Training Problem- can't keep focus

[Raintheshepherd]

Hey everyone, I'm sure others have probably posted on a similar topic. Sorry if it's a tad repetitious.
So my 11month GSD Rain and I have been going to obedience classes once a week, she is so well behaved, she will just lay at my feet if we aren't doing anything, but I can't keep her focus whilst training.
So my question is, Rain is not food orientated at all, I have tried the tastiest treats you can think of and she just doesn't want any. So I am having problems keeping her attention at classes, one of the trainers suggested using a toy as her reward, as she loves playing tug at home. But I'm not convinced this is the right way to go about it. The club is positive reinforcement only.
What are people's opinions on how I can get her focus? How do I reward with her toy and when? Do I only let her have the certain toy when she is working?
I have heard some positive and negative things about this method.
So any personal experience with this form of training would be very appreciated.
Thanks in advance.



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[onyx'girl]

Absolutely use a tug or ball on string. Though that type of reward takes longer than popping a treat. So you don't want to tug for very long, or the reason for the reward will be lost.

Put Rain in drive/ teasing her up with the toy before you go into your training mode, then ask for some positions or circles, turns, ups. Use a key word/phrase when you work on that. I use "are you ready" or "ready?"
Your dog should then offer the behaviors when you use the key phrase.
Once your dog is conditioned to that word the drive state comes up naturally when hearing it.
This is a method I've learned from working with Bridget Carlsen(though there is more to it!) Look at Michael Ellis's clips on building drive or go on Bridget Carlsen's site for some video clips.

Is Rain not motivated by food naturally, or is it due to stress in the training environment?
I'd also crate before and after every training session(afterwards especially so Rain can process what she just learned)

[Raintheshepherd]

A ball on rope is what I use for tug at home, and she releases when I ask her.
So basically only tug for a couple of seconds as a reward?
She has never been much of an eater, though being in the new environment of the classes could also be making it worse. I guess I just have to see if having the toy can get her attention in class.
Too be 100% honest, I have an anxiety problem, and I kind of think she has picked up on it. So new situations, she doesn't confront them as well as I would like. Maybe this is also a problem as to why she can't focus.


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[gmcwife1]

Our Samoyed wasn't food motivated until we upped the treat value to string cheese. That has helped keep his attention since he is even less toy motivated than treat motivated!