Using squeaky toys for training - Page 2

Dessrtranger -- you do have a point -- if you haved tapped into the motivations for you dog .. and you have discovered that it is the chase the lights up your dog more so than a bite /food/tugging -- then you are correct the chase in and of itself can be the reward -- i had a dog like that --would do anything /any behavior in order to push my buttons to throw an object so he could chase --never gave that dog a correction for one year -- simply withholding the opportunoity for the chase was the corection -- he learned to correct himself and offer the behavior i desired just to have the chase -- --so not all is absolute in dog training as we are all differnetr peoiple and all our dogs are different -- there can be exceptions -- nice thought to share on your part about the chase -- Het you seem to do well with your dogs -- nice training -- although i prefer to never ask my dog for attention --i train the dog to be attentive -- there is a differential here it is not semantics -- when the dog offers me the interaction -- that is my prelude to taching the dog self -control -- io use the eyes of the dog and mine to help teah it and communicate self control -- even to attack/fass --i do not ask the attention... it is the dog's responsibility to attend to me -- heeling /protection /to retireve [most endeavors although he can't lok at me and search for the same ] time --but my dogs will be glued to me like radar -transcends " just eye contact" - even with an agitator 2 feet away threatening with a stick -- again i do not ask for attention -- the dog offers the behavior and is self-controlled in such manner -- it is only way he gets a bite -- and mind you ... this dog is beside me off lead /no collar in perfect heel , won't even think about braking ..or he can be 20 feet away ..same thing -- atention [ in heeling] is very differnt than developing a repoire of this manner -- it is a great mutual symbiosm

Alpha.. It is hard for everyone to train the same as we all have different personalities and different methods that we are good at. Sounds like you have a excellent system.

dessetranger -- what i have learned about myself --i don't have a set system --like your observation about getting the most from your dog chasing --through the decades --i find that the dogs actually teach me -- as a behaviorist [ learning theorist] --i don't dismiss the ethmologists[ those that actenuate to behavior by observation] -- so once on a mission to find every and any mehtodology that was useful -- through observing my dogs .. and many mistakes .. i know let the dog demonstrate how it learns /.. hwat it like .. hwat makes it tick so forht and so forth -- like bruce lee -- there is no style -- it's each's own style -- so what id did in the past .. turn off the sound on the animal Tv programs and studied studied studied there being, movements and behaviors -- i learned to read the animals ..what they are feeling..thinking .. their needs and thier wanrts /desires and what they were willing/unwilling to do to achieve them -- this concept i translate to training my dogs -- that is why i second your appraoch about the chase -- if that is the heart and soul of yopur dog -- then ..now one can communicate and iteract behaviorally with this canine -- another dog i had -- just loved to bite and engage --- retieve level was low --until imhit upon what made him tick -- so everything in my communication developed from his bite and his love of tugging with me -- he learned to control himself --because that led to his bite -- he learned not to jump out of the vehicle -- because if he did -- then no tug or bite -- helearned if he controlled his exit from the vehicle , for example , to be calm / non-frantic and await permission -- then he would get to play bite/tug -- there is no majic here --just a matter of understanding from observing .. and understanding behavior-- same if you want to learn about horses -- no need to string em up on trees like the ol days --

i lke to bring to light somnething else --many police officers have said to me --i have a grat pup here look at they prey drive -- inside a chuckle --although they are my friends and i have shared my thoughts : that comment is baloney .. why ?? firstm .. tel me WHAT is the dog willing to do to get the prey/object .. there are differnet components here --i want to know exactly becuase this tells me how i have to interact/train the dog and what the dog is capable of in it's heart -- ok will the pup go through water/jump a obstacle / go through a tunnel / ignore environmental stimuli?? -- what will the dog dpo to cahse -- ok-- factor #2 - when it gets there -how does it bite --hard and fast .. with intent to kill ,.. does it had shake to kill the prey /object --next .. whgen it does have it ...WHAT WILL IT DO WITH IT -- does he run off with it .. will it possess/later leading to guard it ...and WHAT will it do to keep it ?? tug tug tug ..or does it tug a little and let go ---does it look to bring it bak to you ---and also if the article /prey is thrown out of site --will it seek unrelentlessly to find it ..or will it look and give up --or will he even bother to look for it ??-- the chase /thje capture / the posses and the guard -- watch all the ani,mal;s do this !! -- SO if you understan your dog it's temperament it's motives ----i say to myself --OK now i am ready to train - and i believe --unlessand until one understands the dog as a breed and an idividual then oyu cannot unleash the full potential of the canine

Alpha I agree and over the years I have read alot of books on training and listened to different trainers but as you point out every dog is different and you do have to learn to read the dog and what makes him tick. As I look back and see the mistakes made then I can apply those learnings to improve my methods. Key ingredient is learn to read your dog. Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

Alpha- good points, thank you.

Brittany, It your dog knows to look at you when you say "heal, fuse" or whatever you use and the dog knows without fail what it is supposed to do why don't you give it a little pop/correction to discourage the looking away and then as soon as she looks give the toy for the reward, let her squeak it! But I would NEVER throw it when you are trying to teach attention to the handler. To throw it is counter productive, or opposite of what you are trying to teach! I would build drive for the toy, come to heal position, issue a correction for looking away, and immediately reward when dog when it comes back to looking at you! But I would not throw the toy or drop your leash! If you do you loose any and all drive you have built up for the toy. Vickie

You are telling your dog.. "hey its ok to look away, I will pick you up and remind you when its time to train." It is your dogs JOB to look at YOU to figure out when the toy is coming out. You are making life easier on her by giving her this audible cue. Like a crutch. The squeaky can be used for "fun play", but not training. Make ehr WORK for the toy by watching you like a hawk. no reminders.