I recently had an epiphany at a Spring Pole. Typically, I train tug held by the handler first, and then we work our way out in responsibility and area of influence, to flirt poles and spring poles. And… That’s a solid plan that’s worked well. I’ve seen dogs that get put on a spring pole without an “out”, and a …
Turns Out…….. Play IS as important as I think!!!!!!
We’ve been saying for a few years now that play is a hugely important part of training. And, we’re not the first! Ivan Balabanov has been saying it for decades!!!! Turns out, according to a new Ted Talk, science is backing up this approach. Check it out!!!! There is so much info in this video. Validates not only Play As …
Speed Wobbles
You know what speed wobbles are? It is a term for when a vehicle goes so fast, that it starts to wobble and lose control. And here’s the thing…… ALL vehicles will get them IF you go fast enough. So…. a sound piece of advice may be “Avoid going so fast that you get speed wobbles.” That said….. If you …
Interruptions In Play
By now…… Everyone knows I like play as my main training modality. And, a lot of the efficacy IS in biological fulfillment, and drive expression. But……. a HUGE part of the efficacy of this training is in throwing the brakes!!!!!! A big part of training in drive, or, arousal is the ability to fluently switch OUT of drive. Complete emotional …
Game Building
Ivan Balabanov has a “line building” diagram that really helped me understand the way to develop game play. It has forever changed the way I see the process. I will try to take the basic concept and show you how I interpreted it. Building a game, is like laying an electrical cable! Building the game is making a circuit. Gotta …
Learn YOUR Dog!
Every dog is different. Even in something as seemingly simple as game play. It’s like kids. Some want to play soccer. Some want to play rugby. Some want to do MMA!!!! It’s your job to learn YOUR dog!!!!! Find the game THEY find more rewarding. Don’t just insist on the one you want to play. I was guilty of that …
Tug…….. Ivan Balabanov Melted My Brain.
Man…… I took a trip to visit Ivan Balabanov like 8 months ago. And that set off a direction of thought or study, that made my brain melt. I realized that I had been looking at tug with a weak microscope. Like…… If you have a weak microscope you can see to a certain depth. But, if you get a …
Winning in Tug
So….. Do you let the dog “win” while playing tug or not? Do you EVER let the dog “TAKE” the toy? That, is the question. This is such a readily answered question in dog training, that even folks without dogs have an answer for it! So….. Where do I stand on the issue? There is no “winning” the toy! I …