Still working On 'Watch me'

T

Toffee's Mom

Forums Sage
I know I have asked many a questions and got some awesome replies and been reading lots of great advice on here!!
.. here is a video I did today. I started training him with the ball, to switch up the ante, and not always reward with treats, to get ready for some novice agility in May...
I had alrady shared that he does watch me but just for his food at dinner time, well hell, I found out that the ball also brings out that intensity, I think it was something that Justicemom said (but coulda been either one of you all) who got me thinking about what else I can do for 'watch me' to raise the intensity..
So here it works with the ball!! Never thought I'd get him to look at me instead of my feet when playing with the ball... So I THINK it is a bit of a breakthrough and AHA moment for me?
as in i talk too much in the first one, lol, and timing is horribly off
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/Toffee/?action=view&current=watch.flv
second one I don't speak at all, LOL
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/Toffee/?action=view&current=March011.flv
 
That's fantastic. Toffe reminds me of Tully - she is hypnotised by that ball and will do anything to get the ball, I use it for agility training. I have a special ball we use at agility (its an Air Kong Donut) so it makes it kind of different to ordinary ball throwing. Its been especially useful in training weaves. When we did obedience training I didnt bother with treats - just took a ball I am sure all the other dogs were jealous of Tully getting the ball thrown for a reward.
 
what a cutie pie. my puppy class instructor had us to put a treat in one hand and clicker in the other and make sure you puppy sees you get the treat or show it to them then take your hands out to each side of you about ear level and wait...the second you catch them look at you click or whatever your reward is maybe a word, then just increase eye contact that worked well for bella and then i eventually started saying look at me with emphasis on "me". Might be worth a try..

Mary and Bella
 
Belladora said:
what a cutie pie. my puppy class instructor had us to put a treat in one hand and clicker in the other and make sure you puppy sees you get the treat or show it to them then take your hands out to each side of you about ear level and wait...the second you catch them look at you click or whatever your reward is maybe a word, then just increase eye contact that worked well for bella and then i eventually started saying look at me with emphasis on "me". Might be worth a try..

Mary and Bella
Click to expand...

Yeah, good idea... maybe I do need to go back to basics again there, too
but I am more proofing it right now, he KNOWS what watch me means... I just haven't been able to take to at a little distance OR increase in time, UNLESS it is during feeding time, when the foodbowl is on the floor. He has it down to a T then... and I have increased the distance now and time there. But I never get that same result at any other time... But I think the ball is going to help.. MIND you I tried at the dogpark yesterday which was a wash, LOL it's ALL BALL ALL THE TIME

Caro-- I will totally use the ball as a reward in agility as well!!
 
Yeah, sorry i sort of realized that after i sent this when i read the post again, I should read more thouroughly..but it may help someone else, who knows. I am really liking your ball method.

Mary
 
Belladora said:
what a cutie pie. my puppy class instructor had us to put a treat in one hand and clicker in the other and make sure you puppy sees you get the treat or show it to them then take your hands out to each side of you about ear level and wait...the second you catch them look at you click or whatever your reward is maybe a word, then just increase eye contact that worked well for bella and then i eventually started saying look at me with emphasis on "me". Might be worth a try..

Mary and Bella
Click to expand...

That how I start watch me.
1.treat between my eyes.
2.treat beside my head
3.treat out to side elbows bent
4. treat out to side arms straight
5. Treat at waist
6. Treat with hands straight at side
7. No treat visable
Then I start working for time and postion front and side then distance then distance and time. Then I start proofing with tennis balls being thrown, treats hitting the ground, people petting them, them moving etc:smile2:

How long this takes depends on your dog.
 
Justicemom said:
That how I start watch me.
1.treat between my eyes.
2.treat beside my head
3.treat out to side elbows bent
4. treat out to side arms straight
5. Treat at waist
6. Treat with hands straight at side
7. No treat visable
Then I start working for time and postion front and side then distance then distance and time. Then I start proofing with tennis balls being thrown, treats hitting the ground, people petting them, them moving etc:smile2:

How long this takes depends on your dog.
Click to expand...

Oh man.. you think I should start at the beginning again then? I think I may have wanted results too fast?
I think I it maybe is a good idea to take a few steps back again, maybe using the tennis ball and sometimes treats to change it up?
 
Toffee's Mom said:
Oh man.. you think I should start at the beginning again then? I think I may have wanted results too fast?
I think I it maybe is a good idea to take a few steps back again, maybe using the tennis ball and sometimes treats to change it up?
Click to expand...

You could do a small refresher. Never hurts. I tend to move though the steps pretty quickly with the goal of fading the lure as soon as possible. If you lingering too long with visable food the dogs become of a bribe. It comes back out to the last point of success if the dog has problems. I slow down and take my time with each step after the food or toy becomes invisable. ie position of dog, time and distance.:smile2:
 
Great job Toffee!! When you've got her trying to make holes in your head with her ears (and willing another set of eyes so she see whatever it is she desires - you can almost SEE them thinking "comeon comeon release me already!!)) you know you've got it! :lol:

I like to also take a treat in my hand hold it to my face next to my eyes and slowly pull that treat holding hand away from my face. The goal is to get the dog to keep watching you as the treat moves away. Sometimes I take a treat in each hand out to each side, and I'm doing all kinds of crazy things (waving, tossing the treat, and them eyes should be on me! Oh how many ways can we torture our dogs! LOL!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top