In the evaluation video that I submitted two weeks ago, Brito returned with his dumbbell around the high jump. The following video shows the steps that I am taking to develop his understanding that I want him to jump in both directions.
I start by throwing a cookie out over the high jump. For the return direction I either throw a second cookie or throw a ball – for Brito the ball is higher value in this context, so it’s a nice option.
Then I add off center cookie throws. I help him verbally and with my body if I believe he is going to make an error (he doesn’t here).
I click as he returns over the jump.
After several cookie tosses, I test him with the dumbbell. Even though he successfully works with the dumbbell, I will still continue to do primarily cookie tosses over the jump for the near future.
After working on this for two weeks – both for cookie/ball tosses and with the dumbbell, he has become quite good at finding his way back to the jump, even with distinctly off center throws. Soon it will become a habit.
When we practice away from home, we’ll warm up with more cookie tosses, so that he understands that the rules are the same in all locations and with all jumps.
Denise, I know you are so busy. I love your posts, videos and how you break the exercises down. This one made me smile. I did the same thing with my dog really trying to teach understanding to take the jump on the way back. When we returned to the ring and did the drop on recall Odie looked at the jump and decided he must take it on the way to me. He went 1/3 way across the ring to take the jump and returned to me with a big smile so proud of himself for figuring it out. LOL I could not be upset, all I could do was laugh at him. What a good boy. I returned home with a training goal….. There is always something to work on.
Maureen Koepp
http://www.mkquilt.com
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