shay19
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Post by shay19 on Feb 24, 2011 13:58:12 GMT -5
So I've been considering getting Bruiser tested to be a therapy dog. I think he would LOVE it since he loves people and can be quite comforting.
My problems though: 1. He LOVES to jump on people, it took us a year to get him to stop jumping on us and he still does it to some friends that come over. (Ignoring him DOESN"T work at all!)
2. Walking on a loose leash. I've tried everything I can think of, from stopping when he pulls to a spatula full of PB at my side, nothing helps.
3. Not going crazy when another dog walks by. He doesn't get aggressive, but does a high pitch "puppy bark" and jumps, wiggles, and basically drives everyone nuts.
4. Teaching him to stay, I've taught him numerous tricks but he can't seem to master stay.
5. Staying with a stranger for 2 minutes. I don't know how he'd react to this since I can't even leave him w/ my fiance. He only listens to me.
I don't think he'll have any problems with the medical equipment, etc. These 5 are my main concerns.
Oh also any tips for Aida, I'd love to get her in on this too but she's so nervous. She's got all the above problems, plus she FREAKS when ANYONE but me has her leash. I mean crying, whining, trying to get away kind of freaks. Aida also would have problems with the medical equipment I think. I'm not 100% sure on that though.
Any training tips would be much appreciated. And thanks ahead of time!!
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Post by fureverywhere on Feb 24, 2011 15:58:52 GMT -5
I wanted to try therapy work with Opheila too. The problem with her in addition to your issues is that they have to sit-stay while you walk across the room. There's no way my velcro doggie is gonna let me walk away and just stay there. I finally realized I don't have the time or patience for real live obedience training. Maybe you can find a volunteer position where you could just do volunteering with the dog somewhere on your own without the certification?
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Post by pittilove29 on Feb 24, 2011 16:09:52 GMT -5
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 24, 2011 17:51:22 GMT -5
We did the test. Jumping on people. Well Rocky will jump on people that come to the house but outside the house he pretty much knows not too.
Leaving food that is thrown on floor in front him was probably the hardest part of test.
And yes had to sit stay while I walked across room.
Also staying with a stranger he waited quietly but was looking for me the whole time.
As for training. I walked him every day on martingale really getting down loose leash walking for months leading up to test. Using a clicker for a nice loose leash walk. Teach the leave it and have a good leave it for food. I walked around in circles in the kitchen dropping treats and telling him to leave it then the next round picking it up and giving it to him for a good leave it. Ignore dogs along the way same thing click for nice ignore telling him to leave it. Letting people with dogs know he is in training for therapy and has to ignore dogs. I have been doing this with Rocky for years prior. Major reward for walking past a dog and ignoring. During the test the person with dog approaches you to say hello. not the dog but the human shakes hands and introduces them self then walks away. So if you practice having your dog sit while someone else with a dog walks up says hello shake hands walk away. I believe I already had Rocky in a sit as person with dog walked up. The equipment well that is something I guess I already knew Rocky would be ok with. People are making lots of silly noises and I believe the new test kids are a must in the testing. From what you describe sounds as if you have to work on those issues. I did not take a class worked on it myself. Maybe taking a therapy class would help.
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shay19
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Post by shay19 on Feb 24, 2011 21:52:55 GMT -5
Thanks for the info everyone!
They wouldn't be taking the tests for a while as I just don't have any spare money right now to do that but I thought I'd ask for training advice anyway so I can get them going on it.
Bruiser won't be as hard as Aida, his biggest things are going to be leaving food (extremely food motivated dog, I'm trying to teach food refusal though so even if someone hands it to him he won't take it) and leash pulling. I think I'm going to get him a good collar or harness to start with and start all over basically.
I'm thinking about asking a local senior citizens center if Bruiser and me could do some training there once he learns to walk nice to get him used to the setting. Since it's not a place where people live, they just come do activities, I think this may be useful.
I def. want them both to take the CGC just so they have it. I also would love to find a way to get Tiki and future fosters to get there's done without paying too much to do so seeing as I'm already stretching my budget.
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Post by pittilove29 on Feb 25, 2011 3:17:01 GMT -5
Harnesses aren't good for teaching loose leash walking. A 1" nylon, or chain, martingale works best. I got Keona CGC certified at an event sponsored by a Pit Bull rescue. It was free. I'm sure there are tests around there like that. Also, when you are ready, you can talk to some rescues. Sometimes they have CGC evaluators that will test you for free too.
I trained my GSD mix, Tonka, myself. He does everything Keona does, but she does it better. I took her to training because she was a handful and I could not keep her attention. When I did get it she would literally talk back, so I chose to get help from a trainer rather than wait til she got older. I will go back again and again. She's an awesome trainer and $75 for a 6 week class that actually works is unheard of around here.
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 25, 2011 7:40:31 GMT -5
Rocky took TDI therapy test. The first Half was the CGC which he already took. However you can get both at the same time some people did that. I would also recommend practicing on a martingale no chain martingale as some of the evaluators would not even except a martingale only a flat collar. I found one that would allow for nylon martingale. Even though it says in the rules that they can use a standard harness I was not able to find anyone who would allow him to use a sensation or any harness during examination. I would just have set days where you practice him with a martingale collar. I find 1 1/2 inch to work best I used a collar from www.trendyhounds.com/products.php?cat=19&pg=2 very nice collars for the money and can get 1 1/2 inch with nice ribbon. Also she runs clearance sales every now and then. I also want you to realize that you have to renew every year and pay the fee. I also caution on entering any centers before certification as you wont be insured. I found good practice hanging out in front of post office and practicing as a service dog for helping me with my weak back. Once the weather warms up we will get back into this.
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shay19
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Post by shay19 on Feb 25, 2011 10:11:09 GMT -5
Thanks guys!!
I'll look into the martingale's, is there a certain place to measure they're necks to get a good fit (like the base of their neck or more towards their ears)?
I was looking into training classes but wanted to avoid them if possible. Aida is almost too nervous to enjoy them so maybe I'll look into one on one training for her. And Bruiser is just a yappy boy when other dogs are around. Picture 67 pound Bruiser barking at the other dogs like a chihuahua barks at people... This is exactly what happens.
I knew the fee every year I just am not prepared right at this moment to do training classes or the test, in a few weeks though I can probably do it as taxes will be coming back so I have some time to get this all figured out.
Also, I wasn't thinking of going into the senior citizens center, but maybe calling them and asking about standing outside and maybe seeing if someone would be willing to walk by with wheelchairs and/or other medical equipment that they have have there. Just to get a good idea about how he'd do around it. I never thought of the post office, that's a good place to go. And it would be a nice little walk to get Bruiser there, not too far from my house but far enough to get him somewhat tired enough to concentrate on me a little easier.
Thanks again guys for all the help!!
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Post by tjamison2001 on Feb 25, 2011 10:33:18 GMT -5
OMG... the whole jumping thing is so my dog too! We've been working with him sonce we got him. He's getting "better"... slowly.
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 25, 2011 10:40:29 GMT -5
We go to the post office all the time and just sit out there waiting for people to ask to pet. It is the best place. Plus it is almost guaranteed at least one dog will walk by where you can work him from a distance to ignore the dog. Measuring for collar I dont remember exactly where to measure as Rocky's neck is much the same at the base and closer to his head. He measures between 18-19 only this time I will not get him a large collar I will get a Med as the large has to be tightened so very little of the soft fuzzy felt touches his neck. I have bought collars from there for 15 bucks and they are going on 2 years now. I wash them by hand once in a while and the one you see in my profile pix is the one he wears daily and still wearing it today. If you look at Paw on Pie pic in photo section he is wearing it there too. It is the collar he tested with also. I have one from that site with blue flames, one for summer called sunset and a Halloween collar. I plan to get some new ones soon as I have one in mind I like for him. It is not necessary to take a therapy class. If you are taking time to work on it then he should be good.
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Post by pittilove29 on Feb 25, 2011 11:39:47 GMT -5
You measure right where the dog's neck starts to get thicker. Keep the measuring tape/ string a little loose like you would the dog's collar. Collar Mania sells martingales too. She has a different design that wears like a regular collar when you're not walking your dog. Check out the shopping spree section for pics. I'll never go back to the loop martingales after using this new one.
You can't use chain martingales for the test, but that doesn't mean it can't be used for training. I used it with all my dogs because the chain jingling got their attention very well. Once I didn't have to get their attention so often I switched them to nylon and kept up the training.
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shay19
I Love RPBF!
Posts: 394
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Post by shay19 on Feb 25, 2011 12:11:24 GMT -5
CA, I was thinking more of basic obedience or CGC class that way we could work with a trainer but also get over his yappy bark lol. But I think I'll try the post office thing and see how that goes first before dishing out money for a class he really doesn't need. I think I can get him over it if we just work hard enough.
I just ordered 3 collars from Trendy Hounds. One for each pup, including the foster as she pulls like a freight train lol. I did the "not sure" on measurements and just added in what I measured for each dog.
I'm excited now, hoping for good results.
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Post by pittilove29 on Feb 25, 2011 12:39:02 GMT -5
Lady barks all the time, especially when we get out in public. I took her to a training class at the shelter and they helped me with it and when we got to week 3 she was barking much less. It's much easier to get her to stop barking when we're home now. Still need to work on it more out in public because people still want to pet her when she's barking which makes her think it's okay. I always have to get my mean on when I'm out with her.
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shay19
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Post by shay19 on Feb 25, 2011 12:53:43 GMT -5
Bruiser only barks when he see's a dog... or if Tiki (my foster) is barking at something outside.
Inside he stops immediately when I say "enough" outside though if I don't have a yummy treat or anything he goes crazy. Starts jumping, crying, etc. I don't want to ALWAYS have to have treats to calm him down. Besides I don't think you're allowed to have treats while testing and in a therapy environment right?
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 25, 2011 14:11:50 GMT -5
No treats for testing. After the test rewards. As for trendy hounds collar sizing email her she is very helpful and agreed for me to not get large next time. They are the most affordable collars martingale type that I have found. For your other dogs that pull I recommend the sensation or sensible harness or the freedom harness. I do walk Rocky on those most of the time. But when getting ready for the test I diligently walked him on the Martingale. BTW It might also be helpful to train him that he is working when you go to the post office. Like I would tell Rocky time to work.
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Post by pittilove29 on Feb 25, 2011 14:16:04 GMT -5
No, you're not allowed to have treats during the test. With positive reinforcement training it consists of lots of treats in the beginning. When they start getting it you don't give them treats every time. I don't give Keona any treats now. She just gets lots of praise. If you can't get your dog to do a command without needing treats then he's just at the beginning of his training and still needs to understand what he's being told, so he's nowhere near ready for testing.
When you're out on walks be vigilant and make sure you see the dog before him. Get in between him and the dog, make him sit and tell him to watch you. If he doesn't know the "watch me" command then you should teach it to him as it helps greatly to divert dogs from distractions. The "leave it" command is also a good one to use.
My whole point is you shouldn't be thinking about what you can and can't do during the test since it looks like you've got a lot of training to do before you get there. You can give treats now and you can use a chain martingale now. When your dog is starting to obey your commands then you can give less treats (and eventually none) and you can switch to a collar that is accepted at the test. I got Keona CGC certified at 8 months old. I started her training at 8 weeks old. I used tons of treats and a chain martingale. She now obeys my commands with a regular collar and no treats. We'll be taking the test again this summer since she was under a year old when she passed it last time, so technically it didn't really count. It was great to be able to take the test and see what we needed to work on more though.
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 25, 2011 17:16:44 GMT -5
THe martingales purchased should be fine. Rocky started with a chain martingale at a class we ended up dropping due to the trainer was a Caesar type, at the time I did not know better. but at our new very positive classes they preferred I did not use it. But the all fabric one they were ok with or a sensation type harness. maybe walk him with the sensation attached to the martingale while he is getting the ignore dog behavior down. Be easier for you then when he gets better with that switch to just martingale.
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Post by pittilove29 on Feb 25, 2011 17:46:58 GMT -5
I've never heard of chain martingales being considered negative training tools. I don't see why since they're just like the nylon martingales, but make more noise. Yes, the martingales you purchased should work just fine. They didn't work for me in the beginning which is why I suggested the chain martingales since it seems your problem is keeping your dog's attention.
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 25, 2011 20:33:49 GMT -5
I think it was the noise was part of the reason. I dont remember. Maybe Maryellen does as she had gone to same trainer. I dont think trainer thought it was so much as negative she just preferred flat collars but it may also have something to do that it was negative for Rocky. He had a bad experience at the class prior that only allowed for chokers, slip collars and the chain martingale. The sound was negative because in that class checking the dog by pulling up on it was negative. And since this trainer guy had grabbed Rocky and shook him by it he had a bad experience. Another way to get the dogs attention would be to use good treats hold it by your nose and click for the dog looking at you then add look or watch as a command click treat. Also once went to an attention class. We used string cheese and did things like holding a strand in your mouth to get dog to look up at you. It is also easy to break little pieces for treats. Try this video. [youtube]I think it was the noise was part of the reason. I dont remember. Maybe Maryellen does as she had gone to same trainer. I dont think trainer thought it was so much as negative she just preferred flat collars but it may also have something to do that it was negative for Rocky. He had a bad experience at the class prior that only allowed for chokers, slip collars and the chain martingale. The sound was negative because in that class checking the dog by pulling up on it was negative. And since this trainer guy had grabbed Rocky and shook him by it he had a bad experience. Another way to get the dogs attention would be to use good treats hold it by your nose and click for the dog looking at you then add look or watch as a command click treat. Also once went to an attention class. We used string cheese and did things like holding a strand in your mouth to get dog to look up at you. It is also easy to break little pieces for treats. Try this video. [youtube]I think it was the noise was part of the reason. I dont remember. Maybe Maryellen does as she had gone to same trainer. I dont think trainer thought it was so much as negative she just preferred flat collars but it may also have something to do that it was negative for Rocky. He had a bad experience at the class prior that only allowed for chokers, slip collars and the chain martingale. The sound was negative because in that class checking the dog by pulling up on it was negative. And since this trainer guy had grabbed Rocky and shook him by it he had a bad experience. Another way to get the dogs attention would be to use good treats hold it by your nose and click for the dog looking at you then add look or watch as a command click treat. Also once went to an attention class. We used string cheese and did things like holding a strand in your mouth to get dog to look up at you. It is also easy to break little pieces for treats. Try this video. I think it was the noise was part of the reason. I dont remember. Maybe Maryellen does as she had gone to same trainer. I dont think trainer thought it was so much as negative she just preferred flat collars but it may also have something to do that it was negative for Rocky. He had a bad experience at the class prior that only allowed for chokers, slip collars and the chain martingale. The sound was negative because in that class checking the dog by pulling up on it was negative. And since this trainer guy had grabbed Rocky and shook him by it he had a bad experience. Another way to get the dogs attention would be to use good treats hold it by your nose and click for the dog looking at you then add look or watch as a command click treat. Also once went to an attention class. We used string cheese and did things like holding a strand in your mouth to get dog to look up at you. It is also easy to break little pieces for treats. Try this video. after watching it I might have to get back to training this again. Or actually work on the heeling part as that video looks like a fun new way to learn.
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shay19
I Love RPBF!
Posts: 394
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Post by shay19 on Feb 25, 2011 21:56:35 GMT -5
That's what I thought about the treats, he listens to everything inside the home and *almost* everything outside. The outside has more distractions so he loses focus faster but I can easily get it back with the help of treats. And he's been getting better.
And I did mention he wouldn't be taking the test for a while, I'm thinking maybe by December having it done. But even that may be pushing it with him.
I generally don't have problems with dogs across the street, or at a distance just a little closer... it's when they're about 6 or 7 feet away when he starts doing his puppy bark.
He also already knows leave it and watch me, just need to practice more in high distraction areas.
But thanks for all the tips and everything, I can't wait to get to work with him. I know he'd make an excellent therapy dog if I can get the training down. And it's definately more me that needs to learn than him, he's a smart boy lol.
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