Ok, now I didn't actually see what happened, but I can guess.
I let the dogs out into the yard this morning, and I usually take a peek to see what they are doing when I let them out. I walked over to the window and the first thing I see is Shelby with a squirrel in her mouth. I couldn't believe it! It was a big one-she could barely carry it. I didn't hear any kind of scuffle or chase, so she must have surprised it.
And then she carried it around the yard very carefully looking for a place to stash it. She wouldn't come in until I bribed her with treats. Even then, she wouldn't drop it outside, so I let her bring it into the house. Then she dropped it and I swooped in while she was occupied with the treat and grabbed it. I have to say it was heavier than I expected. There was a little bit of blood, but it wasn't torn apart, so Shelby probably grabbed it and shook it and broke its neck. I bagged it and put it in the trash.
Poor squirrel.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Shelby goes to Harvard
Today I took Shelby to the Canine Cognition Lab at Harvard University. They're doing some studies to see how dogs think, if they understand symbols, etc.
It was definitely interesting. First they just put a treat on the floor to see if the dog is interested, then they put it in a container. They had a container with a moveable flap so that the dog can't see the treat, but has to push the flap up to get the treat.
Then they moved on to two containers, and they put a divider in the center so the dog had to choose one side or another. They did things like pointing to one contaner to indicate the treat to see if the dog could get it. They also put a picture on the containers-one was one bone and the other was three bones. The container with the picture of more bones had more treats. They wanted to see if the dog understood quantity. They also had a picture of a hammer vs a picture of a steak. The treats were in the container that showed the picture of the steak. Then they also wanted to see if the dog understands emotions, so they picked up one container and smiled, then the other and frowned. This would indicate the treat was in the happy face container.
Shelby did really well. I was surprise she was able to understand that a picture of steak represented treats. Although then they showed a hot dog and a pair of pliers and she picked the pliers! There were a couple times she didn't choose correctly, and I noticed she yawned a little and was panting, which are stress behaviors. But then she started being successful and did fine.
I thought it was really interesting. Hopefully I can bring Spot and perhaps bring Shelby back again. One thing that did surprise me was that they did ask what commands Shelby knew either by voice command or hand signal but they didn't ask about training history or method. I would think a dog like Shelby would have a leg up on the pointing game, since she's very familiar with gestures like that from agility.
It was definitely interesting. First they just put a treat on the floor to see if the dog is interested, then they put it in a container. They had a container with a moveable flap so that the dog can't see the treat, but has to push the flap up to get the treat.
Then they moved on to two containers, and they put a divider in the center so the dog had to choose one side or another. They did things like pointing to one contaner to indicate the treat to see if the dog could get it. They also put a picture on the containers-one was one bone and the other was three bones. The container with the picture of more bones had more treats. They wanted to see if the dog understood quantity. They also had a picture of a hammer vs a picture of a steak. The treats were in the container that showed the picture of the steak. Then they also wanted to see if the dog understands emotions, so they picked up one container and smiled, then the other and frowned. This would indicate the treat was in the happy face container.
Shelby did really well. I was surprise she was able to understand that a picture of steak represented treats. Although then they showed a hot dog and a pair of pliers and she picked the pliers! There were a couple times she didn't choose correctly, and I noticed she yawned a little and was panting, which are stress behaviors. But then she started being successful and did fine.
I thought it was really interesting. Hopefully I can bring Spot and perhaps bring Shelby back again. One thing that did surprise me was that they did ask what commands Shelby knew either by voice command or hand signal but they didn't ask about training history or method. I would think a dog like Shelby would have a leg up on the pointing game, since she's very familiar with gestures like that from agility.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
GBAEC earthdog trial-May 16 & 17 2009
This weekend was the first earthdog test of the year, hosted by my club, the Greater Boston Area Earthdog Club (GBAEC).
Spot was entered in Master both days and Shelby was entered in IQ on Sunday.
Saturday was a perfect day-sunny but not too hot. I almost missed check in for Masters. It said 9:30 check in and 9:45 drawing for braces, so I assumed I needed to check in before 9:45, but really it was 9:30. We drew braces and I ended up in the first brace with Carolyn and Steiff. Steiff got his ME last year, so he was running for fun. This was Spot's first try at ME in a trial.
We started out, and Steiff took off right away. Spot did his usual thing-he will run ahead and either stop and wait, or run back to check on me. He found all the scented areas on the walk-up, which was good. He checked out the false den when I called him over for the judge. When we got to the tunnel he ran around, saw the rats, but didn't really mark. Steiff marked first, then the judge had me call Spot over and ask him to mark, which he did nicely. Steiff went first and Spot had to honor. He actually did really well. He barked a couple times, but nothing major. When it was Spot's turn for the tunnel he went in, then came back out the entrance like he does, so he can turn around. He went back in and went right to the rats in plenty of time. He worked well, and then it was time to take him out. The judge removed the cover and Spot backed up away from the rats. I called him and he came up, but I couldn't grab him. After that it was just crazy. He started going all around the tunnel, back and forth and wouldn't come out. It took me 5 minutes to get him! The judge said it was a shame because he had done well up to that point. Oh well.
On Sunday Spot was entered in ME again and I entered Shelby in IQ that morning just for the hell of it. We drew for braces and we were in the second brace with Nancy and her Westie. The dogs worked well together and the walk up was good, but again Spot didn't mark the rats until I asked him to. Again, we went second and had to honor. This time he was barking a little more, but I was able to pet him and he quieted. When it was our turn, he got into the tunnel and went directly to the rats. I asked the judge how long it took him and she said 10 seconds. That's 10 seconds to travel through 30 feet of tunnel including the roller! He worked like a champ and then it came time for the removal. I told the judge I would take the cover off, but it got stuck, so she helped. Spot backed up again, but I was able to get him to come up to the rats and this time I got a good handful of scruff. It was a challenge to pull him out one-handed, but I got him just in time. I wasn't sure if we had Q'd, the judge said his mark was weak, but it was the beginning of the season and he did do a good Parson mark once asked, so she passed both dogs. Yay!
Then it was Shelby's turn. She was excited and ready to go. I released her and she went right to the tunnel, and went in, but then came out again. I tried to really encourage her. She wanted the rats, trying to go over the tunnel to get to them, crawling all around, under the branches covering the tunnels, but wouldn't go all the way through to get the rats. She seemed to get to the corner but then turn around. We'll do some more training and see if she can get the big picture by the end of the summer.
Spot was entered in Master both days and Shelby was entered in IQ on Sunday.
Saturday was a perfect day-sunny but not too hot. I almost missed check in for Masters. It said 9:30 check in and 9:45 drawing for braces, so I assumed I needed to check in before 9:45, but really it was 9:30. We drew braces and I ended up in the first brace with Carolyn and Steiff. Steiff got his ME last year, so he was running for fun. This was Spot's first try at ME in a trial.
We started out, and Steiff took off right away. Spot did his usual thing-he will run ahead and either stop and wait, or run back to check on me. He found all the scented areas on the walk-up, which was good. He checked out the false den when I called him over for the judge. When we got to the tunnel he ran around, saw the rats, but didn't really mark. Steiff marked first, then the judge had me call Spot over and ask him to mark, which he did nicely. Steiff went first and Spot had to honor. He actually did really well. He barked a couple times, but nothing major. When it was Spot's turn for the tunnel he went in, then came back out the entrance like he does, so he can turn around. He went back in and went right to the rats in plenty of time. He worked well, and then it was time to take him out. The judge removed the cover and Spot backed up away from the rats. I called him and he came up, but I couldn't grab him. After that it was just crazy. He started going all around the tunnel, back and forth and wouldn't come out. It took me 5 minutes to get him! The judge said it was a shame because he had done well up to that point. Oh well.
On Sunday Spot was entered in ME again and I entered Shelby in IQ that morning just for the hell of it. We drew for braces and we were in the second brace with Nancy and her Westie. The dogs worked well together and the walk up was good, but again Spot didn't mark the rats until I asked him to. Again, we went second and had to honor. This time he was barking a little more, but I was able to pet him and he quieted. When it was our turn, he got into the tunnel and went directly to the rats. I asked the judge how long it took him and she said 10 seconds. That's 10 seconds to travel through 30 feet of tunnel including the roller! He worked like a champ and then it came time for the removal. I told the judge I would take the cover off, but it got stuck, so she helped. Spot backed up again, but I was able to get him to come up to the rats and this time I got a good handful of scruff. It was a challenge to pull him out one-handed, but I got him just in time. I wasn't sure if we had Q'd, the judge said his mark was weak, but it was the beginning of the season and he did do a good Parson mark once asked, so she passed both dogs. Yay!
Then it was Shelby's turn. She was excited and ready to go. I released her and she went right to the tunnel, and went in, but then came out again. I tried to really encourage her. She wanted the rats, trying to go over the tunnel to get to them, crawling all around, under the branches covering the tunnels, but wouldn't go all the way through to get the rats. She seemed to get to the corner but then turn around. We'll do some more training and see if she can get the big picture by the end of the summer.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Act Up Agility trial-May 9, 2009
Yesterday we headed out to the Act Up Trial at Canine Mastery in Seekonk.
Shelby was entered in Fullhouse level 2, Standard level 2, Wildcard level 3, Snooker level 2 and Colors level 3. Spot was entered in Standard level 1.
I actually got there on time!!! I was there at 7:10, plenty of time to check in and get Spot measured. However, I was so distracted it turns out I left my front door open all day. When I got home at 10pm it was wide open. Thankfully I live on a quiet street and nothing was stolen!
My friends from class were there as well-Marjorie and Lily, and Nancy and Colby. Denielle was also there with Ivy and Jury. Also Julie was there with Carmie and Bug was making his debut as well.
The first class was Fullhouse, which was all levels together. Howard and Cinders were there, so we were close in the running order, but Howard moved Cinders down in the running order. The judge was a new judge from the midwest. Her courses were interesting. In Fullhouse you need 3 single jumps, 2 circles, like a tunnel or tire, and 1 contact. You also need a certain number of points. I needed 28 points. Jumps are 1 point, circles are 3 points and contacts and doubles are 5 points. This course only had the A frame for the contact option.
Here is the course map courtesy of Julie. It was slightly different than on the map becasue they switched the jumps from the left corner to the right because of mushy ground. It had rained a lot during the week, so it was a little muddy in places.
My plan was jump, tunnel under the A frame, back over the A frame, then into the tunnel under the A frame again, then tire, jump, jump, double jump and table. Shelby started out well, all the way through the tire, then got distracted and wandered. I got her back for a couple jumps, but then I was trying to get her over the double but we got the buzzer so I ran to the table. I wasn't sure I had gotten the 3 single jumps, so I didn't know if we got a Q, but it turns out we did, so that was good. With that Q we finished our level 2 Handler title!
The next class was Standard. Standard is a numbered course you follow in order. The course was jump, tire, double, then a 180 to a tunnel, then the teeter, jump to the poles in a pinwheel, then tunnel, the A frame, jump, dog walk, tunnel and jump. They had to add a jump at the beginning in order to use the electronic timer, so they took one out of the end sequence.
I tried a front cross at the first tunnel, but Shelby over shot it and went towards the A frame, but I called her back. In hindisght that was my fault because my front cross was towards the A frame-I should have been further ahead to do it in time. Shelby was doing ok until we hit the weaves and at pole 5, she smelled something and turned around and started digging, then rolling on the ground. I tried to get her back but we ran out of time. So that was that. Nothing I could really do in that case.
Next was Spot's turn at Standard. I didn't have a ton of expectations-I was fully expecting him to wander and mark things. Spot did great. He stayed at the start line, and went when I said ok.
He did the first jump, but missed the tire, so I had to bring him back around. The next jump was a double, which I don't know if he's ever done, so he went around it and I didn't bring him back, I just kept going to the tunnel, then a pinwheel with 3 jumps, to the tunnel then the A frame, a jump, the dog walk, a tunnel and then 1 last jump. Spot was great a following my cues and he stuck his contacts. He had a great time and I did too. I thought that me may have Q'd, since we only missed one jump, but that's a major fault, so no Q. I'm going to enter him more.
The next class was Wildcard. This was a really interesting course with a tricky opening and an opportunity to layer the A frame and a challenging weave entrance. I thought we could do it, but unfortunately again Shelby was sidelined by the smelly spot, which was at jump 2. Instead of trying to cheerlead her out of it, I decided to pick her up and leave. She didn't like that too much, but I want her to know that the ring is for agility, not sniffing and rolling.
The next class was Snooker. Our course was awesome because the 7 was a single jump!
Here is the course.
So my plan was to start on the right side with red, 7, then to the left red, then tunnel 6, middle red, and 7 again, then the closing. We were the 4th dog and I didn't time it well, so we just had to pee then run over and go right to the start line. Shelby was distracted and wouldn't set up. I was so distracted by getting her set up that I didn't even realize I was on the wrong side. We did red, 7, red, but then she disconnected and I had to get her back. She did the tunnel, then I had to work again to get her over the next red and 7, also while trying not to fall in the mud. So then we started the closing, which was tire, jump, A frame, then a 3 obstacle combo of jump, tunnel, jump, then tunnel and jump. Shelby stopped on top of the A frame, so we ran out of time, but it was ok because we got just enough points. So we got our second Snooker Q and we are done with level 2 Snooker.
The last class of the day was Colors. This looked like a fun, fast course, but it was already 6pm, and I had a family event that had started at 4, so I decided to scratch and head out.
I would have done the numbered course I think.
So overall an ok day with 2 Qs. But God, why are the days so long? I got up at 5am. They need to make the trials smaller, or have a trial only for level 1-2, etc. Cap it at 250 runs a day, not 400.
Next weekend I'm super excited for the GBAEC Earthdog trial. As it stands entries are light, but I know we have 7 Masters on Sat and 6 on Sunday. I will probably try Shelby on one of the days.
Shelby was entered in Fullhouse level 2, Standard level 2, Wildcard level 3, Snooker level 2 and Colors level 3. Spot was entered in Standard level 1.
I actually got there on time!!! I was there at 7:10, plenty of time to check in and get Spot measured. However, I was so distracted it turns out I left my front door open all day. When I got home at 10pm it was wide open. Thankfully I live on a quiet street and nothing was stolen!
My friends from class were there as well-Marjorie and Lily, and Nancy and Colby. Denielle was also there with Ivy and Jury. Also Julie was there with Carmie and Bug was making his debut as well.
The first class was Fullhouse, which was all levels together. Howard and Cinders were there, so we were close in the running order, but Howard moved Cinders down in the running order. The judge was a new judge from the midwest. Her courses were interesting. In Fullhouse you need 3 single jumps, 2 circles, like a tunnel or tire, and 1 contact. You also need a certain number of points. I needed 28 points. Jumps are 1 point, circles are 3 points and contacts and doubles are 5 points. This course only had the A frame for the contact option.
Here is the course map courtesy of Julie. It was slightly different than on the map becasue they switched the jumps from the left corner to the right because of mushy ground. It had rained a lot during the week, so it was a little muddy in places.
My plan was jump, tunnel under the A frame, back over the A frame, then into the tunnel under the A frame again, then tire, jump, jump, double jump and table. Shelby started out well, all the way through the tire, then got distracted and wandered. I got her back for a couple jumps, but then I was trying to get her over the double but we got the buzzer so I ran to the table. I wasn't sure I had gotten the 3 single jumps, so I didn't know if we got a Q, but it turns out we did, so that was good. With that Q we finished our level 2 Handler title!
The next class was Standard. Standard is a numbered course you follow in order. The course was jump, tire, double, then a 180 to a tunnel, then the teeter, jump to the poles in a pinwheel, then tunnel, the A frame, jump, dog walk, tunnel and jump. They had to add a jump at the beginning in order to use the electronic timer, so they took one out of the end sequence.
I tried a front cross at the first tunnel, but Shelby over shot it and went towards the A frame, but I called her back. In hindisght that was my fault because my front cross was towards the A frame-I should have been further ahead to do it in time. Shelby was doing ok until we hit the weaves and at pole 5, she smelled something and turned around and started digging, then rolling on the ground. I tried to get her back but we ran out of time. So that was that. Nothing I could really do in that case.
Next was Spot's turn at Standard. I didn't have a ton of expectations-I was fully expecting him to wander and mark things. Spot did great. He stayed at the start line, and went when I said ok.
He did the first jump, but missed the tire, so I had to bring him back around. The next jump was a double, which I don't know if he's ever done, so he went around it and I didn't bring him back, I just kept going to the tunnel, then a pinwheel with 3 jumps, to the tunnel then the A frame, a jump, the dog walk, a tunnel and then 1 last jump. Spot was great a following my cues and he stuck his contacts. He had a great time and I did too. I thought that me may have Q'd, since we only missed one jump, but that's a major fault, so no Q. I'm going to enter him more.
The next class was Wildcard. This was a really interesting course with a tricky opening and an opportunity to layer the A frame and a challenging weave entrance. I thought we could do it, but unfortunately again Shelby was sidelined by the smelly spot, which was at jump 2. Instead of trying to cheerlead her out of it, I decided to pick her up and leave. She didn't like that too much, but I want her to know that the ring is for agility, not sniffing and rolling.
The next class was Snooker. Our course was awesome because the 7 was a single jump!
Here is the course.
So my plan was to start on the right side with red, 7, then to the left red, then tunnel 6, middle red, and 7 again, then the closing. We were the 4th dog and I didn't time it well, so we just had to pee then run over and go right to the start line. Shelby was distracted and wouldn't set up. I was so distracted by getting her set up that I didn't even realize I was on the wrong side. We did red, 7, red, but then she disconnected and I had to get her back. She did the tunnel, then I had to work again to get her over the next red and 7, also while trying not to fall in the mud. So then we started the closing, which was tire, jump, A frame, then a 3 obstacle combo of jump, tunnel, jump, then tunnel and jump. Shelby stopped on top of the A frame, so we ran out of time, but it was ok because we got just enough points. So we got our second Snooker Q and we are done with level 2 Snooker.
The last class of the day was Colors. This looked like a fun, fast course, but it was already 6pm, and I had a family event that had started at 4, so I decided to scratch and head out.
I would have done the numbered course I think.
So overall an ok day with 2 Qs. But God, why are the days so long? I got up at 5am. They need to make the trials smaller, or have a trial only for level 1-2, etc. Cap it at 250 runs a day, not 400.
Next weekend I'm super excited for the GBAEC Earthdog trial. As it stands entries are light, but I know we have 7 Masters on Sat and 6 on Sunday. I will probably try Shelby on one of the days.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
GBAEC digging day and a breakthrough for Shelby
Saturday was the official opening day for the GBAEC site in Gardner at the Fish and Game Club. It's a great site, and this year we dug 2 new tunnels. We now have a dedicated Master tunnel with 2 walk ups and a new IQ tunnel. We moved the IQ tunnel because it would interfere with the walk ups for the new Master tunnel. Because we were digging new tunnels and not just digging out existing tunnels, we rented a small backhoe. Thank goodness we did, since there were lots of roots and rocks that would have made for backbreaking work. As it was, it was a very long day. I pulled out of there at 4 and a few people were still there.
After the digging was done, I tried Shelby in IQ. Last week she went into the tunnel, but came right back out and wasn't too interested in the rat. This time she went in the tunnel, but came out again, so I got her to go back in and then I called her from the rat end and she came. She was staring, so I praised her and waited a second to see what she would do. We had the rats uncovered so she could see the rat. After about 30 seconds she stuck her nose in and then her paw, so I got really excited and praised her a lot. She started to whine and I got more excited! Then she actually started barking, which was great. I was screaming along with her. So then I took her out to see if she could do the whole thing. She went in and went to the end and started barking and scratching, etc. I was so happy. I haven't officially entered her for the trial, but I can enter her the day of.
Spot also got a try at Master. I was planning to just leave because it was late, but there was someone else who wanted to do it, so I stayed. Spot did well on the walk up. I think he stays a little too close sometimes, but he does go check things out on his own. He got to the entrance, and stayed for a second but didn't mark that strongly. He knew they were there, and actually saw a little space between that section and the next section and tried to go in! I went up and encouraged him to show me the entrance and he actually grabbed the bars and pulled the tunnel! He had to honor and let the other dog go first, and he did ok. He barked a bit, but I had treats and helped him stay quiet. I also got him interested in digging at a log, which I don't know if it is strictly legal, but it doesn't say anything specific in the rule book.
Once he got a chance to work, he went in and got stuck in the empty den. He then came out the entrance and went back in, only to come out the false exit, which he normally does. He went right back in and got to the rats in enough time. His working was perfect as always. When I went to get him it was a little hairy because they made the hatch open at the rat end on a hinge. I would prefer a loose cover without a hinge so you can open it any way you want. When I opened the tunnel, Spot scooted back, which surprised me. We got him to come back up and I petted him and encouraged him, finally grabbing him and removing him. It definitely was over time, but that's ok. Overall a good day.
After the digging was done, I tried Shelby in IQ. Last week she went into the tunnel, but came right back out and wasn't too interested in the rat. This time she went in the tunnel, but came out again, so I got her to go back in and then I called her from the rat end and she came. She was staring, so I praised her and waited a second to see what she would do. We had the rats uncovered so she could see the rat. After about 30 seconds she stuck her nose in and then her paw, so I got really excited and praised her a lot. She started to whine and I got more excited! Then she actually started barking, which was great. I was screaming along with her. So then I took her out to see if she could do the whole thing. She went in and went to the end and started barking and scratching, etc. I was so happy. I haven't officially entered her for the trial, but I can enter her the day of.
Spot also got a try at Master. I was planning to just leave because it was late, but there was someone else who wanted to do it, so I stayed. Spot did well on the walk up. I think he stays a little too close sometimes, but he does go check things out on his own. He got to the entrance, and stayed for a second but didn't mark that strongly. He knew they were there, and actually saw a little space between that section and the next section and tried to go in! I went up and encouraged him to show me the entrance and he actually grabbed the bars and pulled the tunnel! He had to honor and let the other dog go first, and he did ok. He barked a bit, but I had treats and helped him stay quiet. I also got him interested in digging at a log, which I don't know if it is strictly legal, but it doesn't say anything specific in the rule book.
Once he got a chance to work, he went in and got stuck in the empty den. He then came out the entrance and went back in, only to come out the false exit, which he normally does. He went right back in and got to the rats in enough time. His working was perfect as always. When I went to get him it was a little hairy because they made the hatch open at the rat end on a hinge. I would prefer a loose cover without a hinge so you can open it any way you want. When I opened the tunnel, Spot scooted back, which surprised me. We got him to come back up and I petted him and encouraged him, finally grabbing him and removing him. It definitely was over time, but that's ok. Overall a good day.
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