Recording accomplishments in training is always exciting. Like baby's first steps, there is always something new to learn and be proud of when training a working dog. One of the first sections in Robbie's training journal is devoted to goals and accomplishments, because while it's important to keep track of overall progress and problems, I believe it is equally important to celebrate achievements no matter how big or small. It's easy to get wrapped up in him not doing something right or a certain command taking forever to learn, so being able to look at a long list of all the things so far that he's done amazingly is a pretty great feeling as a trainer, partner, and best friend. In this post, I'll talk about Robbie's latest accomplishment - dragging a laundry basket for the first time - why I wanted to teach this task, how I taught it, and include a video of his first time pulling a basket with clothes in it! Why I Wanted to Teach ItA known trigger for my pain flares is lifting heavy objects. For me that means anything over 5 lbs. And some days, even 5 lbs is too much! In order to help prevent possible flares from this trigger, I wanted to teach Robbie how to help me with various heavy objects.
Helpful Tip: Our trainer told us that a good rule of thumb for carrying or pulling weight is to never exceed 1/3 the dog's body weight. Robbie weighs 70 lbs, so it is safe for him to carry/drag roughly 20 lbs. The Pull Rig
How I Taught It
The Laundry Basket I have been working on teaching Robbie to pull on a laundry basket by using a tug rope, which is going good but slow. Today after practicing that exercise, I figured "why not" and gave the pull rig a chance. I'm glad I did! Robbie had no issues being harnessed, and though he stopped every now and then to look at the basket when it caught on something, he kept right on dragging it through the house. I overlaid the command, "drag" and encouraged him from his first step to his last, all the way to laundry room. We also used deer jerky treats as extra positive reinforcement. I think that this is a great start for this particular task! Video :)This was also Robbie's first time pulling something from point A to point B. Usually when we practice pulling his log carrier, I just have him follow me around in one or two rooms. However, once he begins to help bring in firewood, or pull the laundry basket every time I do laundry, he will need to be able to navigate through doorways, around corners, and avoiding objects in his path (like kitchen chairs). I think he did a very good job, considering it's his first trip with the basket, and despite getting caught on a few things here and there. Thanks for reading our post & watching our video. I will continue to post on our progress as Robbie gets better at this task!
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My Name is Sally...I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This blog is about my journey training Robbie, a dog who helped me regain independence, confidence, and achieve the impossible in the face of my disability. It continues on with the training of Austin, Robbie's successor. Check Out... - "More than a Dog" was published on a site called The Mighty Categories
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