AKC S.T.A.R. Program

[Calliesmom]

That list makes me nervous. Smudge can't do any of those things (numbers 14-20 but # 13 is also iffy)! I can't even get him to walk when I take him for a walk!

Does anybody know what the Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away means? I'm not sure I get that.

This is from the CGC test :Test 9: Reaction to distraction

This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.

for the STAR- might be something similar but less intense............

 

[Smudge]

It's not scheduled to rain this Thursday, so I'll be taking Smudge to the park early in the morning that day. I hope it's not too muddy. Nothing more fun than trying to clean dirty sheltie paws! I'm hoping maybe I can convince him to walk. I'm going to buy some cheese and see if that won't motivate him. If I can get him to walk then I won't be as nervous. I usually just pick him up and carry him because I am in a hurry. No more people taxi, Smudge!

 

[Silaria]

Does he just not want to walk with the lead on? If that's the case, you can start working on that in your house or back yard.

Start by just clipping his lead on and leaving the end on the ground. (Obviously you want to be somewhere he can't escape.) Just leave him alone and let him get use to the feel of it and when he takes a step, praise and reward him. Slowly increase the number of steps before a reward is given.

Next, pick the end of the lead up and sit on the ground in front of him, not very far in front, with a reward and call him toward you. DO NOT pull on the lead, just hold it. Let him come to you.

Slowly work your way to standing position and from there to him walking beside you.

You are right though, the "People Taxi" should stop even if it means only going a few feet from the front door for a little while. The park may be too much for him right now since you'd have to carry him to get to a point where you can practice.

 

[Smudge]

Smudge has no problem walking around as long as I'm not standing. Like at the vet's office, after I sat down he would explore the waiting room and sniff the dog food on display. When they would call me to the back to go to the exam room, I would stand up and say "Come on, Smudge!" and he would just stand there and refuse to walk. I had to pick him up, because the vet tech was waiting. I don't know why he won't walk. When he stopped I tried moving ahead some, and he tried to back out of his collar. I don't want to force him to walk, so I didn't do that again.

I've tried walking him in the front yard, as well. I never gave him a treat, but it always ends up with him standing for a few minutes and then laying down. My point in going to the park wasn't only to teach him to walk but also to maybe see more dogs. Everybody who sees Smudge wants to pet him, and so I thought if there were no dogs at least there might be some people there who would want to pet him. Just to get him used to strangers some. It's been raining randomly here though, so I might not get to try anything. It rains when they say it won't, and the sun comes out when they say rain.

Also, my house is right by the highway. Anytime a huge truck bellows by he gets scared. So I was thinking that maybe since it's a park there won't be that many scary noises.

 

[Phebe*DD]

At 24 weeks, Phebe is just finally coming out of her leash aversion. She was fine on the leash in obedience class, but would sit and refuse to move when I tried to just walk her in the neighborhood or between my office and parking lot. I tried baiting her with treats, but then realized that she was probably sitting to get treats. Now, if she sits while we're walking I reach down and pull up on her collar and she starts moving forward again. I've started only treating her randomly while walking on a loose lead and more infrequently as reinforcement that she is doing a 'good job'.

Also, I started using a 4-foot leash attached to my belt when we're walking for exercise. This leaves both my hands free to treat and/or cue her for stops, starts and turns.

I believe that time and maturity also play a part. I think if you're consistent, understanding and firm, you'll see improvement quickly.

 

[Smudge]

I decided to just try walking around the yard for a little bit instead of going to the park. We probably only stayed outside 15 minutes (if it was that long). It was too hot for us. Smudge did a lot better than last time I tried it, but he still didn't do very good. He would have walked more, but the neighbor's cat was in our yard. I didn't want to have to break up a fight (because Smudge was barking like crazy at it) so we went back inside.

I think next time we will try earlier in the morning when it won't be so hot. He still lays down a lot though. I also learned that a retractable leash is not a good idea for a dog who doesn't know how to walk. He kept getting tangled up in it and when he walked around me he tangled me up as well.

 

[Caro]

Smudge has no problem walking around as long as I'm not standing. Like at the vet's office, after I sat down he would explore the waiting room and sniff the dog food on display. When they would call me to the back to go to the exam room, I would stand up and say "Come on, Smudge!" and he would just stand there and refuse to walk. I had to pick him up, because the vet tech was waiting. I don't know why he won't walk. When he stopped I tried moving ahead some, and he tried to back out of his collar. I don't want to force him to walk, so I didn't do that again.

Ha ha, he is a smart boy. Deska does that and he doesn't have a leash aversion - just a vet aversion!

When I first started 'walking' my dogs I just took them places like the local shops or the park or oval and just stood there and let them sniff and investigate. They do eventually start moving along. You could also try rolling a ball along in front of him so he focuses on chasing the ball and learns he can move around with the leash on. The other thing you can do is break up the walk - with a little skip or change direction or squeak a toy - just to distract him so he doesnt think about the lead.

 

[Smudge]

Ha ha, he is a smart boy. Deska does that and he doesn't have a leash aversion - just a vet aversion!

When I first started 'walking' my dogs I just took them places like the local shops or the park or oval and just stood there and let them sniff and investigate. They do eventually start moving along. You could also try rolling a ball along in front of him so he focuses on chasing the ball and learns he can move around with the leash on. The other thing you can do is break up the walk - with a little skip or change direction or squeak a toy - just to distract him so he doesnt think about the lead.

Believe it or not, I can't get Smudge to even look at a ball. I've bought tons of them, and they're all collecting dust. I even bought a wiggly ball that has batteries inside that jiggles around. He only seems interested in stuffed animals. He doesn't much care for hard toys either.

 

[take4roll10]

I'm trying to find a s.t.a.r. program in my area. My puppy will get her last booster next week. I emailed a few people from the akc site and no one gave me any information

 

[emmygirl]

Are there any AKC STAR evaluator in Delaware?

Does anyone know a AKC Evaluator located in Delaware? I have a pup I need tested.