Drumming up motivation

[bitsnpieces]

I reeeeaaally need to get Inca walking out in hand more so that we can eventually progress to hacking, while she is a total sweetie as soon as we're in a new situation she really tries to take control. Which means that nothing is as simple as just taking her for a walk, in turn meaning that I have to make sure I have enough time to take her out. This isn't a problem in itself, but it can be difficult to get the old motivation going! I know that this will improve with practice, but it's difficult getting the inital practice in at the moment!

After this week I have two weeks off work, so am planning to take her out early morning (largely so I don't have to worry about running into anyone whilst we're having a debate about who is in charge).

I'm lucky to have a little farm access lane that goes from our stables to the road as the farmers fields are right next to us, so the first step is to always make sure she is calm in this space (and not spinning around/trying to flatten me) before going any further. We also do bits of groundwork whilst we're out, the first few days of going out when we haven't been out for a while always involve re-establishing boundaries so making sure that she isn't constantly trying to overtake/push past me. Again, this all takes time as you just can't correct her properly when you're in a rush yourself, so it does take some motivation to set out a proper routine for her.

She always gets better after going out a few days in a row, so looking forward to having the time over the next few weeks to really cement the boundaries and build her confidence.

Am also going to use these two weeks to start taking Bella for a little walk everyday, being as I'll be up early and still have the whole day free, I might as well make use of it!

[Trewsers]

I think doing stuff in a morning is great - one you get into the swing of it, it becomes a great routine and as you say, you have the advantage of the quieter time and then the whole day to yourself!

[bitsnpieces]

Couldn't agree more Trewsers, it's so peaceful at that time of the morning it helps keep her calm. I also find that if you do that sort of thing early morning, nothing has happened during the day yet to infringe on this time so you can just take it all nice and easy.

[fth]

sounds like you have a great plan!!! if you can do some groundwork before you head out so the reminders about relationship and leaderhsip is there before you head out the gate that would be even better x

Cathy

[bitsnpieces]

Originally Posted by fth

sounds like you have a great plan!!! if you can do some groundwork before you head out so the reminders about relationship and leaderhsip is there before you head out the gate that would be even better x

Cathy

Thanks Cathy, I'm planning on making a few obstacle courses and making some despooking toys to practice with and to make our groundwork more interesting & help prep even more before we go out in hand. The groundwork definitely helps to focus her mind and reminds her of the boundaries, but she is ridiculously clever so we've got to the stage where she needs more stimulation as when she gets bored she just starts testing the boundaries as her new game!

[KarinUS]

You can do it! For me it helped a bit to bring our clicker training target along. It gave her something to concentrate on when she got too fidgety. Also helped me get her to cross the creek etc. because it's something she knows. A familar thing/task in an unfamiliar environment...