 Ball on a string (targeting)
#266724 - 02/26/2010 12:25 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
 Offline |
|
Hi all,
I was curious to hear how people who use ball on a string instead of a tug get the dog to target the ball and not the string. Both my dogs without fail always go for the string. even when i try to hold as much of the string as possible my dogs still try to move there head to grab the string that is coming out of the side of the ball. The few times i get them on the ball they slip off quickly, though i know they have the grip to stay on.
I think the string on the orbee ball is more like a tug than the ball, so maybe they default to the familiar. I have spent sometime on the tugs and they target the center of the tug fine and don't make a habit of going for the handles.
Is it worth it to try to develop them to target the ball? or should i just stick with what they and I are good at?
Thanks again everyone
Rob
|
 Top
|
 Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Robert Kirkwood ]
#266756 - 02/26/2010 03:53 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
| Offline |
|
BTW this is a dog that loves to chase a ball and grip it like a croc when its a ball with no string, but obviously not great for OB work. This dog has no equipment
And when i did the preference test, his eyes were locked on the orbee ball when i moved that and one of his tugs (leather flat.) I could make very good misses (mouth clacking), but he just doesn't grip the ball. I have the Bernard Flinks grip and focus DVD, these dogs are ALWAYS hitting the ball without fail.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Robert Kirkwood ]
#266758 - 02/26/2010 05:07 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
| Offline |
|
This dog has no equipment bias other than in this case. is what i meant to type
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Robert Kirkwood ]
#266762 - 02/26/2010 07:06 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-16-2008
Posts: 915
Loc: Central Virginia
| Offline |
|
Is it worth it to try to develop them to target the ball? or should i just stick with what they and I are good at?
Hey Rob,
I don't know if it's worth it or not (big help, I know  ).
I've got one of these, and it was the least used toy we ever had.
Unless someone has some compelling reason for you to use one, I'd say go with what's working already.
leih
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Robert Kirkwood ]
#266765 - 02/26/2010 07:20 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-11-2008
Posts: 234
Loc: Dallas, TX
| Offline |
|
Hi Rob,
I asked the head trainer at my club the same question yesterday 
I've been training my GSD mostly with food, but I know she has higher drives for tugs/balls so we are in the process of moving on to an orbee-on-a-string.
I prefer the orbee over the tug simply because I don't have enough physical strength to play a meaningful session of tug with her, an orbee-on-a-string is easier, I can tug or throw it.
My head trainer says that if the dog already knows to pick up the ball (instead of the string) when I throw it on the groud, then I can proceed to the next step.
When you reward the dog, hold the ball with it directly in front of the her nose, so it's easy for her to target. Do that for a while, when the dog can reliably go for the ball with it right in front of her, then slowly increase the distance.
Hope this helps 
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Melissa Hau ]
#266856 - 02/27/2010 07:12 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
| Offline |
|
Thanks everyone,
Melissa, I'll give that a shot holding the ball in front of her nose, and increasing the distance. I think i may want to wear gloves cause he is pretty bent on getting the string and we may have a few accidents during the process. I tried throwing it too and both my dogs (who love balls) always pick it up by the string.
Leih, thanks i don't know if it's worth it either. I think i'll work on it a bit longer just cause i like a challenge, but i don't mind the tug at all and my dogs like it too even if they are more intrigued by a ball when given the choice. i have had the orbee ball on a string for ever and barely used it, but just like I had a clicker and never used it until you gave me some solid advice on it, and now i usually have it on my belt when ever I'm around the dogs. So i thought it might be another diamond in the ruff.
Thanks again,
Rob
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Robert Kirkwood ]
#266860 - 02/27/2010 07:59 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-16-2008
Posts: 915
Loc: Central Virginia
| Offline |
|
I think i'll work on it a bit longer just cause i like a challenge...
Now see, that's a great reason to work on it.
The thing I am always working on is "how do I say/communicate this to my dog?" It calls for so much creativity and there are always multiple ways to get to where you want to go. Some methods work better for some dogs, or for the same dog in different situations, and with/for different trainers.
One of the biggest challenges to me is figuring out how to break things down to their smallest components. And, I always enjoy hearing about how others have made something work.
Worst case scenario...if you ever get tired of this ball-on-a-string thing, you can always cut the string off and you've got another great ball. You sure don't have anything to lose by playing around with it.
leih
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: leih merigian ]
#266911 - 02/28/2010 12:28 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
| Offline |
|
...One of the biggest challenges to me is figuring out how to break things down to their smallest components. And, I always enjoy hearing about how others have made something work...
leih
Me too... I love to hear how other people brake things down and to achieve the desired behavior. It's an art and a science all in one. So often I'm looking for big steps toward the final behavior and i need to take time and find the little things that make up that behavior. I'm having a lot of fun with free shaping after reading the thinking dog, and the greatest part is watching my dogs eyes light up when they "get it."
Yeah i can always add the ball to the pile of others... and this Orbee ball glows in the dark! good for night time play in the backyard. The Dobe pops the battery and light right out of those LED balls they sell here, still an awesome ball for my Rotty because she is a little more gentle.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Robert Kirkwood ]
#266920 - 02/28/2010 02:09 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
| Offline |
|
My rotty started to target the ball!!!
Like Melissa said just hold in front of rottys nose and made it jump away only presenting the ball, and i got bit a little in the process but i got her to stay on the ball. I also used non-reinforcement when she got the string no play she let go i would present the ball make it jump and when she hit the ball i made it as fun as possible, tugging but not so hard that i would yank it out. lots of praise and little tugs and she was having a blast. Hopefully i can keep that mentality in the future. I'm going to try with my dobe today but he bits a lot harder and those mistakes nips will be a lot more painful.
thanks again for the always awesome help
Rob
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Ball on a string (targeting)
[Re: Robert Kirkwood ]
#266936 - 02/28/2010 05:50 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-16-2008
Posts: 915
Loc: Central Virginia
| Offline |
|
My rotty started to target the ball!!!
... i would present the ball make it jump and when she hit the ball i made it as fun as possible...lots of praise and little tugs and she was having a blast.
There you go...if you're both having fun, it usually works.
Get some really strong gloves to work it with your other dog; it'll save your hands some. 
leih
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
