Jasper on Place
Jasper's hyperlapse video (about 17 minutes condensedint 2.5) on place... Like Zeus there were one or 2 mistakes, but he was easily redirected.
Zeus on Place Hyperlapse
This video is from about a week ago. It is about 17 minutes or so sped up. You will see me with the vacuum. The vacuum is Not on at this point. I am just letting him see it and watch how it works and moves.
Zeus Exiting the Car.
Doors are big triggers for dogs. The old saying... "The grass is always greener on the other side." holds true for basically all dogs waiting at a threshold!
A dog almost always wants to know what's out there? 🤔 I just know they are thinking, "I would love to run around and smell and find out! Just let me out!"
Therefore access through a door is reward. Take an extra few moments to get a dog in a calm, respectful state before giving them a huge reward to run through a doorway. Implementing respectful check-ins with you in moments like these throughout your day can move mountains in improving your relationship with your dog and how well your dog listens to you.
Duration Down Stay with Jasper
The down videos are not the most exciting videos to watch, but I like to post them, so owners can follow the progress a bit.
For most dogs, learning to be calm and still and to stay put are the things that owners need most. Most dogs are too amped up running through the house, not coming when called, and jumping up that it seriously frustrates owners.
So while it is not as exciting to watch as fetch or recall, it sometimes is one of most amazing transformations for owners to see.
In this video, you will see Jasper give into to the temptation to go chase a bird and also how I respond.
And thanks so much for watching!!
First Car Ride for Zeus!
Hey Guys! Zeus got to go for a little car ride the other day. I'm not sure how often he takes trips in the car but he did pretty good for his first ride. He was a little anxious, but nothing major.
Swayze on Place.
Swayze is a little different than Jasper. She has no lack of confidence, but she does struggle with calming down, going into the down position and staying put. In other words... She struggles with slowing her roll. The place command is a huge benefit for all of these issues.
If you have a dog that is super high energy or anxious, teach the place command. It is such a great way to help dogs learn to practice calmness.
Confidence Building with the Place Command
Hey guys! I mentioned previously that Jasper has a history of submissive and excited urination. Often this issue boils down to a confidence issue, if the dog is otherwise healthy.
If you have a dog that has this issue, take a few moments to watch and listen to this video.
If you simply want to learn a little more about the place command, this video may also help. The place command is not only used with Cots or dog beds. It can transfer to many different objects... anything that has a clearly defined border around it can become a "place" object.
Sending to Place with Zeus
Zeus has also been working on going to place.
As I mentioned in the previous video, moving away from the owner/handler is a big change from most obedience commands.
Zeus does pretty well from about 5 feet away. He struggles past that. However, this was his first session and I probably pushed my luck moving so far away a few times.
Also, you will notice, that I have him going to a fairly small cot for his size. Big dogs often have no concept of how big they really are and many times do not know how to manipulate their big ol' bodies very well. Having him figure out how to manipulate himself into a down on the cot requires more mental and physical work. It also improves his body awareness.
Sending to Place...
Place Command with Jasper!
Hey guys! The next few videos are from about a week ago... this was really our first session of practicing sending the dogs a short distance away from me to place. Jasper did pretty well but had a moment of struggling.
Most obedience work is practiced in close proximity to the owner/handler, so switching gears and having the dog move away from you for a command is a significant change.
Watch Jasper and the others in the next few videos I post... I will point out some other interesting training points in the other videos, so watch all of them to take a deep dive into the place command.
Fetch with Jasper!
Fetch Again!!
Jasper has a high prey drive. He loves to chase and try to catch small animals like squirrels and birds. Playing fetch can tap into to drive and start to use for a fun game that can help teach your dog some great skills. However, part of the fun for Jasper is the "search" for the small animals. He has even jumped off a moving small utility vehicle for the chase. So, while Jasper enjoys this game he is not as into it as the other dogs are.
Using some treats helps create more drive and interest in this game for him. Also, Keeping the games short and ending with him having had a great time and hopefully still wanting to play, will create interest and drive for the next time we play.
As demonstrated in the other videos posted today, Fetch can teach your dog all sorts of great skills, but sometimes you have to work on creating a dog's interest and desire for the game.
Common Problems When Teaching Fetch
Hey Guys!
This video shows some of the common struggles you might encounter when teaching your dog to play fetch.
1) The dog does not want to give up the ball/toy.
2) The dog wants to play keep away or chew the ball instead.
3) The dog drops the ball too early before returning to you.
4) The dog drops it but tries to snatch it back away before you can get to it.
Trading your dog a treat or another ball for the one he is returning can help with teaching "out". However, if your dog is overly motivated for treat or the "new" ball, it can cause the dog to drop the ball he has too soon. So, your timing must be more precise. You will see my failure at this in the video.
*Learn from my mistakes, too!*
Thanks for watching!
Benefits of Playing Fetch!
Hey Guys!!
Playing Fetch! What can it teach your dog??
1) To come back all the way to you.
2) To let go or "out" an item in order to continue the game.
3) Nice Eye Contact.
4) Waiting for permission.
5) Playing with you is more fun than running off on their own to chew, sniff, etc.
Stay tuned for more tips on fetch with the other trainees in upcoming videos.
