[MaggieRoseLee]

Quote: An entry full of espionage and heeling from CaninesInAction. A very brief introduction to the benefits of clicker training and then a how-to of teaching heeling, using a toy instead of food treats. Also includes a view of a more advanced dog in the same behavior, taught using the same technique.

http://www.canisfilmfestival.com/submissions_01.html

 

[thaliasmom]

That's great MaggieRoseLee. I actually just bought a new small tug this morning to try this - how cool to have a video demonstration. Way to read my mind.

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

I was impressed how the dog is also looking up with the attention/focus as well as the heeling.

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

Very nice....but I'm wondering how I can use a tug with Keefer without losing fingers, lol!

 

[Catu]

Originally Posted By: MaggieRoseLeeI was impressed how the dog is also looking up with the attention/focus as well as the heeling.

I use tug because of the same. Diabla can loose concentration with food, but with a tug or a ball there is nothing else in the world.

She already knows that the behaviour is to look at ME and I can even leave the toy on the floor, to do some steps at heeling with her looking at me and then say OK and she goes for the toy she knows she can get by NOT looking at.

Originally Posted By: Cassidys MomVery nice....but I'm wondering how I can use a tug with Keefer without losing fingers, lol!

Tug targeting is something you teach just as everything else

 

[kelso]

Originally Posted By: Cassidys MomVery nice....but I'm wondering how I can use a tug with Keefer without losing fingers, lol!

i wore a glove, a nice thick construction type glove for a long time, it has gotten better, but not out of the woods yet

i love training/playing with a tug/ball as a reward! it is fun fun

 

[Liesje]

Very nice, I gotta use treats though, Kenya is not interested in toys unless the toy is moving FAST (ie, she will CHASE anything, but stationary toys mean nothing to her).

 

[big_dog7777]

Originally Posted By: Cassidys MomVery nice....but I'm wondering how I can use a tug with Keefer without losing fingers, lol!

You start with focus training and teaching that a bite only happens when you say so. Then, you transition that into a heel.

 

[big_dog7777]

Originally Posted By: LiesjeVery nice, I gotta use treats though, Kenya is not interested in toys unless the toy is moving FAST (ie, she will CHASE anything, but stationary toys mean nothing to her).

If she chases then she can do this. You just need to develop and bring out her drive for whatever toy she likes best. When she is used to chasing and catching it she will place a high value on it even when stationary.

This is exactly the way SchH heeling is taught, and it's very cool to see. The dogs have a BLAST heeling. The difference in attitude is astounding. Some of the most toy possessive dogs will come back to you and spit a toy out at your feet waiting to heel again.

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

I've done tons of focus work with Keefer, so that's not a problem. He'll also release toys on cue - I started trading games with him when he was a tiny puppy. But he's still not that careful with his mouth (at 2-1/2!), and although I can get him to take treats gently (when I remind him) when we're stationary, once you add movement he gets excited and grabby. And he's ALWAYS excited and grabby with toys, he's just not good about paying attention to where the toy ends and my hand begins.

I ordered a better tug toy from Working Dogs Outfitter that has a handle on each end, so when I get it I can try working with him on that. He's a pretty drivey guy, and loves toys, so I don't need to worry about building drive for the tug. Dena is a ball fanatic, but couldn't care less about tugging. If I show Keefer a tug toy he leaps up into the air to get at it. Our trainer was working with him last weekend on a new exercise, turning him on and off by putting him into a fast down, immediately releasing him and getting him worked up and back into a down again, over and over. He get SO excited that he started jumping up and down and biting at her sleeve. She laughed and suggested maybe not getting him QUITE so excited, lol! I may have forgotten to mention that it doesn't take much to get him all worked up....

 

[big_dog7777]

He sounds fun. But, there comes a time if you train this way that the dog needs to understand that it's YOUR ball or YOUR tug. With stronger dogs that can be challenging. I am going through that right now with Diesel. He is turning out to be a whole lot of dog.

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

He IS fun! The trainer said that she likes working with dogs like him. (She has 6 GSD rescues.) He's a lot of dog for a German showline, but he's a Triumph's Gucci grandson, who I understand has very good working drives.

I have no plans for Schutzhund, right now we're mostly working on self control in distracting environments, and are meeting her for training at the off leash park we go to most weekends. Doesn't get much more distracting than that!

 

[GSD07]

MaggieRoseLee, thank you for the link! I've tried it today and it works!!! Yana's favorite tug toy is a stick which is not very comfortable for me but it's a great thing when we are hiking. I picked up a stick and did everything like in the clip and my Yana suddenly switched her attention from my hand to my eyes.

I ran, I turned, I slowed down and my dog was glued to my side and my eyes smiling and having a blast!