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This is a place to gain some understanding of dog behavior and to assist people in training their dogs and dealing with common behavior problems, regardless of the method(s) used. This can cover the spectrum from non-aversive to traditional methods of dog training. There are many ways to train a dog. Please avoid aggressive responses, and counter ideas and opinions with which you don't agree with friendly and helpful advice. Please refrain from submitting posts that promote off-topic discussions. Keep in mind that you may be receiving advice from other dog owners and lovers... not professionals. If you have a major problem, always seek the advice of a trainer or behaviorist!
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Henry CGC
i love the snow | 
 | | Barked: Tue Nov 3, '09 5:42pm PST | |  | |  | | There was a rabbit in front of us on our walk on the path tonight. It was a safe place, this rabbit is always here and there's a hole he goes under the fence that neither dog can follow.
So I was going to let Henry off leash to chase a few seconds, to reward him for "focus". But he wouldn't give focus, he couldn't stop staring at the rabbit.
So I stood there. I had already taken off the leash. Henry knew this but I told him "wait". So I stood there waiting for him to wonder why I wasn't saying the release command and look up at me. He didn't look though. 5 minutes passed.
I snapped my fingers up by my face. I cleared my throat loudly (BOL..). It was the rabbit stare off for sure!
So I put the leash back on and took a few steps then stopped. Henry looked at me. He looked like he was bad though. I mean it was one of those looks your dog gives like he's nervous or something. Like his head lowered and slowly looking at you...But I let off the leash to reward it...
Not sure I'm doing this "focus" training right.....is it a good idea to reward "focus" like this? It's really the biggest reward in Henry's eyes that I can give him.
But he does that a lot, when I ask him to "focus" he looks as if he's getting in trouble to look at me. I don't know why.
BUT when my raw tripe comes (tripe is super smelly but yummy to dogs) I bet I can really classical condition Henry to like looking in my eyes! The plan is for my to hold the tripe to my eyes then feed it.
Sorry I'm rambling...what do you guys think of me rewarding him by letting him chase a prey (mostly squirrels that just go up the tree) I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong now like I had been in the past. Thank you sorry my questions get so long. |  |  | |  |
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Torie
If you can roll- in the dirt, do- it! |
 | | Barked: Tue Nov 3, '09 5:53pm PST | | | | | | If you can use tripe as a reward, then you are stronger than I am, that's for sure!!
Yikes that is smelly stuff. (Sorry I was so distracted by the tripe.)
Hmm, I haven't tried to do a focus type cue with a RABBIT around. Might need tripe. WIth other dogs around, I can do a "look at me" with treats and lots of high pitch talking. But a rabbit, well that would take a higher level reward. Maybe tripe.
Gosh I don't think I want to teach it that bad. 
--des | | | | |
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Henry CGC
i love the snow |
| | Barked: Tue Nov 3, '09 5:56pm PST | | | | | | BOL Torie..I have never smelled raw tripe before but after all I hear I'm not really looking forward to it! But Henry won't take treats from me if it's high distraction so I thought tripe will be good. Hmmm.I guess I was asking for "focus" with too much distraction with the rabbit there.
Once I get "focus" 100% then I want to move on to recall training but maybe I'm really asking too much. I guess it's normal for most dogs to just want to pay attention to a rabbit and not you, huh?
Thanks for the help | | | | |
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Henry CGC
i love the snow |
| | Barked: Tue Nov 3, '09 7:38pm PST | | | | | | Bol Lilith..I'll let you know how the tripe goes.
Anyway I'm a little stumped in training right now When do you up the training? Or move on to something new?
Henry gives me "focus" when we're in the house now I think 90% of the time. And outside, when there's no rabbit of course
But I feel like it's a darn war! I mean, he gives the cue but with everything I ask of Henry, it's like a battle of wills between me and him. I don't like how training is going, even though he is responding to the cue now.
Eta, Recall training is going to be so hard. When I call him, he comes to me a long way. Like if Henry is to my left a few feet, and I call him, he will sniff first, circle the tree, then make his way in front of me which he then tries to pass me and I say "Henry come" again, in which he responds by stopping and staring ahead, then coming to me. As soon as I say "ok" (release word) he dashes off.
Gosh like with anything. I make him sit before I put down his dinner. I say sit. He just looks around first, stands for a minute, then sits.
Battle of wills! I don't like!! BUT when I do a training session inside, no distracts, dogs are ready for it, he is all about giving me the cues. "Henry, sit" BAM butt down. "Henry paw" BAM gives paw. Or whatever.
Why can't I proof things (sorry this is ranting)Edited by author Tue Nov 3, '09 7:46pm PST
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Snickers
Sir Yaps a lot, - |
| | Barked: Tue Nov 3, '09 8:41pm PST | | | | | | Well I agree the Tripe will make you more interesting. In fact you may get strange looks from passing people if you smell like Tripe.
Also try a fur lure. It worked great for a dog that was not praise, food, treat or toy driven - but had high prey drive! I got a rabbit fur and cut it into strips. I got the idea when he went a little cuckoo one night for the trim on my jacket - real fur! | | | | |
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~Emma~
Mom is- broccoli...
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| | Barked: Tue Nov 3, '09 9:08pm PST | | | | | | ok, I was looking for some articles, but can't seem to locate. grrrr....
---- you are broccoli, was the gist...
Basically, rabbits are good stuff (I mean gooooooooood stuff)!  We're squirrel nuts here, but a good rabbit chase is hard to walk away from too.
You've been working on focus how long? Getting it good in the house is great, but when you move to a new place you have to lower the requirements a bit. Then work it up from there. Moving on to fun chasing things, well, that's a big step.
When we work on things that are distracting/interesting, I wait for her to look at me, then reinforce that. Kind of like the bathroom set up. Once I can get her to look at me, I can ask for a touch, or twirl or whatever. If it's really distracting, she will look again, then look back to me.
Speaking of tripe, must go feed Emm...
I thought the smell was going to be off putting, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. It reminds me of the farm. Not saying it's a pleasant smell...lol. | | | | |
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Mikey
1016135 |
| | Barked: Wed Nov 4, '09 8:11am PST | | | | | | Maybe keep Henry on a leash or long lead constantly until the recall is some what solid.
If he doesn't come by the second call, gently reel him in and don't give a release command. Since he didn't come he gets "punished" by not being allowed to trot off again. Keep him at your side for a few minutes then release him.
He knows he doesn't have to give you a 100% of what you're asking because you're allowing him to get away with 1/2 of what's asked.
I really think keeping him on a long lead for now is best and when you don't get what you want, you reel him in.
The rabbit being in his sight is a tough one. I don't know many dogs at this stage who wouldn't be distracted by a bunny. If that happens again, instead of waiting and waiting for his eye contact just wait 30 secs or so and if you don't get it, turn and go the other way. That's his punishment. No bunny for you. He needs to see that if he does what's asked, he gets the reward. But, of course you should probably take a few steps back and work on the eye contact where the distraction isn't so high. I know you said inside he's great, but maybe just work on it in your front yard for now. Then in a week or so move to the street, etc. | | | | |
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