Kavik

Yep, and putting tugs on a string as well :D I really think it has a lot to do with me - I'm probably not that exciting to play with when self conscious ;) and then I get embarrassed that he won't tug

None of my dogs get treats or toys for free. Even though I only compete with one of them.

There are pictures of Kaos tugging on the Dman Tugs website http://www.dmantugs.com.au/roadtest.htm

I understand how you feel Bub. Diesel is not as interested in training as Kaos and Zoe. His allergies make him feel lethargic a lot of the time, and he is not that motivated and not as much fun to train. He also doesn't need it as he is pretty easy going and not going to cause problems if I don't train him. I do a little bit of training with him, more for me than him. I keep it simple and upbeat, and am finding that he is having more fun than when I tried to be more serious about it and giving me better responses too. At the moment I do the two food game to start with - helps with motivation and with recalls, then I may just call him and run with him (I tried to do circle work for agility with him for fun - he doesn't turn well - so we do straight lines instead :D ), throwing food between my legs to encourage faster straight recalls, sending to reward bag, come fores with close straight front (as he really likes these) and finishes (another one he really likes). So really only bits and pieces. ETA: I also walk him through a ladder for rear end awareness and starting to teach him to back up - I just do these with all the dogs, he might as well have a go

You don't want to give dogs too much cat food or vice versa as the ratios are wrong (protein and maybe salt?) but if they sneak a little bit or you use a tiny bit for training it is OK.

Susan Garrett is coming ;) I am so excited :D Is anybody else going? I am doing the 5 day audit package. Early bird registrations close 30 June http://www.agilityclick.com/category24_1.htm

Cat food has a higher protein percentage than dog food. Dogs usually really love it! ;)

I tried that - same result as with normal tugging

What are they like with food? Is focus, motivation and control achieved? Some dogs simply are not .......................tuggers. All the dogs work well for food, and Zoe and Kaos love thrown toys (Zoe likes balls and Kaos likes a squeaky toy).

Great shots

Kaos prefers to hang with other Kelpies, they speak the same language He does not like rough play or dogs coming into his space and getting pushy with him and so is not keen on the play styles of many of the gundogs (particularly Labs) or Staffies. Diesel isn't as fussed, and can handle rough play, but he does like other GSDs.

Completely agree I don't leave any toys outside with my dogs - safer that way (one is a resource guarder with the other dogs)

Thanks for that I LOVE chocolate :D

With stress and training, I think I just get self conscious. I can be a stressy person in general, there is nothing in particular. Kaos is an awesome dog and we have lots of fun training and competing I would like to figure out the tugging thing also for future reference for my next dog. It would always be good to have more choice in rewards I figure since I have three dogs, two with plenty of drive, and none of them tug reliably, I must be the problem Since it probably is a self conscious/stress problem on my part, it would be fantastic to fix even just for me personally (since Kaos has heaps of fun chasing his toy as a reward).

With dog training, I tend to stress 'down' which makes it hard. At work I often stress 'up' and run around like a maniac and can't sit still but always look for something to do

I've seen that video before, it is so hillarious and true It is hard for me to be that uninhibited though

I know nothing about photography. I like the black and white one the best. I agree with Mrs Rusty Bucket about the tree one - can't quite see it enough for me (sort of like when the music is not quite loud enough for you to hear the words ;) )

I think it is primarily my nerves, partly location (and due to my nerves ;) ). I have gotten him tugging at training a couple of times, and a trial once or twice, but not for very long. With VERY interesting tugs

Thank you sas I suspect it is not the tug but the silly duffer on the other end that is the problem ;) He does really like tugs that have fur in them though

It is good to know I'm not alone shoemonster Well done for overcoming it and getting confidence and tugging for both of you Now to figure out how to do it myself!

Problem is that if you are just going through the motions for tugging...it is hard for you to find it rewarding or fun & this will impact Kaos. The reason I sometimes suggest to people to only use a tug as a reward is that it allows the transfer of genuine emotion/arousal/adrenalin you feel to the dog. If you are just standing there trying to get him to tug, while feeling down & pressured b/c you just want your dog to tug well, you are often not much fun. If otoh, you get your dog really revved up & ask for something you know that they will do brilliantly, it is impossible for you not to feel on top of the world. When you reward with the tug for a job well done, you are happy & most importantly, you are sincere. My dogs are happy to tug whenever & wherever, but their tugging when I am over the moon with their performance is at a whole nother level. They are at their best when we are both full of adrenalin. I wish I could just summon that kind of adrenalin in myself at will...but I have never been able to do it. There is no theory behind this...just something I have always felt. You are right - it is more a problem with me How do I change that? He is fine if I am confident he will tug - like in the yard when I can get him feralled up first (and for some reason when I go to change the laundry he gets really excited and wants to play ), but if I am worried he might not tug - he won't. Hopefully by the time I get the next dog I will be able to feel more comfortable with it and can make tugging the best game for both of us.

Yeah I threw the treats between the dog's front legs so it kept going and it often encouraged them to go backwards to get the treat as well.

I have started teaching my guys this. I made a corridor using tables on their side next to a fence. Then put them in the corridor and shaped it with a clicker, so looking for any foot movement backwards at all, maybe just foot movement at all to start with. And then extend this til they are moving backwards. If they lie down or sit I just get their attention and get them to stand up again. Diesel and Zoe still want to offer drop, at the beginning that and nose targetting the tables was all I got Kaos picked it up really fast, the others are now starting to get the idea and take a step backwards.

I actually don't think GSD bark that much (well, mine anyway) - at least compared to Kelpies - maybe it is all relative

Not sure I get that corvus something else I might mention is that if I have other rewards on me (food, squeaky) I can't get him to tug even in the backyard. Just tried it then. No interest whatsoever, wouldn't even look at it.