A few videos from the Scentwork Workshops.... K9 Manhunt & ScentWork Scotland #scentwork #detectiondogs #petdogtraining
One of the demos we had. K9 Manhunt & ScentWork Scotland
I've been doing some desensitisation with Dak
She's had a little 'woof' at a couple of people who startled her (very understandably so, I'd woof at people who suddenly came too close too, if I could 😅).
So here we are spending time around people who won't affect her. I've been taking her to small markets and any other places where there have been a trickle of people, keeping far enough away that they don't impact her.
You can read more about my thoughts on desensitisation here; https://jopick.co.uk/does-your-dog-bark-at-the-doorbell/
Working on manners
With 6 dogs living in the house, some of them quite driven, I like to keep on top of manners and impulses.
First time out with all 6, so will make little things , like waiting at gates and being named, part of the norm
I dont look for 'obedience' type control, no one has to sit to attention - but 'wait' means 'wait' and is a really useful command for all sorts of situations.
Sometimes I will call all the dogs at once (cos I cant be bothered to name tham) which is partly why Dak lept the gate (I said 'come on then' to Murphy, which she thought was a cue
There will also be times when I name them and then make them sit beside me once through. One step at a time, though!!
#dogmanners #dogtraining #dogcommunication
To show you how things look when they dont quite go right! When trainers and Practically-perfect-in-every-way dogs like Smokey get confused.
This is a 7-day carpark challenge set by K9 Manhunt & ScentWork Scotland.
Today was day 1
So, firstly we never do anything on concrete. Literally, everything is on grass, so it just shows how one small change can make such a big difference. The most that ever happens is we get out of a car and cross concrete to get to grass.
Secondly, I don't 'do' training in the way someone competing or otherwise might. If there is something I want my dogs to do, I ask/show them and then praise them when they get it right or nearly right.
If they get it right, or nearly right, I don't repeat, thats it, exercise done. So, for me to do that was confusing for Smokey, as he wanted to offer different behaviour, thinking I was asking him to do it slightly differently.
Ordinarily, he would have done this easily. But those subtle changes made it a lot more for both of us to think about
(Oh, and this is usually a quiet carpark, but when I got there the village school was having its sports day! Fortunately this isnt something that phases Smokey)
Anyhow, have a chuckle, feel free to critique, either to yourselves or to me, and I'll try again tomorrow 😀
There are two sides to recall - the positive, where you are making your dog coming back to you the most fun in the whole world! Party at my feet!!
And where you are inadvertently poisoning the recall, or teaching your dog not to return on cue
Positives;
Only call your dog if you know it is going to come back. If you dont think it will, quietly go and get it. Consider keeping your dog on a long-line if you are frequently having issues.
Make recall fun, be exciting!!
Use a high voice, or whistle and call their name and be enthusiastic.
Crouch down if necessary (or even sit on the floor) and have a toy or special squeaky thing to make that recall more tempting.
Ensure your body language is welcoming and give them lots of praise
Consider using the long lead, so that you can encourage your dog, or prevent it from doing the wrong thing
Occasionally pop the lead on your dog and walk for a few steps before taking off again.
Negatives
Every time you call your dog and it doesn't immediately come back you are teaching it that it doesn't have to come back straight away.
Don't be tempted to grab or chase your dog; you will make it not want to come to you.
Ensure the training sessions are short, stop when you and your dog is getting it right, and don't keep going until one of you stops concentrating - finish on a positive note (Less is more!) two or three recalls are plenty.
When you practice recall ensure your dog comes all the way back and doesn't 'fly-by' or get to you and then choose to run off again.
be sure to practice recall when there are no distractions, so that your dog doesn't think the recall is only for stopping it from doing things
Gradually add distractions and distance. Your dog should have spot-on recall at home, in the garden and in their 'usual' places of walking before you expect them to do it somewhere new or exciting.
Running away or having a very exciting toy to chase can make recall more appealing.
If you call your dog in a situation where you KNOW
Polly Pocket Rocket
A quick video I took of little Polly Pocket Rocket when we were fundraising for
Springer Rescue for Scotland at Pets at Home on Thursday. This clever young lady came to be fostered by me 4 weeks ago as her owner realised that she, Polly and her family were not meant for each other. This was a hard, but brave, decision and the best one for everyone.
I'm very impressed by Polly, who is amazingly sharp and has a fab personality. Initially, I havent/dont spend heaps of time on formal training with the dogs I take on to rehab, they are allowed to settle and integrate at their own pace (with help from me and the crew) getting to learn the fun stuff about being a house pet, while we kindly and consistently implement the boundaries that come with that. The amount they learn in a very short time is enough. This busy pup has so much energy and enthusiasm, the video doesnt do justice to just what a thinker she also is
I decided to teach her 'down' while we were standing in the store, and after showing her three times, she decided to offer the behaviour of her own back - Polly is only 6 months old!
Seeing these young dogs, who were previously causing mayhem and being confused at the frustration they were inadvertently causing, start to relax and become less manic is such a buzz
Polly will be up for adoption through SRS after Christmas, but has a space here with me until the right home is found for her. She will need someone who is committed to continuing her journey and I am hoping it will be someone who wants to do sport or have fun with her.
