Lyra - Maintaining a Positive Attitude while "correcting" a Dog
Here's a very short video of Lyra making a mistake on her "stay".
I don't ignore the fact that she breaks, but I go to great lengths to keep her engaged, even though she's made a mistake. This is particularly important in this training session because Lyra's working for personal play only - no toys or food are available, and she knows that.
Just help the dog; it's no big deal. Really. She won't take over the world. She won't think she's "getting away" with ignoring me. She WILL stayed engaged in the game, and that's the hardest thing to get back if you manage to lose it.
I put her back with a cheerful attitude. I then reward a stay. Finally, I repeat the originally intended exercise (a recall).
If she had continued to fail, I would have accepted that I was asking too much. If that is the case, ask less and start over.
18 comments
I like this a lot, thank you for showing it! I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now and really like the way you teach your dogs. I recently tried using just play with my 10 month old dog (no toys or food) as a reward and she bites me! I see that Lyra does the same with your sleeve. Was she more mouthy with your body parts in the beginning? Did you do something to discourage it in any way or change the way she plays with you? I did read your post about your trip to the doctor….
Also, when Indi realizes that I don’t have anything in my hands to play with and that I don’t want her grabbing my clothes, she goes looking for a “toy” usually a twig or leaf, something to have in her mouth.
Hi claire,
I’m going to teach an online class on play and relationship for agility university at:
http://www.agility-u.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=60&virtuemart_category_id=25&Itemid=279
The questions you bring up are likely to be covered in detail there. Auditing spots are available if this is a topic you’d like to learn more about.
The short answer to your question is, It depends).
Thank you!