Distracted Dog

[luvsdogs]

That's wonderful. Wish my training problems would be so easily fixed.

[Bubitty]

Hi Guys!

Another question!

Today has been awesome for us! We've done like all sorts of things and she's mighty happy at getting a game of tug or fetch at the end of every trick I want her to do.

Should I try to use food as well? Or should I only use food to teach those tricks which need a really quick instant reward?

Its early days but I am getting a MUCH more enthusiastic response than I ever did with food! Even really good food!

[Erny]

I use the essence of "TOT" (pinned to this forum) for training in drive, as well as the tug. Same deal, except the reward is the meal. Whether that meal be a full or partial (small) meal, or a bit of food I've thrown down somewhere. Sometimes I use a food reward (in the conventional sense) but if I do this, I don't trigger my dog into drive with his cue word. I do what suits the moment and time, taking the environment into consideration as well.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Erny

[Kavik]

I use food rewards and toy rewards, depending on what type of response I want, and whether the exercise is new. I use toy rewards when I want a very animated, fast, moving response, generally away from me (Kaos won't tug, so his toy is thrown. If he tugged I could use it for stationary responses too). I use food rewards for rewarding stationary positions where I want some stability or for rewarding close to me and for new exercises if I think using the toy will make him too excited and he won't think about it properly

But you can mix it around how you like, this is just an example of how I use both.

[Bubitty]

I use the essence of "TOT" (pinned to this forum) for training in drive, as well as the tug. Same deal, except the reward is the meal. Whether that meal be a full or partial (small) meal, or a bit of food I've thrown down somewhere. Sometimes I use a food reward (in the conventional sense) but if I do this, I don't trigger my dog into drive with his cue word. I do what suits the moment and time, taking the environment into consideration as well.

Honestly............I have no idea what this means!!!!

I'm not sure what you mean by into drive. Right now I am just asking her to do stuff and when she does I play a game with her.

I take it that its fine for me to train her with food if it works? Cuz I taught her to bow with food and I cant imagine doing bow with tug. Well I could play tug with her after she bows but I cant imagine teaching her to bow from scratch by playing tug if that makes sense!

ETA: Heheh just read Kavik's response!!! Sort of get it now! She does go nuts playing tug and am finding it very good for when she has to run off and pick up stuff to bring to me!!!

Thank you!!!!

Edited March 24, 2010 by Bub

[Erny]

I'm sorry Bub. "Training in Drive" is a term used to describe the emotional state of the dog (eg. Prey drive - which is what they go into when chasing a rabbit, for example) to enhance obedience command compliance and speed of compliance. I didn't mean to confuse you or sound as though I were speaking in riddles.

If it works for you, use both (tug or food).

[The Spotted Devil]

I use whatever works! Depends upon his mood, what I'm training, how distracting the environment is etc.

I like using food when I'm trying to teach a precise behaviour - so, for example, in agility training the other day I was throwing a toy in a straight line as he flew over the last jump to encourage speed. When he made it through a few tight turns we had a game of tug afterwards (and perhaps a scrap of food from the tug toy to reinforce the tug itself). When it came to teaching contacts or change of arms, however, I used food as I could reinforce quickly and I can bring him in nice and close with a piece of chicken

[Aidan]

One approach I use I explain as "scaffolding". I teach the mechanics of the behaviour in a low distraction environment using food. Free shaping can be a bit laborious with tug or fetch. Then when the behaviour is well understood I start using tug or fetch as a reward.

With some dogs who have a lot of drive for games food ceases to actually be reinforcing while they are in drive for a game of tug or fetch.

[Bubitty]

I think I get it!

At any rate the toy now become so helpful!!!! THANK YOU again so much everyone!!!

I was so upset when everytime I tried to do something with her she would pick up a toy and playbow!

[Erny]

I was so upset when every time I tried to do something with her she would pick up a toy and play bow!

Yeah - but aren't they clever? She can't speak English but she still got her message across to you. Dogs are awesome, aren't they?

[Bubitty]

I was so upset when every time I tried to do something with her she would pick up a toy and play bow!

Yeah - but aren't they clever? She can't speak English but she still got her message across to you. Dogs are awesome, aren't they?

She is totally awesome! I am just so surprised she is willing to do all this stuff for a game! Not the sort of experience I imagined having with my dog!!! But its totally wonderful!!!!

[bedazzledx2]

Quite right Aidan! My BC used to spit food out if I tried to reward on the agility contact...his reward was to be allowed to continue. It also works the other way round. My Aussie is very excited by the toy or tuggy until food comes out and then he couldn't care less about the toy. I have never had such a foody dog....makes for easy training as he gets excited by anything that resembles food.

With some dogs who have a lot of drive for games food ceases to actually be reinforcing while they are in drive for a game of tug or fetch.