May 19, 2020
QA 30 How to set up a training session ticket 23218
Full Question:
Training requires an alert dog ready and responsive to learn new things. How do you prepare your dogs for a training session in a morning or afternoon session?(1). Do you hold any feeding, and, if so, for how many hours?
(2). Do you play any “fun things” like “throw the ball, etc.” anytime before the training session?
(3). Any other thoughts on having an energetic and and motivated dog prior to training?
Randy
highKaboom@yahoo.com
Cindy's Answer:
Hi Randy,
I don't have a set answer to your questions because feeding and level of play away from training totally depend on the dog and their level of motivation for the training I plan on doing. I keep track of when the dog is most active and interested in engaging with me (for most dogs it's morning and evening but not always) I don't typically throw toys before obedience training because it takes the focus away from me and onto an object that is not with me. For a trained dog that needs to loosen up for protection sports or something like that I may throw a toy a few times to warm them up but typically I prefer interactive play with a tug or ball on a leather strap.
Some dogs need to be crated for a bit before training and others don't . Training is an activity that can mean different rituals and set up for different dogs and trainers, based on their goals, the dog's level of motivation, age and level of fluency. I've had dogs with so much food drive I would actually feed them a full meal before I did training with food, because otherwise they were too excited to focus.
I don't have a set answer to your questions because feeding and level of play away from training totally depend on the dog and their level of motivation for the training I plan on doing. I keep track of when the dog is most active and interested in engaging with me (for most dogs it's morning and evening but not always) I don't typically throw toys before obedience training because it takes the focus away from me and onto an object that is not with me. For a trained dog that needs to loosen up for protection sports or something like that I may throw a toy a few times to warm them up but typically I prefer interactive play with a tug or ball on a leather strap.
Some dogs need to be crated for a bit before training and others don't . Training is an activity that can mean different rituals and set up for different dogs and trainers, based on their goals, the dog's level of motivation, age and level of fluency. I've had dogs with so much food drive I would actually feed them a full meal before I did training with food, because otherwise they were too excited to focus.
User Response:
Thank you.
Cindy's Answer:
You're welcome!
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