December 17th
We had a very frustrating practice day. My goal was 3 tracks, with the first one having foods drops about every 18-20 inches. This was the farthest we have tried. Then the second two tracks being longer in length but with food a bit closer together. There was a lot of distractions at the park. Basically too many to handle and I cut the training short. He was not focusing at the end of the tracks when it was just the article and no food.
We had to deal with a man walking through the first track with his two dogs, who began eating the food. I told him I have dropped food in that area WITH THE VISIBLE FLAGS. I then tell him “I am about to start training my dog”. He did not take the hint and ended up letting his dogs off leash to play fetch not far from my tracks. There was also a man running his remote control car on the walking trail around the field we were using. Finwë thought it was some type of lure to chase. 
Then a guy showed up with a red tailed hawk to practice falconry work!? The warmer weather must have gotten everyone out and about.
Track 1
30 yards with food 18-20 inches apart. He actually did okay at the start and the first couple yards. As we got closer to the man with the two GSDs though he would stop and stare and even start barking. I tried to refocus him with a food toss. That would work for a couple of steps. Once we got to the article he did pick it up when asked and play with it a bit. I could tell it was more in frustration though. So we went back into the car to wait for a bit.
Track 2
Track was laid for 40 yards with food closer to together around 12 inches. To my surprise he started right away and kept his head down for the majority of the track. I used a favorite article of his at the end since I knew there was a lot of distractions. I thought having the white fluffy earmuffs might help him want to stay in the game. However he never engaged with it or picked it up. Too focused on the surroundings. Then a guy same with a sprayer and started spraying the base of the trees with something and I just threw in the towel for the day.
OMG. Some days you just pack up and go home….and hopefully laugh about it. Be thrilled that he went to work and started both tracks. Given your tracking sites, you might want to stuff some food into your articles to build some interest in them. Of course, that might mean the GSDs steal your articles…..but that’s the risk you’d take. I think it would be worth it to him…and might help him to focus through the distractions. I hope you’re having a glass of something relaxing!
ReplyDeletesuccessful trainers win with plan b. good for you. i wonder if you might have less dog traffic at a local elementary school or high school. public parks are full of idiots who think they have control over their dogs.
ReplyDelete