Attention span poll - YorkieTalk.com Forums

alaskayorkie · 02-08-2008, 02:30 AM

I've been working with Eddie hard trying to teach him some new tricks before the Pet Idol finals on Saturday, and I'm noticing he has a short attention span. If work with him for 5 minutes, he is generally pretty sharp. From 5-10 minutes, I start to lose him. More than that, and I might as well quit.

Has anyone else noticed that their Yorkie has a short attention span when you're trying to work on a difficult lesson? How about at obedience training? Does your pup keep its focus for the whole class?

sherrijmkassie · 02-08-2008, 03:01 AM

Kass has no attention span. Her only intent is to get the treat and she cant focus beyond that.

Brookef18 · 02-08-2008, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrijmkassie

Kass has no attention span. Her only intent is to get the treat and she cant focus beyond that.

This is true when I try to teach something...
On the other hand, if they are trying to get into something they shouldn't they are on it for a LOOOOOOONG TIME! When ever we have the fire place going, they comb the area for bark, pine needles, little pieces of wood... They both LOVE to chew any of this stuff... And they will sit there looking for hours... I have to put them in their create, sweep up ANYTHING that falls, and then they can come out. We have the cleanest hearth around!!!
Sadie LOVES to try to eat the charcoal from the fire...she can fit under the grate, so i can't leave her in the living room alone. She has gone into the fire place to get to the coal when there still hot embers in there!!!

We have to put a baby gate over the grate when there's not fire.

Ladylavender · 02-08-2008, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrijmkassie

Kass has no attention span. Her only intent is to get the treat and she cant focus beyond that.

I agree with this statement when it comes to Millie, but that in itself makes her attention span endless (on the treat, that is)

I do know one thing, though. Millie does not seem to get a "trick" that I am teaching her the 1st time I am teaching her. I will drop it and go about my business. The very next day when I set up to train her, she will have miraculously some how learned the trick absolutely perfect between the last time we worked on it and the next time we work on it! As if it came to her thru osmosis or something.

She does this every single time.

011011 · 02-08-2008, 06:01 AM

MIne all have too long attention spans I get tired out before they do.And I got 7 of them

jencar98 · 02-08-2008, 06:20 AM

When it comes to training, both Ruby and Reno have about 5 minutes of good focusing time. Now, when it comes to the birds outside the window, feeding at the birdfeeder, Ruby could bark at them literally for hours!

I'm thinking I need to get a bird to train her.

Izzy Princess · 02-08-2008, 06:29 AM

I voted more than 20 minutes.....Izzy can go about 45-60 and that's pushing it. She was in puppy training since I got her at 5 mos. Puppy I, II and CGC classes run 1 hour and she is very good during that hour but with all the doggies in class you can tell that about 45 minutes into the class attention span starts to fade fast.

I think what keeps Izzy focused (and most of the dogs in training classes) is that we go from one trick/command to another. We focus on one trick for about 10 minutes and then move on to another. We do take a few minutes of break time between each one.

At home I can go about 20 mminutes from being distracted because she is so worried that her cat peeps are doing something and she's not involved.

Just keep adding a few minutes each training session with special treats and I'm sure Eddie's attention span will expand. Do you use treats as a reward? Or just verbal?

alaskayorkie · 02-08-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladylavender

I agree with this statement when it comes to Millie, but that in itself makes her attention span endless (on the treat, that is)

I do know one thing, though. Millie does not seem to get a "trick" that I am teaching her the 1st time I am teaching her. I will drop it and go about my business. The very next day when I set up to train her, she will have miraculously some how learned the trick absolutely perfect between the last time we worked on it and the next time we work on it! As if it came to her thru osmosis or something.

She does this every single time.

Interesting comments, everybody. The poll confirms my experience.

And Ladylavender, your teaching techniques are actually a proven method. A dog trainer recently told me three 5-minute sessions a day are better than one one-hour session. I've found that to be true, and it's so cool, as you say, when you pick it up the next day and they are better than the day before.

And Izzy Princess, I want Izzy! That's a great attention span.

Gypsy & Me · 02-08-2008, 10:45 AM

Gypsy's got pretty good attention span... I on the other hand... ohhh, what's that....

katcarasella · 02-08-2008, 12:54 PM

When it comes to training, with Maggie I'd say 10 minutes. But if there's a squirrel or raccoon in a tree outside, she'll sit staring at it all day. Same for her favorite cloth squeaker toy if its under the couch, she'll just lie there with her head on her paws as though she's willing it to come out. Bailey, on the other hand, has ADD.

alaskayorkie · 02-08-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katcarasella

When it comes to training, with Maggie I'd say 10 minutes. But if there's a squirrel or raccoon in a tree outside, she'll sit staring at it all day. Same for her favorite cloth squeaker toy if its under the couch, she'll just lie there with her head on her paws as though she's willing it to come out. Bailey, on the other hand, has ADD.

Yeah, I find the same thing. When I'm working on teaching a trick, it's 5-10 minutes max. But if I'm tossing the ball, he'll go all day and then follow me around all night.

labrown · 02-08-2008, 01:49 PM

I like to call Tbone Attention Defecit Dog. It is his superhero name.

joehighz · 02-12-2008, 10:15 AM

Mornin`

It`s great to know that I found such a great community!

ARCHIE · 02-12-2008, 10:22 AM

That's normal according to the books Mike.

The training books that I have read indicate it is normal for train
for 5-10 mins and then stop because the dog will loose interest!
It's so true. Buddy and I train no longer then that each day.
He's so excited to start but you can see him loose interest about
6 -7 mins later

He even walks away from treats!
However, he does remember what we did from one day to the next

stedmansmommy · 02-13-2008, 08:11 AM

Stedman has a very good attention span. Tatum on the other hand - if you don't sum up whatever you are trying to do with her in a minute or two.... she's outta there

View Poll Results: What is your Yorkie's attention span?
My Yorkie has NO attention span!	18	19.57%
1-5 minutes	46	50.00%
6-10 minutes	13	14.13%
11-20 minutes	7	7.61%
Longer than 20 minutes	8	8.70%
Voters: 92. You may not vote on this poll

02-08-2008, 02:30 AM	#1
alaskayorkie Race to 7,000 champ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 9,250 Blog Entries: 20	Attention span poll I've been working with Eddie hard trying to teach him some new tricks before the Pet Idol finals on Saturday, and I'm noticing he has a short attention span. If work with him for 5 minutes, he is generally pretty sharp. From 5-10 minutes, I start to lose him. More than that, and I might as well quit. Has anyone else noticed that their Yorkie has a short attention span when you're trying to work on a difficult lesson? How about at obedience training? Does your pup keep its focus for the whole class? __________________ Meet Eddie and Jack: www.dogster.com/?159686 My youtube vids: http://www.youtube.com/alaskayorkie Our picture site: http://web.mac.com/mlewishome Last edited by alaskayorkie; 02-08-2008 at 02:32 AM.

02-08-2008, 03:01 AM	#2
sherrijmkassie Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: canada Posts: 1,613	Kass has no attention span. Her only intent is to get the treat and she cant focus beyond that. __________________ Sherri & Kassie

02-08-2008, 06:20 AM	#6
jencar98 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,635	When it comes to training, both Ruby and Reno have about 5 minutes of good focusing time. Now, when it comes to the birds outside the window, feeding at the birdfeeder, Ruby could bark at them literally for hours! I'm thinking I need to get a bird to train her. __________________ ~Ruby & Reno~ http://www.okyorkierescue.org/

02-08-2008, 06:29 AM	#7
Izzy Princess Therapy Dog Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,219 Blog Entries: 1	I voted more than 20 minutes.....Izzy can go about 45-60 and that's pushing it. She was in puppy training since I got her at 5 mos. Puppy I, II and CGC classes run 1 hour and she is very good during that hour but with all the doggies in class you can tell that about 45 minutes into the class attention span starts to fade fast. I think what keeps Izzy focused (and most of the dogs in training classes) is that we go from one trick/command to another. We focus on one trick for about 10 minutes and then move on to another. We do take a few minutes of break time between each one. At home I can go about 20 mminutes from being distracted because she is so worried that her cat peeps are doing something and she's not involved. Just keep adding a few minutes each training session with special treats and I'm sure Eddie's attention span will expand. Do you use treats as a reward? Or just verbal? __________________ Cyndi &.... Izzy (Secwetary & Charter Membwer of the Dirty FurKids Cwub)-Jusz say NO ta bein' cwean!)Izzy's diggin on Diggy, Gizmo, Moose, Remi, Jack & Eddie...yeah...she gets around& proud member of the *CrAzYcLu*B! ~The PINK club~SRC

02-08-2008, 06:01 AM	#5
011011 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 1,344	MIne all have too long attention spans I get tired out before they do.And I got 7 of them

02-08-2008, 10:45 AM	#9
Gypsy & Me Plus Kayla & Amelia Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nottinghamshire, UK Posts: 6,438	Gypsy's got pretty good attention span... I on the other hand... ohhh, what's that.... __________________ .Gypsy. & .Kayla. Vicky 4babytalk.com

02-08-2008, 12:54 PM	#10
katcarasella Kat's Double Trouble Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,099	When it comes to training, with Maggie I'd say 10 minutes. But if there's a squirrel or raccoon in a tree outside, she'll sit staring at it all day. Same for her favorite cloth squeaker toy if its under the couch, she'll just lie there with her head on her paws as though she's willing it to come out. Bailey, on the other hand, has ADD. __________________ :.Maggie, You Stole My Heart but I Love You Anyway!! Kat owned by Maggie Bailey Double Trouble Team!! ~ Freedom is Not Free ~ Thank A Vet Today ~

02-08-2008, 01:49 PM	#12
labrown T&T-DYNOMITE! Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 1,666	I like to call Tbone Attention Defecit Dog. It is his superhero name. __________________ TBone Tina & Lauren

02-12-2008, 10:15 AM	#13
joehighz YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: none Posts: 1	great forum Mornin` It`s great to know that I found such a great community!

02-12-2008, 10:22 AM	#14
ARCHIE Owned by "Buddy" Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 9,943	That's normal according to the books Mike. The training books that I have read indicate it is normal for train for 5-10 mins and then stop because the dog will loose interest! It's so true. Buddy and I train no longer then that each day. He's so excited to start but you can see him loose interest about 6 -7 mins later He even walks away from treats! However, he does remember what we did from one day to the next __________________ Carol Buddy ~MEMBER OF THE S.R.C. AND TEAPOT CLUB~

02-13-2008, 08:11 AM	#15
stedmansmommy I Love My Lil' Punkin's Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Yorkie Land :) Posts: 12,707 Blog Entries: 4	Stedman has a very good attention span. Tatum on the other hand - if you don't sum up whatever you are trying to do with her in a minute or two.... she's outta there __________________ Mommy Loves Stedman & Tatum! Stedman 's Maddie 4 Ever! Click here to join us on Myspace! Tatum 's Andrew 4 Ever!