Two weeks of training!

More of the same!  He’s going to be a ROCK STAR!   3-4 sessions/day and 4 hides each session!

Here is the 2 week video.  I started with 15 min. and cut it to under 2 min.  He generally keeps his nose on the source (odor is birch) until I say “yes” and then he lifts his head.  Sometimes I am saying it quietly so it just looks like I’m rewarding him after his head is up but I’ve marked it when his head is down.  I started using a leash and moving it around over his back as he sticks with the source.  His obedience to odor is really good for only doing this for 2 weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w_uY_nLZ3Q 

And the training room is getting slightly more chaiotic!

Here are some of the containers I’m using for hides:

 

 

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One week of training!

It’s going well and Jake clearly gets it!!  Here are 2 videos from the first week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA7KkeIK-sE 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L602QUj_UKs

Here’s how the training room looked first…  and then the boxes came!

Fenzi it is!

The DVDs arrived and I spent lots of time watching them but, oh my…  the method of training requires the assistance of another person.  Hmm….  what to do???  Talked to more folks and was directed to the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy that offers online classes in quite a few topics including nosework!  What did I have to lose?  NW 101 – Introduction to Nosework - $65 for a course at the bronze level.  It uses marker training which is so ingrained in my training that it would be hard to break me of it even if I wanted to stop using it – which I don’t.  Here is what they said about it:

This course is unique in that your dog will NOT learn to search for food; instead, we use the proven training method that produces the nation's top drug and bomb detection dogs! Our backchaining method is effective on almost all dogs, from insecure and unfocused dogs to highly driven and intense workers. The proof is in the pudding; dogs going through only one or two levels of our courses are earning their ORT and NW titles in record time! Even if your dog has failed using other methods, we can help you succeed!

In this class, you will learn about the basic concepts in searching for odor, proper use of equipment, how to handle odor, how to make and place hides, and how to teach your dog the importance of odor obedience.  You will also learn how to make the search for scent extremely important to your dog.

The Syllabus seemed like it was very straightforward and it was a course that was being offered right now and I could get started immediately!

Week 1:

• What is Nosework / Explanation of training method
• Preparing/handling odor & avoiding contamination
• Introduction to odor

Week 2:

• Introduction to hunting
• Developing value for odor source
• Emphasizing the importance of rewarding at source
• How to address false alerts
• Generalization of containers

Week 3:

• Building stay at source behavior using games
• Handling & body language - how that can affect your dog's search
• Introduction to mild proofing at source
• Generalization of searching in new familiar locations 
• Hunting skill building games / adding more containers and challenges in search area

Week 4:

• Nosework gear and leash handling
• Elevated & High/Low container games
• Adding distractions with containers
• Introduction to the concept of aging your hides

Week 5:

• Startline Routines
• Introduction to Interiors
• Introduction to “ORT” boxes

Week 6:

• Preparing for your ORT
• Mock ORT

What to do when you can’t go out…

I had my knee replaced November 18th and plan to have the other one replaced in January.  Knowing this could be a long winter for Jake knowing I’d be a bit restricted I though…  hmmm….  what to do…  what to do…  Then something made me think of NOSEWORK!!

SO…  how to start???   Google it…  talk to people…  Started out by ordering Andrew Ramsey’s nosework DVDs from Leerburg.  Andrew was the originator of the UKC Nosework Program which after some investigation is the venue that I’ll most likely participate in. 

History Of The UKC Nosework Program

The Nosework program is modeled after working detection dogs. While working as a team with their handler, the Nosework program allows any breed and type of dog to respond to specific target odors by using their natural olfactory abilities. The specific target odors are placed in a variety of environments from containers on the floor to vehicles and much more!

UKC sends a heartfelt "thank you" to Karen Shivers and Andrew Ramsey for their dedication to the sport of dogs and promotion of Nosework. Mr. Ramsey was the originator of this style of Nosework. Together, with their insights and contributions regarding the concept of Nosework, the recognition of this program by the United Kennel Club became a reality!

Red light healing

I’ve used a red light for years on acupressure points on my dogs to accelerate healing but recently I purchased a larger pad and I love it!   Click here for info (and no, I have no interest in the company!) Also, even though it says it’s for dogs and horses, it feels pretty good when I use it on my knees and shoulders!!  Clearly worth the $200 cost!!

I toss a throw over Jake when using it because it sort of anchors him and he is less likely to move.  I use it on Jake’s hips, back and shoulders and any specific injuries he may have such as the sore on his leg that he is licking.

 

2015 – Rock Star!

So….  what did we do in 2015….  here it is!!  He’s earned his Rock Star name!

BARN HUNT
Dog	Owner	Date	Class	Time	Placement	High in Class	Location
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-03-27	Master	1 min. 51 sec.	1	yes	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-03-28	Master	1 min. 41 sec.	1	yes	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-03-29	Master	1 min. 43 sec.	1	yes	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-03-29	Master	2 min. 36 sec.	1	yes	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-07-04	Master	1 min. 49 sec.	1	yes	Menasha WDC
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-07-04	Master	1 min. 59 sec.	1	yes	Menasha WDC
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-07-05	Master	2 min. 5 sec.	2	------	Menasha WDC
RATCHX3 achieved!
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-03	Master	2 min. 11 sec.	1	yes	Menasha Gail
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-04	Master	1 min. 49 sec.	1	yes	Menasha Gail
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-04	Master	2 min. 5 sec.	1	yes	Menasha Gail
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-23	Master	2:08:24	2	------	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-24	Master	1:19:78	1	yes	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-24	Master	1:42:31	1	yes	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-25	Master	1:34:50	2	------	Sheboygan
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-10-25	Master	1:33:35	1	yes	Sheboygan
Summary: 12 first place finishes (all High in Class), 3 second place finishes. New personal best of 1 min. 19 sec.
Comments: Jake did only 4 weekends of Barn Hunt in 2015 but accomplished all the goals we set out to accomplish. He started out the year with an average time of about 2 min. for a master course and ended up with the last 4 trials averaging 1 min. 32 seconds. He brought home 12 first place ribbons (all 12 earning him HIGH IN CLASS) and 3 second place ribbons. He continued his unbroken record of placing if he qualified! AND he earned a RATCHX3 in July!
DOCK JUMPING
Dog	Owner	Date	Venue	Class	Jump	Placing	Location
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-06-13	Pier Pups	Novice 0-10'11"	10'5"	1st	FDL
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-06-13	Pier Pups	Novice	10'5"	1st	FDL
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-06-27	Pier Pups	Open 11'-15'11"	11'5"	1st	Beaver Dam
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-06-27	Pier Pups	Open	12'	1st	Beaver Dam
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-06-27	Pier Pups	Open	12'	1st	Beaver Dam
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-06-27	Pier Pups	Open (finals)	12'	1st	Beaver Dam
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-07-03	Dock Dogs	Junior	13'5'	2nd	Green Bay
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-07-03	Dock Dogs	Junior	13'2"	3rd	Green Bay
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-08-04	Dock Dogs	Junior	14'2"	1st	Oshkosh
Junior title awarded by Dock Dogs after 3 successful jumps in the Junior class (10' to 14'11)
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-08-05	Dock Dogs	Junior	14'3"	1st	Oshkosh
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-08-05	Dock Dogs	Junior	13'5"	3rd	Oshkosh
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-08-06	Dock Dogs	Junior	12'4"	2nd	Oshkosh
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-08-07	Dock Dogs	Senior	16'6"	2nd	Oshkosh
Jake earned an invitation to participate in the Dock Dogs World Championship in Iowa based on the average of his jumps at the Wild Card event at the Winnebago County Fair in Oshkosh.
Summary: 8 first place wins, 3 second place finishes and 2 third place finishes.
Comments: In November 2014 Jake was introduced to swimming and for 3 months wore a life jacket until he "got it". When dock jumping season started in June we decided to try it and in a 2 month period he increased his jumps from 10.5 feet to 16.6 feet, placed in all his jumps, earned a title and earned an invitation to Dock Dogs World Competition!! Jake's enthusiam for jumping never waivered but unfortunately, a skin infection cut short his successful season.
TRICK DOG
Dog	Owner	Date	Title	Class	Venue
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-04-05	Trick Dog	Novice	Do More With Your Dog
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-04-05	Trick Dog	Intermediate	Do More With Your Dog
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-04-05	Trick Dog	Advanced	Do More With Your Dog
Jake	Laurel Stone	2015-04-05	Trick Dog	Expert	Do More With Your Dog
Summary: Four titles earned by submitting videos of tricks (skills) that Jake does.