9 y/o, new trick
 

By George, I think we finally got it! Here is Guinness catching a treat that is sitting on his nose. Hope you enjoy.

https://youtu.be/g8OIgLy1rH8


https://youtu.be/QLDF_QPgbLk

Love it!!!!!!

Thats awesome! Uni can hold the treat but can't get it into her mouth without it falling. But it was a challenge getting her to hold it on her nose.

Wow, that is really awesome !!!!!

Thanks everyone! We had a fun time trying to figure out this trick. By the way, that's Penny you hear barking in the background protesting because we put her in her ex-pen. Not only does she distracts Guinness, she is always at the ready to swoop in, picking up all the free dropped treats when he misses. :D



OMG! You are so right, having them hold the treat on their nose while keeping their snout leveled and not lowering their head IS most challenging. Priscilla, the trick is taught in 4 steps, Uni being able to balance the treat on her nose tells me she is half way there!

Yaay!! And they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks:rolleyes:

Please! Please! Tell me what are the other two steps!

The third step was were we got stuck...my failure because I had advanced too quickly so we back-tracked working on impulse control (his and mine) and holding position for longer duration.

In a nut shell, what you need to accomplish is to have your pup understand he/she is going to be rewarded with a higher value treat for holding their snout leveled while balancing the treat on his/her nose, to hold that position without going for it, for about 10 seconds is key to moving onto step 4.

Exercise:

Put the treat on his/her nose, tell them "leave it” have them hold that position a couple of seconds, then take the treat off, reward with a higher value treat and praise, praise, praise! Practice, repeat while adding seconds to the exercise...remember, the goal is to extending that hold for 10 seconds.

Tip: If possible, it is important to never let your dog get to that lower value treat that was balancing on their on their nose. This teaches them they get rewarded for dropping their head. If your pup is dropping treats, do your best not to let them pick it up and eat it. Grab it up or block.

Step 4 seems to happens naturally, often shortly after when the pups mastered step 3. After a while your dog will fixate on the treat on his/her nose. Look for that deep stare and concentration, when see it, give your command…. okay, take it, get it, whatever you choose. When they go for it, praise and reward, don’t worry too much if at first they miss the catch. You may need to tweak where on the nose you position the treat.


No pressure, but I know you are a fantastic trainer Priscilla. If anyone can do it , you can! I'll be here if you need tips or some trouble shooting. :p

Hmmm, that is really interesting about the high/low value treat. I had never thought of that. Uni seems to take anything nowadays, so I'll have to see if I can have her balance something non edible for practice. She's actually pretty good about holding the treat on her nose. We use "hold it" instead of "leave it", but I don't know if she's 10 seconds good. I'd say about 5 sec probably but never timed it!

Sorry I haven't posted sooner. I've been so busy this past two days with holiday gatherings and therapy visits.... so glad that's done!

It is impressive Uni being able to leave the treat alone on her nose, shows great restraint and is considered advance training. The 10 seconds wait is we do to ensure fingers don't get snapped off. More than likely, dogs will go for the treat as soon as you let go ...like a hair trigger mouse trap effect.

Can Uni catch treat being thrown towards her? If not, this may be what she needs to learn/practice. You want to get her to where she can catch a treat being released above her.

https://youtu.be/xTyP_fnnP9A

I'm going to steal your "hold it" command to replace "Leave it".... it makes more sense. Plus, it has been confusing for Guinness because the command "leave it" means to turn away, you can't have it, ever.

Yes, Uni can catch small kibble being tossed to her. She's only caught it once from atop her nose but now she will just look down to make the kibble fall to the floor then eat it. I'm guessing that way is easier and she's lazy?

Good boy Guinness! That is talent! Adorable boy. :)