Just thought I'd share a video of Gaci and I doing some contact work in our kitchen! Currently working on fading the target by presenting it, removing it for a few nose touches, and presenting it again. Also working from all sides, and increasing duration of the position. She basically never moves until released, even when I purposely threw a kibble on the floor in front of her in this video. Will continue proofing with other distractions!
We have not yet tried it with an actual contact, and I'm getting a proper travel plank made as she finds this one slippery (it is unfinished). That is why we are working on a very small angle. Once I get the actual plank we'll sharpen up the angle one more step. And I'm thinking soon I will transfer it to an actual contact, such as the teeter one or the A-frame, so that we can begin some of the teeter games and get some A-frame work started.
Note the two in the background on the couch....we are doing a lot of training of what I call "2 on 1 off"....2 dogs are on the loveseat on a perimeter stay (no particular position, but can't leave the loveseat), while one is working. It's working out very well. Sometimes Gaci will be up there as well, but sometimes we also do the crate games with the door open while working other dogs, because for her that's a HUGE distraction to see other dogs getting clicked and treated while staying in the kennel.