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Ziva does so well on ALMOST everything I ask of her, but lately, her "great recall" hasn't been so great. When she's off leash in wide open spaces (I never let her off leash in any kind of potentially dangerous situation) she used to turn on a dime and come running back to me when I called her, but that was several months ago. Most recently, she gets very much distracted by sights, sounds, smells and will eventually come when I call, but on her own time, not mine. I see her hard headedness getting a little stronger right now, and I want to "Nip it in the bud", as Barney Fife would say. I know that I could work with her on my own with long lines and treats and recall, but Z has always loved any type of class/training environment, and does really well in that sort of setting. Also, we haven't done any formal training since our 6-week agility for fun thing last summer. I want to keep her busy, and actually, I need a little bit of structured time myself, since it's just so easy for me to say "I'll work with her tomorrow" or actually start working with her and cut the sessions way too short because I have other things I need to be doing.........SO, we're going to go to a private trainer beginning next Monday evening. Half hour sessions. We'll be working on recall and also going through some basic obedience refreshers. Her 'stay' used to be better than it is now, also. I feel that Ziva and I both will benefit from some professional trainer's viewpoint and instructions. We'll be going to Conifer Canine Training Facility near Spencer, Indiana for the training. They raise, show, and train German Shepherds, and have some beautiful ---and VERY expensive--- GSD's that are imported from Germany. They also train for protection and do Shutzhund training, but Ziva and I aren't going to get into that right now...maybe never. Anyhow, we're going back to school next week. :)
Good Luck Paul! You and Ziva will do great, I say leaps and bounds in Athena's behavior once we started using a private trainer.
Fancy's in round 2 of puppy classes, and we are working on recall with distractions. She's getting it, but has the SLOWEST recall on the planet! It's embarrassing. I try getting all excited calling her, she knows I have a treat in my hand, but she just lollygags back to me. UGH! I'm using a long line outside to try and reel her in out in the yard, but she does it fine when it's just us. Typical LOL. Good luck to you and Ziva. She's a good girl and will get back focused on you.
That's so great Paul! I love working with trainers as they bring some great insights.
If I get a decent job this summer we are going to do something similar.
Keep us posted how it goes!
have fun Paul and Ziva! Can't wait to hear the stories! Maybe some pics?? :-) Sounds like lots of fun.
Good Luck and Happy Training Trails to You and Ziva. We are all looking forward to the photos and stories of progress. Just like kids and fish, sometimes you have to reel them in! I know I need the structure too. And even so, we still missed 3 classes. Priority struggle.
Have fun!
Me and the Le :)
Consistency, and constant dedication is the key! Let me tell you, it's been raining here like crazy the past few days, and I've been a little lax in getting Dakota her exercise in the morning. I'm talking for a few days, and she's still in her normal routine at night after work. There is such a dramatic difference in just a few days. I wouldn't say that she has become "bad" or anything like that, but there's a big difference. Today, back to our normal routine, and back to normal! It really does make a huge difference to continually follow up on your training, and even a few days can make a difference.
I'm sure miss ziva will be back to her old self very soon!
And happydance, maybe a treat isn't the best reward for your dog? Have you tried any other rewards, like a favorite toy, or game that only comes out during training to make it even more high value?
Best of luck to you and the beautiful Z.. She will excell and it's really not surprising now that she's hit the 'doberteens' to be testing a little.. It sounds typical and just one more challenge for both of you. What would we do without life's little challenges..
" Nip it... just nip it"
Our first session with the trainer was tonight...in drizzling rain, but the half hour we spent there was in a 'window' between storms that have been happening on and off for the past couple of days, so I'm thankful for that.
We worked on recall with distractions....and there were plenty of distractions. Ziva could hear the German Shepherds barking from their kennel yard, the man had two younger teenaged boys and an 8 yr old little girl that were all wandering around and playing outside, and then there was the CHICKENS. Oh my gosh---4 chickens came walking their chicken-walk past Z while she was standing by me, and I thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head. She's never seen or heard the likes of them before. So distractions were at a premium tonight. Sights, sounds, and smells galore. He had me put Ziva on a long line (I had a 20 ft long training leash with me) and hook her to her prong collar. We just let her wander around and then I would call her to me, but if she didn't respond in 1 - 2 seconds, she got a little jerk on her prong collar, and got one more chance to come, and she picked up on that pretty quickly. If, in fact, she came back when I called without having to correct her, she got paid off with a couple of treats. I had little pieces of steak that I had fried and cut into little cubes about the size of a pencil eraser with me. I fed her this morning, but not in the afternoon, so she would probably have done a handstand for that steak tonight. LOL. We walked her by the chicken coup where there were lots of chickens, and she stopped to smell and look and listen, and right at the height of her interest, I would call her back to me.....only had to correct her one time. By the end of the half hour, she was coming back without having to be corrected maybe 7 times out of 10. We're going to work on that all week. In fact, I have a 50 ft clothesline rope that I put a swivel snap on the end of, and I'll use that after a couple days of the 20 ft lead and give her a little more space between us before calling her back. We WILL get the recall back to an acceptible response, I just know it. Anyhow, it was fun for me, fun for Ziva and a half hour session seems to be the right amount of time to be in a learning mode without her getting bored before it's over.
Shepherds and children and chickens! OH MY!
Really, how fun! I just goes to show how well you had Ziva trained already to hear how she did with the chickens. Many a dog would have lunged at them and pulled tried to chase them. Sounds like this is going to be great. Keep us posted - it's inspiring!
I feel like we've lost lots of ground with Reesie since he sprained his shoulder. Hopefully next week he'll be better and we can get back to our routine.
Ziva, just ducks without the water. Get 'em Girl!! Oh, Hi Paul ... er... Just kiddin!
"Anyhow, it was fun for me, fun for Ziva and a half hour session seems to be the right amount of time to be in a learning mode without her getting bored before it's over."
When we started obedience, Leo would lay down about 15-20 minutes into the hour long class. Not "down" as in the down position.. But on his side.."y'all just carry on without me. It's my naptime!" Towards the end of the course, he did work up the stamina for a full hour, but just barely ^~^
Blue~hope Reesie's doing well in recovery. I think about him!
Paul, I hope this training works for you and Miss Ziva! Soph & Ang
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Good Luck Paul and Z- I know she will do so very well! She is an amazing pup!