 Serious Prey Drive
#289610 - 08/02/2010 09:00 PM |
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I am a new user and have a little prey problem with my rat terrier/whippet mix. It doesnt matter if it is a cat, squirrel, bird, plane, or even a blimp she takes off for it or at least tries. Her basic obedience is known but obviously not full proof. Once her attention leaves the object she has a great "come" but getting her off of the object is the major problem. Any ideas on how to distract her from the distraction? (FYI there is not a food, toy, or funny sound can distract her). I am considering an e collar just to distract her from whatever the object is but I would like to try other methods first. I am sure I am forgetting something but as I remember I will post it.
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Tiffany Holtfreter ]
#289616 - 08/02/2010 09:18 PM |
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Loc: Oregon
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I've got a little one like that. Cattle dog x pup
I started with his focus on a flirt pole with a toy and a ball on a long line/string. I am VERY careful to only bring it out every few days and it sits in the closet other times. I put the toy away after about 2/3 minutes when he's REALLY into it. I open the closet door and his eyes widen. Then I bring a similar toy on a shorter line (about 2') on our walks and outings.
If I were to leave that toy around the house he would have minimal interest in it. It took him about 2 sessions to learn that this toy is above all others and he'll do just about anything for it. Including watch me when we're walking through a wooded area with birds, squirrels, etc. I reward him with the toy/tug and treats at this point.
Welcome! Other folks will give you good advice too as there are a LOT of high drive dog owners on this board.
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Tiffany Holtfreter ]
#289622 - 08/02/2010 09:42 PM |
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Hi Tiffany,
Welcome to the forum! Jennifer has given you some good advice on how to channel your little guy's drive, and I know other more experienced trainers will chime in.
Someone mentioned recently about using a stuffed squirrel (stuffed animal - not real thing!) to maintain focus during training. It might help with your pup. We used one when our dog was younger to help burn off excess energy, and it really helped.
Training has to take place AWAY from all the distractions (real live prey) prior to exposing him/her to that level of distractions. Start in your kitchen with a stuffed squeeky toy, reward/mark for correct behavior. High drive dogs can be really fun to train once you learn how to channel all that energy!!
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Tiffany Holtfreter ]
#289630 - 08/02/2010 10:16 PM |
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Hi Tiffany,
How old is your girl? Is she always leashed? At this point I would make that a priority so that you are able to get between her and the object she is focused on. Also, not leashed she can and will blow you off while in drive even leashed she'll try to do the same but you will be able to reign her in and train her not to.
If you could give some more history such as her age, how long you have had her, how did you train her etc.... it would be helpful in making suggestions that will help you. I personally love details so write away. 
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Sheila Buckley ]
#289672 - 08/03/2010 06:18 AM |
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Reg: 07-31-2010
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Loc: Cumming, GA
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She is 3yrs old. I am actually (not sure if you have ever heard it) an ABC Cert. Dog Trainer (obedience yes, behavior...not so much) We have only been training for a few months on her basic obedience (sit, sit-stay, down, watch me, come, ect...) I have trained her through positive reinforcement in my home, in my back yard, and we were working on out front and other misc places like on walks, the pet store, vet, ect. If I know she is way to distracted I will try something as simple as a sit. She will usually do that but once she is set on something she is set until the environment changes, ie the dog, bird, or whatever leaves or we leave.
I always have her on leash and when we play out front with my neighbors dog (you might know her...Chula - Lynne) she is on a long drag line so I can watch her and grab her if necessary.
She has bolted coming out of the car before after a blimp and that is when I realized she had an unhealthy addiction to catching/chasing things.
Edited by (08/03/2010 06:20 AM)
Edit reason: Spelling errors
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Tiffany Holtfreter ]
#289675 - 08/03/2010 06:40 AM |
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Continue working that basic OB
Of course, gradually adding distraction and make good use of a long line will help you along the way.
Are you going positive only with your training? If so, depending on your dog it may take a lot of time to get to where the dog is truly reliable.
I don't have the experience to say that it is impossible. I does take a lot longer, especially if the dog is easily distracted and excitable. I would guess that could be the case with a sighthound/terrier mix.
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Lauren Jeffery ]
#289682 - 08/03/2010 07:16 AM |
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Reg: 07-31-2010
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Loc: Cumming, GA
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I will make leash corrections and what not but nothing to crazy. My father is very big into compulsion training but he has very large bully style breeds and she gets very emotional if you know what I mean. I tried a few when we first got her (yr ago) and she wouldnt come out from under the bed when I called. It took a lot to get her to trust me again. Although she is not afraid of my dad, weird huh?
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Tiffany Holtfreter ]
#289683 - 08/03/2010 07:24 AM |
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Reg: 01-16-2010
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I have a client at work (to be clear, I'm a hairdresser. Not a dog trainer) who swears by e collars for her Italian Greyhounds. Like your dog, a leash correction was too much. but a very low level nick worked nicely.
If I had to go this route with a soft dog I would probably do a ton of positive reinforcement training in every imaginable situation, and make sure the dog completely understands a negative marker before even attempting e collar training.
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Lauren Jeffery ]
#289684 - 08/03/2010 07:31 AM |
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I second the E Collar training, the whole thing, not just this one issue. in the mean time I would work on focus and with the help of someone else slowly increase the distraction.
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Re: Serious Prey Drive
[Re: Dennis Jones ]
#289926 - 08/04/2010 07:13 AM |
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Thank you for all of the great advice! My husband is making the flirt pole today and I cant wait to try it out. I will let you know how things go and when we get our ecollar and how it goes.
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