Hi I'm hoping to get some direction from some of the many experienced folks here. My 2yo gsd loves his 'kiddie' pool and water hose play. Summers are short here so I indulge him frequently. Problem is I'm having a hard time breaking him of latching directly on to the hose nozzle, sprinkler or hose end. In other words he goes directly to the source of the outpouring water regardless of the type or style. He will carry off the entire whirring sprinkler just for fun. He does immediately release on command but, frankly, last year it became a frustrating pattern of catch and release. I resorted to immediately ending water time when his behavior persisted but, of course, our cooling off water time was ruined. I suspect it's a desensitizing issue to get him to ignore it .... yet I then want to engage him to play.... By the way the water play, chasing of water and "eating" the water is clearly Big Big Fun for him. This is not fear. I think he's simply chasing and catching his water prey.
I appreciate any suggestions here, I've clearly totally lost my perspective! Thank you all.

I'd probably turn it off. Instantly. Consistently.

That is, biting or even mouthing the nozzle makes the water go off.

That would mean I'd have to be right there, of course.

I'd make it dramatically clear how it worked. So I'd have my hand right there at the faucet so the result was instant and soon connected to his action.

"Catch and release" sounds like you've made the mistake of chasing him, too, adding even more fun to the game for him.



And I'm sure others will have good (and better) ideas.

I interpreted it as the dog grabs the object and then is told to let it go and does, only to grab it again repeatedly over and over again. If he's outing when he's told, then there shouldn't even be any chasing him down to make him drop it.

 Quote: SamanthaTopper

I interpreted it as the dog grabs the object and then is told to let it go and does, only to grab it again repeatedly over and over again. If he's outing when he's told, then there shouldn't even be any chasing him down to make him drop it.

I did too, until "last year it became a frustrating pattern of catch and release."


Maybe we need more input from the O.P.

Here's a tool for the job

http://www.instructables.com/id/Remote-Controlled-Hose-Valve/#step0

This can also become an obsessive compulsive behavior.

Moved from wrong thread:

 Quote: Kathie Mackinnon

I apologize for my lack of clarity. Samantha was correct....... I meant , and should have said, it turned into a repetition of grab ( nozzle ) and release (on command) situation. There is no chasing or running involved. The last few weeks of last summer our hose play consistently ended with my immediately stopping the water as soon as he grabbed the nozzle..... By summers end we had switched to strictly pool play .... No hose play at all. Just frustrated with myself for not finding my way around this particularly as he enjoys it and it's a great cool off on a humid afternoon. Thanks again for any insight!

 Quote: Bob Scott

This can also become an obsessive compulsive behavior.

+1

I was watching this thread for ideas about OCD behavior. We have a young GSD new to our club that chases shadows. Makes it hard to train at night under the lights. Owner has tried corrections and downing the dog. The dog will comply with obedience commands, but is clearly stressed about having to ignore the distraction.

Good catch, Bob and Duane.

Most important thing about OCBs is to stop it asap. The longer it goes on, the harder to stop.



So nipping this now is vital. One way would be what I posted above about always being right there to turn it off INSTANTLY when he tried to bite it.

I'd probably think seriously about limiting water-play to the wading pool with no sprinkler.


Duane: http://thebark.com/content/behavior-unhealthy-obsessions-dogs and http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/compulsive-behavior-dogs

Also, I'd be exercising and playing with that dog to the point of tongue-dragging. JMO.

I'd avoid all situations where the OCB is triggered and redirect like crazy when it is. Again, JMO.



OCBs can become extremely serious.

I had to hide all the flashlights in the house because of the JRT we had.
Every time (often) the grand kids came over they had him running up the wall all the way to the ceiling.
I first noticed his light "issues" when he was a pup. He started chasing the sun reflecting off my wrist watch.
We wouldn't open the living room door with him around because he would chase the light coming through the tree out front. Any slight breeze and the light would jump around the living room when the front door was open after 2-3pm.