Interesting advice at training tonight

[Rivsky]

I am curious as to what other people think about some advice given to a lady at training tonight. Her question was how she could make herself more exciting and interesting to her dog as apparently the dog is quite an independent one and tends to much prefer her own company to that of her owner.

The trainer basically dished out the usual advice about making yourself the pack leader - you know all the usual don't let your dog on the furniture, walking through doorways first, not letting them win tug, waiting for their dinner, people eating first etc.

My question is how the heck does doing these things make yourself more exciting to your dog? I've broken just about every "rule" our trainer advised this person against doing and I have a dog that when he gets really hyped up at school would rather play with me than with the other dogs - now isn't that the key? To make yourself MORE fun not more controlling???

I was just wondering what everyone else thought about this - I'm not sure whether I've completely missed something here or not!!

[Cassiepeia]

I agree with you. That doesn't sound like it would help much. It might have the opposite effect. I'd be trying to make myself more fun to be around rather than what that trainer advised. Although, I may be missing the point too. LOL It'll be interesting to see, if the woman does as advised, if it works. If not, maybe you can give her some tips?

Cass.

[Dogsareme]

I Totally agree with you too. That does not make yourself more interesting to the dog... she is not having control issue, just lack of being intresting issues.
I would say she should start something like agility, or do shaping with her dog, something that gets her dog to start looking at her more and paying more attention to her because she always has something new and exciting. Or even take her dogs on more walk, but ask for walk and do training during the walk (most dogs tune owners out on walks so sometimes its a challenge to teach your dog you are there). Even playing fetch or other ball games with her dog would help make her more interesting.

[Rivsky]

Thanks guys - I might discreetely ask this lady how she's going before class next time - I didn't particularly want to openly disagree with this trainer - it's already obvious we have VERY differing views on how to train dogs and I didn't want her to think I was just being difficult!!

[CdnRottieMom]

Originally Posted by Rivsky

Thanks guys - I might discreetely ask this lady how she's going before class next time - I didn't particularly want to openly disagree with this trainer - it's already obvious we have VERY differing views on how to train dogs and I didn't want her to think I was just being difficult!!

Rivsky -- I've learned that no matter what obedience class you enroll your dog in, there are going to be some things you agree and don't agree with that the trainer strongly believes in. I have heard that phrase a lot from trainers and on other forums and you're right, it doesn't help the person who is having the focusing problem with their dog. As it doesn't give the handler ideas of things to try. What I found helped for me was finding a treat that Neyla loves, some days it's pieces of hotdog but lately it has been tiny pieces of string cheese (or just tiny cheddar cheese). I use these treats only for training sessions at home and class. I will gradually weed it out by sometimes treating and sometimes not, and sometimes giving a different treat that she enjoys but doesn't enjoy as much as cheese and hotdogs. It should keep her interest towards me, as she will not know during the anticipation of the treat if she will get her favourite treat or just a treat she likes. I also found that lately that doing some free shaping tricks (shake a paw, playing her piano, high fives) after her regular obedience training sessions at home, makes learning and paying attention to me more fun for her.

[c0_re]

Well for starters outside of class what does does this lady actually do with her dog(s), somtimes it takes more than cuddle time on the couch and throwing the ball in the back yard to build strong bonds and focus.

If the dogs a puppy or young adult I've seen them go through independent stages and what not.

[calgal]

I was talking to my husband just last night about this very subject. I ask him if we were doing the right thing by letting ours sleep with us, eating before we do, go out the door first and so on. He said, does it look like we have created an unruly dog? Ours are the sweetest things. They love everyone and every animal. I've never heard them even growl in anger. I think as long as the dog is happy and not causing problems in any way, then take care of them as you really want. In your case the dog is just independent. Let him be himself all the while make play a lot of fun. Roll on the ground with him if need be. If he sees how much fun you are to play with he will want to play with you more. I think a lot of people need to just relax a bit with their dogs unless the dog is out of control and needs basic training or a behaviorist.

[Rivsky]

You've all come up with some interesting points - particularly c0_Re - I think you've actually hit the nail on the head - I think she really is comparing her current dog with her old one who just naturally wanted to always be with her with very little effort on her part. I hope she'll be at training next week so I can try and find out how she's going.

[flyndog]

You can help your classmate be more interesting to her dog without disagreeing with the trainer's answer by showing her how to be more interesting that anything else in the dog's environment. Depending on what's going on in the environment, sometimes that is a high value treat, but more often it is just being more animated, talking in a voice that the dog responds to, clapping hands, making smooching noises, whatever it takes to be more interesting than, as one author put it, a pile of dog poop. It's been my experience that most people in group classes, especially beginning classes, are too worried about making a fool of themselves and are way too serious to make it fun for the dog.

Kit

[StephanieandTeddy]

Could it be that since the dog is "ignoring" her owner, when her owner initiates play, that the trainer thinks that using NILIF will get the dog more focused on her?
When I am walking dogs, the "top" dogs ignore the others unless it is on THEIR terms.

Knocking the dog down a peg on the ladder might make them try harder to please...


Just another take on the situation...

[Rivsky]

Thanks S&T - it's funny cos I was talking to my BF about this and your theory was along the same lines as his - something I certainly hadn't thought about that's for sure.

Hopefully I'll be able to find out tonight how this dog is doing it'll certainly be interesting that's for sure!

[c0_re]

I'd have to agree with what StephanieandTeddy said also I certainly don't want to discard what the trainer is saying(being I wasn't even thereand am not a trainer), I'm sure that plays "some" role although how much is impossible to tell.

Sounds like she needs to find somthing to challenge her dog outside of class, that and like you said dogs are just different.

I especially notice a difference in dogs raised without the regular company of other dogs they seem to gravitate more\be more focused towards their owners than dogs raised along side of other dogs.

Well thats my aniqdotal(sp?) example for the day ;-)