The other day, we co-hosted a newscast with Sarah Hill and KOMU 8 via a Google+ Hangout with 9 dogs and a Stunt Kitty. It was a great experience.

We’ve been using Google+ Hangouts in our distance learning classes for group video chat and it’s really changed our game when it comes to distance learning. We’re able to work with groups of people in real time on video and deliver live instruction. Sarah, head of the Missouri School of Journalism, is leveraging g+ Hangouts for local media in Columbia, Missouri.

This opportunity cropped up as Sarah and I bumped into each other on Google+. I think this kind of thing is going to happen a lot over there on g+ in the future…

The dogs and LaVerne were amazing! A 1 and a half hour duration stay with 9 dogs and 1 cat … Read More »

A fun session with Juicy, Harp & Leilani playing around with flatwork while EZ Ryder, Ska and LaVerne work duration stays on the sideline.

VloMo11 Day 14 @PVybe | 30 Vids in 30 Days

Google+.

Prima, LeiLei, Ryder and LaVerne get settled in and watch Juicy and Harpyr work some Rear Crosses.

VloMo11 Day 13 @ PVybe | 30 Vids in 30 Days

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When working with Multiple Dogs, how we mark is important. One of the things we like to do at Pawsitive Vybe is to use a Finger Point to mark behaviors.

The above video is a demonstration of the Finger Point Mark. It’s real nice for keeping the dog’s focus on the handler and for silently marking behaviors.

Conditioning the Finger Point Mark

This is no different from conditioning the Positive Marker or the Clicker. If we want to be boring we can point then feed the dog, establishing a consequent relationship – the Point happens then comes the cookie.

We can also mark Attention (unsolicited eye contact) and reinforce with a cookie. This is the preferred method of Pawsitive Vybe of charging the marker.

Of course we can just start freeshape it by simply using it … Read More »

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In this Video, Apryl Lea and Pan work on a Pedestal. The intent of the session was to Manufacture the Approach and Generalize the Handler position.

This session has nothing to do with the Down. All we want is a stable position on the pedestal which will happen because of the high rate of reinforcement on the table. This is about Action. It is simply about getting a lot of value on the Pedestal and generalizing the approach and the spatial relationship to the handler.

Apryl worked from all areas of the room and placed reinforcement for the cued Release throughout the room as well. Enabling her to get Pan to work from, the Right, from the Left, From near to far and far to near. She also worked from a seated position at a distance.

Pan … Read More »

We are about 2 weeks away from starting the Pawsitive Vybe Distance Learning Classes and I’m working on the Working Multiple Dogs online distance learning class this morning.

The outline for this class has been done for months, but now that I have to get specific, I’m starting to realize just how big a job it is. There’s a ton of stuff that we need to get together: video, blog entries, pics and such, but it’s pretty much ready to go.

Here’s a quick breakdown of this 6 week class:

Week 1:
Shaping the Spot

We are going to stabilize one dog using go to Spot – Pedastal behavior. This behavior will be shaped with all of the handler’s dogs separately and then used to keep the non-working dog(s) out of our business as we work with another dog. There are about 40 sub-categories in this … Read More »