I have a 15 month old Shepherd. He has an excellent bloodline(Quanto Jipo-Me) and great drives. We attend training twice a week and he was doing very well in obedience and started protection. However he suddenly "Shut down".
He wont work when we are at training but he has good drive at home, as soon as we go to training he refuses to work. Any suggestions on how to get him back into working mode and paying attention?
Cathy Goessman Webboard User Reg: 12-03-2007
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Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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How much pressure was on the dog and how often was he corrected? Sounds like avoidance due to over correction and too much pressure on a young dog. Build it back to a game for him.
Other people on this board are better at protection training. Could you describe a typical protection training session?
Need more details. What do you mean he "won't" work? Is he screwing around and playing, simply not wanting to do anything "un-fun" or is he going into avoidance? What are you trying to get him to do when he "won't" work?
How is he being "worked"? Is it all prey/play at this point? What's his temperament like at home? Is he a dog who will play w/you and no one else? Is he more serious would you say? Did something happen to trigger this?
Well his ball drive is excellent at home or down at the park, but as soon as we go to training class his whole attitude changes, he will not focus on me or listen. He will show interest in the ball for a few minuets then loose interest...its weird how it just happened so suddenly and nothing happened to trigger it. The trainer says its just a phase and he will get over it.??
He just will not show any interest as far as ball drive or food drive at all. At home its a different story. As soon as we go to training he stops and it does not want to do anything. I will try to get him to show some interest in the ball, which i know he loves because he was crazy about it a few months ago and he is crazy about it at home and will do anything for it. Today at class he did work for the ball for almost 10 mins then stopped and was a little unsure about the trainer for some reason? The trainer says that when he shows no interest that i need to not beg him to play with the ball and work which i tend to do a lot, but i know he can do it because he is amazing at home or at the park. its only at class for some reason? I think he is scared of the trainer for some reason?? So I'm worried. His trainer says its just a phase and he will snap out of it. Any suggestions?
I knew one like this; no games w/a stranger. Strangers are not for playing with. Only Mom/Dad is for playing with. The dog may just have to be worked differently, unless you are willing to put forth a ton of time in getting him to see the trainer as a sparring partner/playmate. It kind of sounds like he sees the trainer as a possible threat and is unwilling to engage in play with him.
steve strom Webboard User Reg: 03-17-2006
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Just speaking in generalities here Alyssa, but distractions can be something different at 15mos then they were at 9mos. With those different distractions you can add some confusion from you trying to convince him to do what he does in other places like home where he's more confident.
He's probably not afraid of the trainer but there could be some confusion there also. Adversary or playmate? He just needs more experience.
Try backing off a little at training and let him settle in again. Maybe try playing with him for a couple of minutes at a time and then hang out and let him observe. I think your trainer is right, they go through these phases as they mature and you adjust your training to it. I have a 15mo old Shepherd too and I spent a pretty good amount of time getting out to the field early and playing before anyone else was there. Even when there are too many distractions now for very good obedience,meaning other dogs, he still loves going onto the field.
Thank you for your help and input! I know he is still young. We are on a field and he also has a indoor facility. He is good with everyone else except the trainer. He seems intimidating I guess?He is more of a defensive dog. Um the trainer is giving him a break on the protection for now until he gets his head clear i guess?
Yes defeniyyly more on the defensive side...The trainer sai we ere going to back off the protection for a while until he gets his head clear. Which is probly a good idea? Thank you for your help and input! I know he is still young. We are on a field and he also has a indoor facility. He is good with everyone else except the trainer. He seems intimidating I guess?
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Need Advice on my 15 month old Male Shepherd.
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