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Post by tycoonrealm on Nov 14, 2004 10:21:06 GMT -5
I am looking to train my basset hound to help clean up after events and such or after small sporting events, any ideas? I know i have to train it to come when called, retrieve, and so on... Any ideas or input?
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Post by Laura on Nov 14, 2004 10:38:01 GMT -5
Can you expound on that a bit more? Small areas or large, what does the dog need to pick up, etc?
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Post by tycoonrealm on Nov 14, 2004 10:48:44 GMT -5
Large and small areas, not big enough that the dog can't handle though. They would pick up human trash, like sometimes when people don't want a flier or handout they throw it on the ground, or empty drink containers and plates. They would bring an article to a place like maybe a bright orange wagon or something.
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Post by Aussienot on Nov 19, 2004 17:52:56 GMT -5
This is a complex multi stage activity, and to teach it you'll have to break it down into learnable parts. I'd teach each part separately, and use a technique called Back Chaining.
Back Chaining breaks the task down into simple easy steps. You teach the end of the trick, then the middle, then put the middle and the end together. When those two steps are firmly in place, you teach the starting bit, and finally put it all together.
The parts of the trick that I see are:
6) Understanding what to look for (this will be the hardest part)
5) Sending him out on his mission (the send away)
4) Looking for it (the 'seek')
3) Picking up the trash (the retrieve)
2) Returning to a 'target' location (the trash bin or wagon)
1) and delivering the trash in the target. (give)
And I'd teach them in reverse order the way I've numbered them. So the first step is to teach 1) " delivering trash to the target"
Delivery to a Target
Uses Varied - picking up laundry, cleaning up toys, general canine butler service!
Equipment A "fetch" item. For your purpose, I'd start with a used plastic soft drink bottle. Many dogs like playing with these. You could also use crumpled up paper.
A target. I'd use a low plastic storage box, but if you plan to use a wagon, start with that. For a low to the ground dog, a piece of newspaper spread out on the ground might be the ideal target.
Treats. Hopefully your dog is food motivated!. Cheese, liver treats, chicken, whatever he will work for. If he's not food motivated, start with a toy. (Eventually you'll want to transition to a toy reward so that he's working to gain access to the toy, but that can wait for later.) And if he's neither food or toy motivated, you'll have to work with praise.
Method
Put a lead on the dog to keep him from running off with the fetch item. Position the target.
Show your dog the fetch item, and start playing tug with him with it. Try to get him good and engaged with the idea of gaining the fetch item.
When he's eager to grab it, make sure you are standing right next to the target. Let him fully grasp the fetch item, lean over the target, and hold out the treat.
The treat should enduce him to drop the fetch item. Immediately reward and praise. Cheer, this is the best thing he's ever done.
If he does not drop the fetch item, keep holding out the treat over the target. Be patient, but keep him holding over the target, don't let him run away with it. For a dog that wont give, you can gently squeeze the muzzle behind the upper canine teeth, but don't try to pull the item out.
Repeat two or three times. Start saying the command word GIVE as you lure him to drop the fetch item.
Avoid overdoing it. Train for 5 minutes no more than 3 times a day.
When he will take the fetch item, and drop it into the target on the Give command, move the target to a different spot and start over. Reward all attempts to hit the target, even if his drop is a little off. You can always clean that up later.
Then change the fetch item - if you started with plastic, change to paper and start from the beginning. When he will take three different texture items, and deliver then to the target 100% of the time, you will be ready for the second step.
Next Steps The second step is to teach him to pick up the fetch item and deliver it to the target, but that's the subject of a whole 'nuther post. Possibly a 'Trash Dogs' series. ;D
Does your dog naturally carry things? A dog that engages in natural carry behaviors is easier to train to do these kinds of things. The next step is a variation on the retrieve, so playing fetching games with him will be a helpful patterning exercise. One word of advice, don't let him return the item to your hand. Make him drop it on the ground.
I have to say you are ambitious to try this with a Bassett. This is Working Dog territory, so you've set your hound a mighty challenge. Have a go at the first step, Deliver to Target, and see how you get on.
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Post by sheeba on Nov 20, 2004 17:58:16 GMT -5
Bassets are very intrigued by trash and like to pick it up though, so that part may not be as hard as you would think. My half basset is a kneenex hound you she will walk 100 ft out of her path to retrieve a kleenex. Strange habbit, but I guess it is a basset characteristic ;D Love to hear updates about how it goes, sounds like a good job for a hound.
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Post by tycoonrealm on Dec 1, 2004 16:58:34 GMT -5
I haven't been spending much time with training, i want to but my female had a litter, if you want to see the dogs goto community.webshots.com/user/daisydukekennel it's not an ad, it's just where i put all the pics. I plan on working on it, and could use all your help. thanks russell
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