Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Day 3 of the 7-Day Mini Course
Day 3 is Teaching the Target Stick--click here to go to the lesson online
Most of you probably don't already have a target stick, but don't worry. You can use a pen, a wooden dowel, or the end of a long handled wooden spoon...any 'stick' like item that your dog isn't going to try to chew up immediately =)
After adding these videos below, I thought I'd add them here too
for those just arriving at Day 3:
First, here is a 9 week old pup learning target stick. One thing to note is that the trainer's hand is NOT holding treats...and the treat hand doesn't approach puppy until after the click.
And another one that seemed to teach it by putting a treat near the target first on the ground until the dog made a link... NOTE the tossing of the treats so the dog has to show understanding by coming back to target more.
Share your thoughts, experiences, questions here!
Most of you probably don't already have a target stick, but don't worry. You can use a pen, a wooden dowel, or the end of a long handled wooden spoon...any 'stick' like item that your dog isn't going to try to chew up immediately =)
After adding these videos below, I thought I'd add them here too
for those just arriving at Day 3:
First, here is a 9 week old pup learning target stick. One thing to note is that the trainer's hand is NOT holding treats...and the treat hand doesn't approach puppy until after the click.
And another one that seemed to teach it by putting a treat near the target first on the ground until the dog made a link... NOTE the tossing of the treats so the dog has to show understanding by coming back to target more.
Share your thoughts, experiences, questions here!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adrianne Matzkin on
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Samantha took to the target pretty easily once she understood what I was doing. We have used the clicker a little in the past for obedience but I put it away.
Without a clicker, I started teach Samantha 'touch' from Dog Tricks for Dummies. We started with my hand and while we were in FL I started asking her to 'touch' the elevator button; (it helped keep her occupied while we waited for the elevator.)
I put a post it note on the end of my wooden spoon target and she got it right away. I started putting the post it on the door, wall, dish washer - she got it. Nice to know she didn't forget our training.
I can't wait to start #4. I don't get my email until 945pm EST. -
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Permalink Reply by 2fetg28jixqki on
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Woo Hoo!!! Day 2 with the target stick and Marley and Ziggy both got it! Ziggy even jumped for it. Marley followed that stick everywhere. Then I had my DH try, to make sure they were targeting the stick and not me, got it again! Will try the post it next. We're on a roll! Lisa
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Permalink Reply by Vicki Bosko on
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Okay, let me first say that I am a loving and gentle person. It takes a lot to get me rattled. Let me tell you that I am about to take the target stick and whack Miley it the butt with it!!!! (Just a little frustrated here!) She is doing great with the clicker and the target stick. I am cool with clicking and treating when I see her doing what I want her to do, HOWEVER!!!!!!! Ir you are not supposed to yell at a puppy, not whack it with a newspaper, not show it you are angry at her or anything else negative, WHAT the heck do you do to get her to STOP bad behaviors???? IE: running away from me when she has something in her mouth, so far today she has eaten a sock and a ponytail holder! Can't wait to see that come out! She will sit on demand with a point of the finger, but when she has something in her mouth she just runs from me...oh, and I am not supposed to chase her, cause she will think I am playing???? So I just watch her eat the sock or what? She is jumping up on the furniture chewing on rugs etc. She has toys everywhere! I am about to loose my mind! HELP!
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Permalink Reply by LuvMyAbby&Kaela on
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OK first of all...BREATHE
Now that you have taken that cleansing breath your puppy's behavior is normal. Puppies are mischevious. They act like kids.....and I am not talking the child prodigy ....more like normal bratty kids, with little to no attention span who just want to play play play. (And believe me after 4 sons I know all about normal bratty ...lol)
Do chase after her, you need to take away the object she cant have, it is easier to stop her if you keep a leash on her. Take the thing away from her that she is not supposed to have.
How much time can you dedicate in a day for full one- on -one play? The more the better because it will wear her out and get the rambunctiousness out of her system.
And lastly - like kids - enjoy the puppy stage, they grow up too fast and before you know they are old codgers...well behaved and boring ;o) -
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Awww, I needed to hear that, I have four kids, also, and you are right, they grow too fast. The puppy entertainment crew are at their dads house for the weekend, obviously, Miley did not get enough attention today. I did take her for a long walk right after my post, in hopes it would calm her down a bit. Thanks for the good advice and for the reminder to relax and breath! It has been a hectic day, this is only the second weekend the kids have been away from her. She misses them, I miss them too. NOW it all makes sense. Thanks again, I actually have tears in my eyes....Vicki
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Been there-AM there! I get frustrated too. And so do my kids "Marley has my sock...". We immediately get the thing. It's easier with 2 people- to corner him. Then I give direct eye contact and a low, firm "drop". 90% of the time they do. The eye contact thing if intense and sustained is pretty powerful. We can usually stop Marley's barking, or get them to drop something with this. Then we praise them for the correct behavior of dropping (hard to do when they should have left it but need to reinforce drop). Then I get on the kids and remind them that if the sock had been in the drawer or hamper where it belonged, or their door closed... the dog would not have access to it. My one daughter is so notorious for not putting away her socks that she needed to use her allowance one week to buy new ones to replace all the socks that became chew or tug toys. We usually themn offer them their bone or such as a substitute. Not a complete solution, hoping for better with the new training. We did get these strategies from puppy class. I feel your pain Vicki! God makes them cute for a reason! :) Lisa
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Amen to that! Thanks Lisa!
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Permalink Reply by Adina P on
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You ask some excellent and important-to-discuss questions!
I agree with the advice above.
I have also started a new discussion on this topic in this group so we can keep this discussion focused on the lesson for Day 3. Here is a link to the new discussion I started...feel free to add or ask questions:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlespringtraining2009/forum/to... -
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Hey guys I just improved my stick and it works better. I am using a dowel (a leftover from my kids school project). It was a little too hard and pointy on the end though and I didn't want them to get poked, so I put one of those soft fat pencil grips on the end. I'm an OT and had some around. Worked like a charm-no shopping. Also put the clicker on the springy bracelet as someone suggested-armed like a pro. Now where do I hide them-dogs are addicted!
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Permalink Reply by Tante & Jordan & now Annie! on
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Just worked with Jordan, I did a little last night she was OK... Today I think she gets what I want her to do but I also think she is trying to see how long I'll before I'll give in. She will touch right away get her treat...than the "game" begins. I will put the stick away and not play.I bring it out again and she touches, I move it she touches and the "game" begins again.
She will even get close and looks at me to see if she gets a treat. I wont give in. I tried outside she did good the 1st 2x than the "game". Should I put up the stick or how long should I wait her out?
My stick has the clicker in the handle so its nice and easy. I have even made it long and short she will touch it but the most was 2x in a row. -
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Yesterday I did (like the lady in the video) but today I re-read the lesson and it side not to move it towards the dog. I hold just off to side right or left or a bit lower something to make her move to touch it after she did the straight on touch.
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