Considering drives and motivations when training dogs 8-)

Boudicca...doing what dogs do!

 

 

Septempber 19, 2009

Joyce Kesling, CDBC

Considering drives and motivations when training dogs

 

 

The following two youtube videos demonstrate dog training using toys as rewards.  When training dogs, I like to think about what dogs do naturally, some more than others.   Dogs expressing parts of the prey drive not intended would be considered faults.  Border collies for example don’t naturally express “eye” they need the right environment to express that characteristic.  Without it, they probably wouldn’t make a good working and/or herding dog.

In this first video, Boudicca is demonstrating learned behavior take and give (release).  Training this behavior should be included in all puppy training. Rules are essential to maintain training new behavior during the acquisition phase, but also for maintaining already trained behaviors.  Note, how I emphasize my cues, hand signals and body language.  When we lack this type of consistency we can expect inconsistent behavior from our dogs.  However, this is not the same quality of precision one attempts to achieve in show obedience trials, however providing clear cues for behavior is essential, otherwise even pet/companion dogs may become anxious and frustrated.  Make sure you watch for my mistakes. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik_9vaeq-MY

In this second video, Boudicca is demonstrating how we can train dogs using parts of their natural prey drive using an internal reinforcer, rather than external.  This would be especially helpful for some dogs who might naturally express that behavior given the right environment. 

In the previous video, I used a variety of objects to generalize the behavior.  In this second video I get her started with my goal behavior, catch.  I then add the distraction, dropping a ball at my side, she should stay focused on me not the other object.  I pre-selected a soft bone shaped toy to use as the throwing object, this helps her catch a large object and express the kill bite part of the prey drive. 

The purpose for training this type of behavior not only teaches bite inhibition further but includes impulse control and cooperation.  When dogs willingly trust us to release objects, from their jaws and teeth and willingly retrieve objects to us, demonstrates very desirable manners and skills every owner should want for their dog. 

Note, how I continually use toys as rewards rather than food treats.  I use food treats to get a desirable behavior but move away from them to life rewards, especially play behaviors sooner than later!   When you consider internal and external motivation and drives, I’ve found incorporating rewards in training that stimulate internal motivations rather than relying on external motivators might be necessary for some dogs.  Teaching dogs to rely on food treats for good behavior can be compared to how we use food to satisfy unmet needs, resulting in eating disorders. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RAQqSv_VWU

 

Responsible Dog and Cat

Training and Behavior Solutions

Combining Art and Science for Training Animals

Joyce D. Kesling, CDBC

P.O. Box 15992

Sarasota, Florida 34277

941-966-1188 

http://responsibledog.net 

http://responsibledog.wordpress.com/ 

https://k9psych.wordpress.com/ 

http://k9psych.blogspot.com/  

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.  Mahatma Gandhi 1869 – 1948

Coyright Responsible Dog & Cat  2009

Fetch and Retrieve

Boudicca Fetch and Retrieve

 

 

 

 

 

Fetch and Retrieve

I happen to love teaching dogs fetch and retrieve for a couple of very important reasons.  The first is this behavior is a building block for cooperation and what better way to teach a dog cooperation than getting him to willingly run after something, bring it back to you and then relinquish it!  The second biggest reason is providing an outlet for dogs who commonly love to chase things, what better way to redirect predatory behavior than through interactive play with our pets.  

Unfortunately, not all dogs get this training early in life.  Studies show that dogs learn this behavior best beginning when they are 9 weeks old.  However, this does not mean we can’t train this fun behavior, it just means we might need to put forth a little more effort.  Also, I tend to think all dogs are capable of learning this simple game so don’t get discouraged just because your dog isn’t a natural born retriever. 

You may also encounter other contributing factors that explain why dogs may be reluctant to play the game; some may be included in the following list. 

1. Motivation
2. History involving inadvertent punishment, i.e. punished previously for picking up a shoe
3. Lack of early learning
4. Never introduced to toys
5. Distractions 

However, this doesn’t mean we should dismiss our dogs ability to learn this new skill, but rather we will just work harder to make it possible, keeping in mind we will gain ground in small increments that may be dependent on your individual dog. 

How we approach this training will depend on your dogs’ previous history and all the things I have already pointed out.  If we are beginning with a dog with little interest, we need to begin with the most basic step.  

Toys first 

If your dog already has a good history of playing with and interacting with toys, you may be able to skip ahead to the next level of learning.  If your dog lacks a good history of playing with toys or even you, it might be necessary to begin at the most basic level.  The idea is getting your dog in a playful mood and need to begin with an introduction to toys! 

The following is a short list of suggested toys

1. Balls all types and materials and large enough to not be swallowed
2. Rope toys – great for tug of war
3. Hard rubber toys such as Kong toys and similar products
4. Interactive toys such as Buster Cubes, stuffed Kong items, hollow stuffed marrow bones and similar products
5. Soft Toys – I love soft toys, but unless you are familiar with how your dog interacts with soft objects I consider them to be given only under supervision to avoid swallowing any of the materials contained in them
6. I like to suggest having a large sampling of toy types including different materials and textures – dogs love novelty and keeping toys put away keeps them more interesting
7. Safe chew items – ask your behavior consultant or professional trainer for suggestions

This is a very limited list and a very small sampling of available options.  For more suggestions, ask your behavior consultant or trainer.  

Beginning basics – Grade School 

1. Using one of your dog’s toys begin by rewarding any interest in the toy – if you are using click and treat, you will c/t every time your dog goes near the toy – this is shaping your dog toward the target behavior, your goal
2. Throw the toy – your dog may chase it, if so c/t
3. Tease him with the toy – this is my personal favorite
4. Play peek-a-boo – hiding it behind your back
5. If it squeaks, taunt him with it, this works great for terriers
6. Reward any attempt to interact with the toy
7. When he starts showing interest – put the toy away

8. Never get angry or frustrated – always keep the activity upbeat and fun

Identifying the chain

Before we can begin, we first must identify the chain of behavior required in fetch and retrieve.  The following are the most basic steps in the behavior.

1. Give – release item
2. Take it – go fetch item
3. Recall – return to you 

The behavior is performed using the following sequence, but is learned by back chaining.  

1. Dog is in front position or along side of you using a wait cue
2. Object is thrown
3. Dog is cued to take it
4. Dog returns (comes) to you
5. Dog gives item to you 

Take it  

We first teach the dog what take it means as follows:

1. Begin by offering your dog a treat, when he takes it c/t – do this about 8-10 times
2. Next using 8-10 treats, offer him the treat, when he gets ready to take it, click and say the cue take it
3. Once he is actively taking items in his mouth using the cue I like to begin introducing new items so the dog generalizes the behavior
4. Maintain the excitement by keeping the retrieving objects put away in between training sessions

5. Keep your training sessions short, upbeat and end when the dog is still successful 

Recalls – Sit – Wait

Recall, Sit and Wait should be part of your everyday training so this paper will not cover those training procedures.  If you are not familiar with these training procedures, ask your behavior consultant or training professional for the applicable handouts.  

Give (Release or Drop it) 

This behavior is the opposite of take it and trained as follows: 

1. Begin first by offering a favorite toy to your dog
2. When he takes it and has a firm hold, ask him to give or release offering him a treat at the same time
3. The smell of the treat should immediately entice him to release the object
4. When he releases quickly give him the treat repeating this 8-10 times
5. When he is actively giving up the object, introduce the cue at the same time you offer the treat repeating this step 8-10 times
6. Practice using different objects so he generalizes the behavior with many types of items, you may want to switch from using a treat in exchange for another similar toy or the exact same toy
7. If you can’t get him to take a firm hold on the toy, you may have to shape this behavior separately 

Secondary basics – Achieving higher levels 

Once we have the foundation behaviors take it, give and recalls firmly in place we can precede to the next higher level of performance.  Remember good training is done slowly and not proceeding before the dog is ready.  Every dog will advance at their own pace and according to how much effort we put into their training, so don’t get discouraged if this takes more time than you expected, believe me it works or I wouldn’t be writing this.

1. Start in low distraction environments this will prevent ruining any of our previously trained behaviors
2. Make sure your dog is motivated and ready to play
3. Rev him up if necessary
4. Have plenty of treats
5. Begin first by asking your dog to sit and wait
6. Toss the toy a short distance away in front of the dog
7. When you are ready ask him to take it
8. Once he has taken the object in his mouth, using your recall encourage him to come using a happy tone of voice
9. If he comes back, ask him to give offering him a treat at the same time
10. Repeat this 3-5 times using the same distance
11. Slowly increase the distance adding 5-10 feet depending on the dogs willingness and success at playing the game
12. Repeat the behavior 3-5 times at every distance increase – you may even want to add additional repetitions
13. If the dog shows any reluctance go back a step using a shorter distance and using more repetitions
14. Use “slow dining” to reward excellent behavior
15. Quit while your dog is successful
16. Practice this every day slowly increasing the distance and repetitions necessary while building up the time spent performing the behavior
17. Remember keep a smiley face on no matter how awkward your dog may seem

Slow dining is a form of jackpotting coined by Terry Ryan.  What this means is rather than quickly rewarding for good behavior, slow things down and give multiple treats or prolonged praise making it last at least 15 – 30 seconds.  This makes the reward more appetizing and furthers the bond between you and your dog. 

Oh, those difficult dogs! 

So you think you have one of those difficult dogs, well don’t get discouraged, here are a couple of helpful ways to get those less than willing retrievers to playfully go along with us. 

1. If your dog has taken to a particular toy, duplicate it and when you throw one, present the other enticing him back using this as a lure or bribe if you want to call it that, either way the object is to get your dog to learn *how* to be more cooperative and how much fun this new behavior is!
2. If necessary use a long line – tossing your dogs favorite toy, when he firmly has it in his mouth gently reel him in but not pulling, calling him in your happiest tone of voice encourage him to come and when he arrives make sure you reward him for his good behavior.  

Responsible Dog & Cat

Training and Behavior Solutions

Joyce D. Kesling, CDBC

Sarasota, Florida 34277

http://responsibledog.net 

http://responsibledog.wordpress.com/ 

https://k9psych.wordpress.com/

http://k9psych.blogspot.com/

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.  Mahatma Gandhi 1869 – 1948

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