Transitioning to a “Dead” Toy – Bad Dog Agility Academy

Transitioning to a “Dead” Toy

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  • Sandy Boyko says:
    August 10, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    So I have my first video after working through the chase thru the retrieve, let me know what you think. Karma loves to tug, my biggest challenge was the drop, especially when I still had my hands on the toy…………I tried waiting her out as the lesson suggested for the release, but she was pulling so hard, that when she FINALLY did let go I fell on my butt…..lol! Looking forward to comments. I see that somehow I lost my gravitar pic, maybe that was because of my recent email problems, not sure.

    https://youtu.be/b4P40rYNkCs

    • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
      August 11, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      FANTASTIC!! Amazing job, and ready for use in sequencing. You can start proofing by taking it to new places and adding distractions like people, other dogs, and toys and food bowls on the ground. Feedback on the release is here: https://youtu.be/En4bKL9Fpzo

      • Sandy Boyko says:
        August 11, 2020 at 6:18 pm

        Thanks for watching the video and your comments. Even thought the release is still not always easily obtained, should I still practice just the release part more often, letting her “get it” right away several times so that she gains trust that giving it to me is a GOOD thing? Should I emphasize that part since that is what she has the most trouble with? She will release on the ground but I want her to release to my hands and that where she hesitates to give it up…………..I guess my “give her back the toy” history is weak in Karmas’ opinion!!!!

        • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
          August 12, 2020 at 5:59 pm

          Yes, the release work for “sticky” dogs who won’t let go easily usually requires multiple re-bites quite often. I might sequence, reward, get a release, sequence, reward and then do 3-4 re-bites especially since I didn’t do a rebite after the first sequence. I like to mix it up.

          • Sandy Boyko says:
            August 13, 2020 at 7:58 am

            Thanks, makes perfect sense!!! And I will focus on the 2 “take away” points from your first feedback, about saying the release word and THEN freezing my body, and secondly, to move my hands closer together to the point where they are touching Karma’s muzzle…..I have tried both of these and seem to already see an improvement….many thanks. Next I will want to work on the leash tugging when I complete that module and will send subsequent video!

          • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
            August 13, 2020 at 5:19 pm

            Excellent! I look forward to your video.

  • gacwofva@aol.com says:
    June 30, 2020 at 9:49 am

    My 15 month old now seems to think toys belong inside the house, and has stopped retrieving them if we are outdoors. In lieu of toys, we have started using “found treasures” (found by him, primarily, and best are sturdy sticks), to encourage retrieves. This probably isn’t going to help with agility directly, but it is helping with off leash recalls (something else my 15 month old has decided he has “forgotten”).

  • Pam Johnson says:
    May 29, 2020 at 10:06 am

    My dog seems to be getting dependent on the collar grab to make a dead toy worth getting. She will dive for the dead placed toy even after a tunnel or jump only if I do the collar grab before sending her. She will do a swoop over the toy but wont pick it up when I dont hold her back before sending. What steps should I be taking to build a better pick up?

    • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
      May 29, 2020 at 11:11 am

      Smart dog! Two strategies: #1 use a higher value toy, and #2 fade the motion more slowly, for example, tunnel and throw toy after dog enters tunnel so the dog sees the toy land. Then throw the toy earlier, until finally you throw the toy and see it land then immediately cue the tunnel.

  • fritz178@comcast.net says:
    May 14, 2020 at 10:58 am

    So Guiness doesn’t care if it is dead! He just wants to get the toy whether he should or not! Suggestions?

    • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
      May 14, 2020 at 11:02 am

      I don’t think there should be a time when he SHOULDN’T be able to get the toy, if you are restraining him. If he is breaking a “stay” to chase the toy, then you have to fix your “stay” by working up to that level of distraction, where you can throw toys around him but he doesn’t move.

    • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
      May 14, 2020 at 11:13 am

      Here are some proofing examples from our “Start Line Challenges” that we hold for our BDA VIP members.
      https://youtu.be/-gA_xfwRWL8

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