April 12, 2011
My dog barks when I don't give him the ball when doing focus work. How do I stop this?
Full Question:
Dear Mr. Ed,I bought the DVD 'drive and focus' and it works fantastic I have only a small problem, I'm at the focus part and hold the ball above his head for 3 sec. later 5 sec. and so on and he is doing great now I try to keep the ball longer than 5 sec. He tries to jump and I do exactly as shown on the DVD I just lift my arm higher he starts to bark and bark, I think by giving him the ball would only mean to him 'ok, I bark and I get the ball' and not to give him that idea I must stop play training, I keep the ball and leave him in the backyard after half an hour I try again the same thing happens, how can I tackle this problem? Thanks.
Ed's Answer:
It's time to correct the dog and CAP this behavior. The correction strength depends on the temperament of the dog. A simple "NO or QUIET" may be enough, with some dogs it may be a prong collar correction.
If you correct too hard, the dog's drive goes away. Not hard enough and he continues to bark.
When the dog stops barking you do not immediately reward the dog. You make him sit there for a couple of seconds as you say GOOD QUIET. Then reward him. Giving the dog the ball the instant he stops is a mistake. He will get confused on what he is being rewarded for. We want to reward him for sitting quietly.
If you correct too hard, the dog's drive goes away. Not hard enough and he continues to bark.
When the dog stops barking you do not immediately reward the dog. You make him sit there for a couple of seconds as you say GOOD QUIET. Then reward him. Giving the dog the ball the instant he stops is a mistake. He will get confused on what he is being rewarded for. We want to reward him for sitting quietly.
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