Phase 3 is a short phase where we introduce the dog to crosswind tracks using 4 straight tracks per session arranged in the shape of a square. We also have another curbed-island serpentine, a sports field serpentine and two article ovals. Once completed, the dog will be ready for his introduction to real corners in the next phase.
Gretzky Session 3.1 4-Square on Natural Field. The first three were 75 yards each and the last was 50 yards. Gretzky did nicely on the first two. The third one was upwind and he started to be less focused and more distracted. The fourth was pretty ugly - he was mentally tired. He still needs fewer and shorter natural field tracks as he gets mentally tired and easily distracted. No video.
Gretzky Session 3.2 4-Square Urban Lawn. All were about 50-60 yards. He did great on the first three but was distracted by the fourth. Mental fatigue perhaps. No video.
Gretzky Session 3.1 4-Square on Natural Field. The first three were 75 yards each and the last was 50 yards. Gretzky did nicely on the first two. The third one was upwind and he started to be less focused and more distracted. The fourth was pretty ugly - he was mentally tired. He still needs fewer and shorter natural field tracks as he gets mentally tired and easily distracted. No video.
Gretzky Session 3.2 4-Square Urban Lawn. All were about 50-60 yards. He did great on the first three but was distracted by the fourth. Mental fatigue perhaps. No video.
Gretzky Session P3.3 is the Parking Lot Curbed-Island Serpentines just like the ones done in Phase 2. Since I was time constrained, I chose a nearby parking lot with old dilapidated curbs and a lot of dirt and debris in the curbs. The first track was 110 yards long across 5 gaps. The second was 150 yards long across 5 gaps with a sharp corner hugging a curb at the end of the track.
P3.3.1 Gretzky 110 yards across 5 gaps. Gretzky did a lot of shopping to check out the debris along the curbs and out from them to see what might pay with treats. But he made steady progress and got by two people who were getting their dog and picnic stuff into their car. He required some encouragement due to the distraction of the debris. No video.
P3.3.2 Gretzky 150 yards across 5 gaps with a 90 degree turn along a curb. He works nicely across the first gap and past the car with a homeless person just waking up. On the second gap he is wide shopping but comes into the track and initially choose the wrong side of the island so feels restraint. The lamb-lung treat had ants. And then he saw a man walking ahead and wanted to go visit but the man walked one. He soon found a leather square. At the next island he gets interested in some droppings and is encouraged past but then wants to ignore the article. He is clearly mentally tired by this point but is willing to keep going. I am subsequently quicker to restrain and guide him and he maintains his willingness to work until the final article. He is very quick to take the corner to the left against the far side of the near curbed walkway. What a clever boy.
P3.3.2 Gretzky 150 yards across 5 gaps with a 90 degree turn along a curb. He works nicely across the first gap and past the car with a homeless person just waking up. On the second gap he is wide shopping but comes into the track and initially choose the wrong side of the island so feels restraint. The lamb-lung treat had ants. And then he saw a man walking ahead and wanted to go visit but the man walked one. He soon found a leather square. At the next island he gets interested in some droppings and is encouraged past but then wants to ignore the article. He is clearly mentally tired by this point but is willing to keep going. I am subsequently quicker to restrain and guide him and he maintains his willingness to work until the final article. He is very quick to take the corner to the left against the far side of the near curbed walkway. What a clever boy.
Gretzky P3.4 Urban Lawn Article Oval. We did one big oval about 180 yards long with articles about every 10 yards. Gretzky noticed almost all the articles but did not want to stop at about half of them, so he was restrained and had a fun party at each.
Gretzky P3.5 Natural Field 4-Square. Each was 50 yards with extra treats. First three went nicely. Fourth was not so good but he completed it.
Gretzky P3.5 Natural Field 4-Square. Each was 50 yards with extra treats. First three went nicely. Fourth was not so good but he completed it.
Gretzky P3.6 Urban 4-Square. Normally I do this on an open sports field, but I was time constrained and the open sports fields around here were all dead grass because of 3 months without rain. So I found a business park with lawn edges around the block of buildings and did one track per side. There was wind variation, but mostly wind swirling due to the buildings and trees.
Gretzky P3.6.1 Urban Straight. Gretzky starts nicely and then notices his reflection in the reflection of the window. So it turns out to be excellent distraction training as well as general life socialization. He does a nice job crossing the sidewalks. When he gets distracted from the track, he finds it nicely and commits with confidence.
Gretzky P3.6.2 Urban Straight. This is a short track about half the length of the others since there was an obstruction I did not want to try and cross with him. Gretzky has nice focus most of the time.
Gretzky p3.6.3 Urban Straight. This one had a parking car as a distraction and a bend to stay on the lawn which Gretzky handles nicely. The bees seemed to like the lamb-lung on this track - how to make a reward into a punishment - not so good.
Gretzky P3.6.4 Urban Straight. This one is in a channel on the fourth side of the building complex so has more squirrels and wildlife contamination. You can see me using more line while Gretzky is close to the track and less when there is a distraction or he needs encouragement.
Gretzky P3.6.1 Urban Straight. Gretzky starts nicely and then notices his reflection in the reflection of the window. So it turns out to be excellent distraction training as well as general life socialization. He does a nice job crossing the sidewalks. When he gets distracted from the track, he finds it nicely and commits with confidence.
Gretzky P3.6.2 Urban Straight. This is a short track about half the length of the others since there was an obstruction I did not want to try and cross with him. Gretzky has nice focus most of the time.
Gretzky p3.6.3 Urban Straight. This one had a parking car as a distraction and a bend to stay on the lawn which Gretzky handles nicely. The bees seemed to like the lamb-lung on this track - how to make a reward into a punishment - not so good.
Gretzky P3.6.4 Urban Straight. This one is in a channel on the fourth side of the building complex so has more squirrels and wildlife contamination. You can see me using more line while Gretzky is close to the track and less when there is a distraction or he needs encouragement.
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P3.7 Parking Lot Article Oval. Gretzky did a nice job indicating perhaps 3/4 of the articles and just nosing and trying to move on at the rest. He was restrained and we had a great party at every one. Gretzky is visual and did a lot of shopping which did not earn him any treats, but he seems to enjoy it anyways.
P3.8 Gretzky Urban Lawn Serpentine. These were two serpentines full-length about 150 yards each. They were uneventful so I am not including the video. See P2.2 and 2.8 for examples of typical urban lawn serpentines.
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