-
The PERFECT STORM for Dog Training – Environmental Awareness
It’s storming pretty hard here today, wind gusting hard so that’s it’s raining sideways.????⛈
In other words, a PERFECT DAY for training! ????
We just moved to the middle of “tornado alley” and I’m teaching my girls to run to our tornado shelter on a verbal cue (“Dungeon”!) so that if we are in danger’s path, I don’t have to worry about trying to convince two 50lb dogs that they should descend steep steps into a dark hole in the ground while other triggers such as thunder and mom’s stress are present.
✅We’ve already gotten happiness getting into the shelter during a pleasant daytime,
✅and we have practiced a few times in the dark with no drama, just relaxed dogs having cookies.
So anyway, it’s blowing gales outside and I took a quick break from work to run outside in the gusting torrent to condition my dogs that entering said shelter is a LOT of fun, even when it’s not a sunny day.
Did I mention Joy’s not really “into” thunder? In fact, it scares her, a lot. ???? We’ve talked about how environment matters, in our recent BLB.
We got soaked, but made it into the shelter safely and had some treats in the dark. I gave the girls their Yak Cheese chews… and Joy wouldn’t take it.
ut-oh.
I found a light and took a look at her. Yep — she was glancing up and around, and startling at the noise outside. And I was just about out of dog treats that I’d put into my pocket. ????♀️
✅Good thing I packed an “emergency food” kit down there! ????
We broke it open and shared a granola bar. Poof. Fear abated. She relaxed while we ate. ????
As soon as we were done, we went back outside, they “took care of business” (also necessary after scary things!) and we went back into the house and dried off. We’ll be talking more about scary things and how to help your dog in tomorrow’s discussion. For now, though…
Anyone else enjoy training in the rain?
Let’s talk about it!
-
4 Replies
-
Absolutely love your proactive training, @programdev ! That’s serious stuff you’re working on.
Here’s a frivolous example of my own …
Many years ago, I competed in agility. At one competition, we had to run in pouring-down rain. When we got to the pause table, I told my dog to lie down and the judge began the count of 5. She stopped midway. I looked at my dog and it still looked like he was lying down, but she said he was hovering. The table, of course was drenched. After that, I made sure to practice his skills in wet conditions.(BTW, how stupid of me to have run my dog in the first place. That wasn’t safe for either of us. But after long travel to compete, I foolishly overlooked that. ☹)
-
Aw – don’t be so hard on yourself, Virginia – we do the best we know how, and when we know better, we do better, right?! I wonder if rules have subsequently been changed in the main agility venues? It would seem unsafe for all to be running on slippery grass and obstacles. Anyone currently running agility, who can clue us in?
And thanks for your kind words about our training plan. It does help that I’ve throught through the conditions we will face when it’s “For Real” – the only thing I can’t really simulate is my own stress/scent. It will definitely be a factor for my two sensitive dogs. So, I’ll just have to proactively train all the other pieces, and ensure the dogs are BOTH leashed, before we make the dash from the house. I cannot imagine locking down the shelter with one of my girls on the opposite side. ????
The other piece I’ve thought about, but haven’t done yet, is muzzle training. I’m thinking if my neighbors need a place to take cover, too, I don’t want to turn them away, yet… that’s a whole ‘nuther stressor. (Hmm… do I need to have a party in the shelter? My neighbors already think/know I’m a bit odd..) but, given what I know about space, stress, etc., we’d likely all be better off with the dogs muzzled. I guess that’s next up!
-
Muzzle training sounds wise, @programdev . But how about teaching the dogs how to mix cocktails for your shelter party. ????
-
I mean, they’re Aussies, so they could probably do that if I give them the right tools…????????
-
-
-
Log in to reply.