So I'd like to pick all your brains

Ayla is currently 4 months old and coming along very nicely. I'm going about things a bit differently and we are concentrating on just being a puppy. Formal training is really just beginning, beyond socialization and house manners. I pushed Vigo too hard as a puppy and I'm not making that mistake again.

Our current goals are beginning tracking (scent pads), sit stays and recalls. She's a master at sitting to "ask" for something, down command is in place, etc.

I'd love if everyone could share one or two things that your dog is really good at. I'm starting a list of things to teach her and I need inspiration. So, what's that one thing that your dog does that you love?

Carlin is super good at the "place" command, which is really useful for socialization.

Before I taught this to Carlin, people would always try to come up and pet him. As a fearful dog (based on experience/abuse, not nerves) with a bad habit of fear snapping, this made socialization a challenge*. However, now when I see that look in someone's eye, I just tell him "place!" This is great, as social conventions prevent people from reaching between my legs to pet him.

This way I don't have to be rude or stern with someone, and then they can admire his obedience instead of reaching down for an unsolicited pet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DZ-5ar7eDo

As a side note, I worked hard to make sure Carlin LOVES to go to his "place," and he will do this willingly under great distraction.


*I've had him for just over a year now, and he is like a different dog. He is now very confident, and I don't really worry about fear biting at all** (not even a close call in about 4 months).

**That's not really true, I still manage his environment to a great extent, but he can now be in extremely close proximity to male strangers (2 feet easily) without batting an eye. The issue is now working on "accidental" touches due to any handler errors I might commit.

"I'd love if everyone could share one or two things that your dog is really good at. I'm starting a list of things to teach her and I need inspiration. So, what's that one thing that your dog does that you love?"

Interesting question!

Off the top of my head, one of my dogs loves and is good at FST. It certainly made FST more enjoyable to me.

Not sure if that's what you mean, though....

Oh! I understand better now, after reading John's post.

I love, beyond anything else I have taught my dogs, their reliable recall.



ETA
Ram posted one time (video included) about the joy in his heart when he calls his dog from a long distance and the dog eagerly comes flying.

When my oldest dog (but newest to my pack) runs to me, ears flying behind and face eager, I know beyond a doubt that every second I spend on the recall is time well spent.


Edited by Connie Sutherland (10/27/2013 05:59 PM)
Edit reason: ETA

Interesting, Amber used to place herself between my legs as a pup and I never built upon it, think I'll start teaching it to her, as an actual command.

Melissa, my dogs have always been really good at going over, through, under, anything I ask them to. My last dog was almost parkour like, but I believe it builds trust and confidence, and they find it as fun as I do..

Taking pills. Seriously! Both dogs are on pills right now - one antibiotics and one allergy pills. I ask them if they want a pill and they get all happy and eager to get one. I'm happy and excited when I ask them and most of the time it's in peanut butter or something so it's like a treat. But sometimes I just push it down their throat and they're great with it. Every dog I have will be taught that it's great when I get the pill bottle

The other thing that my dogs love is learning stupid pet tricks. I use mainly shaping so it's highly rewarding and they're never wrong. With a puppy you can start with something like "101 things to do with a box" and mark/reward every interaction with the box. It builds lots of confidence and problem solving skills.

Mine isn't really a "trick" kind if thing--but I'm really proud of how well my dogs allow their bodies to be handled by anybody. Ears, feet, mouths, belly, anything. They will happily settle in any position and permit any kind of prodding, poking, and grooming. It's made my life easier--and every vet tech they've ever met very grateful. I'm glad it's something I work on a lot when they are little.

That's a huge thing too, worth every minute spent on it.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

The other thing that my dogs love is learning stupid pet tricks. I use mainly shaping so it's highly rewarding and they're never wrong. With a puppy you can start with something like "101 things to do with a box" and mark/reward every interaction with the box. It builds lots of confidence and problem solving skills.

Yes, and along the same line, I think that marker training anything builds lots of confidence and problem solving skills.