He's focusing on my hands.....

[k9kreationz]

Any suggestions?

Well, I was watching my videos, yikes. Koji isn't paying attention to anything on the course. He's watching me and my hands. Obviously, yes, I was giving him treats before our runs. My agility instructor suggested to stop treating him by hand, aka through it on the floor. However, I have a problem and this is where I'd love to hear your thought/suggestions.

I use a bait bag that is also a toy (bunny rabbit fur one). He loves to play with it and tug, but isn't big on running after it. So, I toss it, he goes after it then ignores it (cuz y'know, food isn't falling out of it or anything). So, no biggie. In class, I can just open it and toss it on the ground or toss the food instead.

Here's where I am seeing a problem. AT A TRIAL!!! Before my runs, to get him to train and watch me, I start working on things like touch, sit, etc. If I throw the food on the ground, he'll eat the grass, the dirt, etc. And then he'll be looking for it everywhere on the course.

Thoughts on how to handle this? How to get him to focus w/o using my hands to give treats, or on the ground? Should I allow him to eat out of the bait bag (no hands, except to open it, and not on the ground).

If you're curious, here's my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/kelela92?feature=mhw5

Look at any videos that are dated 4-17 or 4-18. He's not paying attention to anything, granted, hes' VERY focused on me....but a bit too much.

 

[corbinam]

I think that more than your hands, he is focusing on you (more generally). That being said, I know that a lot of shelties are very handler focused, and have a hard time focusing on the obstacles. That's why he is skipping obstacles, because he is too busy looking at you than seeing the obstacles ahead.

My suggestion would be to work on implementing obstacle focus. Set up a series of jumps (4 in a row) and a target plate at one end. If you have to, start with one jump and build up until he is driving to the end completely without you.

Something that Stuart Mah recommended to us is something that he starts with his dogs when they are puppies. Put down a target plate with a piece of food on it. Before your dog picks up the treat, lead him away by luring him with treats in your hand. Don't get too far away, but lure him away by feeding him from your hand. At some point, stop, and say "Okay" and direct him back towards the target plate. That teaches the dog to independently drive towards the target, and he is rewarded without you. You may have to start close to the plate before the release, and then build up distance.

 

[k9kreationz]

And to think, I thought he'd never get focused on me. lol. Eating my words now. So I basically have to go back to foundation training a bit to do target work, more so than C/T type work. To get him AWAY from me. Darn dog. lol. Strangely enough, hubby said he's noticed that since this weekend, Koji doesn't like it when I go away. Guess he's whining for awhile after I leave for work. Sigh.

I'll start on that too. I have to work on a few things that I can incorporate this into. BTW, last night, during class, you know he was perfect right? AUGH!

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm open to hear anything else anyone wants to throw out there. I have a feeling I'm going to be working on foundation stuff with this dog a LOT in the next few months.