Carly Lu’s Flight Blog

For background see Carly’s Super-Generalizing Recall Training.

Bad weather last weekend so we did some outings to indoor locations for socializing (and acclimation of Piper). We’ve been continuing to practice regularly before meals indoors, including some “emergency recalls” using a whistle and super-treats. We took a beach outing Saturday afternoon.

Set-up: she was barely below at-lib weight (458 g / at-lib 460) and we went out about 1-2 hrs after her normal first meal time. It was very warm and sunny, with a strong breeze from a Santa Ana wind. Used a variety of treats: butter toffee peanuts (super-treat), sunflower seeds (average), and peanut-butter cracker (jackpot, end of session).

Behavior: She did very energetic medium distance flights, dived over the waters, got some seagulls to chase her. We were approached by people a couple times. The second time there were 4 people who wanted to talk a lot, including a red-haired guy. She wanted to fly to him so I cued her to to go to his arm and back to me. That worked fine and she did quite a few of those back and forth between me and all four visitors. Didn’t get over-excited by the RHG. When we moved along she didn’t try to fly back. She did a very long flight but came right back to me at the end and made no stops along the way. Called it a day then with some jackpot treats as we headed back in.

Other notes:
Very good day. Carly got to experience many reinforcers: flying in wind, flying with gulls, and flying to and from other people, including a RHG. Kept her focus well.

Took Piper out on harness by himself afterwards.

For background see Carly’s Super-Generalizing Recall Training.

After a week or so of outings (on-leash) to public places for socializing, we took a trip to the beach yesterday.

Set-up: Her weight was 451 (at lib is 460). It was early afternoon, a little past when she normally gets her first meal, so she was due for that. There were more people than I expected on a foggy winter day, but it was a holiday. So we had a few distractions, including people approaching us which is always risky. We used super-treats for everything (butter toffee peanuts).

Behavior: Recall was very tight. But she did a lot of small to medium size flies, out and looping directly back in. This weight/meal timing is more than sufficient. I had to run alongside and encourage her to take some of the longer flights. I brought along a jackpot for the last flight of the day, walking back in (peanut butter ritz bits). We also did a few A-B recalls to someone we met at the beach, and it did not distract her from further flying as it sometimes has in the past. I’ll probably keep this weight and set up for a few sessions or more.

Other notes:
One thing I used to do at the beach that I’ve started up again is having Carly fly to someone she’s interested in, then call her back to me for a favorite treat, repeat… (I’ve seen her do this for over half an hour before!) That way she gets the socializing and also is reinforced for coming back. We did this a bit yesterday. It worked fine and she didn’t become obsessed and try to keep flying back when we moved on.