Trainer says Lacking Enthusiasm?

[LynnS]

Last night in class we were practicing heeling patterns individually (small class - only 4 students+4 dogs).

So our turn arrived and we executed the heeling pattern as instructed. I was pleased. Bella's position was good and her attention level was excellent (as other have advised I dont want her staring me in the face but she her head was tilted upwards watching me around hip level).

The instructor's comment was that we executed the heeling pattern well but she said Bella could be more up (enthusiastic).

So I asked her to define enthusiastic - and she said you want to see more bounce in her step and more of a smiley happy face. My first (albeit defensive) thought was She is a Rottweiler not a Poodle!

So I thought I would ask you guys what you thought. Bella is very focused and intense and she has a pretty serious look when we are training (actually she has a pretty serious look a lot of the time) - but she certainly is a willing participant....

[poohbearsmom]

Depending on the dog, you may need to up the "steaks" (hehe) in the reward dept... Find something she absolutely cannot resist...

Does she have a favorite toy/tug/ball that you could tease her with just before requesting the heel? then, after a few steps of bouncie bouncie, play with her, rinse and repeat getting more out of her as you go along.

Just some thoughts.

Elisabeth

[LynnS]

So Elisabeth, you think I should be getting more visible enthusiasm?

[jbach]

I've had Claus in training for about 4 weeks now. I got the same comment from my instructor more than once. Claus is obedient and does exactly what he's told. He went in to the class already knowing what we are covering (basic obed). You're right, he's a rottweiler, not like the little spastic pom or lab that's in our class. Claus listens intently and complies imediately 99% of the time. However, he's not the type to get all "springy" just because I want him to do something. Training for Claus is completely seperate from playing. In play mode, you'd think you had a 400lb gorilla on your hands(obedient here, too).
Last week she made the comment that Claus is the most laid back dog she has seen and would like to see him more eager. Well, the noble Rottweiler doesn't need to lower his standards because an instructor wants to see some pep!
I offered to "fire him up" and the instructor politely declined. I know your frustration because Claus has two different modes also. When he's obedience training, his mood is somber but very compliant. When we're having fun playing, he's full of smiles and wound up like an eight day clock. I personally see no need for my pet quality rottweiler to act like he's having the time of his life while he's being trained in obedience.

[Miabella]

I guess I'm no expert, but Ilsa is very attentive but not at all bouncy during heeling. I certainly have her attention, and she usually does look at my face, even though I don't require her to constantly crank her neck. But bouncy and prancing she is not, and I don't really expect her to be. I also know that my trainer's fantastic GSD who just finished her CDX is calmly attentive and has one of the smoothest and most elegant heeling styles I've seen. JMHO.

[LynnS]

Thanks for the feedback Miabella and JBach.

I am very excited about competing in obedience with Bella but this is my first experience training to competition level so I have no basis for comparison. I need to get my butt to a few shows so I can see what I should be expecting....

[Miabella]

Originally posted by LynnS
but this si my first experience training to competition level

Me, too! So certainly take what I have to say with a grain of salt. :D I'm interested in hearing what some of our more experienced competitors have to say about it.

[Judi W]

Sometimes it is something as simple as changing your footwork and body english. Enthusiastic does not mean silly Golden work, but it does mean the dog is showing energy and interest and yes, enthusiasm.

If I can get people to walk with a quick and shortened step so that the pace implies some urgency rather than a "stroll", the dog will usually respond to that and quicken its own pace. A cadance or snappy tune running through your head helps. Pretend that you are late for an appointment that you are happy to be going to. If the handler doesn't show energy, then neither will the dog.

[LynnS]

Thanks Judi

The kind of energy you described, I can get from Bella (when I have my head on straight enough to pick up my pace a little bit) - It also dawned on me that I get a lot more enthusiasm from her when we train outside of class. I think that this is my fault as I tend to be quieter and more serious in class - Ok I think I am on to something here LOL :p

There is one student with her Golden that never never shuts up - we put our dogs in down stays and she still never shuts up even though her mouth is closed LOL as a result of course her dog cant sit still because he is just squirming with excitement- I think I may be going to the other extreme by speaking very quietly to Bella (which is fine) but I may also be too reserved.

[1StRott]

Try using pieces of hotdogs, if your dog has high food drive this works wonders for getting there attention. Also make sure your sessions are before the eat. This should get you more of a response I guarantee you

[Judi W]

She said that the dog was very correct in position but lacking in energy. A dog that is correct to position cannot show more energy than the handler and still be correct. I would certainly work on handler driven attitude first as a dog that understands delayed rewards and works for the joy of it is way ahead for competition.

[LynnS]

Judi

You are 100% correct. Food is great to help teach correct behavior etc.. but we are past that point. I think I need to be a little more enthusiastic in class.

[Rottlva]

Hmmm... I'm new to the world of competitive obedience, but I'll tell you how we've upped the "enthusiasm".

Occasionally I will treat out of my mouth, mostly we jackpot. We have 2 types of jackpotting one is alot of one particular treat, the second is a rarely given food (typically left overs). I generally ask for a simple behavior, a sit, whatever and give a peice fo this jackpot... then I stick it in my purse, on a chair, wherever...THen I practice the exercise I generally have something I want to work on... Right now it is turning right on the figure eight....We are almost to the point where our pace is consistent with one anothers....Almost..... anyhow as I practice my pattern I am looking for correct position, steady pace and good focus. Unless I have all of these I won't jackpot..... Sooo.... when we get all of the things I am looking for... and then a little more ( I expect excellence for a jackpot) We run over like nuts and I pull out and feed the jackpot! I've found this anticipation gets us through exercises with alot of bounce in our step!! Heck! It's alot of fun!!


These high value prizes work wonders! One other thing that I wonder is your pace... are you boring the dog by not doing pace changes, directions ect....Maybe you are heeling for two long? Also, keep your voice upbeat... who wants to follow a robot around??

Well good luck! I think what really made our training sessions worth it was short, positive and out of this world fun!! ( Something I had to learn here!!!)

[LynnS]

I guess I am sort of failing at the "out of this world fun" part. I keep it interesting and entertaining and upbeat - and definately use a jackpot approach but it's not like we are having a celebration EVERY time we train.

[Rott-Wiley]

Originally posted by LynnS
................ My first (albeit defensive) thought was She is a Rottweiler not a Poodle!

I don't understand that part of your post at all??? Are you saying that a poodle has more enthusiasm them a rottie? The rotties are a working dog and if trained properly, there is no reason they can't compete against any other breed in the ring today. And be a H.I.T. dog.