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Dog's Fav Toy


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I was wondering what are your dogs favourite toys that you use as rewards in training. I am esp interested with dogs who were not very toy driven originally as well as for dogs who love sniffing.

I was reading a Clean Run special issue about motivation and they mention that some people use "plastic bottles or zip baggies filled with smelly things like rodent feces or deer urine (available from hunting catalogs). Why bother sniffing the ground when Mom's got better smells in her pocket". Does anyone know if these are also available in Australia? (and yes, my dog is a sniffer and I can't believe I am even considering that!!!!!! LOL)

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Laffi you cannot import scents whether man or animal made into Australia. Certainly duck scents which I have previously tried to import.

Rodents, well...... we have rats and mice in Australia.

Nowadays I use a garden hose, as it fits into my pocket or.........LOL, my fly swatter as a motivator.

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Laffi you cannot import scents whether man or animal made into Australia. Certainly duck scents which I have previously tried to import.

Rodents, well...... we have rats and mice in Australia.

Nowadays I use a garden hose, as it fits into my pocket or.........LOL, my fly swatter as a motivator.

So I assume you can't buy scents in Australia?

Maybe I should buy a pet rat :o:o

How do you use a garden hose as a toy? I read about it too but found it confusing ;) Thanks!

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Hi Laffi,

What breed are they? Is it food sniffing or hunting sniffing? I have some Rats I can send you (kidding).

Susan G talked lots about putting a chicken neck in a footy sock to encourage tugging for non tugging dogs.

What do you want your dog to play?

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OK, so more specifically I am talking about my 1yo golden. She is very playful at home (tug and fetch) but once outside she is a sniffer.

We even took her to a tracking seminar and she was a little star ;)

I want to do obedience and agility (and tracking) with her but she does get really distracted with smells. She doesn't play (much) outside our backyard and only works for really high rewards treats (so far I have found only two kinds that would classify as A rewards: cheese and raw meat). Since she loves smelling stuff (A+ reward), I would like to use that as a reward.

ETA: it's more hunting sniffing than food sniffing. We live close to a soccer field that is also a bunny crossing. Once she is tracking a bunny (in drive) there is almost no food exciting enough to get her attention.

Edited by laffi
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With the motivators you have tried, do you create movement with the object. Some start off excessively which I think is OK. Even with food, mince in your case, save it for training. Feed boring and less food at mealtimes.

Use whatever works.

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With the motivators you have tried, do you create movement with the object. Some start off excessively which I think is OK. Even with food, mince in your case, save it for training. Feed boring and less food at mealtimes.

Use whatever works.

Yep, I did try the movement with toys and tried different toys. She gets excited for about 1-2 min and than starts sniffing again. I am trying to build it up but it's been very very slow (I am talking months). Thus the idea to use scent as a reward coming from me and not the field.

Btw I only use high reward food in training so it remains a high reward. At home she does anything for a little pice of old bikkie LOL.

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I am going to get into trouble again!!!! But here I go, due to Golden Retrievers in Australia being predominantly show lines, toy training may not be the best motivator.

BTW, do you have a start and finish command.....when you expect focus? Is your dog free to run about before and after training? Just pondering away, on this home alone Friday night. Bliss!!!!

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I am going to get into trouble again!!!! But here I go, due to Golden Retrievers in Australia being predominantly show lines, toy training may not be the best motivator.

BTW, do you have a start and finish command.....when you expect focus? Is your dog free to run about before and after training? Just pondering away, on this home alone Friday night. Bliss!!!!

Well she is toy driven at home and scent driven in the park. She loves tracking, it comes very naturally to her and I would like to use sniffing as a reward. I do understand it's not a conventional: food/toy reward.

I do rev her up like : "ready ready", and when it's over (play or training) I say "enough".

I am not sure about letting her sniff before the training as sometimes she becomes even more disctracted if I let her sniff before (she just can't get enough LOL). I do let her run around quite a bit, hard to say if it's too much or not enough :mad

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It is all about screwing them down, if she wants to go sniff, use it as a life reward. Ask for for easy behavoiur like sit, then release to sniffing, build from there. If she finds this 'the most rewarding thing' you just need to screw her down, she needs to know that she can only do that after she does what you want. She has a built in reward system, just needs rules to get it. :mad Easy. :mad

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It is all about screwing them down, if she wants to go sniff, use it as a life reward. Ask for for easy behavoiur like sit, then release to sniffing, build from there. If she finds this 'the most rewarding thing' you just need to screw her down, she needs to know that she can only do that after she does what you want. She has a built in reward system, just needs rules to get it. :mad Easy. :)

I will try to make her see it like that! Wish me luck :mad

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mum uses a toy when traing her goldie coz hes not fod driven at all. i have never seen a dog look so depressed at feeding time. the toy works really well but sometimes distracts other dogs. but whatever works for you dog is always best

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:rolleyes: Norty LL :D

We havent had working v's show lines debate for a while, shall we start?

Nope, each to their own. Many, actually MOST , truthfully ALL show breeders would think my labs are ugly. My others carry the double coat gene (DNA test now available) but are not affected. Yanka Tanka my import as no show lines for decades in his pedigree. Maybe a little greyhound though LOL. Actually I think he is as plain as many unsaddled race or show horses. Some friends who are successful obedience triallers dislike his activity level.

Laffi, really really really study your dog with its preferred items and limit any other rewards perceived by your dog, including free time.

You and all of us love our dogs, and I apologise if my comments hurt.

Goldens are a breed which naturally look up to their handlers.

Edited spelling.

Edited by Lablover
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Kaos loves his squeaky toy the most, followed by tug toys. He will work for the squeaky on walks, but is too distracted to work for tug as yet (we are working on it though). Food always works :laugh: I bought this new toy in the USA which I can't wait to try out when I get back, a fluffy squeaky on a string and stick, will be great to build prey drive I think. Hopefully it will help with working outside the yard.

A well known older obedience trialler and instructor who has Goldens (and used to have Kelpies), uses socks for motivators, these also work well for my guys, Diesel especially loves them, though he is not as toy motivated as Kaos and doesn't work well for toys outside the backyard. Treats and pats are the most effective for him.

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Laffi - have you tried the chicken neck in the tuggy jackpot yet?? I think that may work.

Alternatively - bring her down to Melbourne with you :):cry:

Is there a park near you that you frequent SO often the smells may become more 'boring' like home?

What time are you training? AM the smells are the worst..... afternoon I find the dogs sniff less :)

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A well known older obedience trialler and instructor who has Goldens (and used to have Kelpies), uses socks for motivators, these also work well for my guys, Diesel especially loves them, though he is not as toy motivated as Kaos and doesn't work well for toys outside the backyard.

As the owner of a Goldie I love this idea. In fact, to get him/her interested mayby a smelly "used" sock with a ball in it might be a good way to start.

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A well known older obedience trialler and instructor who has Goldens (and used to have Kelpies), uses socks for motivators, these also work well for my guys, Diesel especially loves them, though he is not as toy motivated as Kaos and doesn't work well for toys outside the backyard.

As the owner of a Goldie I love this idea. In fact, to get him/her interested mayby a smelly "used" sock with a ball in it might be a good way to start.

I will give it a go this weekend and will let you know how it goes :p

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