|
|
#221432 - 12/25/08 03:50 PM
Re: GSD targeting the string not the orbee ball...
[Re: Neil Putnam]
|
Will Rambeau
Registered: 01/25/03
Posts: 5336
Loc: Idaho
|
Offline
|
|
Ball up most of the string into your fist so that the dog can only bite the ball ( watch your fingers! ) - this is how Bernhard solves that problem.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#221441 - 12/25/08 09:46 PM
Re: GSD targeting the string not the orbee ball...
[Re: Neil Putnam]
|
Will Rambeau
Registered: 01/25/03
Posts: 5336
Loc: Idaho
|
|
Offline
|
|
Neil,
My dog wouldn't even look at a ball until he was about a year old - he was a terror on a jute tug though, and I have the scars to prove it.
Now he's a ball maniac, so maturity and practice can sometimes bring a dog around...
So is the ball absolutely needed? Nope - but it is easier overall than using a tug for everything and it's worth your time to try and get your dog in tune with the ball, if possible.
The "ball on the string" is favored by Bernhard as he can whip it into action *fast* ( really...really...fast!  ) and reward his dog at the instant that it does the correct behavior ( think "Marker Training" as done by a Mute with the reflexes of a cobra.....). Few of us will ever have his speed for this type of reward, but for those that can master the skill set, it's a wonder to see.
I hope that helps, and if your dog has a full and deep grip on the tug, you're better off than many dog/handler teams, so be glad for that point! 
Good luck!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#231277 - 03/13/09 08:20 AM
Re: GSD targeting the string not the orbee ball...
[Re: Scott Garrett]
|
Jennifer Mullen
Leerburg Web Board User
Registered: 08/16/07
Posts: 2342
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|
|
Offline
|
|
I think, if I remember correctly, what my FR trainer said about Neb going for the string/line of a toy, or more up by my hands, is b/c it's more stable in terms of movement and easier to target. I'm probably butchering his explanation, so if I'm off, blame me, but it makes sense.
I found shortening the string/line helped, and I also did a lot of pulling with the rag (aka not as airborne), so that the rag stayed stable and he got into the habit of targetting the rag.
As well, when Neb was little and we were building drive, I let him win 100% of the time as per our trainer. If he properly targetted and got whatever we were using, he 'won' it. So I don't think dropping the string is a bad thing at this juncture.
But I'm totally not the expert on this one, so hopefully someone else can weigh in.
_________________________
Teagan!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#231306 - 03/13/09 12:33 PM
Re: GSD targeting the string not the orbee ball...
[Re: Scott Garrett]
|
Alyssa Myracle
Leerburg Web Board User
Registered: 06/06/08
Posts: 3280
Loc: WA, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Lots of young pups have a tendancy to be "cat-like" in their early prey work.
In fact, somewhere around here I think there is a thread started by me, complaining that my GSD puppy was swatting and pouncing on the tug instead of biting.
They get over it.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Cindy Easton Rhodes, Ed Frawley, Kelly At Leerburg
|
15680 Members
165 Forums
25005 Topics
262574 Posts
Max Online: 945 @ 07/29/07 04:46 PM
|
|
|
I'll try keeping it lower and will less string. If he doesn't have to stand up, he won't. Makes perfect sense.
