Motivation and Focused Heeling

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I would like to have Thor do a focused heel. I've tried toys, food, clicker etc to motivate him but nothing really holds his attention. I've looked at videos and read books but most of which deals with dogs with drive and motivation which my boy lacks......

I use to the term "watch me" and he does but as soon as I move he looks down. I've also tried "the square" I use the term "step up" and try to have him rotate his rear but he either steps off or he'll just stand there and look elsewhere. Again completely unmotivated.......

Tried finding videos with German Mastiff's doing any type of training but of course none exist. With his height I know both him and myself will have to position ourselves differently.

So what do you guys start your dogs off working with motivation and a focused heel?

 

[ruthcatrin]

I don't have a focused heel. I'll be interested in the responses too!

 

[Geisthexe]

The way to teach the focus heel
- start with treats
- figure out your command
- pick an area with no distractions (only to start)
A.....
1. DO NOT ASK THE ANIMAL TO DO ANOTHER COMMAND
2. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL BEFORE YOU START
3. So now we have an animal that can sit, stand, jump up
4. Say animals name along with your command (bob look)
5. Once animal looks give treat
6. Repeat this for about a week
NAME, COMMAND, TREAT

B.....
1. Once the animal understands the command
2. Now we build length of stare
3. So building time.. When you get the look, count until they turn there head,
4. Once they turn there head say your command again and give treat.
5. So now treats are only for directing them back
6. This for another week

C......
1. Now use set B
2. Do all this in an area with distractions
3. Park, front of store, in pet store etc

I will try to make a video tomorrow of my Presa pup Anabis doing it so you see what I am explaining

Hope this helps, when you do protections trials like SchH, PSA & Mondio you must have your focus heel

eb


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[Sadies Mom]

What type of treats are you using? Maybe it is not a high enough value to him. Sadie is very food motivated and I can use almost anything. When we were in Therapy dog class I used a treat that I only use once in a while when I really need her to focus
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12484205&lmdn=Brand&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No
I used this in the link. I call it "puppy crack", she will do anything for it

 

[raechiemay]

I use those moist liver treats I think they are. They're really squishy & put off a strong scent. I only use them when I'm asking the dogs to a learn a new command or to perform a trick. Daisy is not food motivated at all but these will make her do all her tricks in a matter of 15 seconds bc she REALLY wants the treat. She'll then inhale it without even chewing. While I can't offer advice on how to get Thor to do a focused heel, I agree with Sadie's mom about trying to find a higher value reward if possible. Good luck!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I assume you have also tried keeping the treat in your hand, nudged in just behind your thumb so that he can smell it and walk with his nose close to the treat hand which is held tight up against your waist area? Its hard to describe without showing you. When I did KC training awards this is how we were taught to to focused heal and recall to heal from a distance. The trick was to nudge the treat behind your thumb to keep it secure but still able for the dog to smell and should be held tight to your side, almost like you are walking with your hand on your hip but keep your elbow tucked in and his nose should follow the treat and keep him close to you.

---------- Post added at 01:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------

http://loridrouin.webs.com/twelvestepheeling.htm

CHECK THIS OUT

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

http://loridrouin.webs.com/twelvestepheeling.htm

CHECK THIS OUT

 

[Geisthexe]

You have to build a focus before you can take it to a heel. Once you have then it become the second phase but ya need to get thru the first.
The way I typed it is the way I teach all my students. I teach on competitive students bc if you can keep your dogs focus then there is no need to run away.

I don't use biscuits or any dry treat, I don't spend the money on lil bags of treats

I use Pet Botanics (big sausage looking thing sits on the end of an ile) .. In the food section of Pet Smart for everyone
I use Dick Van Dyke (big sausage looking thing sits on the end of an ile) .. In good section of Petco

These food is very smelly and I cut into 5 big cudes bag and freeze the cubes not in use. The cube I do use I I cut into very small treat size.

Remember: smaller the treat the long the training, do not feed before training
If training in the morning make the dog work for that food so dog is starving. If training later make sure breakfast meal is smaller then dinner meal so dog is lil big hungrier for training .
If you need to build a food motivated dog then do not feed only treat for a few days, hungrier the dog more work it will do. I can explain this in more detail but don't like too bc folks think its cruel.



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[DennasMom]

Our bulldog mix wouldn't even work for the "saugsage roll" foods. I had to cook a chicken thigh for him (no oil, no salt, just sauted/poached in the skillet) - right before class - just for him. But, once he knew the chicken was for him - he'd do ANYTHING I asked.... as many times as I asked!

Before chicken, with any store-bought treat, he'd do a command once and be done.
I could see the conversation in his look: "sit? again? naw, been there, done that... hey, what's that over there? I'll be back later..."

But with chicken... "again? more? OK!! again? more? OK!!" (repeat...)

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Thanks Deb for the tips, I think I might be working too fast. That and I feel as though I don't have his "full" attention. If you find the video please do post it. Deb no I don't think its cruel I've heard of trainers doing this. To be honest I do that with Thor when he goes through his "picky foods moment" his last strike lasted about 5 days, now he LOVES all food. Hahaha

Sadies Mom I've used the freeze dried liver treats, hot dogs, peanut butter, tripe. The dogs will eat it but its nothing that they go crazy for. They will move their head the body is stationary. With Deb's recommendation I wil try the sausage rolls to see if any "clicks" with the boys.

Mooshi's Mommy, yeap I had that link bookmarked already.

Deanna's mom, I will try cooked chicken even though Thor gets raw. Maybe the scent will motivate more.

 

[Geisthexe]

Here is my very bad video.
I will make a few more this weekend so you can see better while at the dog event.
I work my dogs where ever I'm at

[video=youtube_share;8ardnkS4Kck]http://youtu.be/8ardnkS4Kck[/video]


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[Sadies Mom]

Thanks Deb for the tips, I think I might be working too fast. That and I feel as though I don't have his "full" attention. If you find the video please do post it. Deb no I don't think its cruel I've heard of trainers doing this. To be honest I do that with Thor when he goes through his "picky foods moment" his last strike lasted about 5 days, now he LOVES all food. Hahaha

Sadies Mom I've used the freeze dried liver treats, hot dogs, peanut butter, tripe. The dogs will eat it but its nothing that they go crazy for. They will move their head the body is stationary. With Deb's recommendation I wil try the sausage rolls to see if any "clicks" with the boys.

Mooshi's Mommy, yeap I had that link bookmarked already.

Deanna's mom, I will try cooked chicken even though Thor gets raw. Maybe the scent will motivate more.

The sausage rolls is what I had provided as an example in the link. Sadie goes NUTS for it.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Thanks Deb for the quick video! I have seen a couple of different ways and I must admit I am kind of slack when it comes to the focused heel but I will try it your way, break it down and work at it! Looking forward to the videos and seeing the finished product.

 

[Cody]

Nope,don't think it is cruel. Lol, I don't feed my dogs if we are training or going to show.
They will get to eat a portion at the end of the day, but they work and focus better when hungry.
For our bait I cook beef heart with some garlic, that is ONLY used for stacking or serious training so they associate it with work

 

[Geisthexe]

Ok here is two starting videos to show a basic focus
1. Artmis my 15 week Presa Female
First time ever
[video=youtube;6iE1KiGP0Ms]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iE1KiGP0Ms[/video]

2. Anabis 5.5 months old showing a good focus
[video=youtube;yBzOArt1C7E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBzOArt1C7E[/video]

Sorry my scrubs as I'm at work and a friend of mine did the videos

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[Duetsche_Doggen]

Deb I could kiss you such a life saver, these videos are a tremedous help. Although Thor is an old man I'm going to try for a BH, I think its possible with him if I can get the focused heel down.

 

[Geisthexe]

No matter what age the dog will get a focus. I am showing with puppies but I have taught many ages either fosters I train, to clients .. You can get it.
I have traveled and trained with some of the best protection trainers and learned some old school training to some more modern ways.
So many ways I train now it is have taken there ways used them, modified it or completely thru it away.
Not to toot my own horn but I am very proud of how I teach dogs and humans to work there pets and gain a great bond.

Best of luck, glad you are liking the videos and this weekend I'll tape actual focus heeling and how I get to it with my adult dogs.


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[Duetsche_Doggen]

Thanks Deb,

I believe in whatever works I do both "positive" and "old school" as long as its fair.

Nothing wrong with giving yourself credit, the hard work shows, the pups and dogs look great! Can't wait to see what you have planned for them.

My old man Thor is the best dog I've had, and too damn smart for his own good. I have faith your techniques will work for us. Stone OTOH is a PITA and I swear he as ADD, can't sit still for two seconds. Despite his slow potty training, among other annoyances. I have faith that he would make a "decent" Sch1 dog for his breed. A real "go getter" personality type, he should be fun as he matures.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I agree Deb! Thanks for the videos as it helps show it broken down more easily to follow what to do.

 

[Geisthexe]

Thanks Deb,

I believe in whatever works I do both "positive" and "old school" as long as its fair.

I also agree .. I tell my students that you have one question/problem and 5 answers/techniques

Nothing wrong with giving yourself credit, the hard work shows, the pups and dogs look great! Can't wait to see what you have planned for them.

Thank you so much, I do love working them and am very proud of what they do.

My old man Thor is the best dog I've had, and too damn smart for his own good. I have faith your techniques will work for us. Stone OTOH is a PITA and I swear he as ADD, can't sit still for two seconds. Despite his slow potty training, among other annoyances. I have faith that he would make a "decent" Sch1 dog for his breed. A real "go getter" personality type, he should be fun as he matures.

On your dogs Thor focus on him first to get your focus and take to a heel. How are your other commands? Are they competitive style or companion style?

Or other pup; use that hyper eager go getter personality and use it, allow them to calm down by just teaching focus, you'll see how it channels the dog into you and they will start to offer like sit once you have it you'll know it .. Just takes time and calmness


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