GTM from a distance

..... using multiple mats.

Somewhere between Level 3 and Level 4 and using skills from both Levels, Lily and I have been using mats and Treibballs to do some "out of the Levels box" directional behaviors.

Teaching your Dog Directional Control

...from Treibball Training Tips list

We began at the beginning....the first chart.  Here is our progression:

• one mat
• round gray mat
• I was in front of mat, approx 5' away
• directed with body position and verbal GTM cue
• moved mat, but I returned to my original position and directed from there
• moved mat a 3rd time, directed from original position

• using 2 mats
• round gray mat
• white mat
• I was between the 2 mats, approx 5' away
• Using GTM cue (Go Lie Down), body position, I direct Lily to mat of choice and reward in position
• CRITERIA: go to the directed mat and lie down, facing me
• changed my position
• standing in front of left mat and directing
• standing in front of right mat and directing

• add a third mat in between the two
• new floor mat
• mats now about 5' apart
• standing in front of new mat, approx 5' away
• added my left arm with palm upright when body position and cue were not sufficient
• directed in same manner to all 3 mats randomly

• standing in front of left mat
• Lily had her first hesitation here
• but when I put the old white mat in the center and the new floor mat on the right that "explanation" simplified the job and Lily responded correctly

• standing in front of the right mat
• standing in front of the center mat

That's where we are after our first morning.  Each clip within each video is a separate training session where Lily was free to do whatever she chose.  The next time we practice, a fourth mat will be added (per the chart above).  I'm really space challenged in our house, so this behavior will be moved outside sooner rather than later!

Treibball Basics: Nose Touch on Ball

Basic Target: Level 1


Each of these videos makes good points that I want to be aware of before beginning

• location of the touch/push
• positioning

Our equipment (so far)

• green ball  65cm
• purple ball 55 cm
• blue ball from Albertson's

While we're working on the Push factor of this behavior, I'm going to build on that focus to review other Push behaviors (close the cupboard door/drawers; Push/Pull cues: closing and opening doors with the collar tags)

Treibball Basics: Go Out to GTM

Go to Mat: Levels 2-4

This was not the ideal day to re-introduce this Level 2 behavior but, there we were so we went for it.  Primarily shaping the behavior, although I did throw in the cue every now and again. Because it is our GTM criteria, whenever Lily is not lying with her trunk on the mat, my goal was to move closer and to begin again.

This is the ideal location to train the three beginning Treibball behaviors - separately.  As well as at home.

I can see holes that will disappear with a little practice.

"Going out" to a target, as used in Treibball.  We, Lily and I, are not ready to add an object.  First, get a solid GTM (or target).

Treibball Basics: Figure 8s in the Environment

Distance: Level 2

A fun morning at the Navy Marina dog run, before the bad weather arrives.

The two boulders are our training friends.  Using "Go By" and "Away" for Figure 8s.  A good place to sharpen up Lily's infrequently used Distance skills.  Same exercise as we were doing with the jump in Cathy's tennis court.....  With the fierce wind, hand signals were the way to go.  Or shaping.  Verbal cues were difficult to hear.

(It was SO windy, as we were doing this exercise the wind blew the Flip and the tripod over.)

The "go by" and "away" behaviors are precursors to beginning Treibball behaviors.  I'm going back to the GTM beginning to first let Lily have a good understanding of going out to a mat target from either the left or the right and orienting to me.  In readiness for Treibball, I am working three known behaviors separately:

• the nose touch/push
• GTM
• Distance (both clockwise and counter-clockwise)

AND, whenever possible, using different outdoor venues as well as working these three at home.