Jazz progress report

[jazzies mum]

Well, I am pleased and surprised at how well Jazz is overcoming her urge to chase the critters!

There have been several different learning curves going on at once with this end in sight. Firstly teaching her an emergency down. She is at the stage where she will obey at distance and when she isn't expecting the command, but haven't really tested her with distractions yet.

Secondly was by taking her out where there were many kangaroos, all with little fear, on open ground where there was plenty of space. Ecollar set as high as I have used on her and with the +2 stim being two above anything she has felt before. This is still only just into the high range. She focused on a roo who held until we were only about 15yrds away, and when he bolted so did she. Got a short sharp "no" and then some volts. She came off immediately, so we headed straight for the next mob where she did the same but with less enthusiasm and she got the same result from me. After that she would see something near the track and would wait for me to walk past, and when I called her she came straight to me, being careful not to look at it! That was nearly two weeks ago now, and I haven't needed to use the collar again. She responds to my voice IMMEDIATELY!

And the final finishing touch is that we have small wallabies coming in for a drink at the dam and they are nearly fearless with thirst so will sit around close. I have been taking Jazz out and playing in among them! She would look to start with, but the chuckit wins out, and yesterday one ran right in front of her nose when she had the ball. She dropped the ball and looked, but made no move to chase, and picked up the ball again for more fun when I reminded her of what we were doing!

Of course this is only a good start, and I am leashing her if there is a possibility that she might be tempted in rough scrubby country. Some good hard play before walks helps too.

Sorry about the long post, but this is progress in an area that I thought might take YEARS or maybe not even be possible! Good dog!

 

[LifeofRubie]

How proud you must be! It's a lot of work but it pays off. I love when people say, "I wish MY dog was that well bebehaved!" They would be... If YOU put in the time

 

[Viemarangelrock]

She’s doing great! Well done Jazz

 

[jazzies mum]

One day I will get some photos of her being calm around wildlife, but not for a while yet. We are still at the stage where if I get my timing wrong I could undo a lot of good work! It's funny that I didn't realise how much having a camera with you takes your attention away from what your dog is doing, and what is going on around you too. Also funny that it is when you try to take photos that you realise just how much of your time is spent being totally focused on your dogs body language! Even on the leash you can't afford to be daydreaming with a young dog, they seem to know when you are mentally elsewhere.

 

[Ddski5]

Sorry about the long post, but this is progress in an area that I thought might take YEARS or maybe not even be possible! Good dog!

I fully understand, Ragnar has come along way this year also.

It is awesome to see results from hard work put in, even more so when other people make complimentary comments.

It’s funny because some ask me if they come in an “all in one” package?? I tell them- nope, have to train day in and day out.

Good job Jazz!!

 

[Kaiser2016]

That’s amazing progress! You must be tapping into the Ridgeback side haha.

 

[Kaiser2016]

It is awesome to see results from hard work put in, even more so when other people make complimentary comments.

It’s funny because some ask me if they come in an “all in one” package?? I tell them- nope, have to train day in and day out.

The best is when people comment on how calm he is. He’s such a perfect little gentleman in public haha. He saves all his terrorist behavior for us

 

[jazzies mum]

That’s amazing progress! You must be tapping into the Ridgeback side haha.

Not sure if the Ridgeback side is a help or a hindrance with this issue. They were bred largely as hunting/stock protection dogs! I do know that if Steve was still alive I would have long since lost Jazz to him, and they would be out hunting together at every opportunity. He would have seen the potential in her and she would have been amazing, if she didn't break a leg or her neck!
That would be the end of me being able to travel with her though. Nothing smaller than a buffalo would be safe! !!!!!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Not sure if the Ridgeback side is a help or a hindrance with this issue. They were bred largely as hunting/stock protection dogs! I do know that if Steve was still alive I would have long since lost Jazz to him, and they would be out hunting together at every opportunity. He would have seen the potential in her and she would have been amazing, if she didn't break a leg or her neck!
That would be the end of me being able to travel with her though. Nothing smaller than a buffalo would be safe! !!!!!

Interesting about the hunting side - that does seem to be training against her nature, and the Doberman mischief-maker that loves to explore and test the waters! Jazz is proving herself to be the perfect companion for everything you ask of her

 

[jazzies mum]

I actually think it is a good indication of the intelligence and versatility of these dogs that we can train them to fit in with all our varied lifestyles. From service dogs through to personal protection dogs and all sorts of different areas in between. They seem to be willing to bend themselves around our needs. Maybe it is the empathy they have with us that helps this along, and I'm sure that is why they put their best foot forward out in public, when they can be total s at times at home! I suppose all breeds probably do this to some extent but I am unashamedly biased!

Thank you all for your encouraging comments!

 

[JanS]

Great job Jazz! It always blows me away when you experience things like Kangaroo's but I know your wildlife is way different and roos are a big part of it there. I think Della would have a hard time resisting them without the e-collar for sure.

 

[jazzies mum]

Great job Jazz! It always blows me away when you experience things like Kangaroo's but I know your wildlife is way different and roos are a big part of it there. I think Della would have a hard time resisting them without the e-collar for sure.

It's the same for me when I hear people talking about bears and moose which are NOT what I would like to see out on a walk, or in my backyard!

 

[jazzies mum]

Well, some good progress and a couple of stuffups!

I'm super pleased with how she's coming along and she behaved very well on a recent camping trip. When we came back she showed how much she'd learned even with just that 5 days of intense activity and obedience. We came across the Staffie dog and her owner again, the first time since Jazz was 4 months and the dog was aggressive, even to a submissive pup. When I called Jazz she spun around and came straight in from about 30m, slid to a stop with her butt hitting the ground with a thump and all attention right in front and then slammed into the down when asked. Beautiful, and I was so pleased and happy as I clipped her lead on. Of course I could hear the guy calling his dog continually and loudly so knew it was on it's way so then I let Jazz stand and as the Staffie stiff legged all around, hackles up and growling, I kept between it and Jazz sending the same standover body language back to it. Jazz wasn't trying to get away, or interact with this dog. She just stayed neutral and let me deal with it! Wonderful! In the end the dog gave up and went back to the owner, who didn't even have a lead with him!

Now you can all have a bit of a laugh and an "I Told You So" moment. There is still the odd occasion when I lose her to her wild side and she gets after something. Usually when I am not paying proper attention and she gets fully locked on and full flight. I also don't have a long range ecollar, and I suspect that obstacles and less than full batteries probably reduce that range from it's 100m rating. Mostly this is enough, but Jazz covers that in less than 5 seconds, so I have to be quick or she's gone. She comes back when she's run herself out and it's never more than 5 mins, but in that time she can go a looooooooooong way, getting into who knows what trouble.

Instead of immediately looking for a better grade of ecollar, (which I will do in time), I am spending more time with her onleash during our walks. In fact it will be nearly all onleash! That way I can correct exactly when required even if I'm daydreaming! She's also getting very good at the "leave it" command when playing chuckit or flirt pole. She focuses on my face waiting for the ok to chase! In the end I WILL win!

It's funny, but she only does this on her home ground not when we are somewhere else, so I guess she is relying on me more in other environments.

 

[Ddski5]

It's funny, but she only does this on her home ground not when we are somewhere else, so I guess she is relying on me more in other environments.

Yes, they tend to shine and show off in different environments & situations. Really opposite to what I would expect. One of the reasons on why I am always trying to find new trails and pastures to explore.

 

[jazzies mum]

Now she will sit or maintain down when I ask her to "leave it" and flick the flirt around her with good energy. She watches my eyes and waits for the ok to go for it!. Progress!! She is less sure with the chuckit but is up to no reaction to moderate throws. Won't take long, but I'm taking it slowly with this as I want it to become "set in concrete".
Doberfoam + dust = MUD

 

[Lizbeli]

She looks content in that picture. Eye contact while a flirt pole is wiggling around? Id say thats fantastic! Took a while to teach a Staffie some self control and I used a home-made flirt pole as well. Feels good when they finally get it.

 

[jazzies mum]

The work is paying off! Today we had a surprise visit from a Brolga family and Jazz had to sit calmly while I took lots of pics! She did it beautifully!!! And it was within what she considers HER territory.

I THINK her tail spring is a bit wound up due to her bum being planted but wanting to watch the birds leave.
If she is sitting facing something exciting, like an emu coming up for an inspection, her tail will wind up from the ground with tension, at which point I have to remind her to "settle".

 

[Lizbeli]

What a good girl! Impulse control is a wonderful thing.

Side note: I don't know where this is but it looks like rattle snake country

 

[jazzies mum]

What a good girl! Impulse control is a wonderful thing.

Side note: I don't know where this is but it looks like rattle snake country

It is Australia and luckily we have no rattlesnakes! We DO have nasty snakes, the worst is the Taipan, but mostly they get out of your way if they can. Walk with heavy feet and don't walk at night when they come out in the cool!

And, yes, I think she is getting the impulse control down well, providing I am ahead of her to issue a command. Another thing altogether when she is left to decide for herself!

 

[Lizbeli]

The worst is the Taipan? Thats pretty freakin bad

Does she have a high working level for the e collar when outdoors? I found that my past dog needed a huge amount of stim outdoors. Pretty much quadruple the amount. And yes, that was his "working level," just enough for an ear flick.