I love baseball themed movies. "The Natural" is one of my all time favorites along with "A League of their Own". "Field of Dreams" is great and I can relate it to dog training.
Simplified Plot: The towns people and even some family members of Kevin Costner's character, Ray Kinsella, think he is crazy for hearing a voice that tells him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. But with Faith, Determination and Perseverance, Ray builds the field and their dreams come true.
So how is this movie like dog training? Here I am with Henry in front of me. I want my dreams to come true too. We are looking at each
other: he with his big, puppy dog, eyes and head tilted, Me, thinking, what are we are to do next?
Somehow I need to convey to my canine buddy what I want him to do. Right now
all I want him to do is Stay.
I have a voice in my head that says " If You Build It...He will Stay".
What?! Who said that? My dog trainer...Conscience. That's who.
I need to listen to this voice and use my own Faith, Determination and Perseverance to help my canine friend understand what I want him to do.
Build what? The duration of Henry not moving. How?
By using the things I have to my advantage:
1. Put Henry on an a "Pedestal": A box, a foot stool, even a upside down bucket will work for a small dog, a Recycling Bin for a larger dog. Here is why....A "Pedestal" object makes the dog aware of his body and he won't want to fall off.
2. Use my body language as social pressure to keep him on the object. For a Hand Signal, I hold my arm straight out in front of me, looking like a traffic cop. I remain in front of him to keep him on the pedestal.
3. I grab his attention with something he wants such as food or a toy.
4. Use my Event Marker word of "Good" to help Henry know he has it right but keep doing it.
5. I release Henry with my Event Marker word "Yes" and reward so that he knows he is finished Staying.
These Five steps can help Build the Duration of Henry's "Stay-Ability". At first, Henry will want to get off the pedestal right away, but by increasing the duration a little bit at a time I can have Henry Stay longer, waiting till he hears the Magic Word "YES". And with practice, Henry and I can hit Staying right out of the park!
I need to listen to this voice and use my own Faith, Determination and Perseverance to help my canine friend understand what I want him to do.
Build what? The duration of Henry not moving. How?
By using the things I have to my advantage:
1. Put Henry on an a "Pedestal": A box, a foot stool, even a upside down bucket will work for a small dog, a Recycling Bin for a larger dog. Here is why....A "Pedestal" object makes the dog aware of his body and he won't want to fall off.
2. Use my body language as social pressure to keep him on the object. For a Hand Signal, I hold my arm straight out in front of me, looking like a traffic cop. I remain in front of him to keep him on the pedestal.
3. I grab his attention with something he wants such as food or a toy.
4. Use my Event Marker word of "Good" to help Henry know he has it right but keep doing it.
5. I release Henry with my Event Marker word "Yes" and reward so that he knows he is finished Staying.
These Five steps can help Build the Duration of Henry's "Stay-Ability". At first, Henry will want to get off the pedestal right away, but by increasing the duration a little bit at a time I can have Henry Stay longer, waiting till he hears the Magic Word "YES". And with practice, Henry and I can hit Staying right out of the park!
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