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Post by Aussienot on Mar 10, 2004 23:08:42 GMT -5
I've been trying to get Finn to hold a down stay under competition conditions - the group exercises. He was finding the nearness of the other dogs just too distracting.
I've been trying different approaches, and in talking with my trainer recently hit upon an idea. I'd been making a big deal out of the release, with a big happy "FREE!" and praise. Finn, not finding the down stay a particularly rewarding exercise, was working for the release, and short-cutted the whole thing by just releasing himself .
So now, I don't release him.
When I return to him after a stay, I heel him out of the down for a few steps; or I put him into a stand and walk around him, or I step in front and finish him in heel position. It's the follow up exercise that gets the Free and big praise.
It hasen't taken him long to learn the only way out of a down stay is another command, and it's really making him a LOT steadier.
I haven't proofed him on this yet under trial conditions, but I think we're close to it.
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Post by Richard on Mar 11, 2004 8:21:28 GMT -5
That is how I work Rocky...when we're doing off leash work...he'll be in a down/stay (sit/stay,stand/stay too) and when I approach for a join-up, I'll give the "heel" command and have him walk beside me...after about 10 feet, I'll give the "okay go play" command with some happy praise and off he goes.
That is great that you and him work so well together...I forget where it is posted here but I just think its so cool watching ob work with a dog and handler that are in synch...mind you, when we're outta synch, it looks like we've never spent a day together....sometimes it goes from one extreme to the other.....that is when I start to have fun (well not really) and just call it a day...
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Post by Nicole on Mar 11, 2004 9:14:51 GMT -5
That's great Aussienot. I wish you continued success.
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Post by Willow on Mar 11, 2004 10:15:18 GMT -5
That is how I was *trained*. ;D After a *sit/stay* or *down/stay*, I was taught you always return to the dog and then *heel* them out of it, and that is how I always teach the *stay* commands. That is to prevent just what was happening with Finn.
The only exception, of course, is the *recall*. You put the dog into a *sit/stay*, walk away and face the dog and then call them to you. I never had a dog refuse to come when called using this method.
Now the *recall* is done differently by most trainer's if you are not going to go into competition obedience. The dog is never put into the sit and then called, but personally, I still like to train as if every dog is going to go into competition, whether they are or not.
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Post by sibemom on Mar 11, 2004 16:48:56 GMT -5
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Post by Brooke on Mar 11, 2004 17:15:17 GMT -5
Thats great!
I love your new pic Aussie! He's just so cute! I love his ears!
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Post by Laura on Mar 11, 2004 19:10:15 GMT -5
That is great indeed ! So great, as a matter of fact, I'm going to try it on my foster, who can't seem to hold a down . I never thought to go directly into another command as a release system .
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Post by sibemom on Mar 11, 2004 19:12:10 GMT -5
Me neither DAHHH I think this might be the key to what we were missing
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Post by Laura on Mar 11, 2004 19:14:53 GMT -5
What, you mean your Husky has the attention span of a head of cabbage like mine usually do ?
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Post by sibemom on Mar 11, 2004 19:25:09 GMT -5
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Post by Willow on Mar 11, 2004 19:53:53 GMT -5
You gals crack me up! You know you looooove those huskies and the challenge they give you!!! Just what would you high energy girls do if you had a dog like my Pup that is sooooo calm and quiet and just lives to please you? (Probably what I did...go out and get another dog who was (is) more of a challenge!!) ;D
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Post by sibemom on Mar 11, 2004 20:06:15 GMT -5
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