Training with Toys ? What do you use before & after running at a show ?

LuvourGSDs · 10-04-2010, 11:32 AM

I have always trained with treats & just started to switch over to toys. They will work for either, but have seen more excitement with the toy.

My questions is, if they see the toy & know you are gonna give after their run while in training, how to then do that at a show ? I still treat right up till we go in the ring & I have no toy. Since I have just switched, this past wkend it didn't matter, she did fine, but worry if they rely on the toy someday.

They will not
tug on the lead.

I mainly praise with lots of pets after a run........

What do you use or do before going in the ring or once done ????????

Rerun · 10-04-2010, 11:38 AM

I have seen shows where they finish and then hit on the tug toy. Can you not take one in the ring with you? They make pouches for balls (IE kong balls and regular kongs) - could you carry one of those on your belt?

Elaine · 10-04-2010, 12:52 PM

You can't carry a toy or a ball in the ring at a trial. In training, I use a ball on a string as a reward. At the trial - and you will see this a lot - the reward is their leash as the end. He runs straight to it at the end of the run in anticipation of his reward. I frequently have a hard time even getting it over my boy's head before he's already grabbing it and playing tug. I'm dragging him out of the ring as he's hanging on it.

LuvourGSDs · 10-04-2010, 01:48 PM

Yea, NO goodies in the ring. My crew will tug & started using a a nylabone ball on a rope for reward, but no way to have this ready once your run is over. I also can't leave it lay somewhere before going in the ring as she will go off to FIND it I'm afraid !

None of mine will tug on the lead & since I do rally also, don't want them thinking a lead is always a play toy.

Not sure to keep treating then before our runs ? I do see most do the leash tug this at the end. Yep, I doing good trying to slip it back over her neck before she leaves the ring !

Just wondered if you do mainly use toys, which that's what I'm switching to, how to use this at a trial ? If I play with her with it before going in, lay it aside to go in the ring, I have a BIG feeling, she will run off to where I laid the toy, she gets that's focused on the toys. If on me, great, but can't be !

Elaine · 10-04-2010, 02:15 PM

I guess I don't see what doing rally has to do with your dog playing tug with his leash as a reward. At a trial, you take the leash off and someone moves it to the end so if your dog runs the course, his leash is waiting for him. My dog is extremely attached to his ball and would walk through fire for it, but that doesn't mean he can go and get it when it's time to run. He will substitute his leash for the ball at agility trials though as he loves a good tug. It sounds like your dog is already liking tugging on his leash, so encourage it. He should quickly learn it's at the end of the run so if he hurries, he can get it quicker.

Uniballer · 10-04-2010, 02:23 PM

Part of my trial prep is teaching the dog that I have the toy out of sight. When you can't see it, I still have the toy. Even if you see me pass it to someone else, I still have another toy. My dogs could display that poster from the X-files, "I Want To Believe", except theirs would show a giant jute toy in the sky instead of a UFO.

So on trial day, start heeling towards the report-in position and flip the toy behind you on the way so your dog doesn't see it. Better yet, pass it to a pre-arranged person who will squirrel it away out of sight and meet you as soon as you leave the field (ring?) so you can reward with the toy.

I have also been known to leave my dog's favorite (and therefore, odorous) toy in my left front pants pocket for an hour or so before obedience. The rules say you can't have a toy or food, but they don't say you can't carry the scent.

Oh, BTW, in case you forgot, I HAVE THE TOY

.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 10-04-2010, 03:14 PM

For Bretta, I can't have the toy near the ring cause she loses her mind. So it's treats before the run and on the practice jump, then AFTER the run there are treats I left in a container right outside the gate. And I'm feeding her those treats as we run to our tent.

And at the tent is THE TOY, which we then take to some area for a bout of tugging or throwing if we can.....

My Elsa was different, I had to tug right before going in the ring, pass it off to someone (without Elsa seeing) as we entered the ring, then when we finished and exited the ring the person would pass the toy to me for a tug as a reward outside the ring. Elsa would always shave a few seconds off her run if I could do this.

Bretta's schedule for play is way easier for me...

LuvourGSDs · 10-04-2010, 03:26 PM

Reason for the rally thing, just thought might make them always want to grab at the lead to play & she hasn't earned a RN yet & will be on lead.

She would go through fire, off a bridge, etc for her toy....... haven't tried the toy before going in the ring yet with her & did worried she would worry to much about it so, been sticking to treats. I like the idea of a person having to give to us at the end though............... Who can I hire to be a toy holder ?? LOL

Keep those ring side tips coming..............

**MaggieRoseLee** · 10-04-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Who can I hire to be a toy holder ?? LOL

Have to say, I had to rely on the kindness of strangers many times!!!! Why I'm glad Bretta makes due with the immediate treats that are in a container as we exit the ring, and can wait to play until we get to the tent.

lylol · 10-04-2010, 08:54 PM

I will take a small folding chair and set it close but not too close to the exit and leave toys treats in a closed bag on the chair. Lots of folks tuck toys under the easyup frame covering the gate

10-04-2010, 11:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Training with Toys ? What do you use before & after running at a show ? I have always trained with treats & just started to switch over to toys. They will work for either, but have seen more excitement with the toy. My questions is, if they see the toy & know you are gonna give after their run while in training, how to then do that at a show ? I still treat right up till we go in the ring & I have no toy. Since I have just switched, this past wkend it didn't matter, she did fine, but worry if they rely on the toy someday. They will not tug on the lead. I mainly praise with lots of pets after a run........ What do you use or do before going in the ring or once done ???????? __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

10-04-2010, 12:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Elaine Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,778	You can't carry a toy or a ball in the ring at a trial. In training, I use a ball on a string as a reward. At the trial - and you will see this a lot - the reward is their leash as the end. He runs straight to it at the end of the run in anticipation of his reward. I frequently have a hard time even getting it over my boy's head before he's already grabbing it and playing tug. I'm dragging him out of the ring as he's hanging on it. __________________ Elaine and the herd

10-04-2010, 01:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Yea, NO goodies in the ring. My crew will tug & started using a a nylabone ball on a rope for reward, but no way to have this ready once your run is over. I also can't leave it lay somewhere before going in the ring as she will go off to FIND it I'm afraid ! None of mine will tug on the lead & since I do rally also, don't want them thinking a lead is always a play toy. Not sure to keep treating then before our runs ? I do see most do the leash tug this at the end. Yep, I doing good trying to slip it back over her neck before she leaves the ring ! Just wondered if you do mainly use toys, which that's what I'm switching to, how to use this at a trial ? If I play with her with it before going in, lay it aside to go in the ring, I have a BIG feeling, she will run off to where I laid the toy, she gets that's focused on the toys. If on me, great, but can't be ! __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

10-04-2010, 02:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Elaine Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,778	I guess I don't see what doing rally has to do with your dog playing tug with his leash as a reward. At a trial, you take the leash off and someone moves it to the end so if your dog runs the course, his leash is waiting for him. My dog is extremely attached to his ball and would walk through fire for it, but that doesn't mean he can go and get it when it's time to run. He will substitute his leash for the ball at agility trials though as he loves a good tug. It sounds like your dog is already liking tugging on his leash, so encourage it. He should quickly learn it's at the end of the run so if he hurries, he can get it quicker. __________________ Elaine and the herd

10-04-2010, 03:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 22,198	For Bretta, I can't have the toy near the ring cause she loses her mind. So it's treats before the run and on the practice jump, then AFTER the run there are treats I left in a container right outside the gate. And I'm feeding her those treats as we run to our tent. And at the tent is THE TOY, which we then take to some area for a bout of tugging or throwing if we can..... My Elsa was different, I had to tug right before going in the ring, pass it off to someone (without Elsa seeing) as we entered the ring, then when we finished and exited the ring the person would pass the toy to me for a tug as a reward outside the ring. Elsa would always shave a few seconds off her run if I could do this. Bretta's schedule for play is way easier for me... __________________ MACH2 Bretta Lee Wildhaus CGC TC TQX Glory B Wildhaus NA, NJ, NF + LOL (still) "*Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde*

10-04-2010, 11:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	I have seen shows where they finish and then hit on the tug toy. Can you not take one in the ring with you? They make pouches for balls (IE kong balls and regular kongs) - could you carry one of those on your belt?

10-04-2010, 02:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Uniballer Master Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western New York Posts: 666	Part of my trial prep is teaching the dog that I have the toy out of sight. When you can't see it, I still have the toy. Even if you see me pass it to someone else, I still have another toy. My dogs could display that poster from the X-files, "I Want To Believe", except theirs would show a giant jute toy in the sky instead of a UFO. So on trial day, start heeling towards the report-in position and flip the toy behind you on the way so your dog doesn't see it. Better yet, pass it to a pre-arranged person who will squirrel it away out of sight and meet you as soon as you leave the field (ring?) so you can reward with the toy. I have also been known to leave my dog's favorite (and therefore, odorous) toy in my left front pants pocket for an hour or so before obedience. The rules say you can't have a toy or food, but they don't say you can't carry the scent. Oh, BTW, in case you forgot, I HAVE THE TOY .

10-04-2010, 03:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Reason for the rally thing, just thought might make them always want to grab at the lead to play & she hasn't earned a RN yet & will be on lead. She would go through fire, off a bridge, etc for her toy....... haven't tried the toy before going in the ring yet with her & did worried she would worry to much about it so, been sticking to treats. I like the idea of a person having to give to us at the end though............... Who can I hire to be a toy holder ?? LOL Keep those ring side tips coming.............. __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

10-04-2010, 08:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
lylol Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 374	I will take a small folding chair and set it close but not too close to the exit and leave toys treats in a closed bag on the chair. Lots of folks tuck toys under the easyup frame covering the gate __________________ Lysa Norse Magic vom Kriegershaus "Rune" (Dec 08) Magnus (Jun 98)

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