Im looking for suggestions for new interesting things to do with my 6 yr old shepherd. We've exausted all the normal tricks and obedience lessons; I have only competed once and but now I can't afford the gas so we just do the excersices for fun. However, we've hit a plain where I can't think of much to teach her, she catches on so fast that the tricks get old fast...
For example I decided to teach the roll over trick (this was when I first got her) while holding the treat to keep her attention, I made the hand motion and said "roll over" while gently pushing her over. Bingo, next time (and I mean seconds later!) i gave the motion and voice command and she did it right; thats how its been for everyhting.
she is so smart and learns so quickly that we run out of nw things to do fast. there are some things like digging in her water bowl or switching on a light which I havent done because she accidently scratches the paint in the process. Ive opted out off teaching her to open gates for obvious reason ;D
is there anything challenging I can do? I dont have anytype of club in my area so that makes it a little harder to find things to do I think.

How about tracking?

Ive thought of that, I think I will try it.I know she can do it well. we used to live on a 14 acre ranch and sometimes I'd be out walking and I had my mom let her out the door about half an hour later and she tracked me (we watched) by scent fast so I know she has the instinct.
Do you think I should start by her tracking me or using food? I know she will do it with me, the only catch is that I want to be the one to handle her too...
What about this idea; what if I used to the game where I send her to different people using their names, like "go find Abby" and she goes and finds that person in the house or yard, and use that to start tracking in a feild (maybe some trees on one side) and when she starts out dirrect her to use scent to find the person. if the grass is tall enough it would leave a visible trail that would help me to know where to reinforce her keeping her nose...?

Sounds like fun, though I wouldn't worry about "directing" her, if you read Ed's article about tracking through drive, it is better if she doesn't have her nose to the ground. She will scent the wind to find the person and may not go in a straight line depending on the wind direction, etc. I think you would need to do some research on how to start out right so the dog doesn't get discouraged. By this I mean the distance the person should go, how hidden they should be, etc. I have heard it is best to start with the person in the open, for instance, and gradually have the person more hidden each time until the dog has to start using her tracking skills.

Make sure the person that hides has a nice toy or treat for her, so she is motivated to find them.

You could also teach her how to jog beside a bicycle, pull you on a scooter, name all her toys and have her bring them to you by name, build a cool obstacle course of jumps and tunnels, there are all kinds of ideas.

Good for you for spending time with your dog. Sounds like you both enjoy it.

we definitly do enjoy it!
I have read some about tracking; we've played on hide and seek on 14 acres; I made it pretty hard! she does use air scent mostly but Id gotten the impression that they were supposed to only use the ground...
I have trained her to pull a wagon but its really hot here and not much fun after awhile. I excersise her with a bike as well as running in feilds. she only likes the tennis ball, no other toys, and carries around with her. Ive taught her to find it anywhere in the house and yard and decided to try and do the same with my keys and cell phone (could be usefull, eh?)
we did some agility just for fun but shes started to sound like she jumping will be too stressful on her joints and such so we stopped although she does occasionally go over small jumps when i make an obstacle course but again, we (both) get bored just repeating tricks we've already learned.
We've had 6 years so I take it we're starting to run dry on new ideas ;P Ive oly ever been away from her for one month; she's gone everywhere with me for that whole time so theres not much we havent tried but sometimes you just want to go DO something new, you know?

Mary, here is Ed's article on tracking through drive. He states that the find ratio of TTD (tracking through drive) is MUCH higher than the find ratio of foot step tracking

http://www.leerburg.com/ttd.htm

Foot step tracking, where the dog's nose is to the ground, is used for sport dogs in sports like Schutzhund and Ring sport.

If I am not mistaken, search and rescue dogs would use tracking through drive because it is more successful and can be used over long distances.

Here is a list of Ed's articles on tracking.
http://www.leerburg.com/articles.htm#track

Edited by Angela Burrell (01/31/2008 02:50 PM)
Edit reason: add article list

Get a book by Roy Hunter: called Fun Nosework for Dogs.
It gives you some starter ideas for tracking, scent discrimination and just plain fun nose games to do around the house. You can also get Fun and Games with dogs and More Fun and Games with Dogs - these have obedience/agility/group games in them.
There are various methods to teach tracking - make sure the wind is at the subject's BACK when they lay the trail so the dog can't airscent. Or try to find a tracking group in your area?

Hi Mary, Did you want to have her certifed, compete or just a boredom buster? I have an air scent dog and a tracking/trailing dog, both SAR certified. I have games I play with my air scent dog (GSD) in the house when it is to cold outside. I put her in a sit/stay in one room and then go hide somewhere in the house and then call out "Find It" and she scours the house looking for me. I also get donated old dirty socks from friends and keep them in plastic baggies (so they stay fresh and stinky). I put her outside then hide one sock anywhere in the house. I then let her in, have her smell the other sock and tell her to "Find It". The first few times you try it with your dog make them visible and easy to find and then BIG PARTY when she finds it. She sounds very smart so should pick it up fast. If you want to move onto to air scent, work on her alert first, whether it is a recall/refind or if you want her to stay with the subject either down and bark or sit and bark. The next step is run-aways and there is a whole progression from there. There are many SAR people on this forum that can help you get started.

Sandy

thanks guys! we have done hide n seek so she should pick up the tracking thing pretty fast... Im doing it as a boredom buster; I live in the DEEP south texas area and their arent dog training groups that I know of, the closest is San Antonio or Corpus Cristi

How about a scooter? I used to ride on a scooter with Cody and it was FUN! It takes awhile to get your dog to fell comfortable pulling the scooter.

Geoff and I have tried it and we liked it alot! Right Geoff?