Lablover

Dogs learn most of their skills from observation. We have to observe them in the hope of gleaming how, what, why they do, as they do. It is a beautiful thing, to watch them closely. Training is being able to communicate to them. Simple. Now lets talk about wagging tails, ..........watch, LOL. Dogs can definitely smile and laugh. Just imagine what they think of us, when they see us smiling for the first time. Do you think we are barring our teeth at them?

My story, boring I am sure. I like my dogs company. Obviously I like dog hair too. The reason my husband and I purchased our first dog, was because we loved dogs, and throughout the years I have heard many stories of working dogs, working best, if they are kennelled when not trained or worked. Phoeey. If I had to leave my dogs outside, I would give up trialling. That being said, one hour of training, it depends on the trainer. If I were to do obedience training, I would break up the hour into 2 half hour sessions. Probably three. There is a lot of obedience type exercises which are easily performed in our homes. Good distractions too. LOL

Well............I found the articles. They are on discs which I have no idea how to cut and paste or copy. I am a computer failure!!!

I have been trying to find my various articles, but at this stage (apart from one, which I have no idea how to cut and paste) remain in one of those - very safe places!!! If you surf the net under: Canine observational learning you may find sites of interest.

Have a great time and good luck.

Erny, that because our lazy selfish dogs, gain no satisfaction from such human silliness. LOL.

I have a couple of articles of at least two published articles on this subject. From memory one was the training of guide dogs for the visually impaired. Another some type of working dog requirement. I do remember all youngsters were safe in their crates, for obvious reasons. I will find them tonight. Building drive through frustration, observing other dogs gaining rewarding, is a good thing!!!! I am so mean.

Myszka, It depends on the dog and what I am doing at the time. Stamp for example, sometimes becomes too high. I do not like tricking my dogs and I suppose I am not, by pocketting/hiding the motivator, as Stamp knows it is still on my person. Sometimes I place the motivator (or a pile of reward bumpers) a distance away from the training area being used, as rewards for excellent responses. It depends. I did intermittently throw the motivator for instant sits with Yank. Again it depends on what I see, what I am trying to teach and (the magic word) WHY. I think my timing is good. I do praise/encourage vocally as well for good training responses. I also no no too. The dogs know no no, does not mean bad dog, but rather no, try again. The look in their eyes/body language is rather great, when they get it right.

Yes, only about 100 times per day though.

I am not Pauline Hanson, but I was going to ask you to "please explain" until I concentrated on the word WHY. "Eyes" tired tonight, actually not just my eyes, my whole bod.

Got you. Thanks. Damm, that focus stuff works!!!!! Conditions the dog for the delay in achieving the reward. So helpful with progression. Yank is luckily at the stage of intermittent rewards. Much quicker nowadays. Love it. And more importantly the dogs learn sooooooooo quickly and with a clear head.

What do you mean Myszka? I am sure my typed replies confuse many too!!!! I am more a practical teacher/trainer than theory.

PAX, Just a suggestion if I may. Video your dog. I found by doing so, I could see very clearly THE SECOND when the mouthing/stress occurred. Also when your dog is chewing the article what do you do? Again video your face and body. Next sit down after you send him and gauge his mouthing. the look on his face, I promise when he sees you sitting down will be priceless, worth the effort. Also run away from him and check his response. Just a couple of simple "things" to try. Edited again. |I must use word first, then cut and paste, or whatever it is in computer lingo.

As everyone knows LOL, I had an intermittent mouth problems with my older male. Particularly when retrieving over water. It had gotten to the stage I was going to retire him from retrieving trials (All age - the highest standard apart from Championships). Obviously the problem was intermittent to reach this standard, as we did obtain his RRD title with multiple wins. I cannot begin to tell how how this thought upset me, as the dog loved retrieving and conceptually (blinds and such - stopping to the whistle, and directional changes), marking ability, water attitude were pretty damm good. His litter sibling was the current Australian national title holder. Another sibling (running also in All Age), I had been offered great money for. In their dreams One even suggested I keep breeding rights. Anyway, Steve K9 force came to the rescue. I changed EVERYTHING I could posssibly to alter in my problem dog's recall, after retrieving or just simple recalls. Heck even before I sent the dog, with motivational/drive techniques, which has completely changed my world to motivational drive techniques. The two "things" about all others is to to make the reward primary, not the retrieving object and you must change your body posture to take the pressure off, as one would expect, for a formal delivery. Break up the returns, anyway you can think of. Keep a good attitude always. It has worked. I have since become paranoid regarding the possibility of this nightmare occurring again, so have overcompensated. LOL. My young male returns like a bullet. Sometimes I have to move out of his way. As I am currently performing many drills with him at short distances, 40 yards too 100 yards or so at the moment, and greatly enjoy his attitude, I do not worry too much about the possibility of him hurting me (again - twisted knee/sprained ankle 2 weeks ago) but when I intermittently cue sit before him arriving back to me he skids to a stop on his bum for the last 10 yards or so.

K9 force another thought, if I may please. Yank had high value for other dogs, humans and in fact, was a wild child. Being a wild "child" was fine, as I wanted a clean slate to work with. I hate to brag, but his values have changed. Sure he looked at other dogs, other humans and HIS NOSE which was never off the ground, have resolved, as well as his many other unique habits. He loves his training. Only problem is me, as I continually have to be aware he has only been out of quarantine for 8 weeks, so his training in reality has been short. God damm I love training, and more importantly so do my dogs. Yank returns from training and still sits with great expectation at the back of my vehicles closed door. LOL. Golly I am bragging!!!!!!!! Sorry. Off to hug him.

Did I read correctly, DISTANCE LEARNING PACKAGE!!!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!!!!!!! Quite a few US contacts have been giving me a hard time, which is fine, as Yank is training simply sensationally. As a result I break into song constantly. I also smiled, but still listened with good humour, when one mentioned for goodness sake, get your water wings off you have a US bred dog, Yank will eat you up and spit you out, if you do not use OUR methods.

Ravensmyst00, For interest, how is at dog shows? Animated/bored/distracted etc? Do you crate/isolate him before entering a show ring.

OK. "MY PET PEEVE OF THE DAY". Today I was once again overall very happy with my dogs training. One or two sloppy reactions were observed, so my pet peeve of the day is: I wish I could talk to my dogs,like humans for one or two times in their lives. My questions would be: was your disobedience due to lack of effort or because of my lack of training/education? Pondering today. I must think of a couple of more drills or simplify my requirements. Yesterday I was performing cartwheels in happiness with the youngster (13 month old Yank) today back to "pondering". LOL Edited: We are in the transition period of handling on unknown/cold blinds. There I go, I answered my question already. Still wish dogs could talk from time to time LOL.

I am not Erny, Myzska or K9 force, so I will not answer. Bbbbbbbbbbbbuuuuuuuut, all the same, I have kept multiple pups from litters.

Much better

Not really off topic. Its all in the technique. For example, I am tall, so I try not to bend (my knees, body etc) and thus change my posture. Training is training though, so ............. it is different than the end testing. Nothing wrong with practicing without a dog, and videoing yourself, or in front of a mirror, or with someone behind you to check. Most people look down not out.

Try working on some more left about and left turns. TOO many of these might end up straightening but also pushing your dog away from you, so randomise with right about and right turns to recreate the 'tightness' of the heel. Further to Erny's post, slow up/take smaller steps just before a turn. Erny, when is our lunch COMBO dinner, MEET again???????????????????? LOL. Maybe we should start with breakfast, champagne etc. Long suffering husband came training with me today, as he found a new training farm. On our way home, while discussing the dogs, he mentioned he finds training boring. No wonder I do not cook often. LOL.

Gut feelings are wonderful things. That and experience!!!!! I mean, in years gone by, I would worry about certain non perfect training responses. Nowadays I may ignore them as I know they will clarify themselves with further training. Other responses, I feel need better standards before moving on.

I have to agree. With retriever training, when I am training, for example, sending on hidden multiple retrieves at a distance - different piles, my angulation to the right is more often than not my failing. As a check I leave the dog, (if I have no one to check) and view the dog from hehind. With piles being a long distance away, an inch of malalignment at the starting point, makes a huge difference.

Just another thought, we as handlers, are walking straight, right???? Something I have significant problems with, no matter hard I try, to focus on say, a tree at a distance.