Saturday, November 10, 2012

A seminar!

I am taking an online course called "Building Relationship Through Play". It's being taught by Denise Fenzi who's blog I have been obsessed with reading lately. I really admire the way she works and plays with her dogs. She values each one of her dogs for the individuals that they are and you can see that they feel that.
The coarse will be about three different play types; toy, personal (just you and your dog) and food play (why did I not think of food play before?).  At first I thought it would be focused more on toy and personal play, now I see that she believes it is wise to have a balance in all three areas. Each one is useful in different situations. If you don't use a form of play very often, it can become something your dog just doesn't find reinforcing. I am noticing that with food. I have been playing so much with a tug toy with Indi that food is just not as exciting. I guess I need to find a way to make it fun. She gets very excited for her meals at home, kibble dog food, but out in the world she isn't RABID about treats.
Since I signed up as an observer that means I can't post videos or ask questions but I still thought it would be fun to make a few videos and post them here.

 Here is Indigo playing with a toy with me.


I know that I need to stand up straighter (better for your back of course).

I need to remember to let her win the toy more often to encourage her desire to play with me. If she were to get this toy to herself she still has the tendency to  run away with it. She will bring it back if I call her to come, and sometimes she will bring it back to play with me but she mostly wants to run in circles with it, shaking it to death.

She is very fun to play tug with! She will tug on just about anything.





And just for fun (and cuz I'm a nerd), here is my first installment of "Things Indi can hold".

                                                                      A is for Abalone!



3 comments:

Dogert said...

SOOOOO COOL! I'm going to have to look up some dog seminars and talks here now that I'm in a more dog friendly place, only problem is it usually costs money.... and probably not in Albany... Anyways yeah have you seen the kikopup videos on how to reward one thing for another?

Hiking Hounds said...

How fun, she's a good player. Play has really helped me with Astro. I actually think it is the most helpful in building our relationship.

Riley and Stella said...

Awesome play! I'm pretty sure I heard a few Susan Garrettisms in there too :o). Get dat ting .... I say that too.