Training going well...Question on distraction

[Sargeant_C]

Today at training Sarge learned sit and stay, without treats or hand signals, we have that as homework this week to keep it up. And we worked on paying attention to me while other distractions were around. He did wonderful. We even walked by a poodle and he ignored it and paid attention to me. I was totally amazed. We are also working on a firmer down and I did not have to bend down all the way. AMAZING. So basically we are going back to the beginning and learning a new way to do it.

Now at home she wants us to do some distractions which we did by her walking up to him or by him and things like this. She did not want me to distract DH and vice versa... Now she did suggest noises would be great.

My question is would noise subsitute for ppl? When out in the real world he will see ppl and hear noises. So should we try to get some ppl to distract him or is the noise thing good enough to work on attention?

I am amazed at how well he is doing.

[Judi W]

Training at home does not mean you can't leave your own property. People can be found all over the place. On walks in the neighborhood, in the park, near a shopping center or church......... use your imagination.

[Sargeant_C]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Training at home does not mean you can't leave your own property. People can be found all over the place. On walks in the neighborhood, in the park, near a shopping center or church......... use your imagination.

Well this makes sense. I do believe I have overfried my brain this week!

[Judi W]

hahahaha - yep you sure did. Over-thinking things again.

[Brooke&Ryan]

This thread reminded me of a Suzanne Clothier article I read awhile ago. I loved the poem that she wrote...

http://www.flyingdogpress.com/greeneggs.html

GREEN EGGS & HAM and DOG TRAINING?
by Suzanne Clothier

For most dog owners, Dr. Seuss's classic tale Green Eggs & Ham seems an odd place to look for inspiration. But as a Greek mathematician soaking in his tub found out centuries ago, inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places.

Trying to make it perfectly clear that he absolutely hates green eggs and ham, Sam I Am's friend describes where and how he still would refuse to taste this dish:

in a house
with a mouse
in a box
with a fox
with a goat
on a boat and so on. . .
Looked at from a slightly different viewpoint, Green Eggs & Ham might also be an accurate reflection of how many dogs view responding to a command. Here's a little spoof on what a dog might say:

I do not always heed commands
My dear but often silly man
I might not sit if near a goat
How could I lay down on a boat?
Perhaps I'd lay down in the house
But not if I have seen a mouse
Don't tell me "heel" when I've smelled fox
Or found the biscuits in the box
I'd find it odd to hear words said
If you were standing on your head
And wonder if "stay" means "do come here"
If you said it to me from a chair
I cannot always just obey
Whatever silly words you say
'Cause if I'm staring at the cat
I will not hear you - that is that!

It is easy to forget that we, just like our dogs, are creatures of habit. And while this is sometimes a good and helpful thing, it can also backfire - especially in a training situation. If we are using our bodies and/or voices in certain habitual ways while giving a command, the dog may depend upon ALL of those clues, even if we are not aware of them.

One simple and fun approach to improve your dog's response to your commands - no matter what's going on around him! - is to borrow ideas from Green Eggs & Ham. Ask your dog to sit here and there or everywhere! While you’re in a chair, while you do your hair, at the store or on the shore. For each skill your dog has, try to find new and interesting ways and places for him to practice. Be patient – this may be news to him! Step back as needed to helping and rewarding, and take note of how much your dog may be leaning on in the cues you’ve provided unawares.

Very often, when we think a dog “knows” something, we forget that this knowledge may be very contextual – he only knows it at home or in familiar settings, or when you’re standing in a certain way. Take the time to lay down on some grass, stare up at the clouds, and put your dog through his paces. It’s an eye opener to realize how patterned we are – and thus how patterned our dogs can become.

Just thought I would share. I always think of that poem when people say they are going to start working with distractions & in different situations.

[Sargeant_C]

Originally Posted by Judi W

hahahaha - yep you sure did. Over-thinking things again.

Great now you sound like my Constitutional Law prof. You always over think things Laura take it for its word. LOL

We are working on keeping his attention more then distraction. It is amazing what I am learning with her. I wish I would have went this way right from the beginning. I drove to DH work just to show off his new trick. But we need to work on Pay attention to me even while the world is mad. Let me handle it! Not you Mr Teenager who thinks you know everything.....

Wait maybe I should keep my teenager son away from him. LOL