Dog not understanding the game. - Page 1

My boy has never had much intensity in protection work.  He does what he's supposed to, but loses focus easiy, especially in the bark and hold.  His bark is weak and unconvincing.  He only really lights up when the decoy is dancing about, trying to get him to chase, and grab the sleeve, he does like the chase part.

I  had him at a Seminar last weekend, and was told that he is doing protection as an obedience excersize, and that he does not understand why he is sitting there barking at the decoy.  He is now almost 3 years old, and I realise his foundation has been set wrong.  The seminar ended early due to unforseen events, so I was not shown how to begin to make  him understand his relationship with the decoy.

How would I start to teach him that he is 'guarding' the decoy.  That his barking can activate the decoy into the action he likes.  If the decoy stands still too long, he looses interest, and almost acts confused, like he's not quite sure what to do.  He has only a medium prey drive, and no defense at all.  What can I do to build his drives, understanding, and endurance with protection work?

Thanks.
Becky

bump

I understand that you left the seminar early, but what's the point of going if you only get half of what you came for.  Ever go to a doctor and he says you have something wrong, walks out of the room and leaves it at that?

I would find a new club to train with or find a new helper.  You need someone that can help you and the dog.  If your club cannot help you, it is time to move on.  You shouldn't have to come on here to ask internet junkies.  Your TD or members should have stepped up to help or been honest if the dog is not suitable for the sport.

The seminar ended early due to unforseen events

I think the poster did not say HE left the seminar early but the seminar finished early...........

Thanks Don for your answer, Langhaar is correct in that I did not leave early, the seminar speaker got sick, and had to cancel the second day.

I wish it was as easy as just jumping to the next club.  But it is not.  I realize this dog will never be a top contender, but he is willing, and I will do my best with him.

If I can not seek answers here, where can I go for advice?  Many new clubs struggle in the beginning.  We are doing our best, but sometimes we don't see what is obvious to another more experienced person.  Even club helpers have to have a beginning time.  Every club has not the resources of an experienced helper.  We learn as best we can.   If lacking quality help means quitting schutzhund, to me that is not an option.  I've only a few years into Schutzhund, and struggling along.  I am persistant though, and learning daily.  I will not give up.

If I have to, I'll slow down, go back to basics, go to more seminars when time and money permits, but I need a plan now.

All I'd like is some advice on whether to back up, change how we work him, etc.....

I've read many threads here on fixing problems.  Some of the advice has been great, and hugely helped the asker.  I know my problem is fixable, but do not know how to best go about it.  

Your helpen needs to make it more interesting and building up to bark and hold slowly. Five second let him bite, 10 second let him bite, 15 second let him bite and so on, this will build the focus on the helper that eventualy would lead to good hold and bark. Keep in mind if it's not intresting the dog usually dose not want to have anything to do with it. It sounds like your helper in the club has no idea what he is doing maybe is time to move on.

I'm not saying that you cannot get answers here.  I just think that a TD and helper should be able to help you more than anyone here.  If they cannot, then you DO need to find someone else.  I'm not saying that every TD/helper needs to know everything, but they should have a better idea than some anonymous poster that has never seen your dog. 

By the way, I did misunderstand that the seminar got halted.  Maybe you gave him/her food poisoning.   Man I would hate to be giving a seminar with diarrhea!

Snaiper69, thanks for this advice.  I do believe he is made to wait too long for the bite.  I'll start making sure he is rewarded quicker.

In the bark and hold (and I may have my understanding wrong), he is supposed to be 'pushing/guarding' the helper, right?  What actions are needed to show him this?   Does giving him a quicker bite, equate in his mind, that he won?  Is making him sit too long, undermining his confidence, and confusing him?

When given his bite, should the helper just pop the sleeve, or is it better to move backwards, as if he is frightened, thus making my dog follow to get his bite.

Would having the helper step back on his barking, with me and the dog on lead following, teach him that he (the dog) is in charge, and pushing the helper?

I do so wish we had more experienced helpers where I am.  But you make do with what you have.  As long as no harm is done to my boy, then moving slowly along is fine with me, but I do want to progress, however slowly it is.