Recall - He used to really enjoy coming when called, but lately he is pretty bad about ignoring me.
Clicker training and Shaping - Every so often I get the urge to try to get him to understand the point of the clicker....mostly shaping. He just doesn't seem to get it. He will sit FOREVER waiting to be told when to do something, and usually will just lay down and go to sleep if I try to wait him out. I might need better treats, easier tasks (what is easier than nose touch to something?), or just a LOT more patience, but I am determined to get through to him.
Hind end strength - He is getting old, and it is most noticeable in his hind end. I need to find some exercises that would work for my massively uncoordinated, huge labby boy.
Tricks - This one is if the clicker training pans out.
6 comments:
One of the things I've heard to help teach shaping is clicking eye blinks, head movement, weight shift, anything. Even his giving up and laying down is clickable. Or just keep a clicker and treats on you aand if he makes eye contact or something randomly click & treat. The touch you lure to begin with to help him then transition to shaping
Hi Y'all,
For the dogs rear end strength, the most important thing you can do is weight loss, which means a special diet. If you have access to a pool or other safe swim area, this is the best way to strengthen your dogs muscles and strengthen his rear legs and hips.
You can also add glucosamine and omega-3s to his diet. Regular long walks on a leash and range of motion exercises can help too. As he ages you can see your vet for pain meds such as rimadyl.
When your dog starts ignoring you it is time to go back to basics. Have the vet check him to be sure there is no physical discomfort bothering him. If everything checks out start back at the beginning, on a leash, then a long lead, then a check cord. When you click treat, do it in quick succession so he associates the sound and the food.
His hearing may be going, so if you aren't using hand signals, add them when you retrain. If you determine he has lost some hearing, try using a whistle (I've trained Hawk to both silent dog whistle and hunt whistle) to get his attention, then give the hand signal to get him to sit, come or whatever you want.
You can email me at browndogcbr at hotmail.com if you have any questions.
BrownDog's Human
Such a gorgeous pup! Labs are great additions to the family.
Awesome. I think Cricket and I need to sit down and set some goals :).
Have Patriot walk backwards to gain hind end muscle strength. When Chelsie tore her ACL, we walked backwards...A LOT. When I would make sit in front of me, she knew what was coming and would given me this look like "AGAIN? Haven't we done this 50 times today? I already know how to do this!!"
I love Patriot's perch work. Keep on keepin' on with him. Chase was like this too! After 5 obedience classes he finally got "clicker training". LOL
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