HGH training video clips - Page 4

<<I believe that indeed you do judge a dog on their own merit and not their pedigree.>>

Well, thanks.

A new training clip is coming up soon.


Ulf

Dear herding folks,

This is the first herding training video after the dogs drive has been developed (see previous clips). Don’t forget to turn on your speakers, enjoy…..and yes, it’s windy.

The actual training video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLGI3kEsu84  
Some training impression: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpP2HlpHrRg  

Very nice video.  I love how "low drama" this training is.   I can see how much calmer my dog would have been in the beginning (and now still) if our first experiences had been this quiet and steady.  

<<I can see how much calmer my dog would have been in the beginning (and now still) if our first experiences had been this quiet and steady.
>>
Heather, what do you train for, what course and where? Ulf

That should be an easy question shouldn't it?  

 Wedid an AKC tending instinct test,  tried two C course  including the "human fence" version mentioned in this thread, attended a camp,  and rented sheep  time at a place that doesn't do tending (and was slightly afraid of gsds).   It was  confusing and my dog and I were not having a good time (except for camp).

Last year I just bought our own small flock to work with. So  we are trying to figure out tending.   I don't really care which sort of course,  but I do want to learn about how gsds work, what sort of instinct they have and how different dogs show it, if my dog has any at all and if it's enough to work with.   How the training guides the instict and vice versa.  For me it is a way to better get to know my dog and the breed too.

 We   make a lot of mistakes, some of them are frustrating and some are just hilarious.   But we could certainly be learning more if we knew what things were supposed to look like when done right.   Like these videos.  Very helpful.

Heather

So from video/commentary our early mistakes seem to have been:

<<1. probably starting dog too young, I think 10 mos was too early for her>>

Definitely. To start a GSD that young you must be really, really good and even then you'll pay a price.

<<2. starting with sheep being put between her and I>>

In tending the handler shoud always between the dog and the sheep. There are few exceptions.

<<3. forcing her to keep moving on border when she stopped to think about things>>

Never force the dog to move, encourage here and then when the dog loses interest. But standing still and thinking and observing is a good thing at times. The incorrect concept that the dog must move at all times is rather common.

<<4. later letting her bark and run outside fence too long trying to get her interest and confidence built up again, not calm>.

That may actually not have been a bad idea in itself. I do that too when a dog has some convidence problems. I put them behind a fence for a while.

<<5. too much excited praise >>

Very likely.

Maybe even more :).

 Simply the best thread that I have seen on the pdb.  

Sincere thanks!  Also for training, trialing my dog.

Karla is fantastic.  She appears to have formed a very strong bond to you.  How long was it since she first arrived and you started working with her?  How did you build that bond up?  I think it is amazing that she is not a dog from your own breeding and born and raised on your farm.  

Maren

<<How long was it since she first arrived and you started working with her?>>

Ah, time to brag: Yesterday was exactly two weeks since her arrival. Started working her on a border a couple of days ago.

<< How did you build that bond up? >>

I am the ladies man…..

A more sincere answer is this: Dogs learn quickly to trust me. I teach them who is boss, they don’t walk all over me (in fact, I walked over yours Maren when he didn’t think he had to go out of my way and I will need to clue in Karla’s owner gently about the things I did to her dog ). I also offer them affection but they understand it is not among equals. And then I offer them fun. Karla cannot wait to go with me every day to the sheep, even if it is just for a few minutes. That in itself doesn’t create the trust just yet. The fact that I am one hundred percent predictable to the dog creates the trust. They know when they are in trouble and they know when they are save. I am never really angry when the dog does something stupid because it is a dog (well, with the exception of a dog barking at night and waking me up).

So, that’s pretty much the secret to the bonding.

...and it appears Karla is bringing something to the table, let's not forget that.

Ulf

 I know you told me about Galaxy just standing in your way.  What can I say?  I am guilty.

Are there differences in the sexes?  Are males/bitches easier?  

I am sure Galaxy would still greet you like an old friend if he were to see you today.  I think your kids have made him so trustworthy around children.  

By the way, some of the showline folk told me, that I made a big mistake that all the "work" would ruin my dog and make him not so pretty.      I think Galaxy looked his best when he came home to me so many years ago after his HGH title.  

Stay well and keep the videos coming,
Maren