Teaching A Dog To Catch Treats?

[Alpha]

Yes, I can sympathise! When I got my stafford as an adult adoptee, he had no idea what to do when I chucked treats at him. He just let them bounce off his face, then picked them up off the floor. ;)

We taught him by getting his attention first, then saying "catch", then lobbing the treat at him really slowly (like teaching a small child to catch a ball, that kind of speed). It took him a few days before he realised that "catch" meant a treat was being thrown at his head, and a few weeks before he really got the co-ordination to catch the treat every time. Now he's a pro!

Yep, i forgot too with two garbage guts ACD who could catch a fly in a cyclone :D I hardly had to "train" them to do it at all. I found telling Lawson to 'catch" let him know it was coming at him. Now if I forget to say "catch" he lets it drop to the floor

[whatevah]

Tia caught a tiny tennis ball today which was great. I have been teaching her with a very soft toy and throwing it towards her mouth. Today I bounced the tennis ball on the ground in front of her, and she was following the bounces with her head, then I threw it lightly towards her face and she caught it. When she gets really good then I will go to treats.

[chezzyr]

Rosie (my Collie) seems to really thrive on praise, not sure if its worth even trying to

use food as the last time I used food (chicken) she seemed so distracted and the

shrewd girl had remembered where I put it so kept going to that spot rather than

do her tricks.

Tonight when I picked up the tennis ball she got very excited doing circles around

me and running this way and that way("where is it, where is it"). I bounced the

ball and all she did was watch it til it stopped bouncing, went and poked it, then

walked back to me without the ball!! (she is usually terrific at fetching it).

She also seems to be 'offering' me all kinds of tricks I have taught her.....except the ones I

actually want her to do :D

;)

ETA: Haven, yes whenever she brings me something Ive requested I make a BIG

fuss.

Edited January 10, 2007 by chezzyr