Quote:
Originally Posted by deonk1  Thanks, it sounds like an ok way to do things, I guess when I used to train horses I followed that type of thought except we usually said "for 23 hours of the day she could be as much of a princess as she wanted, but 1 hour is mine no matter what" kinda thought.
My only concern is if he'll stop eating his kibble, or will just get too fussy. But this morning he had emptied his dish (from the night before) so I gave him his usual meal, but I sat on the floor and made him lay down before I gave his dish to him... if he lifted his bum I lifted the food. I got him to stay until it was completely on the floor and then said ok. (I need to figure out what my release word is going to be... I was thinking "free" because OK is too common.
So does it sound like I'm on the right track. I have an apointment this morning but this afternoon when I get a chance I'll read up on "nothing is free training"
If I do go with this trainer, my goal is to get some work done first, because I can't afford him until I get a new job. So I figure I'll start a foundation and he can help me work through it more.
My next question is when on the training scale do I know if he's ready for agility. I know he can't jump until he's older, but I don't want to rush into things until we have the basics. I did that too often with some of my horses, and it never turned out well. |
For group agility classes you want a reliable come, and sit, down too. You can work on things like the tunnel at home, and also work on the signal go right - go left. Dogs usually think this is just gr88 fun.
You are on the right track with the feeding. I always still even with my mature dogs make them do something for their meals. Could be the "wait" command and I might let them sit there for a minute with their food in front of them. I also work from a very early age to give to me on command some particularly yummy treat, like a bone. Here I start with exchanging a yummy bone, for either another yummy bone, or a nice smelly piece of sausage(they almost never get sausage, so its a really high reward treat). Now I can say "drop it" and my older dogs will drop the bone without a treat.
For jumping if you like you could set up something just an inch or two above the floor.
Keep "training" short 5minutes working up to 10 minutes. Also try to build toy drive. Then rewards are either toys or treats.
Hope that helps