Tuesday, May 11, 2010

"Open" Practice

So now it appears that I has to learn some NEW stuff! As if the OLD junk wasn't enough. And the new tricks has to do with a dumbell, which is NOTHING even remotely like my beloved KONG!!! Dumbells stink! But with some clicker practice, I get the idea finally. But it wasn't enough that I went and picked up that thing a coupla feet away. Now they throws it far and wants me to get it while wearing a flexi! Can you imagine? In the first picture, I'm waiting while Mom throws "it."
Above, feel like a packmule running against that line, working to get my teeths around that bar. The moment I glom onto it, they lock the flexi and yell "come"! As if... where else am I gonna go? (From Mom: Sammie isn't allowed to paw the dumbell, which she enjoys doing, so the flexi serves as a reminder to pick up the object and return it immediately - I'm somewhat torn about this difficult training, especially since I'm still so green, but Sam's always happy to get here, wagging her tail with a smile, so... we'll keep it up for now!)

So yous all can see that I has no problem bringing it back to Ma, except I spit it out.

So Barbara had a go with me and made me hold that thing between my teefies until I "resisted" and gripped it firmly without mouthing.

Comme ca. No, it didn't hurt, but it was so annoying. Luckily, I do like one new exercise called the Broad Jump. Thank goodness fur that! But I have a lot of work ahead for "Open."





36 comments:

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Samantha,
What is up with our peoples and all the tricks they makes us learn? I have had enoughs of all the spins, shakes, bows and waves I have to do everyday. :) But I have to tell you I am very impressed with your OVER, but don't let my mom see this cuz she might make me learns it.

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Beth and Alfie said...

Good job Samantha!! We're impressed. :)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

That dumbbell doesn't look like something that is very comfy to grip with the teeth - is it heavy, Sammie?

Great broadjump - you are so talented.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I think I'm going to have to have you come here and teach our pups a thing or two, or three!! :-)

Cocorue said...

oooh, mumster must Not see this or she'll send me for training again!

OR she'll get you to come over to teach me! now, THAT will be great!!!

chikisses
coco

BRUTUS said...

That all looks pretty good to me! I'm just starting to work with one of those dumbbell thingys too. Got a LONG way to go to get to where you are! The broad jump will be easier (thanks to our agility), although I'm not the greatest at a "send" yet! Keep up the good work! We see "OTCH" written all over you :)

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

houndstooth said...

You look like you're doing it all pretty good to me!

Bunny

How Sam Sees It said...

Oh, Samantha, our Monty needs so much training. You are such an expert - can we ask you for advice from time to time?

Sam

Taffy said...

Samantha you are doing excellent! Just keep in mind, you are supposed to be training the humans without their knowledge!
Snuggles,
Twix

Angel Tucker, Daisy and Leo said...

Sammie, you are so clever. Daisy loves to jump, she would like the broad jump. We hope you learn to like that dumbbell.

Tucker and Daisy

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

Samantha, you are doing SOOO WELL!!
Love the movie & pictures, thanks!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Why are Goldens SUCH show offs?

GReat job Sammie!

Woo know my mom is making THAT face at me AGAIN!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Life With Dogs said...

We're not worthy miss smarty pants! :)

Ms. ~K said...

We love the doggie broad jump!
Your mom has come a long way from when you started training her!
teeheehee!!!
Licks and sniffs,
Zack, Sassy and Buddy

Molly the Airedale said...

You are so smart, Sammie, and beautiful too!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Dexter said...

The dumbbell work is not easy. Especially handing it right to the human. Next thing you know she'll throw out a bunch of those things and make you decide which one to return.

Slobbers,
Mango

Augie and Ti's mom said...

The things the peeps make you do, sheesh! I have to say, though, you're pretty impressive!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

We are all very impressed.

There is a Golden in Ruairi's Kindergarten class - he is already bigger than an adult Scottie - at 12 weeks old!!

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

Infrequent Flyers said...

Oh Samantha, humans are so picky! Of COURSE you spit the dumbell out because that's what you're supposed to do. Isn't that the way it works with your beloved orange Kong?!

Good luck learning all these new things. Looks like you're having fun with it, and that's what's important!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Good job Sammie! You are so talented! Great jump!

Martha said...

Oh Sammie, they make you work so very hard!
We have never understoon this human obsession humans have with throwing things and expecting you to bring it back.
Bad enough you master that to please them and now they want you to hang on to that dumb thingie!
Gosh they are so very complicated - just as well your are smart enough to work it out.
We loved the video with the big jump and did occur to us that you are the very dog we are looking for to jump over obstacles to help us catch the deer.
When are you free Sammie to fly to Scotland?
love and kisses
Martha and Bailey xxx

The Army of Four said...

Woo, Sammie. I hope you got lots of hugs and nap time and treats and playing with your KONG after all that! Why did they want that dumbbell back? I thought they wanted you to get it? I'll never understand bipeds!
That big jumpie was really cool! You were FLYIN'!!!
Luv,
Dave
PS: Mom said she'll check later to see who made my squeaky toy; I can't remember. It's not a Cuz like some pups thought. I don't have one of those. It's really fun and WOO, is it LOUD!!! I love that!

Sierra Rose said...

Hi ya pal!! Nice mid-air jump correction!!!! Hard stuff, you're doing great :)

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Unknown said...

Hi Sammie,

Gosh - I'd never heard of learning the Dumbbell Retrieve with a flexi-lead! That was must be extra hard!!

I had a really tough time learning the retrieve too - I like holding my soft stuffies and things but I really didn't like picking up my dumbbell! And then once I picked it up, I would spit it out like you. The people at my Obedience club back in Auckland tried to get me to hold it by doing what Barbara did to you - but you know, it's a lot harder to "force" a 70kg Great Dane! :-) They just weren't strong enough to make me hold it - and I got so scared and miserable that Hsin-Yi felt sorry for me. I started having even more negative associations with the dumbbell. So she used clicker training instead to get me to "extend" my hold - so that I would hold the dumbbell for longer and longer and then eventually, Sit AND hold the dumbbell and present it for her. That was much better and I learnt that really quickly and now really love running out to get my dumbbell.

But I don't know how some of the more advanced doggies pick up the METAL dumbbells - ugh! I hate the feeling of metal in my mouth!!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
ps. that broad jump looks like great fun! I did some of those when I tried Agility, although with my long strides, they weren't really much of a difference from a normal jump! Hee! Hee!

Yas said...

Great job Sammie!!

Cheers,
Maxx

Unknown said...

Sammie
Wow. You are super advanced. Hold dumbbells. Jumping over and coming right away . Brains and beauty. I think your are the best
norwood

PS I hope you r enjoying the film festival! Your watchers appears to be leading the category

Never Say Never Greyhounds said...

Looking good, Sammie! I'm glad you like the broad jump as I think it is the most useless obedience exercise of them all. I can just see myself stradling a creek and asking my dog to jump... but then I guess I would have to stand in the creek so my dog can front.... I digress. :-)

My Mind's Eye said...

Sammie oh my dogs and cats you are so smart. I don't think I could ever sit that still. Mom was very proud of you in the video when you jumped and went right to your Mom!!!
Oh and BTW you look gorgeous too we suspect that feeling good about one's looks is about 90% of performing well
Madi and Mom

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! What a great job Sammie. Jumping over is always FUN so no doubt you like the broad jump. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Anonymous said...

Ohmidogness! You are such a prodigy, Sammie! (Mom says prodigy means somebuddy with big brains.) Can you believes all the stuff we have to do to keeps our humans happy? But all in all, I guess it's pretty fun for us, too!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Not sure about the dumb bells. We sure would bring you back a few tennis balls.. Great jumping Sam..


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

the booker man said...

wow, miss sammie, you've got skills!! i'm kinda iffy on that dumbbell, too, but that broad jump thingie looks totally funsies. :)
*woof*
the booker man

Sunshade said...

Holy Sammie, that was amazing!! You listen so well and it seems like you learned it all really fast too. Good job! I however do not want my mum to read this post so she doesn't get any ideas. The way I have to act dead when she shoots me with her hand for a piece of table scrap is quite ridiculous already.....

BTW, mum and I loved your Watchers entry. You were so funny just "watching" LOL, the hooman pup you've got there was quite ADORABLE as well.

Love nibbles,
Miss Sunshade

Pat Wahler said...

I'm very impressed with you talents!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

Thor and Jack said...

Great job, Sammie! You're so talented!

Amber-Mae said...

Hey Sam! Wow, that was good. You did the Broad Jump exercise very well. I remember one time, I walked through it. Yes, instead of jumping over it, I walked through it by stepping into all the gaps at a TRIAL!!! Heehee. Everybody laughed. I got a zero for that one of course. I haven't been doing any OB training for a year so I am all flabby & rusty. Ohhh, I hope this means I have been retired...