"I would contaminate EVERYTHING with the treat scent--the apparatus, random spots on the wall, my shoes, you name it. Rather than get into a futile effort to maintain sterile procedures, I'd let the dog learn that the only odor that pays is the target odor."
~Steve White
Session 1
and Sue Ailsby
PLAN: We have maximized the usefulness of Sample 3. So I have several options open to me. Because I had been advised by Lily's vet to give her a 2 week break from the scent testing anyway, even though I have only 2 original scent samples left in the freezer (PS), good training sense tells me to stop working the chain and go back and re-teach the alert behavior by itself from Tuck and Side positions. And, while I'm at it, review having Lily move from a down position to nose target my hand. That, too, will soon be a necessary part of the behavior chain.
Lily is such a good teacher! And I learned so much during this morning's training sessions.
Day 3
My training goal was to "share the scent" by contaminating both hands that touched the scent canister with scent smell and residue. The subject of contamination has come up several times in our planning conversations and Steve's quote above seems to me to be the most practical and "real life". So I want to be teaching Lily early on that the only odor that pays is the target odor.
My training goal was to "share the scent" by contaminating both hands that touched the scent canister with scent smell and residue. The subject of contamination has come up several times in our planning conversations and Steve's quote above seems to me to be the most practical and "real life". So I want to be teaching Lily early on that the only odor that pays is the target odor.
After testing the voracity of the Day 6 scent and determining that it could still be distinguished by Lily, I moved today's training into a new room.
The only change was to be delivering the treat from both hands (necessitating in holding the treats in both hands during the course of the morning's sessions AND in holding and presenting the sample canister from both hands.
AND adding movement to the exercise. One part of the behavior selection criteria was that the alert behavior could be done while I was moving. This is one part of the criteria that I have not trained as yet. TRAINER ERROR: Before beginning the behavior chain, I should have taught "Poke" while moving.
Don't worry. This is only the first of several eye openers during this very important morning training.
Session 1
Treats and clicker held in right hand.
Session 2 is a repeat of Session1, except now the treats and clicker are held in my left hand. That means that treat odor and residue from Session 1/right hand are now being transferred to the sample canister. Continuing with movement left and right but in a very limited space. Then, I commit my second TRAINER ERROR: I ask for the behavior with Lily in Tuck position. Before including the chain in Tuck position, I should have first taught the alert behavior to Lily in Tuck position. Watching closely, Lily tells me quite plainly that she understands "Tuck" but doesn't know how to "Poke" from there. To her, it's an entirely new behavior.
Treats and clicker held in left hand.
In Sessions 3 and 4, I am seated. Lily is familiar with the alert behavior when I am seated AND the behavior chain when I am seated. The only difference in these two sessions is the sample delivery hand and the treat delivery hand. More work here on understanding that the only odor that pays is the target odor.
Treats and clicker held in right hand.
Treats and clicker held in left hand.
In the fifth and final session of the morning, we move to another area of the room and I am standing once again. Again, working with limited movement, which Lily handles well. TRAINER ERROR: This time, I ask for the chain in both the Tuck AND the Side positions.
Review, Remind, Reteach
~Steve White, again
via Training Levels: Steps to Success
PLAN: We have maximized the usefulness of Sample 3. So I have several options open to me. Because I had been advised by Lily's vet to give her a 2 week break from the scent testing anyway, even though I have only 2 original scent samples left in the freezer (PS), good training sense tells me to stop working the chain and go back and re-teach the alert behavior by itself from Tuck and Side positions. And, while I'm at it, review having Lily move from a down position to nose target my hand. That, too, will soon be a necessary part of the behavior chain.
By the time the 2 weeks is over, we should have a stronger basic foundation and can have built it back into the chain left side, right side, moving, tuck, side AND from lying down.....all ready to re-introduce the scent trigger.
UPDATE: I love having a Levels trained dog! This afternoon we had 4 quick, short sessions - two in Tuck position, two in Side position. The first session on each side, I asked Lily to nose touch the back of my hand, placed at Lily's nose height, my hip height. A handful of treats - perhaps 12 - 14. The second session on each side found her volunteering the nose target in the proper place, the proper position.
No Flip. Just reporting. As Sue would say, "The Levels show you the holes." We're taking care of it!
COMEBEFORES: I'm using an adaptation of Lazy Leash Level 2 Step 2, off leash, and doodling to step, cue touch, step, cue touch, turn, cue touch, etc both in Tuck position and in Side position. Then I plan on repeating (reteaching) with the leash on.
UPDATE: I love having a Levels trained dog! This afternoon we had 4 quick, short sessions - two in Tuck position, two in Side position. The first session on each side, I asked Lily to nose touch the back of my hand, placed at Lily's nose height, my hip height. A handful of treats - perhaps 12 - 14. The second session on each side found her volunteering the nose target in the proper place, the proper position.
No Flip. Just reporting. As Sue would say, "The Levels show you the holes." We're taking care of it!
COMEBEFORES: I'm using an adaptation of Lazy Leash Level 2 Step 2, off leash, and doodling to step, cue touch, step, cue touch, turn, cue touch, etc both in Tuck position and in Side position. Then I plan on repeating (reteaching) with the leash on.
In watching the videos Scott noticed that on a few occasions Lily alerted without first sniffing the canister. I noticed this, too, during the session itself. This is only Day 3 of training with sample. I will remain alert to this tendency and, as I change containers and begin hiding sample on my body will be aware as Lily transfers the cue (the trigger) from touching to recognizing the odor.
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