Games

There is so much to learn about dog training. You can always do better, more accurately and consistently. I'm participating in e-training course by Say Yes/Susan Garrett called Recallers. There is a new game each day, with good instructions and video clips. Timing of the course is perfect for Kumma, as we can have these new games in our toolbox right from the beginning. In addition to new games, my understanding of small but important details has improved.


With Kumma I want to use both toys and treats as a reward. I want to be able to switch from one to another during training sessions. Kumma likes tugging, but he is also very fond of food. Some weeks ago when treats were available, or especially when his food bowl was waiting on the table, he was not so interested in tugging. Now I have find ways to increase his tug drive, and can even send him to a toy target while food is close. This is an example of small but important foundation training that I want to put a lot of focus on.

I have never managed to get Neeo really excited about tugging. Hoppu is more interested in thrown toys than tugging. Playing with him does not work in all environments, only on good days in nice places. "Nice" was defined by Hoppu, I've never understood his criteria.

The Recallers course is also giving good games to play with the veteran IGs. Warm summertime has been a dream come true for us, but winter follows. I need to keep my veterans happy and in good shape, and games that can be played inside are fantastic for that purpose.

It has been fun to do same exercises with all three dogs, and to compare their differencies. It is amazing how well Kumma can focus and control himself! One challenge when training IGs is that they are really fast with their movements. It is easier with Kumma to catch and mark single movements.

Kumma will be 5 months next week. Last week he got rabies vaccination, and weighted 12kg. He is a big sweet boy, Rymy-Kumma. No elegance like in IGs :) Yesterday he run around and around in our garden with Neeo. I'm trying to tell Neeo that he will be 11 in 3 days, and will get a heart attack with that speed.

Next week we'll participate in jumping seminar... That will be quite an event for us, with its distractions.