me how to do that thing with users names @ and their name in green please?

 

[Selina27]

Now, can someone tell me how to do that thing with users names @ and their name in green please?

@FayRose , you just type @ and then type in the username, a little box will appear with the name you want or choice if begins with same letter

 

[FayRose]

@FayRose , you just type @ and then type in the username, a little box will appear with the name you want or choice if begins with same letter

Oh, thank you, @Selina27 I've been trying to work this out for ages

 

[Naya]

Thanks @HAH , some really good things to move onto. She absolutely LOVES doing middle so this should be fun.

I’m feeling a bit better. I’m back at work and walking Harley, but still having to go easy as the inflammation and hernia are still there. The bad bit is the limitation of what I can actually eat!