When learning new tricks Mom uses a finger clicker or uses the word "yes" very enthusiastically to mark the very point where I performed the trick correctly before rewarding me with a treat.  I like training this way because the sound marks the point where I performed the behavior correctly and lets me know a treat is coming, if Mom didn't use the marker and just treated she could end up rewarding the wrong behavior and I would never understand what she really wanted me to do. 

In the picture to your left Mom taught me to ring a bell on a table while standing on my hind legs and to only ring the bell with my left paw by using a clicker, but clickers aren't just for learning tricks then can be used to correct bad behavior.  I will let you in on a little secret about me... I used to be reactive when I saw other dogs and vehicles when Mom and I would go out for a walk on my leash, Mom said I was being a "butt head" and sometimes she says I can still be a "butt" when the UPS Truck passes.  Mom taught me to look at her using the clicker when I saw another dog and once we passed the dog I would get a yummy treat, now I associate other dogs with yummy treats and I am not a "butt head" towards them anymore. 

My bad reaction towards vehicles was very different then dealing with other dogs.  You see my bad behavior was being reinforced because while I was lunging and barking the vehicle was driving away so I was sure I was doing something right to make that happen.  Mom ended up teaching me an "Auto Sit" when Mom stops walking I immediately sit down Mom would click as the car passes she would step around and block my view and give me a treat and this works with all domestic vehicles.  My issue with UPS, FedEx, etc... is because I am very sound sensitive and I can hear them coming long before Mom can see them if the "Auto Sit" doesn't work Mom uses some of my Canine Freestyle moves as a distraction as the truck goes by... So if you work for UPS and see a Border Collie Twirling down the sidewalk... That would be me!

Time for my walk now... I will be sure not to be butt head!

Don't want miss next weeks blog?  You don't have to just
subscribe to it to your right  and it will be delivered to your inbox!

Hope you enjoyed reading my blog!

Welcome back to my Blog!

I know it has been awhile since I last posted but now that I have earned my Champion Trick Dog Title and all the pressure is off it is time to get my blog back on track... In my last post I wrote about the scent portion of the Champion Trick Dog application, I listed other scent games you could play with your humans and even left some instructions for your humans on how to play the scent game.  I sure hope some of you got to have fun and play at least one of the scent games.  If you missed that blog it can be found in the archives on my website.

Even though I earned my final trick dog title,  Mom and I are still working on new tricks as well as our performance routine.  I never know what Mom has planned next or what she is going to bring home.

OMD... Look what Mom found at Big Lots!
Here is the training plan:
1.  I jump in the box
2.  I lay down
3.  I pull a rope attached to the lid and shut myself in the box.
4.  I push the lid open on command.
Mom is hoping I got this down pat by Halloween in fact the command to open the the lid is "trick or treat" BOL!
If you want to teach this to your dog please do so using positive reinforcement... in other words use yummy treats and lot of praise and remember it is really dark in the box.

It is safe to say I am going to be a Vampire on Halloween day and help Mom greet the Trick or Treaters.  Mom has other plans for the local costume contests but I will save that picture for a later blog.

I hope you enjoyed todays blog and I hope you come back for more... you can always subscribe to my blog and it will be delivered to your inbox.

Remember to always make time for and have fun with your dog!