I got Jackson and Sadeem out today. They
were both full of energy. I didn’t really
get them out to work them, just to play. And
to see how they liked the new grain I got
for them. Since, I didn’t plan on working
them, I went out there without any tools
other than the clicker.
Sadeem
Sadeem was very playful today. However, for
Sadeem, that meant rear a whole lot.
Fortunately he doesn’t strike out when he
rears, but his rears are getting big. He
likes to come up to and rear, as if to say,
“Look what I can do!” I don’t believe that
this behavior is aggressive, but it has to
stop. So I used one of the training methods
that Karen Pryor mentions in her book, Don’t
Shoot the Dog! She calls it “Shaping the
Absence.” That is, reinforcing anything and
everything that is not the unwanted
behavior.
In this, when would run up and rear, I
waited until he head all four feet on the
ground and then I clicked and rewarded. I
also spent time calming him and telling him
he was a good boy. We did this about four or
five times. After that, he was much better.
He would run up and just stand there. Of
course, I would click and reward. We will
see how he does tomorrow. It is all so
exciting!
Sadeem also had a lot of fun just running
around. I think I should have taken a video
of him instead of Jackson for the liberty
application!
Oh, and while all this was happening with
Sadeem, Jackson would just stand right next
to me. Sometimes he would start to park out,
bow, or do the obeisance. He wasn’t
concerned with Sadeem rearing right by him.
Jackson
Jackson did great today! He was full of
energy, but just wanted to stay with me. We
did a lot of running together. He did some
fantastic passage steps as well as what
appeared to be several steps of the Spanish
trot! He just was very energetic and really
worked hard at using that energy upwards! He
neck was so beautifully arched with his
forehand raised higher than normal. At one
point he took off running, arching his neck,
and it looked beautiful!
He seemed to really enjoy running with me
and he showed it in his exuberance! It was
such a joy to see. I wish we had a camera,
but at least I can tell you about it.
We also did a couple of bows. He is getting
very good at doing it when I kneel on the
ground next to him.
I guess I can’t say enough how much
expression and suspension Jackson had today.
Stunning!
