Steadiness at the Gate

Steadiness

Steadiness is the dog's ability to sit still and quiet during any type of activity - a shot, a falling bird, or the distraction of another working dog or hunter.

Steady in Group

If the dog doesn't hear his name, he should remain absolutely steady and quiet

Honoring in a Group

Honoring in a group can involve a mark thrown or a memory placed as each dog is individually released by his name while all others remain quiet. 

Honoring is obedience, as is steadiness.

Sporting Dog and Retriever Training the Wildrose Way  by Mike Stewart

Cathy and I are focusing on Steadiness and Honoring in our training.  This is the second time that we have met, working the four dogs together on the tennis court using basic foundation behaviors and focusing on Steadiness and Honoring.

Today Cathy reviewed her TC gate protocol having Eli, Monty and Rooster go to and remain on their mats whenever anyone enters or exists the court.  (using L2 GTM in a useful, practical way - advanced use of a solid L2 behavior)  Love it!

Lynn and Lily were the visitors to the TC and Lily practiced Level 1 Sit: Step 5  "Wait at an open door until invited to go through."

Then the boys remained steady when Lily was placed on a down with the other, where she, too, remained focused and steady.

All dogs worked off leash all day.  And, yes..........it was very cold!!!  Thus, Lily's coat and I was wearing layers and layers.

First of all, Lily had a GREAT day!  Except for a brief moment when there was a loose dog in the area, she was off leash and outside then entire day.  From her POV, what could have been better?

Then, the car was parked at the corner of the garage and the hatch was up all day....Lily could remove herself whenever she wanted a break and put herself into her favorite place, where she is the most comfortable.

She could run.  She could sniff.  And return.  Only once did I feel the need to call for a recall and she immediately responded, on the run.

There were three carpenters repairing the long line of fencing, so there were all sorts of noise distractions going on.  Cathy and I didn't even notice the many different sounds and activity until we were watching today's Flips.  And watching the Flips, it appears that the dogs weren't bothered by it either.

When we worked in the tennis court w/all 4 dogs together, whether working with Cathy or with me, all the dogs were free to choose.  Cathy had opportunity to sit outside the TC and watch the boys work w/me and vice versa.  And, while I worked with the boys on the TC, Cathy worked off the court with Lily off leash.  It was fun for everyone.

Oh.  And the dogs all took giant steps forward on their road toward steadiness and honoring.

BEHAVIORS:  These are the behaviors that I cued.  Cathy may have used others.  We worked together and separately with all of the dogs.

• Sit
• Down
• Come
• Touch
• Zen
• IOW, Level 1
• The above behaviors w/Distance; w/Duration; w/Distractions
• IOW, Levels 2 and 3
• Hup
• GTM
• Distance  (Get in the Car)
• Stay
• Wait
• Lazy Leash (off leash) so that would be L2: Step 2

We used kibble as treats and a combination of clicker and Yes! as markers (sometimes one, sometimes the other).  I like that neither Cathy nor I came "armed" with fresh meats or poultry or logs or other high value treats and that our dogs work well with minimal treats.

• Natural Balance (grain free/Rosemary free)
• Fish and Sweet Potato
• Duck and Potato
• Bison and Potato

INITIAL REFLECTIONS:

• Monty has the softest mouth of any lab I have ever known.
• Eli took treats in a much gentler manner this week.
• Rooster is a Steady Eddie.
• Only Monty continues to "investigate" Lily.  But only occasionally.  They accept her as part of the group.
• The first week that we S and H, Eli was eager to push his way out the gate when we were working there.  Today there was none of that.  Not even once.
• Lily is happy to work with the others but isn't interested in a play session.
• This "training" format/freedom to choose is giving Lily greater confidence and with confidence comes an ability to relax and work away from me for longer and longer periods of time.