Imagine That** - Page 1

      This post deserved it's own thread, but it is an update for the "Not much for Tug" thread...

                  What a difference a day makes....By 9am this morning no one could tell that Lil Prince ever lived here..There wasn't a toy in sight for acres...lol..You should have seen Prince's face as I picked up all his precious toys and put them in a bag (bags actually).....Without toys to play with he decided that jumping on the dining room table and snatching my crystal candle holder would be fun...Lil Prince spent about 1 hour in his crate, so I could get things accomplished in peace. At 11:30 am we went out to play. Prince ran all over the yard looking for his toys (poor guy) there was not a toy in sight.. Then to my surprise guess what he did......HE LOOKED AT ME...!!!!!!!...............Imagine that...

                                     How could I have been so ignorant to not have thought of this myself....Thanks to everyone who patiently continues to post comments on my threads....I know I am wearing on the nerves, but your help has made all the difference to me and Prince...

                                      Let me add... That ball tug I said he was not interested in, is in TWO pieces in the trash...Prince showed more interest and motivation than ever before. To my surprise, Prince not having all those toys to focus on, had no choice but to look at ME......Thank you.......

                                                               Ruger1      

Ruger...you make me laugh..(I am not being sarcastic) but i haven't seen such enthusiastic pet owner in ages..it's simple things that sometimes make us wonder why didn't I think of that...LOL...
I think its time to update us with Princes pictures and your clean yard..LOL.

Those AH HA! moments are what makes dog training so rewarding, Ruger.
That's also why the people who keep giving you advice, are giving it.

We've had those moments, and they changed our lives.
We want you to have 'em as well.

So, step two in your training is to always end with the dog happy, excited and wanting more.

Don't wait until the dog is beginning to act disinterested because you've been play for 30 minutes straight and he's tired.

Always, always, always, end on a positive note, with the dog wanting more.
Even if you have to give him a really simple command just to have a reason to reward him and end the session, always end happy, and excited for more work.

        Mudwick,,, I want to tear up,, every time I think of Prince standing in the yard looking at me...Such a simple thing, ...I will never forget that feeling.... I understand about ending on a positive note, I make sure it always ends with a 'good boy"....

                                                                                                Ruger1

bump

Ruger,

It's more than just a "good boy"!  It will be difficult for you mostly but when he is at his peak excitement/drive to play with you.........STOP playing so it is embeded in his brain that the last time you played was a BLAST!!!!!!  He will be 10 times more excited to work and play the next time!  Don't wait to stop playing when he is getting hohum about it~

Congrats~

Vickie
www.PowerHausKennels.com

Very good........ 

I think you and your dog will be OK! You are on the right track. It is nice to know there is help, here. And you seem to be listening. 

 That's what I try to do.

People want to help you because you are clearly dedicated to your dog, keep it up. I'll keep you up to date on my travel plans, still twiddling my thunbs here.