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| (Shh don't tell - it's mostly just kibble but I put in a few pieces of pupperonis so the kibble smells like treats) |
1. You put your nose or paw on the toy. Click.
2. You put the toy in your mouth. Click.
3. You hold the toy for longer amounts of time. Click.
4. You pick up the toy yourself. Click.
5. Gradually from farther away. Click.
6. I back away a few steps getting you to follow me with the toy in your mouth. Click.
And so it goes and soon we'll play fetch. OK?
The dog in the tutorial is pretty interested in the toy. Toby however is interested in only one thing - food. He absolutely will not have ANYTHING to do with any object when he knows there are treats in play. How can this look so easy and be so hard? ARGGHH! My poor dog - so smart, with such a dumb human. After all, he's already gotten ME trained to fetch for HIM pretty well!
Ha ha ha! Some dogs just aren't into fetch! Maybe if you threw a ball with treats in it?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's any universe in which Toby would bring it back. :)
DeleteWhat a great break down of how to treat fetch, and of teh occasional failure, We had a similar experience, I have heard that people had success putting a treat in the ball. I really loved your thoughtful comments on my blog. Just so you know I am in no way or shape a good trainer. I tend to be pretty permissive. I try to do the basics and thats it. Im lucky that pugs are pretty mellow and easy to handle naturally I put more effort into Norbert and Bob and Id say Bob is best at tricks, but actually has the most "issues" he is not fond of strangers despite tons and tons of early socializaton and we have to stop people from try to pet and greet him on walks. Norbert is very good and actually did pet therapy work for awhile when we lived in manhattan but then we moved to NJ and it became a little tough to do
ReplyDeleteurban hounds
Thank you for letting me know it's not just me!
DeleteInteresting that Bob doesn't care for strangers despite early socialization. They do have their own unique personalities. I believe the behavioral scientists will eventually get that part right (when I was a biology major in the 70's we were taught that animals are incapable of emotions and don't actually think, more like robots - we've come a long way). Maybe Bob is an introvert like me!
Bert is the same way. Food is the most important thing inthe world to him.....
ReplyDeleteHe will do anything for food.
Bert
Bert earns a lot of yummy treats for all the good deeds you and he do together!
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ReplyDeleteThanks Sugar! I'm heading over to look at the post. Sugar is so talented and good! You must be an excellent trainer!
ReplyDeleteHehehe I've trained my mummy to fetch the ball for me:-)
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