Pebbles training 1

I think I need to teach Pebbles an exercise that is not a "moving" exercise like heeling or rolling over would be. Just to get her into "learning mode" and the frame of mind that doing something that I want her to do will get her a reward.

So, I plan to teach her to balance a quarter on her nose and also on her forehead while sitting, and then while standing. We used to do this as a way to teach dogs to stand still for the "stand for exam" and also to sit still and lay still on the long sits and downs in the show ring. The idea in this method is not to teach them to stand and then try to teach them to stay still... you start out by teaching them not to drop the quarter. They keep the quarter where you put it, they get a reward. They drop it, they get no reward- instead they get a slite chastisement "you dropped the quarter you silly girl" and the quarter is calmly replaced. In order to not drop the quarter, they soon figure out not to move, in what ever position they are in... sitting, laying, or standing. Then you gradually increase the time they balance the coin. Then, start introducing distractions. Finally, you just tap your finger where you would have put a quarter, to remind them to stay still. You don't accomplish this over a weeks time - but a gradual buildup. All the dogs I have trained this way figured it out quickly as pups, so I think Pebbles will get it pretty quick too. I hope it wil be a confidence builder, and a good foundation building block.

I like to start them out with more than one thing at a time, so I will also start teaching her to "watch me" - to look me in the face when told... in other words, to get her attention. This one I may wait on the Clicker for.

And, I want to end up teaching her to pick up items from the floor - useful for my Mom who is turning 80 this weekend - so I will introduce her to the first step of that - holding an object in her mouth for longer and longer periods of time- with the wooden dumbell, and start to teach her to take it in her mouth. I may wait for the clicker on this too. I can see where it would be helpful here.

It's supposed to be 90 plus tomorrow - good day to stay in and work with the dog!
Jules