Leslie continues her education as a trainer by booking private training sessions with Michele Pouliot. I was lucky enough to attend one of Leslie and Leo's sessions while I was visiting recently. These videos are a beautiful example of platform/clicker training where Leo is learning the "left heel" position (his future working position).
Notice, he is loose (not on lead) while working and must find the proper position on his own. Also note how much fun he's having — one look at the smiling face and wagging tail tells the tale. Leslie reports that at the very next training session just after I left, Leo was no longer standing perpendicular to her as he is in these videos. This work is considered to be Foundation Training, the first stage in Leslie's training protocol.
I recorded their work together for everyone. (on my iPhone, handheld. sorry for the shaky camera work.) Enjoy!
3 comments:
Hi Mal
Great stuff although I found myself wanting to tell Leo what to do when he didnt quite get it.
So how many hours a week does he train, and hen do they think he will be ready to go home with you?
xx Lauren
Amazing stuff! No idea the amount of time and patience involved to train these wonderful friends. Leo is just the cutest!
yes, it's an amazing amount of time, patience, and commitment to train a service dog.
and Elletee - that wanting to help is one thing Leslie struggles with, too! (tho for her, it's a body language thing)
training sessions are usually short at this point — half an hour or less — so he doesn't burn out or get bored or too tired. the deeper he goes into his training, the sessions can last longer. there are on average three sessions per week, sometimes more, sometimes less depending on several variables.
the current estimate of when he'll be ready for team training is end of may or sometime in june, though it could be as late as july. he'll be ready when he's ready. of course, I'M ready for him now, lol!!!!!
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