Focusing with distractions and dogs!

[wolf_Q]

By the way, about the prong/pinch collar thread....yeah, I put one on him at Petsmart just to see what he'd do...he didn't act like he even cared that it was on...like it bothered him one bit. And well, I don't know, just looking at that thing on him did not work with me, I felt mean....so I've completely ruled that out.

If you read my post in the Dog Training Journal thread (yes, I was in a bad mood when I typed that) I have a dog who has VERY hard time focusing with distractions around.

His main distractions are DOGS!! And I absolutely HATE how when he sees a dog he just immediately lunges at the dog...UGH. I think in a way, I accidentally trained him to do that.
Because in the puppy class, the trainer told us to let the dogs "go play" together and that involved having them jump and bite and play with eachother on leash...so now he thinks he can still do this!! I've also let him play with Lady on leash...not any more he can't!

I was working with getting him to stay this morning. He did great in the house...he'd stay for several minutes. But as soon as I'd bounce a ball, he'd go after it. After a couple of corrections (uh-uh and putting him back in his spot) he was doing better. I also took him for a walk and made him stay while these 2 white dogs walked around in their yard. He really struggled with this, I had to put him back in his spot several times.

He really just has such a hard time focusing on me while we're anywhere near other people/dogs...half the time he won't even look at me, and I think the "Uh-uh" correction is losing it's meaning also.

Anyway, tomorrow (saturday) I was going to try and practice getting him to stop jumping on dogs by having him go see Lady. Out of any dog, she is the dog he CANNOT resist attacking! I want to teach him that he *can* play with his buddy...just not while he's on the leash....

Soo...any more tips you all have on training him, I'd appreciate it...he's getting embarassing to take in public...lol...

p.s. for those who don't know Nebo...he's an 8 month old neutered male siberian husky...stubborn dog! He's in a Basic Obedience class at Petsmart, which he totally sucks at right now...he graduated the Puppy Class a few monthsa go...I've been using a clicker.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Just a few suggestions and a couple questions.

First the questions? How long (seconds) does Nebo focus on you before he turns away without distractions? How many times a day do you practice with him? If you throw a piece of food on the floor in front of him when he is focusing on you will he lung for the food or remain focused?

My main suggestion is to take his kibble at meal time and make him focus on you before he gets fed. This will be a couple times a day at least. I take about 10 minutes and work mine before feeding when I work on attention work since this is really the foundation for all other obedience work. I take kibble in my fingers and then extend my hands all the way out to my side. the dog is sitting in front and his eyes must stay on me or I break out in a OK - lets try it again voice and start over.

The main thing to remember in attention work is not to push the dog too fast. If you consistently get 5 seconds without distractions then go for 6 the next time. You must get atleast a 9 out of 10 success rate before moving on to 7 seconds. Your goal is to get to 30 seconds without distractions right now.

After you get to the 30 seconds, then you throw in non serious distractions. This would be something that doesn't really throw Nebo into a frenzy (such as dogs). When he breaks attention you need to step out of your position give the OK - lets do it again phrase and start over. This is all with his meal! If he doesn't focus correctly put the bowl on the counter, walk away and then wait about 10 minutes if you want and try again. The idea is he needs to work for his food.

If he is highly motivated by food this will work rather quickly and he should be doing great focus work (even with distractions) in a short period of time.

Another suggestion.... on nights when you go to class and know there is going to be a high distraction level, don't feed Nebo first. Wait till you get home. Talk to the instructor ahead of time and ask if you can work on distractions even if they are doing something else. Most instructors realize when someone has a problem point and want you to work on it if you want. Just put him in a heal and work attention instead of doing other things.

One last thing.... if you are in class and the attention is really bad put him in puppy management (take leash with your foot and force him into a down and remain standing on the leash as close to the buckle as possible). Once he settles you can release him and try again.

Don't feel obligated to keep up with the class. You need to get what is important for your dog at this phase of his training accomplished and a good trainer will recognize this. That doesn't mean you make distractions while the others are training though.

Let me know if you have any questions about any of this!

[wolf_Q]

Thanks for the info....I have done the thing where the dog has to look at you...and you move your hand with the food away. He does pretty good at this, but I've never timed it.

I do make him work for his food occasionally, and he will do it...I don't do it all the time though. Oh, and I don't feed him before the class. Well, he gets half of his food in the morning (around 11:00) but he doesn't get any more food until we get home (around 8:45) on class days.

Nebo *will* work for his food/kibble...but you see, he's not much of an eater...half the time he won't even eat his dinner anyway, so it's not as much of a motivation for him as it is other dogs.

This is what I do in class when he gets frustrating and is going/barking at other dogs....I'll take him down an isle and make him sit/stay for a few seconds before I let him join the others.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Before you can expect him to focus on you with distrations he has to have focusing on you without distractions mastered for at least 30 seconds! Be consistent and work with him a couple times a day! Make the reward something he can't pass up. Perhaps a piece of lunch meat or cheese or whatever really does motivate him since he is not dog food motivated. When you can drop the reward and he will maintain eye contact you know you are making progress. Then you can start working on the same behavior with distractions.

As for taking him down a different isle when he does get rambuncous, I would try a different tactic. Step on his leash at the collar and force him into a down. When he stops acting out then let up on the leash and release him. This position is called puppy management. He may struggle against you at first when you do this so do it at home when the distractions are not great. Then when you need to do it at class he will already be introduced and it will go a lot easier. Now if I step on Dusty's leash he automatically goes into a down.