Coming when called is such an important behavior - especially when certain distractions are present that I am putting on the breaks of letting Deuce run free (off-leash) until he is more keen in giving me his attention – eye contact on a regular basis no matter what is going on around us!
I have found that some dogs are hyper- stimulate by their environment that they kind of truly “forget” that someone actually drove them to the beach or the trail and they would be happy as clams if they could just be dropped-off and picked-up when they are done… many hours later. Not the dog’s fault really, just being a
dog… following their noses religiously, making sure they leave their mark on every single shrub and chasing after anything that moves. The bottom line however is that whatever behavior one reinforces…the more of that behavior will be [come] the “default” behavior. This applies just the same to cracking the difficult nut of having your dog return to you when you want or need him to.
I teach recall classes (come when called) at least twice a year because they are fun, I have a great place to do so and people really know they need to have their dog and them learn the skills to become successful at this. So these days, Deuce is being put through the same program I teach. It also makes me feel good that
I am keeping it real by evaluating where Deuce needs more help and more training AND in moving forward with the training.
What it has been reinforcing for me is that in just two outings he is beginning to “get it”. Now he is beginning to realize that I actually chose the trail and took him and Rio there. I take his glances as his “acknowledgment” that I was the one with the brilliant idea of taking a hike and the one with the clicker, the treats and tug toy.
One of my biggest challenges here is Deuce’s over-stimulation and curiosity of his surroundings that even the best treats are second best. So sticking to a good dose of common sense and learning theory (how animals learn) is of the utmost important. I must very carefully plan our sessions/outings and control his environment to a “t”. In other words: no free lunches until he has been handsomely reinforced for minding me and coming back when called at rocket speed.
As I have expressed in many past blogs, the experience of working with dogs- especially my own becomes a parallel process with my own learning, my flexibility, frustration and yes, elation.
Most importantly, regardless of what I am feeling at the time of training it is super important that I remain focused on the process. This is how we move forward. How we get results. Reminding myself that the process of learning is never just linear (from point “A” to “B” to…) without turns, stops and hills is essential. Sort of two steps forward, one backwards and more discovery and challenges. What I am doing with Deuce is relatively straight-forward: No off-leash romps until… we improve Mr. and click every single time he
choose or I ask him for eye contact, followed by a reward of walk (and explore within the constraints of a longish leash) or a piece of a very tasty and novel treat. Sure enough two outings and his eye contact is becoming a default response… the key to moving forward, investigating and some food.
As Deuce offers this behavior more regularly I call him for a quick recall followed by a quick release… because really, who wants to hang out next to mom when you are young, handsome and restless? So I get it and I let him go.
I have found that some dogs are hyper- stimulate by their environment that they kind of truly “forget” that someone actually drove them to the beach or the trail and they would be happy as clams if they could just be dropped-off and picked-up when they are done… many hours later. Not the dog’s fault really, just being a
dog… following their noses religiously, making sure they leave their mark on every single shrub and chasing after anything that moves. The bottom line however is that whatever behavior one reinforces…the more of that behavior will be [come] the “default” behavior. This applies just the same to cracking the difficult nut of having your dog return to you when you want or need him to.
I teach recall classes (come when called) at least twice a year because they are fun, I have a great place to do so and people really know they need to have their dog and them learn the skills to become successful at this. So these days, Deuce is being put through the same program I teach. It also makes me feel good that
I am keeping it real by evaluating where Deuce needs more help and more training AND in moving forward with the training.
What it has been reinforcing for me is that in just two outings he is beginning to “get it”. Now he is beginning to realize that I actually chose the trail and took him and Rio there. I take his glances as his “acknowledgment” that I was the one with the brilliant idea of taking a hike and the one with the clicker, the treats and tug toy.
One of my biggest challenges here is Deuce’s over-stimulation and curiosity of his surroundings that even the best treats are second best. So sticking to a good dose of common sense and learning theory (how animals learn) is of the utmost important. I must very carefully plan our sessions/outings and control his environment to a “t”. In other words: no free lunches until he has been handsomely reinforced for minding me and coming back when called at rocket speed.
As I have expressed in many past blogs, the experience of working with dogs- especially my own becomes a parallel process with my own learning, my flexibility, frustration and yes, elation.
Most importantly, regardless of what I am feeling at the time of training it is super important that I remain focused on the process. This is how we move forward. How we get results. Reminding myself that the process of learning is never just linear (from point “A” to “B” to…) without turns, stops and hills is essential. Sort of two steps forward, one backwards and more discovery and challenges. What I am doing with Deuce is relatively straight-forward: No off-leash romps until… we improve Mr. and click every single time he
choose or I ask him for eye contact, followed by a reward of walk (and explore within the constraints of a longish leash) or a piece of a very tasty and novel treat. Sure enough two outings and his eye contact is becoming a default response… the key to moving forward, investigating and some food.
As Deuce offers this behavior more regularly I call him for a quick recall followed by a quick release… because really, who wants to hang out next to mom when you are young, handsome and restless? So I get it and I let him go.
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