Training adventures at Hazel Run

[hazelrunpack]

The Pack recently started clicker-training with the Hazel Run Mama.
It being a nice day, they took the HRM outside to run her through her paces.
The Hazel Run Daddy was nice enough to document the session.

We've been concentrating on three new commands and reviewing old ones.

The first of the three new ones is "Look at Mommy". Comes in handy if the HRM is trying to get someone's attention.


"Cass, look at me."


Belle thinks this is an easy one.


Ridge has always been one to gaze soulfully into your eyes.

[hazelrunpack]

The second new command is "Touch". Cole demonstrates:


"Cole, touch!"

Very often the Hazel Run Mama gets an added benefit from this one--half the time she gets a little kiss on the hand along with the touch.

The third of the new commands is "Spin", although the Pack is not quite to the verbal command stage on this one.
Right now two of them do it in response to a gesture, four others still need to follow the hand in a circle
and the other two need to be reminded to "Touch" to get them to follow the hand in a circle.

But it's coming along. And the HRM is hoping to have them all in a line spinning in synchrony by summer's end.
(Pictures to follow if the HRM can pull it off. don't hold your breath )

Cole is one of our premier spinners since he invented the trick a few years back. Here he is, in mid turn:

[hazelrunpack]

Grace is amazingly good at this sort of thing.


She makes a graceful turn...


She offers you a paw...


She even sits pretty!

[hazelrunpack]

Ember concentrated on his new commands.


"Ember, look at me."


Ember makes his turn.

[hazelrunpack]

Brier gets so excited and is so distractable that the Hazel Run Mama
needs to start out with a little hypnotism.
She puts her hands behind her, relaxes, holds her eyelids at half mast, and wills the
wayward Brier to relax with her.

Believe it or not, the method works.

Once he's calmed down a bit, he spins with the best of them.



"Brier, look at me."

[hazelrunpack]

But the Pack member who has benefited the most from the clicker is our little waif, Ms Macie.

She used to hate training--she'd hang her head and stiffen up because she didn't understand.
It used to take months to teach her something new because if she even
suspected that she was going to be asked to do something,
she'd simply shut down.

It was heartbreaking to watch, she had so little confidence--
even though she was 100 times better than she was when we first adopted her.

But enter the clicker and suddenly:


"Macie, touch."


"Macie, sit. Look at me."


"Why thank you, Ms Macie!"

It's like night and day! No more catatonia when it's time to train--
her head is up and she's eager to work!
She'll actually meet the HRM's eyes!

So it's time to thank Auntie LP for the best advice ever--to try the clicker!
Not only the HRM thanks you, but the Pack thanks you, and especially,
Ms Muddy Mossy Messy Macie thanks you!!!!

[clm]

Isn't that wonderful how well Macie has responded to your new method.

Great pics too Hazel. Looks like you've found a great training method to use on the pack.

clm

[Love4himies]

Oh Miss Macie, you brought tears to my eyes , what a good girl you are Of course, HRM had a lot to do with helping you become that confident girl you are now

And Brier learning control I could use some of that hypnotic training so I don't jump around when I get excited

[breeze]

the training is going in the right direction Hazel!!


and Ms Macie well done!! amazing what a little clicker can do for some dogs
we are all so proud of you and the other of course

Brier you are just so happy to have found HRM that you must show your excitement.. you and Bree would make a great pair

[ancientgirl]

That's fantastic! Now come over here and do that with my gang.

[hazelrunpack]

Originally Posted by ancientgirl

That's fantastic! Now come over here and do that with my gang.

As soon as I get them all spinning in synchrony and get the pics, I'll be right there, AG. (This is another "don't hold your breath" type deal, though... Ms Macie has more confidence about the project than madame hazel does! )

Brier isn't just excited, breeze...he's manic! And every time a breeze puffs his ear, he's looking around for whatever touched him! Definitely excitable, that one. But he's not at all adverse to staring me in the eyes and he picks up on my body language and calmness pretty quick--you should try it with Bree.

Thanks, clm and L4H! Ms Macie is sooooo proud of herself. You can see it in that second shot of her! Getting her to look you in the face on her own was an impossibility just a few months ago. Now she's blossomed into an eager little trainer!

[Frenchy]

ohhhh Grace is so cute while giving you her paw !! and she's your best student ? WTG Grace ! But they look all so well behaved

and you must be so proud of Macie ! woot woot Macie ! I have 2 like her here. Nelly gets scared when I try teaching her commands. And Sienna gets a bit scared but mostly doesn't know what the heck I'm talking about and just sits and freezes. but they can still come when called & sit / stay.

[DoubleRR]

Great pics, thanks for sharing! Love clicker--but most of all love your green grass--nice place! We had a few blades coming through and then last Friday another 6 inches of snow fell in a blizzard. Dogs wondered what the heck happened to dog park visits and long walks again. sigh.

Congrats on having your lovely pack respond so well!

[hazelrunpack]

Frenchy, I think Grace is cheating. She grew up in a house with kids and they seem to have dressed her up and taught her things that our dogs don't know. So every once in a while, she'll surprise us with a smug expression and a new trick. But she's definitely a smart little cookie!!

We've had a really dry spring, DoubleRR. The grass is green by virtue of snow melt and one quarter-inch rain we had a week-and-a-half ago. March was the driest on record--no snow! Considering that we live in the middle of a forest, if we don't get rain soon, it'll be like living in a tinder box. I'd welcome a little of your snow--so if you can spare some, please send it on down!

[babymomma]

aww. They are all so good! And good job miss Macie!

Honestly, since I got the clicker, I dont understand HOW i got keely to do anything before it... It is SO easy to mark a behaviour now!

[breeze]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

Brier isn't just excited, breeze...he's manic! And every time a breeze puffs his ear, he's looking around for whatever touched him! Definitely excitable, that one. But he's not at all adverse to staring me in the eyes and he picks up on my body language and calmness pretty quick--you should try it with Bree.

but a handsome manic

the only thing Bree does when "we look into each others eyes" is she lies down

[otter]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

As soon as I get them all spinning in synchrony and get the pics

Now, now HRM, don't get all distracted, you are supposed to be working with the pack on getting them lined up at the fence to stand up and wave when I drive by

I was just beaming reading about your packs successes, I feel like a proud momma too (and i've never even met any of the pack, much to my chagrin)

Nolie is a clicker dog too... if only her mom (me) had better timing and hand eye coordination i'm sure Nolie would have training "in the bag" (half the time I click at the wrong time, or drop the treats or say the wrong thing, or step on Nolies paw, or turn the wrong way, or.... you get the idea) Any one got a "clicker training for humans" guide??

Woooooo Hooooooooo Hazel Run Pack

[aslan]

I just saw this,,a huuuuuge round of applause to the pack for the wonderful work they are doing,,,gotta give a special round for lovely Ms. Macie,,what a good girl and she should be super proud of herself.

[hazelrunpack]

I haven't forgotten, otter! Spinning is just easier to train than waving. So the waving will come later

Lying down is good, too, breeze...at least she's calm!

Ms Macie thanks everyone for the compliments. She's feeling very accomplished these days!

[luckypenny]

WAY TO GO!!!! Thank you Hazel...this thread made my day...my week . Can't wait to see the dancing/waving videos . Please tell Macie that Auntie LP is sooo very proud of her .

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

She used to hate training--she'd hang her head and stiffen up because she didn't understand.

You hit the nail right on the head. I even find humans difficult to understand sometimes , I can't imagine what it's like for animals trying to make sense of our complicated ways . It's in the simplicity of teaching with a clicker that makes it so successful imo.

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

Brier gets so excited and is so distractable that the Hazel Run Mama
needs to start out with a little hypnotism.
She puts her hands behind her, relaxes, holds her eyelids at half mast, and wills the
wayward Brier to relax with her.

Believe it or not, the method works.

Uh huh ...tried that with Penny earlier...she jumped up and nearly broke my nose Ouch!! I'll know better than to lean over her next time .

Congrats to you and the pack, Hazel . Looking forward to more pics and news as Macie progresses .

[TeriM]

What a wonderfull, happy thread . I am so happy that pack is enjoying their new training. I have recently tried the clicker with Riley and it has been kinda cool to see him start to think instead of react .

Great pics, especially of Marvelous Macie .

[hazelrunpack]

OUCH! LP!!! I was leaning over Brier! Never even thought of the possible nose issue! Luckily, I didn't start the lean till after he'd had his butt plunked down for a while! Something to keep in mind for next time, though...

I'm seeing that same thing in Macie that you're seeing in Riley, TeriM! In her case, she seems to be realizing that there's a way to work with these crazy Hoomans to some purpose (however inane ) instead of just getting overwhelmed!

It really is satisfying to see Ms Macie enjoying herself. She's even asking for some training now (and yes, I'm sure the yummy treats have something to do with it, but hey, whatever works!! ) and she comes running when she sees I have the clicker. She looks at my face more often on her own and she's listening more reliably in the yard, even though that's not an area that we're specifically working on with the clicker.

[Chris21711]

Those darn red x's ....but being the patient person that I am, I got to see them all ....very cute Hazel, so good to hear that Miss Macie is making such progress bless her

I think that maybe, just maybe Reb might, just might respond to the clicker. Ethel has one around here somewhere I think I will give it a try

[hazelrunpack]

It's pretty easy--if hazel can do it, it can't be sooooo complicated.

for Rebel catching on quick!!

[Chris21711]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

It's pretty easy--if hazel can do it, it can't be sooooo complicated.

for Rebel catching on quick!!

Hazel you have to meet my boy, he does nothing quick. In all honesty and I don't want to sound mean, I think the lad is missing something I love him to pieces though

[hazelrunpack]

He may surprise you, Chris! 'specially if you can find some truly yummy treats to spur him on!

[Dee-O-Gee]

Hum...I think it may be high time to edumacate myself with one of them there clickers?

So you think you'll have a sychronized swimming team soon Hazel! OH WAIT!!!! the pack doesn't like water!

[hazelrunpack]

No, I think synchronized swimming is totally out of the question! Maybe synchronized wading...but even that will be a really hard sell with Grace and Lil Belle. Evidently they're just so sweet that their feet will melt off if they get wet!

[14+kitties]

Very sweet! Nice to see MX5 has it almost in the bag! She's come a long way lately.
And of course the rest of the gang are no slouches either.

[hazelrunpack]

Thanks, 14+. Yep, Ms Macie has really gained a lot of focus lately! It's so nice to see!