It is no secret that I love play. It is one of my favorite topics to learn and write about. It also happens to be my favorite thing to do with my dogs. Luckily for me (and them) our training sessions flow in such a way that if you asked them which they were doing they probably couldn't tell you. They would rather ask, "There's a difference?"
But there are rules to play and they might not be what you think. In order to be used as a reward, play must be reinforcing, not the toy. If you throw a ball and your dog gleefully chases after it but then plays keep away the toy is the reward not the play. The problem this presents is that of conflict. If there is conflict in the training you will see toy chewing, reluctance to give up the toy, toy shaking, and racing quickly away. If you have to do this little song and dance every time you reward with a toy many things are going to happen; your dog will lose drive, your dog will lose focus, and you will become frustraited.
There are many small steps I take to teach my dog that I am really fun to play with. I want them to know that we're equal partners in all of our games. These steps consist of teaching self control for toys, their actions push me to play, and I'll always give the toy back. It is a myth that you have to win the toy, we don't need to prove we're in charge. We are partners in this game.
Before I have these rules in place I do not use toys as a reward in training. I will use them in between food training to play and keep my dog happy. Playing blows off steam and learining is stressful (not all stress is bad). It is also a good way to split what you're teaching so you don't blend criteria. Going from this high up state and then back down again is also valuable to me as that is the core of success in agility. (And several other dog sports.)
The video is of Nitro's first session using toys as a reward. I adopted him a month ago and have been working at establishing a little bit of self control. Nitro is an over the top crazy puppy, very determined. At his last home he had learned that if he jumped around, nipped hands, and barked his head off it worked and he got what he wanted. He was also very wary of me when he had anything in his mouth, he had bitten me twice. What better way to teach him to trust me than building a cooperative working relationship through play. Teaching him to let of of a toy AND THEN restrain himself was and continues to be his biggest challenge. I have to watch him and keep him confident so we avoid conflict. Still a lot more work to be done but his skills are developed enough to use in training.
This is our first time using a toy as a reward, his second time seeing tunnels. I may have been over eager and lumped criteria together but I noticed it during the session and smoothed it out. Above all he is having a grand time. I see glimpses of brillance here. Nitro will keep me on my toes, he has already made me a better trainer.
But there are rules to play and they might not be what you think. In order to be used as a reward, play must be reinforcing, not the toy. If you throw a ball and your dog gleefully chases after it but then plays keep away the toy is the reward not the play. The problem this presents is that of conflict. If there is conflict in the training you will see toy chewing, reluctance to give up the toy, toy shaking, and racing quickly away. If you have to do this little song and dance every time you reward with a toy many things are going to happen; your dog will lose drive, your dog will lose focus, and you will become frustraited.
There are many small steps I take to teach my dog that I am really fun to play with. I want them to know that we're equal partners in all of our games. These steps consist of teaching self control for toys, their actions push me to play, and I'll always give the toy back. It is a myth that you have to win the toy, we don't need to prove we're in charge. We are partners in this game.
Before I have these rules in place I do not use toys as a reward in training. I will use them in between food training to play and keep my dog happy. Playing blows off steam and learining is stressful (not all stress is bad). It is also a good way to split what you're teaching so you don't blend criteria. Going from this high up state and then back down again is also valuable to me as that is the core of success in agility. (And several other dog sports.)
The video is of Nitro's first session using toys as a reward. I adopted him a month ago and have been working at establishing a little bit of self control. Nitro is an over the top crazy puppy, very determined. At his last home he had learned that if he jumped around, nipped hands, and barked his head off it worked and he got what he wanted. He was also very wary of me when he had anything in his mouth, he had bitten me twice. What better way to teach him to trust me than building a cooperative working relationship through play. Teaching him to let of of a toy AND THEN restrain himself was and continues to be his biggest challenge. I have to watch him and keep him confident so we avoid conflict. Still a lot more work to be done but his skills are developed enough to use in training.
This is our first time using a toy as a reward, his second time seeing tunnels. I may have been over eager and lumped criteria together but I noticed it during the session and smoothed it out. Above all he is having a grand time. I see glimpses of brillance here. Nitro will keep me on my toes, he has already made me a better trainer.
Towards the four minute mark Nitro prefectly demonstraits why I want to avoid conflict. I asked for too much because he was doing so well! Oops, that was great but what is he going to remember? The awesome tunnels or being worried about me taking the toy? I make up for it by being fun and keeping it easy. Taking over a minute to just play with lots of easy outs and chasing. Then I again make it too hard! Sorry Nitro, I have to work at your pace, I'll get better! He was still having a blast, it is obvious when he chases after me asking that the session not end. Nitro is very different from my other two mild mannered dogs. With them I have always put drive over control, while Nitro just oozes drive, with him I will favor control. I can't wait to see where this crazy little dog takes me!
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