Training Days - "Charging the Marker" and Focus

Ranger and I took advantage of my feeling slightly human this morning and we went outside and trained for a bit. 

When we walked out, there was someone standing at my dad's car talking to dad.  Ok.  so I waited until he went back to his car and then Ranger and I did some offlead attention and heeling.  I made him 'think.'  Instead of giving him an automatic correction, I just told him 'nope' and waited for him to try again (and again and again) until he got a 'Yes!' and lots of praise - even some treats!!  We worked on some recalls too.  I was trying to get him excited and motivated for training.  An excited-to-work dog is a much better dog to train with.  They're going to be excited and engaged. 

We worked on "charging the marker" - its the first step in clicker training.  Yes, I'm going WAY back!!  I said "Yes" and clicked (so there's a verbal marker and the clicker for him to associate) and gave him a treat.  You're not really looking for any behavior at this stage - just click-treat, click-treat... or in my case  click/say-treat, click/say-treat.  -- Why did I use both a verbal and a click?  Because I wont *always* have the clicker on me, I want to be able to use a verbal marker as well. 

Since this is a 'refresher' for Ranger - I threw him a twist.  I would say his name and each time he looked at me, I'd yes/click and give him a treat.   He's still SUPER distracted.   We've got to get that under control.  I dont need 100% of his attnetion 100% of the time - but I need more than what I've got now.  We're going to keep working.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9s Service Dogs Team #2