Today I finally got Cowboy to show his nipping and herding habits. Turns out he loves to herd those large exercise balls. We had a fun time kicking it around to him (purposely trying to get him to nip it) and when he would muzzle punch or nip at it he would get a 5 second time out. This means he would have to lay down for 5 seconds and not get any play time. The reason this is effective is because during the excitement of an active game being made to lay down for 5 seconds and not get to join in the fun is very frustrating. Dogs learn extremely well through frustration. Most people make the mistake of having time outs be similar to those given to children. They actually crate the dog and make the dog sit there for 5-15 minutes to "think about what he did" or to "calm down."
I can promise you that the dog is not thinking about what he did or how to apologize. He is wondering why he is in his crate, likely barking his head off or falling asleep. BUT! End a game for 5 seconds of excruciating patience and self restraint will soon have a dog thinking twice about nipping or jumping up or what have you. Such was the case with Cowboy. After 5 minutes of playing with the big ball (but being put in time out if he nipped it) he was having a fine time bouncing around the ball and moving it with his muzzle but not nipping it. Unfortunately he would still bark at the ball but we will correct that later.
His obedience is doing just fine. If I could ONLY get him to stay on my left I would be a very happy trainer. His herding instincts tell him to circle me or stay behind. On leash his Heel/Autosit is almost 100%. Off leash he will do well for a while and then he will end up behind me or try to circle to my right. With encouragement he gets back to my left only to ooze over to the right again later.
Tomorrow we are playing with the ball again to work on that barking and nipping some more. We will also do more work on obedience. I am determined to get him to stay on the left nicely.
Some beautiful pictures were taken of this striking boy working in the snow today. Also took some glamor shots of him. Will post them soon.
I can promise you that the dog is not thinking about what he did or how to apologize. He is wondering why he is in his crate, likely barking his head off or falling asleep. BUT! End a game for 5 seconds of excruciating patience and self restraint will soon have a dog thinking twice about nipping or jumping up or what have you. Such was the case with Cowboy. After 5 minutes of playing with the big ball (but being put in time out if he nipped it) he was having a fine time bouncing around the ball and moving it with his muzzle but not nipping it. Unfortunately he would still bark at the ball but we will correct that later.
His obedience is doing just fine. If I could ONLY get him to stay on my left I would be a very happy trainer. His herding instincts tell him to circle me or stay behind. On leash his Heel/Autosit is almost 100%. Off leash he will do well for a while and then he will end up behind me or try to circle to my right. With encouragement he gets back to my left only to ooze over to the right again later.
Tomorrow we are playing with the ball again to work on that barking and nipping some more. We will also do more work on obedience. I am determined to get him to stay on the left nicely.
Some beautiful pictures were taken of this striking boy working in the snow today. Also took some glamor shots of him. Will post them soon.
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