Mommy, HEEEEEEEEEEELP!

[Dieselpup]

Don't know where to post this, and thought this would be the most appropriate forum.

Today I took Busta out training around some dogs that are preparing for a conformation show in April. Busta will be competeting in the Beginners obedience trial.

Well, I have been extremely busy with a part time job and I just started a business, so I haven't had time to take Busta out of the yard as often as I'd like.

Anyway, today I did the recall with him. We did two "fronts." In the first one his back was to the other dogs, and he performed beautifully. The second one I decided to leave him in a sit/stay facing the other dogs.

He stayed alright. Then I called him....

He bounded to me, ears flopping in the wind, big goofy smile on his face. He ran straight to me, then past me towards a German Shepherd he saw tethered to a fence. That dog started barking at him and alerted another dog that was tethered to a nearby van. Both big German Shepherds barked at Busta ferociously. And, what did Busta do????

My precious innocent boy froze in place and looked behind him at me (I was already walking towards hime) with the sudden realization that he was in over his head in this situation. It was as if to say, "Mommy, please help me out of this"

Just goes to show me that these sweet dogs with all their bulk, confidence and power, really look to their humans for protection and guidance.

[SABELLESMOM]

As you continue to train, he will learn this is NOT playtime. It is worktime. His focus should be on you, not GSD's tethered nearby.

He sounds young and new to these situations. That's why he "broke." (left training and went to find a playmate.) He will need many, many proofings to proove he is reliable in OB. How old is he? How long have you been training? I would be interested. GOOD LUCK! You'll fix the problem I'm sure.

To the tethered dogs, because they are tethered and therefore, what space they have is their's. They will not take kindly to another dog, play mode or not, threatening to enter that space. He understands DOG language. He knew he was being warned off and hopefully wasn't looking for protection. He should be sensible, strong, and confident! I think he was simply responding to the warnings he recieved...that's sensible.

[CanineCoach]

I may be mistaken, but wasn't Busta the one who decided to make an exit on his own out of the ring a few months ago? (Mind you, I can't remember what I ate for lunch yesterday....) But if this is the boy, sounds like he's eiothr got a mind of his own or maybe gets distracted by anything shiny! Like me at the mall!

[Dieselpup]

CanineCoach! I envy your memory Yes, this was the lil bugger who decided to leave the ring back in Dec. 2006 (his first trial with a NQ).

Busta turned 2 years on Feb. 15. He entered the Novice obed. in July and placed 4th, gaining full points for the recall--the very exercise that he NQ'd on a few months earlier.

Yes, I agree, he needs proofing to be reliable. I would NEVER, NEVER do a recall off-leash in an otherwise public space, because I simply don't trust him. I took him off leash on Sunday because I knew the other dog owners, and they knew Busta (and someone would grab him if he was about to get into trouble before I reached him). Furthermore, we were in a large fenced-off field.

Consistent proofing is a challenge for me with my work schedule and the distance I live from good places to work him. Furthermore, I'm on my own with training. I do not like the jerk-and-pull methods currently being used here, and have been using the clicker method. HOWEVER, I'm currently one of two people doing clicker training in Jamaica! So, I'm really on my own. Busta's my cross-over dog.

It's a slow process for me here, but I won't give up. Busta's a smart dog, and I think if he had the right trainer, he'd shine.

Sorry for my long post, but thanks for your indulgence.

PS. I "correct" his misdemeanor by putting him on a 26ft flexi and doing a series of fronts. Praising him like crazy when he sat in front of me.

[CanineCoach]

Sounds like you're having fun! My Molly is handicapped by her trainer, as well, but she makes the best of it. What we lack in precision, we make up for in having the best time with each other. How bad can it be for you and Busta anyway, you're living in Jamaica?!!

[Dieselpup]

Yes, there at times I'm grateful to own dogs in Jamaica--don't have to walk 'em in subzero temperatures and my home, like most others here has a high wall around it's perimeter so I can let the dogs roam my yard freely (still have to watch that they don't rearrange the garden).

And there's so much that's frustrating, too, like watching my old Rottie have seizures at 3:00 in the morning and not being able to get ahold of an emergency vet, and ultimately having to euthanize the dog.

I'm trying to remember to have fun with my dogs. Sometimes my desire for perfection from my dogs makes me lose sight of my original vision for them. Since switching to the clicker, I'm finding that Busta enjoys his training sessions more. Significantly, too, don't know if this was as a result of the switch, but after re-training using the clicker, he placed 4th in Novice after NQ a few months earlier under the jerk and pull method.

I'm beginining to think that perhaps his running out the ring is a "calming" exercise for him. The intensity of the competition gets to him, and this is his first opportunity to "run like hell."