Here's a short blog post (mostly videos!) of some example of training sessions where I was able to use a distinct pattern for the dog to get reinforceable behavior quickly.
What you need
- starting point – this is typically a station for my young dogs
- behavior – eye contact, positions, weaves, contact, etc
- reinforcement strategy – dish, manners minder, pre-placed toy
- a direct route from where the reinforcement was collected back to the starting point
Here is a pattern used with Shrek for the behavior of eye contact.
Here is a pattern used with Gletta for running through channel weaves.
Here is a pattern used with Gletta for sequencing and building obstacle focus.
How can you use a pattern in your next training session?
I’m try to wrap my head around how this would work with a start line.
***My thoughts, and I’m not sure if I’m on the right track.
Briefly:
– take dog to startline
– give start cue
– dog responds by showing consent
– dog takes first jump
– “cookies” run to cookie location or reward immediately after dog lands jump and repeat at another jump.
– now you’ve read this return to ***
Hey Kathie,
I would actually split these skills apart, first. I would train the behavior of staying as a pattern. I would train the consent as a pattern. I would train the leash off as a pattern. Leash on as a pattern. Then entire start-line is a large behavior chain, so I would make sure each piece is properly conditioned and then set it into a pattern like you describe. I would first put the cookie jar close to where I need to set up for another rep, and increase distance from the cookie jar gradually over time.