Dog Community

How do I get a golden not be afraid of the hoop?

Posted : 6/14/2012 2:56:07 PM

I have a 16 month golden who is very smart. At least I think so. Learns quickly. In under 5 minutes I taught her to walk backwards with both verbal and hand signals. I had her jumping through a hoop for a short time. We worked slowly increasing height slightly each time we worked. About the 6th session she caught her back paw while jumping and tripped. (the hoop was about 15" off the ground). Now she won't even look at the hoop. The second we get it out she avoids it. I went back to using the clicker I have tried coaxing her closer with her favorite treat. She will get so close and stop. Will not budge. I am not training for agility just for family fun and mental stimulation. I don't want her to fear the hoop. Some day when I am retired and have more free time I would love to try training a dog for agility trials and/or obediance. It sure is rewarding the see them finally get what you want them to do. I am looking for any suggestions. Or should I give up and never show her a hoop again?

griffinej5

Posted : 6/14/2012 6:38:41 PM

Whether or not you just give it up is your decision. You may decide that it isn't that important to have her do it. However, if you decide you do want to try to get her through it, first thing, don't stress too much. You can try to just lay the hoop on the ground. Start by clicking and treating for just looking at the hoop. When you do this you can throw the treat so that she has to go slightly closer to the hoop in order to get it. As you do this, gradually increase what you will click and treat for. Start out with just looking, then moving toward it, and interacting with it. Then, you might want to start touching the hoop. You can start by just putting your hand on it, then slowly work toward lifting it off the ground so that she could get through it. Once you have it off the ground, you would want to start with slowly increasing the criteria again. So, looking at it while it is off the ground, approaching it, putting her nose through, and then more and more of her body through it. If you decide to do agility, the hoop for agility looks different, and she might not be scared of it.

Freedom

Posted : 6/14/2012 8:59:40 PM

LuvMyGoldie
Some day when I am retired and have more free time I would love to try training a dog for agility trials and/or obediance.

Agility is very active for the handler as well, especially at the start, until you can "send" your dog (at least a year of training). Don't wait till you retire! My knees are already finding it a challenge, ha haaa

You got good advice re desensitizing her to the hoop. You can also change to a different material for a bit (not sure what you are using now, maybe try a hula hoop!) and see if that makes a difference for her. You can also make an open hoop - use PVC, shape an upside down "U" with legs for support, so there is nothing across the bottom and start with that as a trainer. We use those to teach contacts in class.

griffinej5

Posted : 6/14/2012 9:52:51 PM

haha... I assumed it was a hula hoop.

tiffy

Posted : 6/15/2012 7:00:03 PM

griffinej5
haha... I assumed it was a hula hoop.

So did I. Stick out tongue

LuvMyGoldie

Posted : 6/25/2012 10:15:45 AM

Thanks for all of your advice. You are right, I am using a hula hoop. I think we may give it up. I have never seen her frightened of anything and that is what concerned me the most. I don't want her to be afraid. If she doesn't jump no big deal for us. I just don't like to see her run under the deck for cover when it comes out of the garage. I have looked into classes for her, but the nearest is close to an hour drive. With running 2 school aged kids around there would be no way for us to work it out. We tried. So we just thought we would do some fun stuff in the yard. Fetching a ball gets a bit boring after a while.