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| Topic Started: Nov 3 2007, 04:02 AM (452 Views) | |
| TerrierTops | Nov 3 2007, 04:02 AM Post #1 |
Chatterbox
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:blush: Flynn is much more interested in other dogs than any sort of training, food, or toys! The only thing he wants to do is get to other dogs! We are in our second week, and though we practice at home and he is good, we get to class and he's impossible! I've tried starving him a half day befoe and cut up baloney ... but he'd just rather really frolic! If I get really cross and give his scruff a shake he pays attention for about 30 secs, then he's off again! We're also going to try a long walk before class next. Any suggestions? |
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| Tafia | Nov 3 2007, 06:10 PM Post #2 |
Total Gas Bag!
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Not sure whether this will be of any use for you or not but it has worked quite well with my two, especially Davey. He's basically a really good boy but seriously suffers from obsessive tunnel vision, becomes fixated in a nano second and I found it really difficult to gain his focus, I'd have to put him on the lead and he'd just be shaking with excitement. I got a nice small sized, hard wearing squeeky toy which on the first day I just showed them both, let them both have a quick mouth and then put up on the shelf. Later that day after they'd forgotten about it, I put them both into a sit stay, showed them that I'd got the ST which I then hid in one of the upstairs rooms. The first time it took about 10 minutes for me to get them to wait until I gave them the command to go find. Our normal command for this is "Get it" but in this instance I changed it to "Looky, looky, looky" shrieked in the most ridiculous, high pitched voice possible. ST was always hidden in difficult places, making the investigation process highly interesting, the dog who found it would then get a couple of minutes to play with it and then I'd ask for it back and both would get a choice food treat. We did this for a number of weeks. The ST ended up becoming a priceless high value reward, absolutely associated with the "looky, looky, looky" call. Then we built it up by them having to work for it, complicated things which demand concentration and because they're 100% motivated they pick everything really quickly - come immediately, totally focussed on what it is they have to do to get their couple of minutes of play. I pick and choose the times when I use it so as not to devalue it but the toy is always in my pocket for when I do need it. There is only one thing on this earth more highly valued than this ST by my two dogs and that's a fox! Don't know whether this might give you any help but perhaps you could adapt something from it. Good luck anyway and let us know how Flynn gets on with the agility please! |
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| nicky3981 | Nov 4 2007, 02:56 PM Post #3 |
Squeaker
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Im glad someone else has the same problem as I do! The class I take Jack to is full of collies and whilst he spends the whole time yapping all the other dogs are perfectly behaved and none of the other owners talk to me
:( Ive tried to take a real favourite toy but found he was too focussed on the toy and getting it off it again was quite difficult. But if I take just treats that isnt as good as the running collies.... so I am still finding an in between somewhere! Its good to know that other people have over excited dogs! |
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| nicky3981 | Nov 4 2007, 03:00 PM Post #4 |
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Squeaker
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Oh and forgot to say, my trainer said that after a few weeks of going you may notice that they seem to get worse as they think' hurray Im at this place again where I can yap at all the dogs!' Then after a few more weeks they start realising what they are there to do and then the novelty may where off a bit. Im not sure if that has happened with Jack yet, but I live and hope! |
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| Tafia | Nov 4 2007, 06:26 PM Post #5 |
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Total Gas Bag!
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Could you try making him focus on working for the toy, rather than just playing with it? It encourages them to exercise self control whilst dealing with excitement. |
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| Mattie | Nov 5 2007, 01:14 PM Post #6 |
One of the regulars
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In this situation most of a dog's brain shuts down so he can concentrate on this and once his brain shuts down it doesn't matter what you do you won't get through. You need to get his attention before this happens, but that isn't easy.
As you have found out it won't work because when the brain shuts down, even being starved and food offered won't work because he won't see it.
The scruffing is taking his attention but it isn't reccomended in this situation because when the brain shuts down and you do something like scruffing, your dog can turn and bite you before he realises it is you doing it. This is a defence mechanise and he will be defending himself from the aggression used in the scruffing.
Taking him for a long walk will help his energy levels but won't help if his brain is shutting down. I don't know the story of your dog but from what you have put up on here I wouldn't take him to training classes yet because tjhey are really stressing him out, instead I would work on his behaviour with other dogs by not letting him react. Once he has reacted it is too late and he will be stressed for several day afterwards, in fact, he will only just be settled again when he goes back to training class and it starts all over again. Each time he reacts he is rewarding himself because although you pull him away, to him the other dog is running away. When a dog self rewards the next time he is worse not better and so the behaviour excalates. If I know the story of your dog I may be able to make suggestions that may work and I am sure there are others on here who can do the same. You can then take bits of this and bits of that that you think will work with your dog. |
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| Halfpint1775 | Nov 5 2007, 05:45 PM Post #7 |
Chatterbox
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I would recommend a good run with him before class - Peggy had the attention span of a gnat to start with - and i've finally got he balance right - by taking her out for a walk for 15 -30mins - depending on type of walk. If she runs around constantly chasing rabbits she goes for 15 mins only. Then - when we are in class - she is less likely to run off and get distracted. I also practice and train her between runs - so she is always focused on me. If I need to - I pull her away from the other dogs and go into a quiet corner until it is her turn. Peggy doenst bark at the other dogs though - so not sure how to help on that one! You really have to keep your dog focused on you from the minute you get into the class so they dont have a chance to interact with the other dogs too much - especially with a dog like yours :) I'm lucky Peggy doesnt really get too interested by other dogs and my classes are great as all the dogs are quiet and very well behaved which doenst wind her up either. IT will take time aswell - we have been going a year and only just getting the balance right and focus there - so give it time too! :) |
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| TerrierTops | Nov 12 2007, 09:56 AM Post #8 |
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Chatterbox
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I've tried a mix and match of suggestions! Thanks, all! He has come on in leaps and bounds! 1) 5-10 minutes ball game, him trailing lead, at the place where we train. 2) hot dogs, cut up 3) a tiny bit of obedience work quietly in the background while the agility trainer prepares the next lesson (lots of eye contact, gentle hand and body signals) 4) short sessions on the equipment 3 times through max 5)lots of cheerful but restrained commenting to him 6) a perfect try on one piece of equipment gets cheers, a big run with both of us and his TUG TOY for 30 seconds (also, we don't do that piece again if he's done it perfect). Now it's me that's the problem! I keep getting my hands screwed up!!!!! :( |
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| PaulaK | Nov 12 2007, 10:51 AM Post #9 |
Moderator
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The suggestion of a short walk is very good as this warms them up before they start and helps prevent injuries. |
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| Halfpint1775 | Nov 12 2007, 10:57 AM Post #10 |
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Chatterbox
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Heh - I know what you mean! Most of the time its me that goes wrong and not Peggy, but my trainer said on Sat that I was really improving as a handler - so felt chuffed to bits! Still telling me Peggy is overweight and now threatening to bring the scales every week :yikes: |
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| WalkTerrier.TalkTerrier | Nov 13 2007, 01:37 PM Post #11 |
Chatterbox
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It seems to be improving with time with Saff - and i get her doing little things for me whilst we're waiting, 'watch me', a walk beforehand, very yummy food, and no tea before we go. |
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| TerrierTops | Nov 27 2007, 02:36 PM Post #12 |
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Chatterbox
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One step forward, two back at the mo! This time we had to work off lead .... Flynn did a circuit doing what he damn well pleased! Running away from him, luckily brings him straight back to me! But boy oh boy
:blush:
:blush:
:blush: . The instructor stopped the whole class to discuss how we would not be going any further with a dog that isn't 100% off the lead! (actually I was somewhat miffed .... as one of the problems was coming from the "advanced" class where a cattle dog and a collie were constantly starting a ding-dong .... off lead! Triple F just wanted to HELP! Honest!) On the brighter side ... he passed his obedience class test with flying colours (and put the other IT in the shade with his shining brilliance). It's like having a multiple-personality on a lead! :yippee: |
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| Tafia | Nov 27 2007, 09:00 PM Post #13 |
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Total Gas Bag!
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Well done Flynn - and of course some kudo's must go to you has the handler! |
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| TerrierTops | May 2 2008, 03:06 PM Post #14 |
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Chatterbox
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Flynn has graduated to Class 3 obedience! If only they had a "wriggle for exam" exercise instead of a stand for exam! We've a temporary new instructor in agility who has really helped us over the past few weeks ... sometimes by rather brutally telling us like it is! (ie ... HOW MANY COMMANDS DID YOU JUST GIVE THAT DOG???? :blush: AND DID HE LISTEN TO ANY ONE OF THEM!?) On the plus side, Flynn has improved in allowing me to control him :yes: ! (And the instructor hasn't called him psychodog for 2 weeks now!) |
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| PaulaK | May 2 2008, 03:23 PM Post #15 |
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Moderator
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Sounds like my instructors, I'm always getting told off for saying too much then get told off for not saying something when I should. Well done for getting promoted. |
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2:26 PM Nov 26
