Acting bored and/or distracted with exercises

[miccmill]

I'm going to ask the trainer(s) this question this week but I'd like to run it by people here too.

We're in Basic Obedience for the 4th time (not in a row). Hannah's got the idea and HAS had the idea of what she's supposed to do.
We do two short sessions (10-15minutes) per day.
This week and even starting in class last week, she's been acting bored with the routine.
Example: When I have her sit stay and walk out in front to the end of the leash, she's just looking around everywhere but at me. Twice, when I've said "Down" she will go into the "BANG" position, down and over with feet sticking in the air. She's pretty slow to go down from a sit and if I lean over to give a leash direction she'll just pop up and trot over to me, thus breaking her sit.

I guess my question is, is she getting bored? Am I not making myself more interesting than the distractions? Is she just unable to keep her attention on work?

My goal was to NOT move her out of Basic Obedience class until I could see her tail come out from between her legs, in class, and that might happen this session. I figured that was enough work for awhile.

[Judi W]

Since she knows these exercises ............ I would only do them 3 times a week or less and on the other days start teaching her something new. How about a retrieve? Not necessarily a dumbell although that is a good idea, but gloves, the newspaper, signals................ limited only by your imagination. Then you can add in the basic stuff in between the fun new stuff (but only the basics three times a week)

[miccmill]

Oh, I'm making her repeat things way to often. She's starting to invent an obedience routine all her own.

We've just started having her retrieve things in the house. We've put her toys at the far side of another room and had her go get them, by name. She's pretty interested in this game and shows a lot of enthusiasm.

[Ilovemypuppy]

I agree, you are over training..repeating the same things over and over and I would also suggest that you do fewer sessions and even shorten those. Every once in a while...just go for a nice walk instead and use the suggestions with learning new things...train in different areas...use different treats. Gotta keep it interesting, fun and very up beat :o)

[flyballmom]

On that same thougth, I have to use "the rule of 3" with Blitz on exercises she knows. More than 3 reps of doing something right and she will then either completely blow me off, or make up some other way to do it. And we try to make boring old repetition FUN by playing tug after the exercise is over.

[miccmill]

Thank you Judi and Jory. I get it! (smacking self on forehead).

She's a pretty interested in learning new things and it helps her confidence. This week she's kind of been like "what's the point?" I don't want to squash the enthusiasm.

[miccmill]

Originally Posted by flyballmom

On that same thougth, I have to use "the rule of 3" with Blitz on exercises she knows. More than 3 reps of doing something right and she will then either completely blow me off, or make up some other way to do it.

Yes, I notice this too. Even playing fetch, 3 perfect fetches and then she gets creative and we have to move on.

[Judi W]

The reason you are continuing on at that level has nothing to do with her learning the exercises. She knows them. It is simply to continue to desenitize her to others. Remember that part. When my dog really knows the work, I might only train twice a week.

In class, when the class is repeating beyond what works for her, simply step back and do something else - even some relaxing techniques. Whilst Goldens can repeat forever, a Rottweiler will hate it. In fact, if you repeat after they've done it right, they very well might start to think that you want something different - and give it to you!!!

Too much drilling on heeling can make you end up with no heeling at all. Too many finishes and you'll lose your front. etc.

Spend you at home stuff doing new things or better yet, going new places.

[miccmill]

In class, when the class is repeating beyond what works for her, simply step back and do something else

Funny you should say that. I did that for a minute last week when everyone else was working on something else and she really perked up. I saw her ears AND her tail.

[flyballmom]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Too much drilling on heeling can make you end up with no heeling at all.

And I thank you for this reminder. Heeling is our weak point, so of course something I want to practice practice practice. I am trying to beat into myself that my 18 month old baby brain will SHINE if I give her time enough.

[miccmill]

Glenn can actually get her to heel AND look up at him with lots of attention.

He doesn't ask for it often and has a good feel for when to quit.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Originally Posted by miccmill

Glenn can actually get her to heel AND look up at him with lots of attention.

He doesn't ask for it often and has a good feel for when to quit.

And that's the trick!

When I train with Bailey...if I get a real nice heeling pattern first time round...we celebrate and do something else. Each dog is different, but, I have also found that fewer training sessions works best and short and sweet, along with learning new things on a regular basis and often in the form of a game. Actually, to me, training is 'play' with rules.


As Judi said, other breeds, like Goldens, will go on and on with repetitions.

Rotties don't see the point in repeating after they have gotten it right. They are the ready to 'add on'