I have a high drive doberman and due to physical issues she is untrained. She will do basic sit,down and a sloppy front but nothing to speak about. I bought her as a 4 month old she is now 6years. She is fully confident, unafraid of approach, we have taught her a phrase,all 4 on the floor to be petted to have her self control when in a group situation otherwise she is fully engaged with everyone. She is not afraid to "drive" for what she wants through barking and pouncing (not usually jumping up on people) She loves to pay tug, chase balls and is food driven so the foundation work is done. My question is how do I play with this 75lbs of pushy , body slamming dog (when she is in play drive) without falling and hurting myself? Are there techniques to address this with an older (I'm 55) person with the dog of their dreams that will keep her drive up while not hurting myself? I have issues with breaking bones easily, bruising severely and arthritis. Any suggestions? She needs to train. I am seeing behaviors, lick sore and constant barking that indicate she is very bored and I am frustrated with what to do. At this point I am interested in training methods to give her mind focus, body exercise, bond us more (which comes with training)and helps her understand that when she respects my limitations she is rewarded in some way. I am not happy with regular classes that just want positive food rewards only as this dog becomes unengaged easily if play is not at some point in the session administered. She also understands corrections although her training to date has been primarily in the house off lead. My experience at akc classes has been that they want a laid back dog and she is not this type, she is ready to work right now all the time. She is a working dog and needs to be worked, I want to work her but have no idea how to with my physical issues. She would love being swung around on a tug but that is impossible for me to do. Which video would best lead me in the direction I want/need to go? Thank you for your help. Do you know of a schutzhund club near Dayton Ohio that is familiar with dobermans? I would like to put a bh on her within the next year. Although she loved bite work as a puppy (I took her at 9 months to be evaluated and they were amazed by her natural drives) we are at the age now that I am not expecting to do anything with that dream on this dog. She is a ZZZZZAron/Talon off spring if that helps you understand what I have. I will also put this out on the forum but need to know where to start on your videos. Also we just recently moved (2 months ago), I was very excited with the park out back until I saw all the other dogs free running at various times during the day but have a huge basement that we can train in. At this point in my physical condition I just don't want to deal with strange dogs running up on us during training. Thank you, Polly

Why SchH? Is there something I'm missing about your physical limitations?

But anyway, what do you know about marker training? Even if nothing at all, we will know how to get you started.

Because setting aside the SchH question, my mind instantly goes to NILIF, markers, markers, and markers.

" I am seeing behaviors, lick sore and constant barking that indicate she is very bored and I am frustrated with what to do." ... How are you at throwing for fetch, BTW? She retrieves? How much other structured exercise (like walking) are you doing? Are you doing any kind of regular ob work?

Lots of folks will have suggestions.

Welcome!


PS
"She is not afraid to "drive" for what she wants through barking and pouncing" means that she has been "trained" that these work for her.

OH I suppose that I should have added.... I have trained a doberman in schutzhund and akc obedience. I served on the board of a akc training club for 2 years. I understand how to train but that was before my body wouldn't allow a lot of what it would before. My most recent dog "sport" activity was in helping our previous local SAR group with tracking so I am not a novice at training just a novice at training with physical issues.

You have done marker training?

Thank you Connie. I'm very anxious to get started TODAY and appreciate your quick input.

Why Schutzhund? Because my experience has been that in that training environment people understand working dogs. Very simple in an AKC training environment it has been my experience that people want to socialize their dogs then train a little and socialize some more OR I have had the ones afraid because she is a doberman and might eat fluffy. When I had her in Agility early on they did not appreciate my playing tug with her at the end of a run. Even though on a schutzhund field the dog may be in a crate for a while, he/she is worked when out and I never have to worry about a novice handler (or have never had to worry) interfering with the training. Well except one time so it is seldom, the dog broke free of its handler. With Schutzhund it has been more one on one or one on a few but a very small group at a time when on the field.

Yes she (I'm giggling at self acknowledgement) has trained me that that behavior works. I have started turning my back to her rather than give her what she is driving for until she sits nicely and quietly. Just started yesterday so will see how quickly she understands. I will start ob training as soon as I figure out how to play vigorously enough at the end or between exercises to break it up. I train in 15 minute increments several times a day when training at home.

"How are you at throwing for fetch, BTW? She retrieves? How much other structured exercise (like walking) are you doing? Are you doing any kind of regular ob work?" I am throwing with my arm and no it isn't going far enough, yes she retrieves. We work with two items she goes out gets one brings it to me then I throw the other. NO we are not getting enough exercise.

I think you are right... I need to work for the next week on markers more. I think I'll start with that video. She understands "YES" but I think we need more work on it to imprint it fully.

How do you feel about bark collars in the house? I have one but have never used it with her. Bought it for a previous house dog.

NO I have not done any type of formal marker training. That is an excellent place to start here. Thanks for the suggestion. I've not seen it done before. Any suggestions? How long before moving forward etc. When will I know that she "has it"? How many repetitions per day? Should I not do any other training while working on this?

Thanks again and again,

Polly

 Quote: Polly Simpson

I am throwing with my arm and no it isn't going far enough, yes she retrieves. We work with two items she goes out gets one brings it to me then I throw the other. NO we are not getting enough exercise.

Hi Polly, and welcome. I am also a 55-year-old Doberman owner with a few health issues, so I guess we have a couple things in common. I am going to address this one issue for now, about getting your dog some exercise. Do you have a fenced yard or other safe place where you can play fetch at your new home? If so, have you ever tried one of these:

http://leerburg.com/772.htm

For me, they are a life-saver. I cannot throw a ball very far, either, but with the Chuck-It, I can send it all the way across my large yard, and the dogs get quite a work-out running after it.

I've got to run right now but will try to add more to this thread when I can. I'm sure you'll get more suggestions from others. There are a few of us on the board who are not exactly spring chickens but yet we have large, energetic dogs.

Get a "Chuck it" for throwing a ball. I use it with my 2 German Shepherds and this "gizmo", Leerburg sells them, allows me to get much further distance with a ball.

I have been completely through the training crate and can't find the "chuck it" that I bought a few years ago when working with a FlyBall dog. I'll look again and if I can't find it (It may not have made the move with us) I'll get another. Thank you all so very much. I had forgotten about it. Not being able to train has been a great source of depression for me as any dog trainer will easily understand and in the 2 months I've been here today is the first time I've opened the dogs training chest.

This yard is fenced in BUT I do not have enough control over her to be reliable on a recall. Part of the fence is only 3 feet tall and she will with ease jump it scaring the neighbor kids 1/2 to death. The neighbors are from over seas and all are afraid of dogs so knowing that my big ones are kept on a leash is keeping the peace. I am currently trying to get the land lord to allow us to put a privacy fence around the back yard. Waiting for them to agree. We are making progress with the neighbors they will now come nicely to the fence when we are out and pet the dogs very carefully on the head but they are terrified of dogs. We will be in this home for a year while trying to figure out if it is suitable then will either purchase it or move to a more suitable home for our needs. Work was the reason for relocating.

I am so happy to be with some that understand the issues of aging and loving our high energy dogs. There just has to be a way to continue training the type of dogs I adore without ending up in bed for a few weeks. Balance is an issue when she body slams. The smaller (our rescue mixed breed) hit the end of her flat collar sending me tumbling down the back stoop stairs a week ago which resulted in her now being taken out on the pinch. It solved the issue very quickly.

My other neighbors think I'm being cruel to use a pinch collar. Even with explaining it and letting them feel the bluntness of the prongs, they still think its cruel. So I have a few things going on in the neighborhood as well. Regardless of outside influence, I will use a pinch, the dogs understand it, it does no damage to their necks and it gives the pressure I need with my limitations. Corrections are quick and my dogs simply halt a second and then comply. Teach, train, proof.... I teach without a collar.

Thank you for inspiring me and helping with suggestions on how to overcome...

Polly

OK I have learned by watching the free videos that I am already using the word OK as my marker and the word Yes to say the same as good dog so that is a good place to start. I have not yet found the Chuck it packed away.