Relaxation protocol.

[UncleBob]

Day 1 the sequel : "This time it's personal outside"

OK, back to Day 1 but in a different location. While the weather still holds we did a session on the patio. Although the requirements now seem very straight-forward compared to those in the latter stages its amazing the difference a new location makes. This wasn't helped by the fact that it is bin day here so lots of noisy neighbours about. Still, we got our revenge by clapping and counting at them

Planning ahead - trips to knock on the front door are going to be a challenge if we are still outside at that stage! Oh well, we enjoy a challenge

 

[HAH]

Day 8 done After a break of a week I wasn’t expecting huge things, but Kipper exceeded expectations (1 HP).
He found me walking to the gate (an entrance) a little tricky but that’s because he had his back to it; I allowed a 15 degree shift in position so he could keep an eye, and he was fine after that. 3/4 way round him was also a novelty again (opposite of deja vu?) but he handled it admirably. Really pleased, particularly with lots of noises off stage from roadworks outside the house.
Kipper is also offering a lie down more in general life (at the moment with a focused ‘look what I’m doing, am I good?’ expression ), I think it’s a combination of this and general lie-down-to-settle training on the lead. Very welcome ?

 

[Leanne]

Sounds like you are all doing brilliantly! I’m laying on a beach in Greece catching up on all your exploits! Mas is apparently being an angel with the breeder (little shit ?) and has been kenneled with his sister.. they are very excited apparently lol

 

[UncleBob]

Day 2 (2) done

No noisy neighbours this morning. The very chirpy birds held Harv's attention for the first 10 second section but after that he was lay on his hip (as opposed to the 'ready to go' down position) with his chin resting on his front paws (until a treat was offered, of course) the whole time.

 

[UncleBob]

Day 3 (2) done

We had one break this morning but it was< ithink, understandable - we were in the dining room where we have Harv's water bowl and about half way through I think the dry treats got to him and he needed a drink, and the water bowl was right next to him (calling him!). He went straight back to his blanket and lay down afterwards so I was happy with that.

 

[HAH]

I think the dry treats got to him and he needed a drink

Reckon this is entirely fair enough; I keep reminding myself that this is the relaxation protocol, so if there are behaviours I think would be fine when they're relaxing like shifting position or having a drink then returning, I'm cool with that. Sounds like you and Harv are very much in the advanced class now, well done!

 

[UncleBob]

Day 4 (2) done

Back outside this morning. Harv was excellent even with ... a squirrel on the fence! This would warrant very loud and extensive barking while in the house until said squirrel had left the garden. But, lay down on his blanket on the patio, he looked at the squirrel (casually sat eating his breakfast on the fence watching the strange spectacle on the patio!) and then back at me - "Yes!" reward marker and a chain of treats - looked back at the squirrel for a bit longer and then back at me - "Yes!", another stream of treats. Bored by now the squirrel made his exit stage left. So pleased with Harv

 

[Jacqui-S]

Wow!!

 

[HAH]

That’s phenomenal work! Bravo Harv, and double bravo @UncleBob

 

[UncleBob]

Day 5 (2) done

OK, so we don't normally do RP at the weekend but the weather was so poor this morning we made an exception.

Harv was great again - he only moved once and that was my fault. I was thinking about the proofing notes at the very end - different locations, different people, reducing treats (but not forgetting praise). It was the last one that was my undoing - I was too enthusiastic with the praise (Harv is easily excited by any praise, affection, attention. Often just catching his eye is enough to set his tail wagging ). A simple 'good boy' accompanied by a rub behind his ear was enough to make him stand and wag his tail vigorously. Stoopid UncleBob!

 

[Boogie]

I did day 2 last night, Spencer was a star and it tired him out enough for us to go and watch the big TV in the front room for an hour

 

[Atemas]

Completed Day 8 today. Red is definitely more relaxed in her down position. She is so good. As soon as her little rug comes out, she’s on it and straight down. Sometimes, Sky is pootling around and often getting in my way ? but Red is just focussed on me. I love coming back into the room and she’s still there in a down - makes me smile ?. I hope I am getting fitter with all this jogging and walking to an entrance etc etc ?.

 

[UncleBob]

Day 6 (2) done.

Solid performance this morning from Harv. Could it be that he is 'getting it'? Or could it be that this morning's treats were cut up sausages?

 

[UncleBob]

Day 7 (2) done.

A couple of Stands this morning when I was clapping. I'm not overly concerned about this because, as I think I have said previously, we release Harv from his Sits and Downs with a quick clap of the hands and a 'Free' verbal cue. How is he supposed to know that it means something different this time? What I'm doing now is trying to make the start of the clapping process more like a sarcastic slow clap

 

[HAH]

a sarcastic slow clap

Nice work, I had a similar clapping issue- haven’t paired it with a cue as such, but it is something I naturally do as a ‘let’s go!’ arousal up type thang. I’ve been trying a gentle cricket clap ?, seems to be sufficiently different

 

[Joy]

If clapping is your release cue then how about changing the distraction noise to slapping your hands on your knees or table top instead?

 

[Boogie]

I have found it’s a bit much for the pup, he’s probably too young. I think it’s because everything is done in the ‘down’. After five or six ‘downs’ he’s had enough. I understand the reason for it but it’s not really suitable for Spencer at the moment.

But I love the randomness of it, as I so easily become predictable, especially to clever dogs. So I’m going to do it but not always in the ‘down’ and only half a page at a time.

 

[UncleBob]

Days 8 (2) and 9 (2) done

Oh no ... return of the toe touching!
(No issues for Harv though)

 

[Atemas]

We did Day 11 yesterday. The ringing of the doorbell had Red breaking her stay which didn’t surprise me. As Sky is pfaffing around all the time we are doing the protocol (free treats ?), she also started coming towards the door. Anyway, Red went back on her mat and I said quietly ‘stay’. She was fine then for the rest of the tasks including the door bell rings.

 

[UncleBob]

Day 10 (2) done

We are on holiday atm so the exercises this morning were somewhere that Harv is completely unfamiliar with. He was a little less relaxed than at home but still completed all of the exercises easily