Positioning the unsocialized dog

[MontanaRott]

This is a training issue with Scout. She will heel beautifully for Phil now on lead, that had been an issue in the past, if she felt pressure from the lead she pitched a fit or shut down.
After working with her off lead and building her confidence and gaining, WE THOUGHT, her trust, Phil has been trying to work on her positioning when they come to a halt.
He reached down and touched her rear to move her in, and that was it, she shut down, cowered and had zero interest in working anymore.
He jacked her up with her pin, prior to working with her, and tried to get her "up" again with it after she shut down and got nothing. She was gone.
So, we know this girl was totally unsocialized when we got her and had real issues with being touched and we have really been working on that and thought we had made signifgant progress, and in a lot of areas we have, we can cut her tonails now with out her screaming and peeing on herself, and can stroke her head to tail as she lays by us, without her growling as she did when we first got her.
So any suggestions as to how to position her, or is it that she still is not sure of the game? More touching? And when Phil was heeling with her he was using treats, and after she shut down on him, she would not take a treat from him!

[Sharon Marples]

Have tried using a dowl? We use the clear plastic ones that you can hold in your left hand (and hold the leash in your right). You'll need to get her used to it so that she does not think you are going to beat her and then, as he moves to a halt, gently touch her outside with it to move her closer into his body as he halts.

Takes a while for them to get used to it, but it works wonders. When we use it, we also say the word "in" and pretty soon, they will learn to move into you with you just using the word.

Hope this helps.

[alexav]

Check out this recent thread... http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/tra...sitioning.html

I'd tell Phil the same thing, only maybe a little nicer...

[MontanaRott]

We actually talked about him using a dowel with her, as he did with Guerin and Steve when doodling, but he was thinking that would REALLY freak her out. But it may be worth a try, maybe it is more about his hand than anything. Thanks Sharon!

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by alexav

Check out this recent thread... http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/tra...sitioning.html

I'd tell Phil the same thing, only maybe a little nicer...

I read that thread and will re-read it. She is not coming up the lead or unglued tho, she just quits. She gets really scared and quits. Scout was fearful of hands when we got her and those issues crop back up again at the strangest things.

[alexav]

Originally Posted by MontanaRott

I read that thread and will re-read it. She is not coming up the lead or unglued tho, she just quits. She gets really scared and quits. Scout was fearful of hands when we got her and those issues crop back up again at the strangest things.

No, I just meant my answers might help for now, sorry...I am running around like the proverbial chicken and I wasn't clear.
I didn't think Scouty would eat Phil! But the mental picture is amusing!

Gotta run....AGAIN!

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by alexav

No, I just meant my answers might help for now, sorry...I am running around like the proverbial chicken and I wasn't clear.
I didn't think Scouty would eat Phil! But the mental picture is amusing!

Gotta run....AGAIN!

LOL!! Well she MIGHT eat him, she is a tough chick. It has been mentioned to us that she might be a TAD manipulative and that we may want to take that into consideration and ignore her antics and keep going and she soon will step up and get back with the program. We need to get the picture of her as she was when we first got her, out of our heads and realize training will not kill her!

[alexav]

Remember the "game" I showed you when you were at my house?
That's what I'd do with little Scouty.
If she lands crooked, take another step, and another until she gets it right and wins her pin. You could also help her along with some food held down low (no bending please) or food on a dowel to lure her up into the right position a few times to help her get "the picture".
You may also want to think about a "shark line". It's a very thin wire with a tiny snap and a wooden dowel for a handle. I've seen it used to transition from on lead to off with much success.
When and if you move to a tab, you'll probably have to do some desensitizing so she doesn't cringe when Phil reaches for the tab. (I like a shark line better with the only transition being when she's ready, take it off. )
The UKC group I train with has some tiny little working dogs including a YORKIE with a UDX! I've learned alot by watching them.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by alexav

Remember the "game" I showed you when you were at my house?
That's what I'd do with little Scouty.
If she lands crooked, take another step, and another until she gets it right and wins her pin. You could also help her along with some food held down low (no bending please) or food on a dowel to lure her up into the right position a few times to help her get "the picture".
You may also want to think about a "shark line". It's a very thin wire with a tiny snap and a wooden dowel for a handle. I've seen it used to transition from on lead to off with much success.
When and if you move to a tab, you'll probably have to do some desensitizing so she doesn't cringe when Phil reaches for the tab. (I like a shark line better with the only transition being when she's ready, take it off. )
The UKC group I train with has some tiny little working dogs including a YORKIE with a UDX! I've learned alot by watching them.

Yup, remember the game and will give this a shot! Thanks C!

[alexav]

Oh, and here's the link if you decide on a shark line... J and J dog Supply

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by alexav

Oh, and here's the link if you decide on a shark line... J and J dog Supply

Excellent, thanks for the link.