I Feel Like I have Failed

[adellelauren]

Coming when called needs a lot of work. Start indoors, toss a treat a few feet away from you and she will go eat it - as soon as she is reaching for the treat, call her come (show her you have another cookie!) and when she gets to you, give her that cookie. Repeat a couple times and end on a good note. (yes, you want her to eat the cookie you've tossed, but not to linger over it while she chews 30 times and blows off your come command) I think this also introduces what will later be a part of the retrieve (come back quickly) so I start saying "get it" when I throw the treat... just thought of another tip, use a light colored treat that will really stand out against the flooring ie, one that she can see. I use bright orange cheese balls, or white cheese/chicken chunks.


When we are at class or outside at home or even in the house her comes are perfect. I just don't understand why she didn't listen at the dog park.

 

[adellelauren]

I think you are doing fine. You are in an ebb and flow period with her, and if you keep working on it she's going to get it and do just fine.

Stay consistent. If you ask for a sit, she sits, even if you help her. Tell her she's a good girl when she's sitting and if you are consistent - she will learn that you mean it (say it only once, then make it happen) and won't test you so much. Your timing will get better and you can ask for that sit before she lunges at another dog. (Reaction to another dog - meet and greet, also Friendly stranger test)


Coming when called needs a lot of work. Start indoors, toss a treat a few feet away from you and she will go eat it - as soon as she is reaching for the treat, call her come (show her you have another cookie!) and when she gets to you, give her that cookie. Repeat a couple times and end on a good note. (yes, you want her to eat the cookie you've tossed, but not to linger over it while she chews 30 times and blows off your come command) I think this also introduces what will later be a part of the retrieve (come back quickly) so I start saying "get it" when I throw the treat... just thought of another tip, use a light colored treat that will really stand out against the flooring ie, one that she can see. I use bright orange cheese balls, or white cheese/chicken chunks.

You might leave a light line attached to her so you can reinforce the come command if she wants to leave... another tip, do this before her meal when she is hungry. Also, put your other pets in another room so they can't interrupt. Play the game in the driveway (on leash please) and in the safety of your fenced yard. Call her to come whenever something good will happen. Do yourself a favor and always touch her collar too - when giving the other cookie. So many shelties I see want to play "keep away from my collar"

I wish you much success with your dog, you are doing so well and you two are going to pass and succeed with the CGC and beyond. I am an evaluator and if you are not quite ready, keep training and take the test again when you feel you are ready!

If you need some specific hints or helps, I'll be happy to help in any way I can.

We didn't talk about stays, how is she with that?

Her attitude with cats is getting really good. Once in a while she will give a low growl but I tell her to leave it and she looks at me and stops. Her stays are really good. Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it.

 

[Meldor]

Oh I remember those difficult teen and pre-teen days. Keep up all the good training and work you are doing with her, you will be amazed on how much it makes a difference when she gets a bit more mature. When Kyara reached around 15 months, I really saw the results of all the training we did during those months when I always felt I was always going backwards.

Hang in there! Oh a few book suggestions for the reactivity towards dogs:
-Control unleashed (I have only good things to say about this one) - Leslie Mcdevitt
-Scaredy dog - Ali Brown
-BAT (http://functionalrewards.com/)
- On talking terms with dogs - Calming Signals - Turid Rugas
Note: Even if you do not purchase the book, I would definitely suggest you look up information on Calming Signals as it can help you know what your dog is having trouble communicating/understanding from other dogs. It would also help you know what behaviors to encourage in her towards other dogs.

When we are at class or outside at home or even in the house her comes are perfect. I just don't understand why she didn't listen at the dog park.

Dogs do not generalize well. The principle of adding only one tiny distraction at a time and practicing until the ''comes'' have a 80% success rate before adding in another distraction would definitely help. The tough part here is to find a way to recreate a sort of dog park environment but with less distraction...

If it is possible, how about trying to practice comes on a long leash outside of the dog park? Then you could try and move on to going to the dog park when it is a lot less busy and practicing then?

If this is not possible, maybe simply practicing outside at home but increase the difficulty by adding some distractions there... possibly a doggy friend?

You're doing a great job! Keep us posted on the progress or difficulties you encounter.

 

[Silaria]

When we are at class or outside at home or even in the house her comes are perfect. I just don't understand why she didn't listen at the dog park.

Dogs don't necessarily generalize well. At the dog park there are so many other distractions, even with only you and your friend there, that paying attention to you isn't high on her priority list.

What you may need to do for the time being is invest in one of those very long (15 - 25 foot) training leads and use it at the dog park. This will give her some room to run but you can retain some control. Bring treats. Reward her for paying attention to you (looking at you) in addition to obeying commands.

When Edan was young and I was taking my CGC classes prior to the test the best advise I was given was to go to a strip mall and work on the commands (sit, down, stay, watch me, etc.) there. With so much commotion and distraction it really helped to teach that these behaviors are expected anywhere, anytime, any place.

Remember, she's only 6 months old. Keep training sessions short. You really are doing well with her. Growing pains are going to happen but stay consistent and don't accept behaviors you don't want. A quick verbal correction, such as a loud AH! sound, is often enough for a Sheltie to get the point.