I pulled a dog from another foster home last week because of poor care. I had not placed him in this home and I'm so ticked off about the situation that this dog is now in. They fed him, threw him in the yard or crate and that was it.

Some basic info: A staffy mix, 1 1/2 years old, massive, beautiful, and smart. He was put in a foster home as a pup and basically kept confined or thrown in a yard, so very little interaction with people. I have a 50 lb. incredibly strong dog with a puppy's energy and NO training.

My problem is this; He is indifferent to affection and has no focus at all. The leash walking is going great and I can keep him in a pretty good heel. It is all I can do to get him to look at me. He could care less about toys, and I've tried a variety of treats to begin marker training with no success, (cheese, hotdogs, dog treats...ect.) He's just not interested. I can't get this guy excited about anything but a walk! He likes to stay close to me, but otherwise is indifferent. He does not engage.

Because of his size and strength,it will be difficult, (and irresponsible), to adopt him out to anyone who isn't a pretty experienced dog owner or trainer. I love these kinds of dogs but I am also aware of what they are capable of if not trained well.

Any suggestions of what I might try to connect would be so appreciated. Right now, we spend all our time walking together to burn off the energy. He is aware of my body language but hardly responds to voice at all....poor guy doesn't even know his name.

(And there's nothing wrong with his hearing. He hears the critters and geese just fine.

Hey Janet, from my experience with fosters, he sounds like a pretty typical boy trying to adjust to his new surroundings.

How long have you had him now?

Not sure what kind of response you're looking for to your voice at this point but I think I'd be starting with the ABC's. If he's not taking treats right now (not unusual at all), start with free-shaping. He sits or lays down in the house, have a treat fall from the sky. Just toss it near him. He gives you eye contact, same thing. All those little things you want to reinforce.

No commands until he's ready to start working with you. Set him up for success. Have someone hold him inside, you step out the door and call his name. Lots of praise when he gets to you and head out for the walk. Anywhere you can set him up to come to you.

I would give him a couple of weeks to settle in before you put any kind of training pressure on him. Lots of fun walks and engaging good times.

It can be pretty confusing to them just taking in the new environment, let alone a human they don't understand yet. Once he's used to your routine I'm sure he'll come around.

He sounds like a great pup. Congrats on the new addition!!

Thanks CJ.

I really like him. I only brought him home last week after he was brought to an adoption event so wound up he couldn't control himself. The foster said she was having trouble with him. I started asking questions...turned out to be not the best set up to say the least. I'm so frustrated with the rescue right now, but that's another story.

I haven't worked on any commands really, just trying to get him interested in me and/or treats or something. For example, I'd be thrilled if I could say his name and him look at me, then reward. Loading a mark right now is impossible, but perhaps I'm rushing even that. Patience is one thing I have. He has been listed online as "loving everyone" and "loves to fetch", "great with kids". It's an outright lie...one that could get someone hurt. I'm not the most experienced with training, but unfortunately, more experienced than all but one of the other volunteers, and she has 2 fosters right now.

I've just never had one so indifferent to everything...a new challenge for me. I wish I could have got him when he was a little guy.

I had not tried what you suggested about having someone hold him and then call him to me for a walk. I think that would work. THank you so much.

I'm not a very experienced trainer, but I know what worked for me. Sadie had some (thankfully only some) of the same issues when I adopted her. One thing our pro had me do was build anticipation for the walk, which was a building block for further engagement. Sadie could tell when I was preparing for a walk, so I was instructed to build it up by talking to her in an excited (not over-the-top) voice; "Ya ready? Wanna go for a walk ?! Wanna walk with Daddy?". It certainly didn't happen overnight, but eventually it paid off HUGE.
Later, once things start going in the right direction, I can tell you which toys helped build her desire for play and other activities for which she had no interest initially.
Good Luck!!!

Thanks, Duane. That would be great. I'll try what you suggested.

If he's only been with you for a week please give him a break and stop expecting anything from him. Keep him leashed to you to force a bond to eventually happen, reward anything you like, but keep your expectations low. If he doesn't feel like giving you the time of day within the first week it's not the end of the world.

How's it going, Janet?

 Quote: Janet Foley

... I haven't worked on any commands really, just trying to get him interested in me and/or treats or something. For example, I'd be thrilled if I could say his name and him look at me, then reward. Loading a mark right now is impossible, but perhaps I'm rushing even that.

Did you know that loading your marker doesn't require anything from the dog (except to eat the treat)?

That is, he does not have to look at you or respond or anything. The goal of loading the marker, and the only thing you need to accomplish, regardless of how many other things we might talk about (like looking at us), is to associate in his mind the reward with the marker.

So if I had a little handful of lovely food bits, bits that virtually beg to be accepted, such as tiny pieces of still-warm real bacon, I would start before supper (not with a full dog!), and simply give my marker and then give the bit of bacon. All you care about is for the dog to eventually hear that marker and look for the treat. That means the marker is charged.

But tell us where you are and how it's going.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

.... No commands until he's ready to start working with you. Set him up for success. Have someone hold him inside, you step out the door and call his name. Lots of praise when he gets to you and head out for the walk. Anywhere you can set him up to come to you.

And "Right now, we spend all our time walking together to burn off the energy" is not at all a bad start!


I like this:

 Quote: Duane Hull

One thing our pro had me do was build anticipation for the walk, which was a building block for further engagement. Sadie could tell when I was preparing for a walk, so I was instructed to build it up by talking to her in an excited (not over-the-top) voice; "Ya ready? Wanna go for a walk ?! Wanna walk with Daddy?". It certainly didn't happen overnight, but eventually it paid off HUGE.

i'm gonna suggest one of the fundamental principles of engagement : the dog has to want what you have . . . in this case FOOD .

so skip a couple of meals and see if that don't perk up his interest in you , and what you have .

I don't foster, but I do have a fearful dog. We spent most of the summer doing things that he thought was the best stuff in the world, no pressure! We hiked, we played fetch, we went swimming, etc. It paid off in a big way...just my two cents.