Dog Community

Another Sunday Brag

ron2

Posted : 3/5/2007 5:06:50 PM

The weekends have been my primetime to work on Shadow's public behavior.

Clicking and treating in the store for calm behavior and demeanor. This is actually part of a two-fold process.

First, I haven't been walking Shadow in our little town because of a number of loose dogs. We would usually have confrontations. I don't want Shadow practiced in the art of squaring off against other dogs everytime we see them. Consequently, he doesn't get as many walks as we used. What he does get is quieter more controlled walks, even if I have to drive us somewhere.

Secondly, clicking and treating for being calm in public. This last Sunday, I was in Petco getting more kitty litter. We use the refillable jug. And I've gotten him used to receiving treats in the store now. So, his excitement level has tapered off to the point where he will accept treats. And we got to meet a little female Scottish Terrier in a cute pink sweater. Her owner was a lady who was up on nutrition and didn't even bat an eye when I was clicking and treating as Shadow approached like a gentleman. That way, he could identify meeting other dogs as a good thing and meeting them in an approved manner was a good thing. One of the sales associates knew exactly what I was doing with the clicker.

So, our progress rolls ahead.

J M

Posted : 3/5/2007 6:17:29 PM

Geesh Ron...I am in the same boat. I can barely walk Zeus anymore. The last time we were out in our area, we had 3 loose dogs surrounding us. I thought we were dead meat. So I am driving also. And I am so leery that I keep my truck open in case we have to make a mad dash for safety. Is that freaking pathetic or what?

Anyway...not much of a brag, but the pom is learning to bow.

nfowler

Posted : 3/6/2007 12:23:27 AM

I taught Murphy how to close drawers. Ellie? Not so much, but she is putting her nose on "the button" (I've taped a sticky note to the drawer and then I rubbed a clicker treat on it). I test her here and there by doing nothing until the drawer moves but she's not quite there yet. So, I take it back a step until she shows me she's ready.

This is sooo much more fun than pushing her nose into the drawer to make it shut. I'm so glad I caught on to the power of the clicker!

Next: Teach Murphy to be quiet on command AND to also close the back door after he comes in. He can open it--now he needs to learn to close it.

nfowler

Posted : 3/6/2007 12:25:46 AM

PS to JM and Ron--

What is with the loose dogs lately? I know what you mean! I walk in a subdivision made up of elderly people because, hey, it's the safest place to be and they all love my dogs.

Now if only I could work on Murphy liking strange old people more . . .[

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spiritdogs

Posted : 3/6/2007 12:31:43 AM

ORIGINAL: nfowler
Now if only I could work on Murphy liking strange old people more . . .[]

Don't the old people toss you treats, Murphy??? The old people around here all seem to know the recipe for my favorite liver treats...
Sioux

Haleigh

Posted : 3/6/2007 7:15:14 AM

hmmm....
I finished teaching Joy twist.

I taught my malinois Knox how to dance. He puts his paws (more like slaws 'em, I seriously had bloody gouges when I was done) on my shoulders and walks forwards and backwards. Then only thing I really regret that I didn't realize I was doing for a hand signal was banging my hand on my chest sideways...my mom told me to dash it if she ever wanted him to therapy dog. Heaven help us if he's ever around a mentally handicapped person and they do that, he's be all over them[sm=banghead002.gif]

I *tried* teaching Eros to roll over. He just jumped up and down, ready to play some more.

J M

Posted : 3/6/2007 7:36:32 AM

There is info in here about teaching quiet...I am going to try it on the pom. It sounds pretty interesting.

[linkhttp://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002b/aggression.htm]http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002b/aggression.htm[/link]

I forgot to mention Zeus's brag. He knows "paw". Which is where he touches my hand with his paw... so we have expanded that to me telling him to touch other things with his paw. And the find it game has expanded to him finding his toys.

ORIGINAL: nfowler

I taught Murphy how to close drawers. Ellie? Not so much, but she is putting her nose on "the button" (I've taped a sticky note to the drawer and then I rubbed a clicker treat on it). I test her here and there by doing nothing until the drawer moves but she's not quite there yet. So, I take it back a step until she shows me she's ready.

This is sooo much more fun than pushing her nose into the drawer to make it shut. I'm so glad I caught on to the power of the clicker!

Next: Teach Murphy to be quiet on command AND to also close the back door after he comes in. He can open it--now he needs to learn to close it.

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/6/2007 7:37:06 AM

Sioux has been a therapy dog for five years and she never "dances" with anyone but me. I find that the herders are not all that glad to "tango" with strangers. [

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nfowler

Posted : 3/6/2007 7:47:36 AM

Hi Anne--I take the treats and dole them out but some of the old people don't hear well and can be very interested in petting the dog. So, I let Ms Happy Face go first and hold Murphy back and then, when they've got their petting in, I let Murphy go up and take a treat from the open palm then call him right back to me--and he always comes through for me there.

I walked the dogs separately yesterday and he did approach and let one woman pet his chin and took treats from her and her husband and I tried to relax while monitoring.

He's just nervous and part of it is me being nervous, too, I can tell. I am so hoping that my behaviorist comes through soon just so that I can learn a few more options.

On the other hand--he's so reliable within his safety zone (about 6ft) and I love that about him.

And at home? I love how they nag me to get the clicker. Oh boy, that clicker means nothing but good things to them. I remember a time when I'd get out their choker collars and their ears would droop as they stared.

If I even bump the clicker they're on me so fast--flinging behaviors left and right.