Obedience with Rose in 4H?

Ritz459 · 12-21-2004, 05:15 PM

My mom called the Leader Dog place today and did the phone interview or whatever with them and to let them know that we were still interested in the puppy raising. After they had been talking a while, the lady said that it was strongly encouraged that the puppy raisers inter their puppy in the 4H obedience program. She also said that we wouldn't have the puppy in time for 4H this year, but if I wanted to do it with one of my dogs and get a feel for it, that would be good.
Anyways, what I was wondering is this:
Is Rose (she is 6yrs old) to old to do obedience in 4H?

And:
She is kind of timid. As in, if we take her anywhere new, she freaks out and has to be right there on Mom's lap the whole time. If I was to do 4H with her, how can I build up her confidence so she can concentrate when we are there? I'd need to build up her confidence if I wanted to do obedience with her. She is just way to timid to be good at it in a strange place right now. How would I resocialize a 6yr old timid dog?

Barrett · 12-21-2004, 05:47 PM

Start taking her places with you. Take her to shopping centers and parks and different neighborhoods and let her sniff around and walk with you. Let her meet new people and give them treats to feed to Rose. The whole time you are in the new place give Rose praise and treats when she isn't acting scared and is listening to you. Start out slow at first and only stay for a little bit. Gradually increase the time that she has to experience new places and people and dogs. Make sure you watch her body language and if she is acting too scared don't let people/kids pet her until she relaxes a bit.

GSD · 12-21-2004, 05:51 PM

You kind of answered your own question, you said she's too timid and needs her confidence built up. Will you be able to build it in time, I don't think anyone can tell you that. Think of places, controlled places you can bring her few distractions and let her investigate and start to learn that things are ok. Use lots of rewards and praise, set her up to do well. don't put her in a position that you'll have to correct her for something. Have friends help you. Maybe get to know some of the people in the OB club and introduce your dog to them before the class starts. Think of exposing your dog to everything you can, in very small amounts at first and let her get comfortable and build from there.

TinyAlbinoDancer · 12-21-2004, 07:23 PM

And beware of those 4H classes- be sure they use only positive reinforcement methods. I knew a friend of a friend who had a dog in a 4H class, and the instructor picked the dog up by the LEASH and let it dangle in the air (what purpose this serves I cannot figure out). The only thing worse than that was that the owners and other people in the class didn't do a thing to stop it. If he'd done half that to my dog I'da beat the tar out of him, and they just stand there like he's the all-knowing obedience instructor and can do anything he wants or actually knows what he's doing. *rolls eyes*

And I definitely agree with Barrett and GSD on socializing her. Don't ever force her to do anything, just reward her for calm behavior in those situations, and be reassuring without rewarding the nervous behavior. You want her to associate new places and people with GOOD things, so make each experience positive.

Good luck!

Rip's Girl · 12-22-2004, 12:04 AM

I second Kalena's on this one, definitely beware of some 4-H classes. If you can't find a 4-H class that uses mainly positive reinforcement, then I would recommend skipping it, and showing Rose in regular OB, or Rally. (They have fun matches, if you aren't interested in seriously competing)
And "yep" on the socializing. Be sure to make every experience going out a fun one for her, bring something that she likes (food, a toy, etc.) and make sure to praise her when she is relaxed and behaving well.

Oh, and she is not too old! I started teaching Shiner obedience when she was about 10 years old.

Ritz459 · 12-22-2004, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

And beware of those 4H classes- be sure they use only positive reinforcement methods. I knew a friend of a friend who had a dog in a 4H class, and the instructor picked the dog up by the LEASH and let it dangle in the air (what purpose this serves I cannot figure out). The only thing worse than that was that the owners and other people in the class didn't do a thing to stop it. If he'd done half that to my dog I'da beat the tar out of him, and they just stand there like he's the all-knowing obedience instructor and can do anything he wants or actually knows what he's doing. *rolls eyes*

I never thought about that! I won't compete with her if they use the leash jerking methods. She would break down completly if I did that to her. Talk about a way to destroy her confidence completley!

I wouldn't take crap from an instructor if he/she did that to my dog. If Rose doesn't sit when I tell her to so they go, "Oh, give her a scruff shake," I'd leave then and there.
I hardly ever even tap Rose on the butt to get her to mind because all I have to do is say, "Hey!" in a 'meaner' tone and she stops doing whatever she was doing.

I just wanted to know what you guys thought about entering her and if she would be able. And thanks for the warning about the 4H classes! I guess I just assumed it would be positive re-enforcment.

flyndog · 12-22-2004, 12:32 PM

Barrett's right. But be sure to go slow when introducing her to scary situations! Have strange people toss treats to her at first, not just walk up and give them to her. Let her learn that strangers are good before immersing her in them. Think about if you were afraid of bugs and somebody put you in a roomful of them and you couldn't get away. You'd probably scream and try to keep them from getting too close to you.

Kit

12-21-2004, 05:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ritz459 "Nothing is ever easy" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,899 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 240	Obedience with Rose in 4H? My mom called the Leader Dog place today and did the phone interview or whatever with them and to let them know that we were still interested in the puppy raising. After they had been talking a while, the lady said that it was strongly encouraged that the puppy raisers inter their puppy in the 4H obedience program. She also said that we wouldn't have the puppy in time for 4H this year, but if I wanted to do it with one of my dogs and get a feel for it, that would be good. Anyways, what I was wondering is this: Is Rose (she is 6yrs old) to old to do obedience in 4H? And: She is kind of timid. As in, if we take her anywhere new, she freaks out and has to be right there on Mom's lap the whole time. If I was to do 4H with her, how can I build up her confidence so she can concentrate when we are there? I'd need to build up her confidence if I wanted to do obedience with her. She is just way to timid to be good at it in a strange place right now. How would I resocialize a 6yr old timid dog?
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster),

12-21-2004, 07:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,580 Rep Power: 168	And beware of those 4H classes- be sure they use only positive reinforcement methods. I knew a friend of a friend who had a dog in a 4H class, and the instructor picked the dog up by the LEASH and let it dangle in the air (what purpose this serves I cannot figure out). The only thing worse than that was that the owners and other people in the class didn't do a thing to stop it. If he'd done half that to my dog I'da beat the tar out of him, and they just stand there like he's the all-knowing obedience instructor and can do anything he wants or actually knows what he's doing. rolls eyes And I definitely agree with Barrett and GSD on socializing her. Don't ever force her to do anything, just reward her for calm behavior in those situations, and be reassuring without rewarding the nervous behavior. You want her to associate new places and people with GOOD things, so make each experience positive. Good luck!
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

12-22-2004, 12:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rip's Girl Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,580 Rep Power: 144	I second Kalena's on this one, definitely beware of some 4-H classes. If you can't find a 4-H class that uses mainly positive reinforcement, then I would recommend skipping it, and showing Rose in regular OB, or Rally. (They have fun matches, if you aren't interested in seriously competing) And "yep" on the socializing. Be sure to make every experience going out a fun one for her, bring something that she likes (food, a toy, etc.) and make sure to praise her when she is relaxed and behaving well. Oh, and she is not too old! I started teaching Shiner obedience when she was about 10 years old.
	__________________

12-22-2004, 12:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 185	Barrett's right. But be sure to go slow when introducing her to scary situations! Have strange people toss treats to her at first, not just walk up and give them to her. Let her learn that strangers are good before immersing her in them. Think about if you were afraid of bugs and somebody put you in a roomful of them and you couldn't get away. You'd probably scream and try to keep them from getting too close to you. Kit
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

12-21-2004, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 158	Start taking her places with you. Take her to shopping centers and parks and different neighborhoods and let her sniff around and walk with you. Let her meet new people and give them treats to feed to Rose. The whole time you are in the new place give Rose praise and treats when she isn't acting scared and is listening to you. Start out slow at first and only stay for a little bit. Gradually increase the time that she has to experience new places and people and dogs. Make sure you watch her body language and if she is acting too scared don't let people/kids pet her until she relaxes a bit.

12-21-2004, 05:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
GSD Herding dogs Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: WI Posts: 1,147 Rep Power: 140	You kind of answered your own question, you said she's too timid and needs her confidence built up. Will you be able to build it in time, I don't think anyone can tell you that. Think of places, controlled places you can bring her few distractions and let her investigate and start to learn that things are ok. Use lots of rewards and praise, set her up to do well. don't put her in a position that you'll have to correct her for something. Have friends help you. Maybe get to know some of the people in the OB club and introduce your dog to them before the class starts. Think of exposing your dog to everything you can, in very small amounts at first and let her get comfortable and build from there.

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