Tanya (05-11-2015)
The big yellow guy and I had a phenominal training weekend with one day of field work and two days at a Denise Fenzi clinic where we had a working spot today.
I took Friday off and met my field trainer and a few others at a beautiful private pond. Last lesson there was a lot of dawdling on the way back with the bird. My trainer suggested an e-collar and I suggested working with him to understand that it wasn't a play retrieve, but work. He has a beautiful formal recall, so there's no reason why he should not come running straight back with the bird. So, this time, I did not let him loose in the field, but kept him on leash and tuned in. Before we did a land retrieve, I placed him about where the bird would land, walked to the spot where I was to stand, and did a formal recall over 100 yards. Perfect. We then threw the bird for him and what do you know? Perfect recall delivering the bird to hand. No peeing, sniffing, etc. We then hit the water and had some great retrieves. I could not have been happier with him!
Then, Saturday and Sunday was the Denise Fenzi clinic. My advice? If she is in your town, GO!!! Even if you just audit because maybe you are not competing with your dog, it is super interesting to watch her work with so many different dogs. We had all types, all levels, all ages, all breeds, tons of different issues (though the biggest issue by far was attention in the ring, especially while heeling), and, of course, LOTS of different human personalities and experience levels as well. Lots of performance folks thinking they had problems, but didn't. They were just being too hard on themselves and creating pressure for their dogs. Once they turned off the pressure, the dogs performed beautifully and freely, and actually wanted to work.
When it was our turn, we showed her what we were doing and in the end, we worked on heeling as it was the only place where she could see I was having some struggles (surprisingly, he's where he should be on the hold command based on how and when I started teaching it). We have a hard time with the first step from a stop and the about turn (when he is on the outside). I tend to lose him and lag on both. Same with the fast command. Turns out those were easy fixes. Denise worked with him for a moment which was so fun because I got to see him from another point of view (and with a professional trainer). I have to say, he is really fun to watch! She showed me how to use the pocket hand with him as I was having a tough go of it due to his height and size, but turns out I just needed to fan my fingers and when needed, I can control his head with a pinky finger. She said he was doing great, could move surprisingly well for such a large dog, and was a pleasure to watch work in the ring. It made me realize just how lucky I am to have this dog; he tries his heart out and makes me look good!
Denise has a beautiful and simple training philosophy that made me realize that sometimes we make it more difficult than we need to and fight with our dogs when it's not at all necessary. We also make bigger deals of things that are really minor and find frustration in areas that are actually going fairly well, and often the answer is to let it go -- treat for good tries, let the dog figure it out, give the dog a choice, and respect your dog. It was really great!
Tanya (05-11-2015)
Sounds like a good weekend indeed. I’ve never been to one of her seminars but have heard good things about it.
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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I have signed up for online courses offered by Denise Fenzi and have been very happy with them. Abby just got her CD title last week. She is the first dog that I have competed in obedience with. Denise was in my area in Feb, but I had just had hip replacement surgery & couldn't attend. Will definitely try to attend the next time she is nearby. One way that we developed very good about turns is when we make the turn we toss a treat. Abby is just about "glued" to my knee on the about turn because she is anticipating the treat. We don't do it all the time just sporadically so she is always alert.
Hidden Content Our hearts are owned by Abby
That sounds like a great clinic. I would love to be able to attend one, thanks for letting us know it is definitely worth it!
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Tammy
Maxx and Emma Jean
Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.
Sounds fantastic!
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Kissing Bandit
I've audited 5 or 6 classes on her online academy, I really enjoy them! If you've ever considered agility, Loretta Mueller's classes are REALLY good. We are lucky enough to train with her in person, she is excellent
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