Focus on ME! Using Tug Toys - Developing your dogs attentiveness to YOU!

[threenorns3]

my dog's not known for focus. he's a border collie mix who was basically let run wild (we lived in the middle of the bush) for the first 2yrs before i got wise. i've tried to develop focus and inside the house - great! outside - not so much. tug toys - he won't play tug. he'll shake it and toss it and he'll tug if it's tied to something or if i'm lying on the floor but the moment i stand up, he drops it and sits (that isn't something i taught him).  any ideas?

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@threenorns3 some dogs dont like to Tug and i go with what they like, Inca on here will tug but much prefers her ball. i used the tug toy work for the purpose of this vid but i havent used them in ages, both me and my dogs prefer ball's as rewards.

[threenorns3]

@MultiAnimalcrackers he'll chase the ball as long as it's moving but once it stops, he usually just stares and barks at it. he'll bring it back if i ask him to but he's clearly humouring me. today, i bought a blood pudding - that seems to have him rapt for the moment: even now, he's sitting there *staring* at me and when i look over, he points at the fridge, lol. i'm going to try that seek game with it - he LOVES sniffing more than treats.

[threenorns3]

@threenorns3 note to self: when playing the "Contraband Search" game (which he got in about 30 seconds) do not use peppermint tea bags if you've got cats in the house - same family as catnip and cats don't appreciate dogs trying to locate their stash.

[plumwoodposse]

Excellent focus and excellent fun! Izzy trying to get the tug...I loved it, ha! I knew Inca wanted the tea bag as soon as I saw her stop and look at the mantel! Truly a tea loving girl isn't she?! So funny! Great video Kath! :-)

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@plumwoodposse Thanks Mary:)) yes she defo a tea bag addict..lol!

[fuddyduds]

Just wanted to send a big THANK YOU once again. This series was so helpful. I'm beside myself with happiness...IT WORKS! Took Sadie to town and to the dog park today and got LOTS of attentive looks while we were going thru our paces. I've had dogs all my life, but never this level of attention from any of them...didn't even know it was possible! Wish I could do it all over again. THANKS KATH!

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@fuddyduds oh THANKYOU SO MUCH, it really makes my day to get such positive feedback as this. I am so GLAD this series has been so helpful to you and it is so nice of you to let me know it has:)) so THANKYOU:))

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@fuddyduds and a big WELL DONE to you for putting the work in:)) Excellent work what a relationship you will be developing now...it is the start of something truly AWESOME:)))

[newbear95]

Wonderful video! Inca is great! She can heel and remain eye contact at the same time. My chihuahua can heel but not remain eye contact. She will look in front instead of looking at me.

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@newbear95 thankyou...yes she is a fantastic dog...i am so proud of her. If you follow all these focus exercises, you should start notice a difference in your dogs focus even at heel:)) good luck and let me know how you get on:))

[gillianbyrne]

wow Barneys coat is just gleaming in this vid.

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@gillianbyrne Thanks...yes black is an awesome colour, it really does shine!!

[tdfn]

Wow! You always show me excellent ideas! I really respect you. I love "tea bag searching game" idea, too. I have a try it with Nono :) Thank you so much!

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@tdfn Thankyou so much for that lovely comment:)) checkout my nose work vid on you tube, i think Nono would love the scent pot find one:))

[azmauigirl]

Kathy, you are expanding your talents as a videographer with each video! You have accomplished so many things with this one along with developing focus for our dogs. Showing us to focus on our dog, as well. Love it when Inca tells you she wants another reward, and you cue not only into that, but also that she wants to do another game, and you listen to her. Now if that didn't show that our dogs do communicate with us, I don't know what would! Thanks for all the time you take to help us!

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@azmauigirl Thankyou so much, you are so welcome and i am really glad that you find them useful:)) Oh our animals so love to communicate with us and if we opened our minds and listened to them, we would have such fun. I so love focus exercises, cause i believe if you have this connection, your bond between you and your dog becomes that bit extra special...you feel SO connected!! Thankyou again for commenting, it really is nice to hear what you have to say:)))

[JessieTheJack]

Great video! Jessie doesn't always like tugging but I'll see if I can have a go anyway! Love the last idea with the teabag! =)

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

@JessieTheJack Thankyou:))) the teabag and scent pot ideas are on my nosework video on my youtube page..if you want to check them out. I think Jessie would like using their nose games:))