Getting Better

Looking back on the last week of running contacts, I see now the first week is really about adjusting to what each other needs. Since we have started there have been several things that I have had to troubleshoot and figure out a better way to do them.

• I added a Manner's Minder (MM) - keep Tangle looking down
• I added a jump for a couple of days after the ramp to keep Tangle driving forward
• I took out the jump because he is now driving forward and I didn't want to encourage driving forward after a jump without my motion supporting it
• I turned off the MM sound because it buzzes late and just use a clicker
• I turned the MM back on to get Tangle looking forward AND used the clicker
• I started with a plank, moved to plank and table, ended the week with the low dogwalk and back chainging. Tangle drives forward much better on the DW.

You get the idea, constant tweaking until I got the desired behavior I was looking for.

I still need to solve my late clicks and clicking for inappropriate behavior. Making the films and watching them over and over certainly helps.

Tangle's latest video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHJ7IUmiTXc

Running Contacts

I have decided to do running contacts with Tangle. I am really uncomfortable with having him stop on the A-Frame. If it turns out that his stride is not very accommodating for a running contact I will add a 2o2o behavior for the dog walk. Hopefully I will always be able to keep a running A-Frame.

Here are some of my resources:
Daisy Peel
Running Contacts

I am now several days into training the RC. I am still messing around with several things trying to figure out the best way to teach Tangle. At first Tangle's challenges were looking back at me toward at the end of the contact. I solved that (at least on 1/23/2011 video) by having the manners minder make a sound. BUT...what I noticed when I was working with it today is that the sound is a little delayed. Video confirms this (really I have noticed this several times, I don't think I am late all the time). He also needed to look back at me today. I will only troubleshoot that one if it happens again.

Next time I will use a hand clicker AND a MM sound AND give Tangle the "walk-it" command.

The video's of the running contacts:
01/23/2011
01/25/2011