RubyStar

Considering she was having troubles last night when I posted, the status this morning is I'm guessing, still having trouble

Can anyone please help me with a scent discrimination problem? I've never taught this before so pretty clueless, but thought it would be fun to teach something new to keep training interesting (for both me and the dog!) I am following the guidelines for teaching it from Dog Scout http://www.dogscouts1.com/Dog_Activ-_Scent_Discrim.html I progressed to 2 metal articles down (one scented and one not) and at first I thought my girl was surprisngly brilliant she'd sniff one, sniff the other, then sniff the first and pick that up and that was the scented one. She did this two maybe three times and I was ecstatic! It seemed she was catching on. Or so I thought. She started bringing me the wrong one and here is where I am getting confused - what to do when she brings the wrong one. Dog Scout says to ignore the dog, do not tell them they are wrong and if they then go back and bring you the correct one to praise and reward. But my dog thought she was doing it right and didn't understand to go back! My heart was breaking ignoring her, she was looking up at me so proud that she had brought it back and even after asking her go find it again with the scented article still out there, she just looked confused as if to say she already has it! I'm worried I'm crushing her confidence and understanding of what I am asking her to do and risking her not wanting to go find anything if she thinks I am just going to ignore her and not reward her each time she tries to do what she thinks I'm asking. So what do I do when she won't attempt to go back and get the right one and to avoid crushing her confidence? Thanks to anyone who can help!

I agree with what cosmolo said. My dogs are my family, my life, so it just wouldn't work any other way for me

Is this the same seminar? http://www.petsinthemaking.com/documents/dunbar.pdf That's the one. No probs!

Is this the same seminar? http://www.petsinthemaking.com/documents/dunbar.pdf

Aah, good then! Do those without working spots return for the evening session too when those with dogs put the stuff into practice with them?

I didn't know, thanks!

I just got a reply saying working spots are gone I know I shouldn't be but that really bums me out I would have loved some hands on help with Ruby! I'll still be going though, I am sure I will benefit lots from it!

That's great, Anna, I'll know someone there now! I'll attend too if all working spots are gone but I sooooooooooo hope I get a working spot!!

Perhaps?! Bit of a fancy name for "spectator"

I've just emailed, hopefully I get a spot! What is an auditor?

Wow, way to go!! :D I'd be deliriously happy with that!!

I should write to Santa for a sack full of focus :D In exchange, Santa can take our insatiable urge to jump and greet everyone like a long lost friend - Lab style!

Ruby: I'd like to get a CCD title with Ruby before 2009 is up, and if that happens, hopefully to at least enter a CD just to see how we go - no expectations on that one. We're enrolled in a retrieving class starting Feb so hoping that goes ok! If she's any good and we enjoy it, I'd like to pursue that with her too. Millie: I hope before the year is out she'll be ready to enter her first CCD trial, but that's going to depend on how much I put into her as I would really like to work hard to make 2009 Ruby's year for her first obedience title! Would also like the not-interested-in-toys Millie to be able to pick a dumbell up! :D

How cute!

Reviving an old thread, hope that's ok! Does Sue often give private lessons to people who aren't trialling yet (but looking to) and how much does she cost? I live right near Canning Vale and would love to invest in some good private lessons if people think she can work wonders

You mean a list of things I want to achieve and ask questions on how to do it? I'm not sure what I want to know at this point in time except for well, everything! Biggest thing on my list atm is how to achieve close to 100% focus and motivation. I feel with that, I have a better chance to teach my girls more, if that makes sense! Do those other 2 gurus come on here?

That's awesome!!!! :cool: Though in the past maybe 6-8 weeks I've started marking myself with a jolly "yes!" when she looks at me when heeling, followed by a treat. So I'm kinda using the clicking method, right? I've seen the focus improve but only slightly with this method... I'm gonna buy Kay Laurence's stuff and give it a proper go anyway

I'm very food motivated. Toys? Meh I love my food AND my shiny new toys - I get easily distracted with those! :cool:

I've used a clicker when training tricks (particularly when she was a puppy) and also used it to train nice walking on a leash for a few days when she was a pup in the backyard, but I've never used one for obedience heelwork. So yes perhaps this could be my answer!

Sorry to sound like a broken record, but the "Clicker World Obedience and World Obedience Clicker Clips Package by Kay Laurence" stuff will teach me how to achieve this?

Does it work with someone who gets easily frustrated? Some days I wonder why I do all this when I get frustrated easy, but I love it when it goes right I've had no particular method in training what I have - Ruby's my first trained dog and I suppose in light of my lack of knowledge, we're doing pretty well! I just want to make it better and have a better foundation on training methods for my dogs in the future!

I wish I too could take you up on your in person offer, LP! Dammit! Could really use the real life help in training that focus! I'm at work atm and YouTube is blocked so I will have to watch your vid tonight or over the weekend! My girl (who is almost 2 as well) has the ability to do some lovely heeling, WHEN she's looking so I think I am going to take your advice and buy the clicker training stuff and work on having the heel position THE best place to be, even if it means going backwards so we can go forwards and maybe putting our plans to trial in the new year off a bit. I'd rather she be working her best than throw her in half ready (but I keep getting advised to just take the plunge so I can see that failing isn't the end of the world though the 2 trainers who have said this also think she's pretty ready...) I do have a second Lab (a rescue with very little training) so will be good to apply this to her as well I'm off to order it, hope it arrives sooooon!!!!

Do you recall how long the DVD goes for? Woohoo it's in NZD so finally something that works in the AUD favour!

Thanks! My first Lab is naturally focused - on anything but me!! Takes a lot of hard work on my part to get her to look at me. She's a cheeky bugger, she knows what I'm asking for when I ask her to look, so she'll just roll her eyes up for a second, not her whole head! If I'm holding something particularly tasty like chicken, then she won't take her eyes off me and grins like crazy! Can I hide some chicken in my hand in the ring?