Following on from my last blog about my slightly stubborn but lovely Abby who quickly loses interest in most things, I am happy to report that things are progressing now. I think I have found sniffing work as the right shelf.
To summarize, my problem is as follows: In dog training, both puppy class and level 1 and 2, Abby was always exemplary and quickly learned what we needed to do, for the next time the exercise needed to be refreshed to sit down hard on the butt.
Even with the most delicious treats waving around her nose – “Well, why should I do it again when I’ve done it once?” shone from her eyes.
At first I thought agility would be the thing and signed us up for it. There had to be more fun and action here than in the obedience classes. It was also really fun a couple of times, Abby thought, but after the 6th time in the double tunnel she just couldn't take it anymore and lay down flat, and I couldn't persuade her to move out of her place. Not even though I actually thought the dog trainer was extremely reasonable in terms of how much she thought the dogs should go through the obstacles.
As she said: - “It's about doing it so little that you can still motivate the dog, but so much that it's fun at the same time.”
All other dogs in the obedience and agility courses are generally very motivated, so it's mostly just a matter of Abby getting bored faster – topped off with a bit of Cocker Spaniel stubbornness.
We really want to do something with the dog where it forgets time and place. It was then that the idea of nose work crossed my mind.
It's fun to use your nose.
Now we have started slowly at home, because sniffing is probably the only thing she never gets tired of. There is an indomitable will to keep going here. I have been inspired by several different beginner videos on the internet and just started out very easily with treats in a whole lot of different types of boxes, crates and containers.
The first time she didn't dare go to the big boxes at all, but sniffed the small ones and pecked out the treats. Now she has understood the concept and has become a little more daring. That's exactly what I want from her. To gain more courage, because even if you know what you
bother and especially not bother, then you can also be a slightly reserved type. A little timid.
Snuff work gives you confidence and it's fun
The next sub-goal is to find a special scent, but we have a long way to go. We first need to get completely comfortable with the boxes and build up the difficulty a little, where it requires a little ingenuity to solve the task. Then we are ready for the next task.
We've been practicing for a few weeks now, a few times a week, and Abby still thinks it's fun. Fingers crossed.
Watch the video with Abby here Abby video
About Blogger Shaila Sigsgaard
Shaila Sigsgaard, freelance journalist, lives in Kentucky, USA with her husband and grown children aged 12 and 13 and little Abeline who is a Cockalier which is a mixed dog between an American Cocker Spaniel and a Cavalier King Charles.
Motivation of a dog - who quickly loses interest..
Following on from my last blog about my slightly stubborn but lovely Abby who quickly loses interest in most things, I am happy to report that things are progressing now. I think I have found sniffing work as the right shelf.
To summarize, my problem is as follows: In dog training, both puppy class and level 1 and 2, Abby was always exemplary and quickly learned what we needed to do, for the next time the exercise needed to be refreshed to sit down hard on the butt.
Even with the most delicious treats waving around her nose – “Well, why should I do it again when I’ve done it once?” shone from her eyes.
At first I thought agility would be the thing and signed us up for it. There had to be more fun and action here than in the obedience classes. It was also really fun a couple of times, Abby thought, but after the 6th time in the double tunnel she just couldn't take it anymore and lay down flat, and I couldn't persuade her to move out of her place. Not even though I actually thought the dog trainer was extremely reasonable in terms of how much she thought the dogs should go through the obstacles.
As she said: - “It's about doing it so little that you can still motivate the dog, but so much that it's fun at the same time.”
All other dogs in the obedience and agility courses are generally very motivated, so it's mostly just a matter of Abby getting bored faster – topped off with a bit of Cocker Spaniel stubbornness.
We really want to do something with the dog where it forgets time and place. It was then that the idea of nose work crossed my mind.
It's fun to use your nose.
Now we have started slowly at home, because sniffing is probably the only thing she never gets tired of. There is an indomitable will to keep going here. I have been inspired by several different beginner videos on the internet and just started out very easily with treats in a whole lot of different types of boxes, crates and containers.
The first time she didn't dare go to the big boxes at all, but sniffed the small ones and pecked out the treats. Now she has understood the concept and has become a little more daring. That's exactly what I want from her. To gain more courage, because even if you know what you
bother and especially not bother, then you can also be a slightly reserved type. A little timid.
Snuff work gives you confidence and it's fun
The next sub-goal is to find a special scent, but we have a long way to go. We first need to get completely comfortable with the boxes and build up the difficulty a little, where it requires a little ingenuity to solve the task. Then we are ready for the next task.
We've been practicing for a few weeks now, a few times a week, and Abby still thinks it's fun. Fingers crossed.
Watch the video with Abby here Abby video
About Blogger Shaila Sigsgaard
Shaila Sigsgaard, freelance journalist, lives in Kentucky, USA with her husband and grown children aged 12 and 13 and little Abeline who is a Cockalier which is a mixed dog between an American Cocker Spaniel and a Cavalier King Charles.