The Spaniel Annals

The rest of my life (“real” life? “unreal” life?) has stalled our training and my blogging: fighting to get my energy back after surgery, then catching a cold, then the pressure of getting final writing portfolios graded.

Meanwhile, Reardon and Rozzie are clearly saying, “I’m ready!”  Through many physical behaviors (their primary language after all), they’re telling me they’re ready for more training that lasts longer, presents distractions,  and puts together more of the pieces they’ve been learning.  (Trainers call the act of putting the pieces together “chaining” behaviors).  In other words, they’re maturing and in some doggie sense, they know it.  Not only do they know they’re ready for more demanding training, they want it! 

So this entry is really a note to self.  It’s been so long since my last puppy that I had forgotten about the proverbial “light bulb” of maturity that occurs in many breeds at 2 years old.  With some larger breeds, trainers will say this comes later, say 3 or 4 years, but whenever this light bulb flicks on, it can be almost eerie: the dog goes to bed a puppy, and seems to wake up the next day an aware, matured dog. 

So how do Rozzie and Reardon say “I’m ready”?  The eagerness they have for their training sessions tells me a great deal.  After I’ve put on Rozzie’s working collar and leash, she throws herself at the front door, while Reardon spins in circles.  But it’s more than that: both of them are offering difficult behaviors that, prior to the “light bulb,” would have required me to lure them (meaning food right in front of their muzzle) or offer very frequent reinforcement (short spaces of the behavior with frequent stops for food rewards).   Both can handle greater distractions, and both are heading towards that magic moment when the work itself becomes a pleasure. 

With Rozzie, I can see her readiness in her ability to heel at attention for long sequences, without visible food and with distractions.  In the photo below, Rozzie is heeling next to a ditch that has been difficult for her in the past.  It must be a ditch full of delicious smells, but today she pays it no mind:

Reardon, the “unnatural retriever,” is now retrieving his dumbbell quickly and happily.  There were times I thought he would never gallop in with his dumbbell.  A trot on the return is acceptable in the obedience ring, but I’d prefer an eager, fast return.  Getting this from Reardon has meant lots of running away from him and making it a game, but today it’s all up to him:

So, they’re ready!  I better be ready too.:-)