Where we reward the dog causes the dog’s position to lean towards that spot. So if we reward in front of our body or towards our body the dog starts to go in front of our legs or face us. If we want the dog to walk and halt next to us and stay straight, rewarding the dog in a way that reinforces that straight line, will make it happen that much faster.
#goldenretrieverlovers
Yedda, an adoptable dog being trained here from @woods_creek_rescue Super friendly social and happy girl, does well in public and with other dogs. Help us find her a home!
Oooh DEVELOPING the game of fetch and tug!
1: long line on the dog, two identical high value toys, collar the dog can’t slip out of and treats easy access in the treat pouch.
2: toss the toy! When the dog gets the toy call the dog’s name. Step on the long line if the dog doesn’t turn toward you after you’ve called their name the first time.
3: once the dog faces you, give your reward marker and present the second toy. Backing away from the dog can be helpful so the dog can come chase you.
4: When your dog comes and bites the toy in your hands, play some tug. That means sometimes you pull the dog and sometimes the dog pulls you. Move your feet, don’t be still and stationary. Encourage and praise your dog. Let them tug the toy from your hands when you are close to the toy that has been dropped on the ground so you can pick it up and begin the game again.
Pitfalls:
What if the dog doesn’t drop the first toy?
-prevent the dog from running off with the long line. Keep you and the second toy active and moving away to encourage the dog to come chase and strike.
I messed up and now my dog has both toys! Now what?!
-reel your dog in with the long line, pet and praise your dog. Then trot them around you again reeling them back in afterwards. Hold the dog by the collar and try offering some high value food in front of their nose. If they let go of the toys, holding their collar will prevent them from getting it again. Give them a few food rewards, make sure they’ve swallowed it completely then snatch the toys off the ground and begin the game again.
My dog is biting my hands! How do I prevent this?
-you must hold still once the dog jumps to bite the toy. If you move your hands after your dog targets you’ll start to create habits that result in bitten hands or targeting where the toy usually moves to instead of where it is.
This practice will build more desire and “drive” for the game of fetch and tug. This isn’t for building control, thi
Stop helping your dog into helplessness.
Tip: when you’re trying to help a dog improve a skill or understanding, making their mistake MORE obvious to them can be incredibly helpful. Instead of minimizing their mistake by moving more into position for them, instead move further out of position and encourage them to adjust correctly. This helps them to see where and how TO move. It’s relationship building for them to know you will help guide them and they can look to you for more info. It helps them to become doers and become more active in their success.
Reminder: There’s no single answer to train a task/behavior/trick whatever you want to call what you’re teaching. Anyone that says so is just showing their ignorance.
PS: the sticks in hand are for a front position skill that we work on after this. They are for extending my arms so I can better show the dog, guide the dog and even in this video, reach out and touch the dog. Tapping the hip signaling move this here! Just because someone can use a tool for bad, doesn’t make that tool inherently bad. Kinda like shoes. Just because one person can use them to kick and cause pain, another can use them for ballet. 🩰 #justsayin
Yedda is available for adoption @woods_creek_rescue !
She has been with us and working with our incredible assistant trainer Ron, learning her basic obedience and good family manners and behaviors. She is a young dog with a super sweet temperament, great energy for someone who enjoys walks, hikes and going places with their dog. She’s not the best candidate for someone with a small yard that wants a dog to just stay at home. She’s a lover of people and a rambunctious player with dogs. Yedda is prepared for her Canine Good Citizen test and hopes to take the test as soon as she gets registration.
Huge mistake I see SOooooooo often is that people are already moving for the reward or leash cue or hand signal BEFORE the verbal cue comes out of their mouth. Listen, dogs are going to respond to your body language before they’re going to listen to your verbal cue. If you want them to respond to your verbal cue and/or perform until released, say it BEFORE you do it. Speak the word BEFORE you reach for whatever comes next.
Your mind set and energy play a huge part in how a dog is going to respond to you and the circumstances you are in. Picture the outcome you desire to achieve and lead it into existence. Dog training is more than leashes and cookies.
Having some fun practicing muzzling without a muzzle, to help prevent a bite from a dog in pain during the canine first aid workshop yesterday!
Learning about examining our dogs and what to look for with our Canine First Aid class yesterday!
What a beautiful morning hike with the doggos Friday morning 💕 #doggiedayschool #dogdaycare #boardandtrain #offleashfreedom
