HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
What are your thoughts on pulling a dog?
Prior to last month, I never thought I would need to pull one of mine. However, I have a dog who has become so confident, independent, cocky, and wild that at the NADAC trial a month ago, I found myself collecting my dog, thanking the judge, and leaving the ring. Since returning from our break, she has started choosing to disregard very clear cues and refuses to check in. At the NADAC trial, she got a verbal to check in two jumps back from the discrimination, verbal and no motion at the jump one jump back, me still standing, waiting for the check in, and another verbal, and she still chose to go on, and take the tunnel as she pleased (was supposed to be dogwalk, but never bothered to get that information from me). I picked her up at the end of the tunnel, and left the ring. Fast forward to the week following at class. We couldn't make her repeat the mistake. She was all about listening at that point.
Prior to that, since March each run has been less than impressive, with her either ignoring me, or she misses the weaves because collecting takes time out from flying, barks me down, and then the run deteriorates to crap (you can't get her back once the bark down happens).
So, it happened this past weekend. Barked me down at the weaves, after already choosing to ignore all cues to collect on a few other obstacles (she got pulled at obstacle #7). So, I picked her up and left. It is not helping the dog to allow her to continue on with the course when that happens. People outside the ring took it badly. I am apparently mean for pulling my dog off course. Had it been a Border Collie, not a word would've been said, but a sheltie? Yeah, I'm a horrible person because my naughty dog wasn't allowed to continue acting bad in the ring. She is not a soft sheltie. I wouldn't DARE do it with any of my others... yet Kai? What other option was there at that point when the dog wasn't paying a bit of attention, and getting out of control?
Fast forward to the next day. The dog was perfect. Couldn't have asked for better runs. She was listening, collecting to hit the weave poles, doing everything I asked her. She qualified for the first time since coming back, and even earned a title. This is the first time she has been truly focused on responding to me since returning in March. So, apparently being pulled from the course got the message across. It seems every once in a while she is just going to have to be pulled from the course. It really isn't something I want to do, but it seems as if it is the only thing that works to get through to her that her out of control behavior, and unwillingness to listen are unacceptable, and the fun will end when she chooses to do those things. She is not a dog that treats or toys matter to. She doesn't care about praise. It is all about the agility. Running is its' own reward.
Believe me when I say this dog is very well trained. It isn't a lack of information coming from me, or the dog just not understanding the cues she is given. She KNOWS them.
Prior to last month, I never thought I would need to pull one of mine. However, I have a dog who has become so confident, independent, cocky, and wild that at the NADAC trial a month ago, I found myself collecting my dog, thanking the judge, and leaving the ring. Since returning from our break, she has started choosing to disregard very clear cues and refuses to check in. At the NADAC trial, she got a verbal to check in two jumps back from the discrimination, verbal and no motion at the jump one jump back, me still standing, waiting for the check in, and another verbal, and she still chose to go on, and take the tunnel as she pleased (was supposed to be dogwalk, but never bothered to get that information from me). I picked her up at the end of the tunnel, and left the ring. Fast forward to the week following at class. We couldn't make her repeat the mistake. She was all about listening at that point.
Prior to that, since March each run has been less than impressive, with her either ignoring me, or she misses the weaves because collecting takes time out from flying, barks me down, and then the run deteriorates to crap (you can't get her back once the bark down happens).
So, it happened this past weekend. Barked me down at the weaves, after already choosing to ignore all cues to collect on a few other obstacles (she got pulled at obstacle #7). So, I picked her up and left. It is not helping the dog to allow her to continue on with the course when that happens. People outside the ring took it badly. I am apparently mean for pulling my dog off course. Had it been a Border Collie, not a word would've been said, but a sheltie? Yeah, I'm a horrible person because my naughty dog wasn't allowed to continue acting bad in the ring. She is not a soft sheltie. I wouldn't DARE do it with any of my others... yet Kai? What other option was there at that point when the dog wasn't paying a bit of attention, and getting out of control?
Fast forward to the next day. The dog was perfect. Couldn't have asked for better runs. She was listening, collecting to hit the weave poles, doing everything I asked her. She qualified for the first time since coming back, and even earned a title. This is the first time she has been truly focused on responding to me since returning in March. So, apparently being pulled from the course got the message across. It seems every once in a while she is just going to have to be pulled from the course. It really isn't something I want to do, but it seems as if it is the only thing that works to get through to her that her out of control behavior, and unwillingness to listen are unacceptable, and the fun will end when she chooses to do those things. She is not a dog that treats or toys matter to. She doesn't care about praise. It is all about the agility. Running is its' own reward.
Believe me when I say this dog is very well trained. It isn't a lack of information coming from me, or the dog just not understanding the cues she is given. She KNOWS them.
