Comments on: The Puppiness Project – Give Thoughts Time to Percolate

By: lauren

lauren — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:12:39 +0000

i know i’m very late on this one but i couldn’t skip over without commenting. i think it’s great that you don’t put too much pressure on yourself with her learning things. i really need to start taking on that perspective. because i’m in school to become a trainer, i feel particularly useless when whatever i’m trying to do with desmond isn’t working. you always post such great reminders that we often ask so very much of our pups and instead we should take a step back and scratch them behind the ears instead. 🙂

also, great job with the capture of the paws up on the log! that’s such a cute little trick. i’d love to work on that one!

By: Greyhounds CAN Sit

Greyhounds CAN Sit — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:42:33 +0000

This is actually called ‘latent learning’, which I bet you knew;) I see it often, more so in Beryl than Frankie. She has to mull things over, usually over night. Often when I’m shaping something with her she will walk away for a while, have a think, maybe do it better, maybe not in which case I know it’s time to put the clicker away. Next day she will usually get things right.

By: Kolchak & Jodi

Kolchak & Jodi — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:47:18 +0000

Honey is wise, very wise indeed. I frequently need reminders to “perolate”. Maybe I should buy a percolator?

By: melF

melF — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:20:17 +0000

Ahhh!!! The common issue many bloggers face. I know what you mean about waiting for new ideas to percolate. Even with my love of dogs, blogging this long sometimes leaves me wagging my head. Maybe your passion isn’t your work. Or, maybe your passion is your work, but perhaps certain angles of it. Maybe percolating on that will help. Either way, I love that Honey let it percolate and finally got “it”.
Good luck percolating!

By: RumpyDog!

RumpyDog! — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:40:52 +0000

I just want the cookie.

By: Amy@GoPetFriendly

Amy@GoPetFriendly — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:21:24 +0000

This is another great post – giving ourselves time and space to let the creativity flow so important. When we try to force it, it feels forced. Once again, Honey is brilliant!

I’ve had the same experience trying to teach Buster new things – it’s like he gets a little overwhelmed trying to guess what I want him to do when we first try it. If I practice again with him the next day, he’s less anxious and can focus a bit better. It’s like the first time around he’s trying so hard to figure it out what I’m asking that he goes overboard. I don’t think it’s because you’re a bad trainer.

By: Married with Dawgs

Married with Dawgs — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:14:43 +0000

Since I started our 2012 training challenges, I’ve found that both Maggie & Sadie need time for our lessons to sink in. If we work on a behavior for a few days, I need to give them a break for a couple days. Then when we go back to the training, we’re all refreshed and better able to teach & learn. If I try too many days in a row, we all end up getting frustrated. I’m pretty sure the percolating is just as valuable for me as it is for them – I have the time to think about what worked, what didn’t, and how to tackle the next training session to insure continued success.

By: Pam Torres

Pam Torres — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:04:43 +0000

Last night was one of those times when the mind just wouldn’t shut off. The funny thing is our minds are always working, it’s just that most of the time we can do other things. It isn’t a big stretch to think that dogs minds continue to make connections long after the training session is over. So glad I found your blog. Enjoyable!

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:40:03 +0000

I am much the same way Honey is. I need to see it, then walk away from it, and when I come back to it, I’m good! If I try to force it, though, it never ever works. My brain just isn’t wired that way. I do know that I always enjoy what you have to say about dogs and how they relate to the human condition!

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:19:04 +0000

I always have a ton of things to write about too, the problem is I think of them at the worst times, like when I am trying to fall asleep at night. I can never think of them while I am staring at the computer screen. The words just come at the wrong time and then when I finally sit down to type them they are gone! Uggh! It’s the story of my life!