We've easily taught our 13 wk old Australian Shepherd puppy to go get the ball. Problem is, every time she goes to get it, she brings it half way back, lays down and plays with it, or drops it and moves on to something else. How do we encourage her to bring the ball back to us, and drop it?
Also, does anyone have any simple tricks we could teach her right now? We've taught her "sit" and "down" (lay down). I would love for our 9 yr old son to be able to teach her something.
2007-11-28 01:30:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Use the hallway in the house. That way the puppy only has one way it can go. Sit down on the floor and encourage the puppy to actually run up into your lap with the ball. Allow the pup to keep possession of the ball in your lap for a minute or so. Always stop for the day with the puppy wanting more.
2007-11-28 01:40:32 · answer #1 · answered by tom l 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The best way I have ever heard to fix this problem is by using two balls.
First, throw the dog for your Aussie. Once she picks it up and starts bringing it back, toss the other ball up in the air and catch it. Completely ignore her (do not even look at her). Continue doing this until she returns to you, with or without the ball. Throw the ball for her, as a reward, and move to the spot where she left the last ball. Start all over again.
Your dog is going to always be interested in the ball that YOU are playing with.
As far as simple tricks go, your nine year old can teach her "leave it". Place a treat on the ground and cover it. Your dog will try to get to it, but hold your hand there. When the dog looks at you (or away from the treat), mark ("Yes!") and say "leave it". Give the dog a treat from your OTHER hand (DO NOT use the same hand the "leave treat" is in). Continue until the dog seems to understand the game.
Then move to saying "leave it" before the dog goes for the treat. Try throwing the treat out first, saying "leave it" and covering the treat when the dog goes for it.
2007-11-28 09:48:43 · answer #2 · answered by Fur and Fiction 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tom's right - limiting the distance by using a hallway (or an empty corner) so that when she turns around to come back, she's naturally going to be in the right spot. What you did (and it's OK - we all do this!) was overface the dog and offer her more choices than she was ready for. That's why she went to do something else or self-reinforced by playing with the ball herself. It's fine - she won't be hesitant to fetch and bring the ball back as long as you get in a lot of rewarded repetitions of "Bring the ball right back to me!".
I like teaching a hand touch. Sit on the floor with some treats in your hand (about 10) Be sure your dog is hungry. Thrust your hand out to the side with a treat closed in your fist. Your dog will naturally investigate and when her nose touches your hand, give her the cookie. Repeat.
When she's reliably touching your hand with her nose, that's when you can name the behavior. Don't call it anything until it's the behavior you want. Have fun!
2007-11-28 09:52:38 · answer #3 · answered by Misa M 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would recommend picking up a copy of "Dog Training for Dummies" I have gotten it in the library twice already, it is a very good, simple guide to training everything from the basics to advanced obedience work. Aussies are extremely smart, and very good dogs for obedience work, they are also quite adept at agility, fly ball, frisbee, etc. she should be a breeze! As you go through the exercises in the book, you can show your son what to do, and he will have an easy time of it.
2007-11-28 09:49:00 · answer #4 · answered by Rachal961 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Begin each fetch game with the dog on-leash if necessary. Have a fetch toy with a string or rope securely attached to it (there are many pre-made toys available in any pet store). With the dog on your left side (heel position) present the toy a few inches in front of the dog’s mouth so he has to reach out to grab the toy. Just before his mouth touches the toy say ‘fetch’. Then as his mouth touches the toy, give the conditioned reinforcer.
Back up so you turn the dog toward you.
Now keep backing up so he walks forward into the front of your body. Use the dog’s leash if necessary and happily coax him to keep him coming toward you. Use the rope attached to the toy to keep a small amount of tension on the toy as you move with the dog. Back up a few feet and then stop and play a short game of tug with the dog. Now, give the conditioned reinforcer and offer him a treat or another toy to get the dog to drop the original toy. Let him play with the new toy as a reward (unconditioned reinforcer).
Begin each fetch game with the dog on-leash. Have a fetch toy with a string or rope securely attached to it. With the dog in the heel position present the toy a few inches in front of the dog’s mouth so he has to reach out to grab the toy. Just before his mouth touches the toy say ‘fetch’. Then as his mouth touches the toy, give the conditioned reinforcer. Back up so you turn the dog toward you and keep backing up so he walks forward into the front of your body. Use the rope attached to the toy to keep a small amount of tension on the toy as you move backwards with the dog. Back up a few feet and then stop. Play a short game of tug with the dog, then give the conditioned reinforcer and offer him a treat or another toy. The instant before the dog releases the toy say ‘drop it’ and then let him take the unconditioned reinforcer and praise lavishly.
Good Luck.
2007-11-28 10:47:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offer her something for bringing it back...such as a game of tug, or a small treat. But ONLY if she brings it right to you.
Remember, teach in baby steps....get her to bring it to you consistantly before teaching her the drop command.
2007-11-28 09:36:43 · answer #6 · answered by big dog owner 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've always found 'shake' to be fairly easy to train. My dogs and even one of my cats easily learned this behavior in just a matter of minutes.
2007-11-28 09:53:21 · answer #7 · answered by ..... 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have taught my dog a ton of tricks. My favorites are roll over,
patty-cake: patty-cake patty-cake baker's man bake me a cake as fast as you can-as you're saying that put your hand out and have the dog put his paw in it, and then keep going back and forth with your right and left hand and he can keep going back and forth with his right and left paw-roll it and roll it-roll over twice-and mark it with a B-make something up-and throw it in the oven-have him stand on his hind legs-for baby and me-make something up.
play dead-have him roll on his back with his paws on his chest. he'll love doing it and it's sooooo cute!
2007-11-28 09:43:34 · answer #8 · answered by Keith C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
put the dog on a long lead and call her back to you. if she doesn't come, give her a gentle tug of the lead. after awhile she will get it
2007-11-28 09:49:29 · answer #9 · answered by crazy4 bul 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try here
2007-11-28 12:34:37 · answer #10 · answered by Freckles... 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋