Break in training question - Page 1

I am in the middle of an Outdoor Emergency Care class (equevalent to EMT) that is about a four month condensed class. I've basically paused Vandal's training except for three or four short sets of tracks a week.  He still seem to remember and perform the "game" but I'm trying to decide how to go forward after the class is over.

Would you advise to A. Pick up where we left off.  B. Move back, somewhat, in the training plan and start from there. Or C. Move back considerably and reinforce from there forward?

I'm just trying to get different perspectives for the best outcome in the long run.  I'm not really concerned with the factor of time.  I'd rather take longer and have no gaps that will pop up later.

Suggestions?

I don't understand.  If you continue to train, the dog should continue to progress.  Since you have less time to put toward the dog, the progression will be in reflection to the time spent, but why would the dog go backwards or stay at a certain point?   Three or four sets of tracks is good as long as they are progressing along with the dog.

Maybe I misunderstood.  I don't know, but a dog will not go backwards in four months because training has declined.  It will be slow but forward.  How old is the dog?  If it is a young dog, I'd concentrate on tracking and obedience more than bitework.  If the dog sits for four months in bitework, it may do the dog some good to mature and come back with some fire.  I would still build drive if he is young, but wouldn't worry too much.

Don,

I'm training him in SAR not Sch.. If I had the time I'd love to do Sch but different story.  Anyway, he was up to 400 yard tracks with the wind, no turns yet but going good through deep ravines or washes.  I've been doing a few tracks with him, yes, but they're only 50 or 100 yards just as a bit of a reminder. If I were to keep "with the program" he would be up to quarter mile tracks before my class is finished. So, as far as progressing I can't call what he is doing progressing. The program we use is very, I don't know how to say it really, foundational, maybe?  I mean, do a short track every session for reinforcement then a medium, then a long. We do that set times three every training.  So doing a couple 100 yard tracks doesn't really seem like "training" but more like reminders.  That's why I was wondering if maybe I should go back some and work him back up to his last accomplishment.

He's twelve months but not a goofy twelve months when it comes to working.  Just when it comes to eating the screen door. :)

take him back a little but he wont have forgotten it wont hurt to go over the basics.

all the best

tracie

I understand now!  Cant you dedicate less days, but a full day of training?   What I'm asking is can't you cut down on the days, but keeping the repitition the same, only less days?  Instead of training less every day, why not train fully, less days?

Thanks, tigermouse and Don. I guess I'm worried about going forward and lengthening the tracks according to schedule without having that every day or every other day reinforcement.  And part of the problem is I'm not training every day, it's more like every two or three I squeeze in a few short tracks. This class is supposed to be an eight month course and we are doing it in four. It seems like every moment of my life not spent doing stuff for the family is spent studying.

Maybe I'm just worrying too much over it.  I mean, this class is a requirement for our SAR team, so other people have had probably the same situation. I know they all fall off the radar when they've taken it and you basically don't see them for four months. My training director is out of reach so I guess I'll just talk to her about it.

I appreciate the input, it helps to clarify my concerns so when I talk to her I am more clear on what I'm worried about.

What is the longest you've gone with a break and training? After the break did you find that you both pretty much just fell back in place? Or did it seem like one or both of you was out of sync? I've never trained a dog to do something like this. I guess I'm just worried of loosing that training time.

Dawgs

we had to rest our bitch for 10 months and she never forgot a thing!!

i was the rusty one lol dont worry hun just do what you can when you can. little and often is always good! make it fun and a dog rearley forgets.

Tks

You have to remember brood bitches take breaks all the time! 

I don't think 4 months is long to a dog at all.  I think time goes by very fast for a dog.  At least I hope it does.  Dogs sit inside of a crate for hours.  Can you imagine what that would do to a human?   

I have not had a dog suffer from a break in training - when my dad had lung cancer and my mom a stroke, my dog went a full 6 months without cadaver training and did not seem to miss a lick

With so much REALLY simple simple stuff you need to make sure you are not boring the dog -- but I would ask your team training director (or equivalent) since the team method is so focused on footstep tracking