I've been doing a lot more research on training lately, and I've been told that you can play tug, ball, whatever, as a reward for obedience in the middle of a training session (if I understood correctly). I always had the impression that playtime was a reward for after a training session was completed. If that's wrong, I feel like a total idiot.

So if we're practicing a command multiple times, and he does what I ask, can we "play" for a minute or so and then go back to training? How would that work? Would you mark the correct behavior, then throw the ball, play tug, whatever for a minute (rather than a treat or verbal praise)? If so, we've been seriously missing out - Kodee will do anything to play catch...

This probably sounds like a broken record, but...

http://leerburg.com/101e.htm

For one of my dogs, play is the highest form of reward. As a matter of fact, he almost shuns a treats while playing or, if he will take it, it is almost as an afterthought. For some it can be a lot of distraction, so it is best to use it for commands that the dog mostly gets, otherwise you may both end up frustrated. Training this way makes training a very FUN thing to do.

As you have a post about heeling as well, I will describe a quick training session from when he was learning to “fuss” (pronounced ‘foos’ ). He likes a ball more than any other toy, so that is what we use.

At the beginning of the lesson, which lasts a total of 4-5 minutes, we will play “a little” with his ball to get him in that frame of mind, call it a warm up. The toy is almost used as a lure (in the beginning) to flip him into the basic position (sitting square and with his shoulder at my knee.) As I had trained this at home with treats in the living room, he understands it, but is not 100% so I am still helping him. Holding the ball above his head, I take a step or two, and without pausing (but giving my release word!), toss the ball. Quinn has always brought the ball back eagerly, and I would almost throw it straight to the ground to make it have extra movement. Sometimes I would just release the dog and let him bite and tug a little. All this time I am making a fool of myself with the praise I am giving him.

After some time, I could take twenty steps and then fifty before releasing the dog to play. The play lasts a few seconds (10-30 depending on if we tug or fetch) and then lured back into the basic position. I would vary the steps taken from 5, release, 55, release, 10, release, 2, release, etc… keep him excited about when it will happen.

Also, when my dog was able to go 50 or so phases, I started to phase the ball out, as in under the arm, at first, then behind the back, so it was less lure and more OB. When I began this process I went back to two steps and started all over. Lots of play time here as well…

When a dog learns this way, they are happy and animated in their OB work. They learn that being obedient gets them play time, and it might be at the next step!!! It also adds a level of control, as the dog has to be obedient to get a chance to what he wants most. He learns to control his excitement (a form of ‘capping’ drive) before being allowed to be crazy. For me, I want my dog to be able to maintain that level of excitement and anticipation for about 10 minutes, as a SCH routine last about 7-9 minutes and I want him still fresh and ready at the end…

Hope that helps a little.

Kori, I primarily reward my dog with "play".
I bring down a tug, ball or other prey item, and she knows it's time to "play".

The first time, I either toss the ball or present the tug, and let her retrieve or tug without any command. I give her a second to tug, or chew on the ball, and then I Out her.
Now she's beginning to "switch on".

I give her a command, and the second she complies, I give her a verbal marker. I have her hold whatever command (plotz, watch me, etc) and let her anticipation build. If she starts getting antsy, I give her another verbal marker to let her know that she is on the mark, and the reward is going to come. Once I feel she has held focus for an adequate amount of time, I give her the release, and toss the ball or present the tug.

We have been able to work this way for up to 20 minutes without her losing drive or intensity.

What looks like, to an outsider a game of fetch or tug, is really a training/drive building session.

Thank you all. Steven- I did consider buying the "Building Drive and Focus" DVD, but I think it might be a little advanced for me. I'm training Kodee mainly for fun (and control, of course), and from what I can tell by the description, this DVD centers around preparing a dog for bitework? If I'm wrong, please let me know. Right now I'm waiting for the Competition Heeling DVD, which looks like more my speed (at least for now).

But if you still think the Building Drive DVD is what I need, let me know. I may be mistaken about that.

Thanks again, everybody!

I’m not Steve, but I have an opinion on the BDFG DVD. It is AWESOME!!!! Yes, it is about starting a dog in bite work, but more than that, it is about building a relationship with your dog. It goes into a ton of details about different drive levels and how they relate to training a dog that WANTS to work for you. I have two copies because I am always loaning them out to friends (and even a couple of strangers that became friends ) for their pets.

You won’t be sorry.

Thanks, Jessica - I guess I'm sold. In the last 2 days, I've ordered 3 or Ed's DVD's, if you count the Building Drive and Focus DVD that I just ordered. LOL! I have 4 or 5 already, and so far I've never regretted buying one. I definitely would like to learn more about the different drive levels, etc, so I am anxiously awaiting another DVD!

Huge ditto to what Jessica said. Take a look at my dog, Kori....we're not training bite work.

The Building Drive DVD is great for "pets only" and especially for first-time trainers, IMHO. It will help you with your training and Kodee will have a blast doing it.

You really won't be sorry.

 Quote: Sarah Morris

Take a look at my dog, Kori....we're not training bite work.

Are you sure, Sarah? He looks like a real man-eater to me. LOL!

Thanks - it's good to know that other people who aren't into bite-training think it's worth getting. I can't wait! Maybe I'll shock myself and end up doing bitework sometime in the future, who knows?