Daily Training

[JamieHalverson]

I must be watching another video. I saw that you did use food. He was doing well in the beginning and the people distracted him. I would probably give out more rewards to keep him focused at that point. I'm curious, why you chose to use a prong? Does that keep him more focused or ... ?

It does, even if I never once correct him... Sometimes I'll use a prong in a very new or high distraction area for a few minutes, then take it off and use the martingale only. Mostly I only use the martingale, my hope is to get better at training and keep working him so it's never needed.

 

[Hector]

It does, even if I never once correct him... Sometimes I'll use a prong in a very new or high distraction area for a few minutes, then take it off and use the martingale only. Mostly I only use the martingale, my hope is to get better at training and keep working him so it's never needed.

That's interesting. About the front, what about training with some sort of elevated mat/platform or even stick/s. Here's what I'm talking about. [video=youtube;zrhRkczgBaA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrhRkczgBaA[/video]

 

[Hector]

[video=youtube;tfMbrmu1FIw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfMbrmu1FIw[/video]

 

[Hector]

[video=youtube;NoaDuwqiBCY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoaDuwqiBCY[/video]

 

[QY10]

woops, here it is:Copy of Doodling - YouTube

Great video! Thalia and I do rally as well, so it's interesting watching other people in our sport! You and Yogi are very good.

I will have to make a recent video of our work, even though she's not a mastiff.


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[QY10]

It does, even if I never once correct him... Sometimes I'll use a prong in a very new or high distraction area for a few minutes, then take it off and use the martingale only. Mostly I only use the martingale, my hope is to get better at training and keep working him so it's never needed.

I noticed that you're kind of scarce with the hand signals. Is there a reason for this? Personally, I go over the top with hand signals and targets simply because I'm allowed to! If it'll help ensure Thalia knows exactly what I'm asking her to do, I'll do it. Just about every single verbal command I give is paired with a hand signal. If there isn't a hand signal, I'm using my hand as a target so she knows where to be positioned.

I think you and I struggle with the same thing, which is what my trainer calls "being bubbly". I tend to be quiet and not very verbal with Thalia. When I force myself to be "bubbly" and constantly talking to Thalia and giving praise, she gets right into it. Her tail is wagging, her focus is perfect and she executes every command wonderfully. I feel super fake when I'm doing it, but it works lol.

Being bubbly also helps with Thalia and distractions because I'm more interesting than everything else! I don't know if you use a lot of corrections withYogi, but I don't hesitate with Thalia if she is blatantly defying me or being distracted. She wears a Sprenger whale tail chain collar and gets a quick "pop" when needed. One thing my trainer taught me was to never negotiate with her. If there is a distraction, we work through it. I get bubbly, she might get a correction, I might have to tight leash to keep her moving, I might have to bring out the treats or turn her away from the distraction and do a focus exercise... Whatever I choose, she's learning that being distracted isn't an option when we are 'working'.



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[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

I've started using prongs instead of flat buckles. Hank is a jerk because we didn't teach him young, we just spoiled the heck out of him for his first 2 years. He knows all the basics but to get him to follow them it's like the saying "They are more guidelines than actual rules." He will try and pull you to w/e he wants to smell especially in public or around dogs that aren't fenced in. With a prong collar on, he doesn't like the pressure it causes when he pulls. 90% of the time no pops are necessary.
Actually I've taken to doing what's called finger pumps. I'll have to show you a video of what I mean. Instead of popping the leash I use a thumb lock grip and do finger pumps which gives him rapid annoying information that usually stops the pulling. He doesn't pull on walks anymore but every time we go to a dog friendly store he wants to meet and greet and smell every bone in the isle.
With Roxy I've never needed a prong. I like it though because she actually picks up on the subtle communication and I can use way less pressure when I'm doing leash work with her. It's like she just "gets it" or something and it actually gets her focus on me a little better.
As far as focus work, Hank is very reluctant to look me in the eyes because that used to mean he was in trouble or I was trying to dominate him. It's hard going and spottie work with him. I feel like such a dumbass for ever believing that stuff worked(dominance)... Roxy on the other hand looks to me for guidance especially when she is in a sit/stay waiting for her "break".
I didn't watch the videos yet because the wife is napping in the living room with me and not feeling well. She called in tonight though which I'm happy with cause I don't get to spend enough time with her. Even if she is just taking a nap lol.

 

[JamieHalverson]

I noticed that you're kind of scarce with the hand signals. Is there a reason for this? Personally, I go over the top with hand signals and targets simply because I'm allowed to! If it'll help ensure Thalia knows exactly what I'm asking her to do, I'll do it. Just about every single verbal command I give is paired with a hand signal. If there isn't a hand signal, I'm using my hand as a target so she knows where to be positioned.I think you and I struggle with the same thing, which is what my trainer calls "being bubbly". I tend to be quiet and not very verbal with Thalia. When I force myself to be "bubbly" and constantly talking to Thalia and giving praise, she gets right into it. Her tail is wagging, her focus is perfect and she executes every command wonderfully. I feel super fake when I'm doing it, but it works lol.Being bubbly also helps with Thalia and distractions because I'm more interesting than everything else! I don't know if you use a lot of corrections withYogi, but I don't hesitate with Thalia if she is blatantly defying me or being distracted. She wears a Sprenger whale tail chain collar and gets a quick "pop" when needed. One thing my trainer taught me was to never negotiate with her. If there is a distraction, we work through it. I get bubbly, she might get a correction, I might have to tight leash to keep her moving, I might have to bring out the treats or turn her away from the distraction and do a focus exercise... Whatever I choose, she's learning that being distracted isn't an option when we are 'working'. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I definitely need to work on being bubbly. It seriously gives me a headache. I just got home from Lillie's obedience class and after an hour of working to keep her attention, I feel like my head is going to explode, lol! It's kind of funny, but I'm also serious. I'm not a loud bubbly person, but somehow, I out bubble everyone in our Rally class. It's kind of creepy how quiet and low key everyone is in that class and the trainer is constantly trying to get everyone more upbeat. That's the great part about Rally, you can talk to your dog and make it fun! You should post some videos of you and Thalia! My reference to Yogi as a mastiff is very generous! He's just a little bit mastiff, mostly pit bull

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

And entirely cute!

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

That's interesting. About the front, what about training with some sort of elevated mat/platform or even stick/s. Here's what I'm talking about. [video=youtube;zrhRkczgBaA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrhRkczgBaA[/video]

Sorry I had to comment. Is this lady a squirrel or a mother bird or what? LOL

 

[Hector]

OH com'on I love her energy!! She's great for obedience competition. I loved her dvds.

 

[Hector]

:meanie:

 

[Hector]

Lol, aw, poor, sad Hec. He's like "this is it. This is the day she tells me to stay and then leaves me forever in the rainy parking lot." Still a god boy though! And looks spiffy in his coat.

Thanks, I didn't expect him to like wearing a coat, but he does!

 

[Hector]

Aww lookie Hec with his lil raincoat on! He's such a good boy! :singintherain:

:thankyou:

 

[Hector]

omg haha, one day I will figure it out

 

[JamieHalverson]

OH com'on I love her energy!! She's great for obedience competition. I loved her dvds.

I watched the one with the two sticks to perfect the front, I didn't get to the others. Her energy iS good. I've tried the spitting treats trick, I just can't get it down. And honestly, neither of my dogs can catch stuff for crap. Treats literally bounce off their faces...BUT the trainers who I've seen who CAN do it, have dogs that don't take their eyes off of them!

 

[Hector]

I watched the one with the two sticks to perfect the front, I didn't get to the others. Her energy iS good. I've tried the spitting treats trick, I just can't get it down. And honestly, neither of my dogs can catch stuff for crap. Treats literally bounce off their faces...BUT the trainers who I've seen who CAN do it, have dogs that don't take their eyes off of them!

Human has to practice holding piece of food in mouth, give verbal command, chew piece of food off, spit and aim at dog....yeah that's a lot to ask for lmao.

 

[JamieHalverson]

Human has to practice holding piece of food in mouth, give verbal command, chew piece of food off, spit and aim at dog....yeah that's a lot to ask for lmao.

Exactly! That takes some serious skill to keep a hunk of cheese in your mouth, talk, and not drool all over the place...I had a trainer who swore by Charlie Bear treats for this. She said because they didn't get soggy.

 

[QY10]

I definitely need to work on being bubbly. It seriously gives me a headache. I just got home from Lillie's obedience class and after an hour of working to keep her attention, I feel like my head is going to explode, lol! It's kind of funny, but I'm also serious. I'm not a loud bubbly person, but somehow, I out bubble everyone in our Rally class. It's kind of creepy how quiet and low key everyone is in that class and the trainer is constantly trying to get everyone more upbeat. That's the great part about Rally, you can talk to your dog and make it fun! You should post some videos of you and Thalia! My reference to Yogi as a mastiff is very generous! He's just a little bit mastiff, mostly pit bull

We do private lessons, so I don't have much to compare myself to. Except our trainers are always yelling, BE MORE BUBBLY! Fake it if you have to! My response is always, "what do you think I'm doing!? I am faking it!!"


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