Lead training with Siog

Today was absolutely gorgeous, cool and sunny.  Siog and I headed up the road and she walked willingly but her new "thing" is to pull her head away to the right.  If you don't have a donkey's head in your control, you are not IN control!  While this may be no big deal while walking with a mini, it's a VERY big deal with a larger animal!

So I have been asking Siog for a lateral flextion in her neck by sliding my left hand up the lead, gently towards the snap and asking her to soften and when she does I click and treat.  This has been going on for awhile now though on our walks and she still pulls away.  I don't want to create an unwanted training "loop" - this means that I might be inadvertently training Siog to pull her neck away from me while walking, then soften towards me and then get rewarded.  She might interpret this as "first I pull away, then I soften, then I get a treat!"

So today I tried something new and it worked!  I chose a tire tread line on the road and walked on it, keeping my own steps in a straight line.  I held Siog's lead rope, giving her some length and keeping my two hands together at my stomach.  I did not ask her to soften but just kept walking in a straight line.

Siog would pull away to the right and the lead rope would become taught but I just kept on going.  Then she got the idea to release the pressure on her lead by softening towards me and - eureka! ...  she got clicked and treated!

I had to make sure I stayed vigilant and rewarded her every single time she released the pressure on her own and came towards me - I tried not to look at her and kept a steady pace, even while rewarding her.
No big deal that you're doing the right thing, eh?

It was so interesting!  An animal will learn faster if they put 2 + 2 together rather than you doing it for them and this was a great example.  It took very little time for Siog to realize that if she released the pressure on her lead by moving towards me, she would get rewarded!  I didn't have to do a thing except be kind, keep going and reward her when she earned it!

Slow Feeder hay nets

 

Here is Siog with her new slow feeder hay net from Purely Ponies:  www.purelyponies.com

It has 1 inch holes and I have hung it from a piece of sisal baling twine from the fence, trying to keep it low so her head is not raised while she is eating.  I have just introduced these hay nets - the idea is that the donkeys eat more slowly, consume less hay and fill their tummies thereby reducing stress, ulcers and boredom!

During this "introduction" period, I also offer free choice hay so the donkeys don't get frustrated as they learn to eat from the hay bags.  The bags can be moved anywhere - I have not left them overnight yet as I want to be absolutely SURE that they can't get tangled.  So far so good!

Deenah

Dorica too!

Clicker training-a wonderful approach!

I continue to be impressed by the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training - aka clicker training.

This approach really relies on a communicative relationship between animal and trainer (human) and since it's a "two-way" process, learning takes place quickly and easily.

What I mean by this is that the trainer has to be tuned in to each individual animal - for example, who is this, what does he/she need to learn?  What would I like this animal to learn to do?  What is this animal capable of doing?

But the animal is also engaged in the "game" of learning and trying to figure out the rules and the agenda.  This is true as long as the trainer ensures that the animal is reinforced and supported for every "try," every nuance, every attempt at the right answer to the training puzzle.

If BOTH of us are listening to each other (in a deeply observant, non-verbal way) then human and animal  seem to develop a compassionate understanding of one another, a willingness to learn and to please. If the animal is to learn without intimidation and retain new stuff , the trainer must be generous, rewarding every try, exercising the utmost patience.  Then it's FUN! 

Our sessions are full of laughter (me!) and amusement (donkeys!) I always end my training sessions in a good mood, never frustrated.

I've been seeing such amazing changes ... in trust, in willingness, in understanding.  My donkeys are such good buddies!

Progress with Deenah!

 

I have been trying so hard to figure out what will help Deenah feel less anxious if I take Dorrie for an outing. It's been a long and sometimes discouraging journey. But lately we have made great progress!

I have tried to establish a routine.
Everyday at approx. the same time (about 11:30 AM):

1. I go to the barn and get hay.
2. I put Deenah and Siog in the barn paddock with several piles of hay here and there.
3. I feed Dorica outside of the barn paddock but nearby where Dee can see her.
4. While Dorica is eating her (smaller pile of) hay, I get my treat bag and her halter and
    wait for her up by the gate.
5. Deenah notices all this but keeps eating.
6. I ask Dorica to come up to the gate and click and treat her when she does.
7. Halter on and off we go, quietly, no muss, no fuss.

I have explained to Deenah that we will return and now she seems to get it.  We're gone for about an hour and Deenah calls a few times but doesn't seem inclined to jump the fence.

When we get back, she is a bit anxious but not hyperventilating like she used to.  Phew - I am thrilled that this is working!  I make sure to reward both Dee and Siog when I get back and everyone is reunited.
This is a HUGE step and I will try hard to maintain some kind of routine so it becomes "normal."