Thursday, June 29, 2006

Release

I have worked hard with Wyatt on his release. He was releasing too early and releasing on all kinds of words and body movements. Now I am having the opposite problem. Sometimes he is not releasing at all. I usually have to repeat the release word (OK) and/or show him a treat to get him to release. I would say this happens about 10% or less of the time. It is interesting. Never a dull moment. I don't think there is much I can do but to keep practicing and rewarding for releasing the first time.

I am wondering if he is afraid to make a mistake. I do see this more often after he blows a contact and give my (very unharsh) oops word to mark the mistake. I do know for sure that he know what this means. I see this most clearly in a directed retreive when he goes to the other glove after I say oops. That is pretty cool that he has generalized the meaning of that.

1 comment:

John Heffernan said...

HI George,

I went to your web site but did not see any puppy pictures. Where is the photo located? I would love to check it out...

What sports do you do with your malamutes?

John