No, leave it or off are not "old fashioned" and are still a very good command to train!
(BTW - Congrats on making a breakthrough in your walking!)
I combined an old method with marker training - other folks will probably chime in with other ideas.
I put a treat on the floor and stood next to it. When the dog went for the item I covered it with my foot and said "leave it". After doing this a few times (in succession) when you take your foot off the treat the dog will hesitate and that is when you would mark and reward. I found it a fast behavior to train. I also would sometimes allow them the item after saying "leave it" and they obeyed, with the thought that this would hopefully prevent the "grabbing" an item I said to "leave it" - if they knew that sometimes they would get it anyway if they obeyed. (Might have over-thought that, but it seemed to work).
Do you mean the DD collars as backup for a possible prong failure?
Yes. That's what the DVD and ebook recommended, I hope that is still the right thing to do.
Although, I tried to give a very hard correction to McCaskey with the prong when he was going after one of my cats (she was safe in a carrier as I was bringing her home from being spayed), but I was not able to give him a strong enough correction - he only looked at me briefly and it was very clear he was still in high drive. (Meanwhile on our "test walk" he was very attuned to the self-corrections, it was while he was in drive that I couldn't give a strong enough correction.) I was afraid that I might need to get an e-collar, but then I was reading the the DD collar info and thought that might be worth trying to get his attention. Quite honestly, I did not expect his reaction to the cat in the carrier. Previously, he would get excited about cats, but that was when they were moving about. This was just...scary. But have no fears, the cats are safely tucked away in their own private luxury suite (back half of the house) while the dogs live in the front half, all separated by actual doors. Oh, but I really shouldn't have gone into all that here...I really need to make a separate thread for this problem. I think I will also try to make a video for this too...
Quote: barbara schuler
No, leave it or off are not "old fashioned" and are still a very good command to train!
(BTW - Congrats on making a breakthrough in your walking!)
I combined an old method with marker training - other folks will probably chime in with other ideas.
I put a treat on the floor and stood next to it. When the dog went for the item I covered it with my foot and said "leave it". After doing this a few times (in succession) when you take your foot off the treat the dog will hesitate and that is when you would mark and reward. I found it a fast behavior to train. I also would sometimes allow them the item after saying "leave it" and they obeyed, with the thought that this would hopefully prevent the "grabbing" an item I said to "leave it" - if they knew that sometimes they would get it anyway if they obeyed. (Might have over-thought that, but it seemed to work).
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline
Marker training has a little more to it, as you will see when you get to the parts about loading (or charging) your marker, and how your marker gives the dog an exact snapshot of what he was doing when he "earned" the reward that appears after the marker, but I would call what you describe positive-reward-based, which is good. Markers will add precision and clarity that is a giant boost to the dog's confidence and enjoyment about training (and yours!).
eta
You will LOVE it. So will your dogs!
Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/05/2011 10:09 PM)
Edit reason: eta
Let me know if you need me to hunt up a few. Use desensitize and (separately) desensitizing as your search words.
Connie, I would love for you to hunt up some relevant desensitizing info for me. I have been rooting around the site for hours today trying to find some, and now my eyes are aching. For some reason I decided to read a 16-page thread where you mentioned desensitizing several times, but never went into detail. It was like watching a train wreck...I just couldn't look away. Finally by page 13 the OP started to "get it", but still...yikes.
Anyhow, as I said, I would be very grateful if you could dig up some desensitizing information for me.
I want to share the great news with everybody who has helped me on this topic.
I had to take Oxz to the vet this morning, and there is considerable improvement to her behaviour in the company of other dogs. And although we have not taken any big steps yet, I have been diligent with her training. I took her on the prong collar, and she did not bark or lunge once at any of the many other dogs that were coming and going. She did occasionally try to stare, but was prompt, if not immediate, to return her attention to me on command whether I told her to "leave it", "look at me", "sit" or "down". Not that she was perfect, I did need to administer 3 or 4 corrections (though not any higher than a level 3!), but overall I think she behaved splendidly. I am so proud of her, a little proud of me and very grateful for all the help and assistance I received here! Thank you again, everyone!
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