Week 7 EXAM

 

This is the Week 7 Readiness Test


1. There are several places in this video where I am guiding Red through the completion of the exercises versus correcting her for not completing the exercise on her own.


In the book Bill discusses this as knowing when to use the guiding hand of instruction versus the sting of correction.


Red has a hard time with focus and remembering which exercise she needs to do.  At no time did I think she was blowing me off - it felt more like she was wrestling between her social responsibility and offering a behavior.  In that situation I tend to help the Week 7 dog more than correct it. 


2. As you watch the video you will lose track of when I have the leash on the collar, the bridging link, or off leash ... more you will begin concentrating on the dog's behavior


3. That's good, because it is EXACTLY what the dog does on the light line ... the dog stops noticing where the leash is and begins to pay more attention to its behavior. Interrupting that development (w/ excessive use of correction- actually works to stall the process).


4. Use corrections when/if you must, of course; but learn also when to use guidance (talking to dog for every start/turn, pace changes, turns) as the better tools of communication. Seek to use the training mechanics you have been trained to use, not your own extra mechanics.


5. You will see me do a LOT of guidance so Red can succeed.  This was her first ever Week 7 Readiness Test.


Video: Week 7 Readiness Test

Sequence:


On leash

Heel 10 - 15 steps + auto sit

Sit/ stay on leash – 45 sec. EF

Down/stay – 45sec EF

Bridging link

Heel 10 - 15 steps, auto sit

Sit/stay 45 sec. EF

Down / stay 45 sec EF




Bridging link

Heel 10steps, auto sit

Sit/stay 45 sec. EF

Down / stay 45 sec EF


Off leash

Heel 10 - 15 steps + auto sit

Sit/ stay on leash – 45 sec. EF

Down/stay – 45sec EF

Leash off (throw on ground)

Sit/stay 20’ away

Recall

Finish

EF(pick up leash from ground)

Here are Boaz's Week 7 EXAMS* Please note I do Boaz's Stays off-leash, totally dependent on the skill set of the handler and the individual dog. For a brand new student, with their first obedience dog, do the Stays ON-LEASH. 

=========================================================================Redd's Week 7 EXAM Morning,

It was a smidge less humid this morning, so I did a 2nd Week 7 EXAM with Redd. The first one showed her lack of understanding on the Down as I did not do the Downs because of her injury.
The past 2 days we have done at least 15+ Downs per day. Finally, this morning just before I recorded this video (and after a warmup) Redd demonstrated she now understands the "Down" command and mechanics.

I am especially delighted with her heel position and steady 'checking in' with me.  She passed with flying colors, I only had to help her really on one EF.

And now, I have to drive to drop off her and Boaz at the boarding place as this time tomorrow morning, we are on a plane in the air headed to SLC.

========================================================================

Ruth doing her Week 7 EXAM