More on the Elusive RELAX, with help from Syn

I'm giving Relax a lot of thought these days.  And asking myself, "What is it that I want?"

Well, I definitely know that threshold plays a big part in teaching this behavior.  And I know that Lily is not a "naturally" relaxed dog. It is Shayla to whom Relax comes more naturally.  Lily is an In the Game kind of girl.  So this behavior, once taught, will be a gift to her.  Yoga for Lily!!!  (reminds me of Eileen and Down Dog position w/Summer).

I am reading along in Syn's Blog and today Sue began explaining Relax to Syn.  This is what she says on the subject.

Finally I cued her to Lie Down (roll over on her side and put her head down - Relax). She's got the roll well now, but still doing her I'm-doing-it!-I'm-doing-it! tail wag, so this time I was waiting for her tail to stop wagging. It only took 7 or 8 seconds, and she signalled the silence of the tail with a huge sigh, followed by shallower breathing. Got it! Maybe 5 reps, and she was down to 4 seconds of wagging before relaxing.

and, for Syn's supper,

We did Relax next, and again she was better. After 3 repetitions, she was wagging for 2 seconds and then sighing, and she was able to stay relaxed for 15 seconds without working on duration.

Lily has the position.  And she understands about the quiet tail.  Now, by being particularly aware of our environment AND Lily's threshold, we will go for the "sigh".

I am thinking, too, of totally dropping the "Settle" cue and re-teaching, using Lily's "Roll" cue (for the position), add duration, wait for the sigh before re-introducing the "Settle" cue.

And doing KORP in the Roll position.  I wonder if incorporating that would also be helpful.  Certainly couldn't hurt now, could it?

Hmmmmm.  I am liking this plan.

Lily on Cathy's tennis court

with Rooster and Nad training in center court

On her side

with her head down

her tail silent

SHHHHH.....I think I heard a sigh!

Relax: Level 2 beginning Step 2

Is Lily relaxed?  Are the "strings cut"?  Is she ready to drop off to sleep?  Not yet.

But we are "assuming the position" and building duration.  Initially, I captured this behavior.  Here I have been marking the behavior with "Yes" before introducing the clicker because we have moved to a new location.

In this first Flip, we have been training Sit Level 6 (tucking backwards between my legs under the piano bench and then under the chair).  Right after releasing from that behavior I cued the Settle.

Then we move to the dining room for some more Step 1 Settle on cue.  When she lifts her head I begin C&L again.

Introducing Step 2 in this location.  First just a gentle "Good girl!" and some tactile.  Then I send her around the table a few times before cueing Settle again.