Quote: kristi molina

I'm in for beginner object id. But can anyone explain how to teach it?

Kristi,

I just started with JD's favorite toy and when I wanted to engage him I'd send him out looking for it with "find it". I'd say "where's pillow?" (yes, my pup has a security pillow) and then "find it!". When he'd bring it back I'd reinforce "yes! there's pillow! Good Boy!" just to reinforce the name of the toy or object.


Don't know if this is how others have done it, but it worked well with him.

 Quote: Kristi Molina

I'm in for beginner object id. But can anyone explain how to teach it?

It depends on it you're going for a scent discrimination(find the scented object out of a line up) or an object discrimination (learn the names of toys, everyday items)

I'm leaning toward object discrimination and am still mentally working this out but I think the way I'd approach it is to teach the dog to target first.

When the dog understands how to target something, then add in the object that you want to train the name of. When the dog readily targets the object, name it. When the dog understands that, start changing the position. From in you hand to on the floor, to on a chair to on the floor 10 feet away, etc. Just make sure the dog masters one step before moving on.

When the dog readily targets the object in a variety of places, then add in another object a couple feet away from the first.

The you just train other objects one at a time. Just remember to teach them all separate. When the dog can pick out each object in a line up of two or three unknown objects in a variety of places, then start putting them in a line up together.

This whole process is best done with a dog that understands marker training. If you haven't already introduced your dog to the idea of marker training and loaded the mark, you should do that before trying to teach anything else.

Hopefully the snow stays away and I can try this one! I'm not sure what level we are. We've been in a club for around 4 or 5 months. We've never competed. We're still on scentpads and short straight tracks. Still introducing turns. Haven't started articles. Not even close!

 Quote: Jessica Pedicord

Hopefully the snow stays away and I can try this one! I'm not sure what level we are. We've been in a club for around 4 or 5 months. We've never competed. We're still on scentpads and short straight tracks. Still introducing turns. Haven't started articles. Not even close!

The reason we are using two behaviors in this contest is to provide a choice of working outside (tracking) or inside (object identifiction). Don't let the weather keep you from joining in!

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I'm taken with the idea of training scent discrimination. I can guess at how to do it, but would appreciate any resources--web sites or books.
Thanks!

Thanks for the explanations! He is familiar with marker training so we are ready to start this is going to be so fun to watch all the videos!

Wow jd caught on quickly! I don't think capone is quite that smart LOL we need baby steps. This is going to be hard competing with all these brilliant mals and gsds!

 Quote: Kristi Molina

Wow jd caught on quickly! I don't think capone is quite that smart LOL we need baby steps. This is going to be hard competing with all these brilliant mals and gsds!

Use food and rub it on the object you want him to bring/indicate. That would be the easiest thing I think.

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