Dog Training Question (ELECTROPHILE!)

[PrimalMU]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So, I've been volunteering at a local animal shelter (no-kill) and I've been trying to work with some of the dogs as far as leash training, manners, etc goes. However, I've run into a problem that seems to be fairly consistent throughout the "pack." I have a hard time finding a source of motivation for several of the dogs.

Namely, I've been trying to work with a little pitbull mix named Bonnie who's been at the shelter for over a year now. I'd really like to get her socialized and trained in the hopes of attracting adopters. However, I just can't figure out what motivates her. She's not interested in treats, she doesn't think much of toys (like many of the dogs there, she either has no desire to play or simply doesn't know how), etc. In her cage she thrives for affection, but once we're out walking I have a very hard time even keeping her attention. Surprisingly, I leash trained her fairly easily and she doesn't pull at all, but I've yet to get consistant results when trying to teach her to sit, lay down, etc.

I'm wondering if part of the problem is simply a lack of socialization. If I had my way, I'd take her for a run on my bike before trying to do any training (some people may not like Cesar Milan, but I think he's spot on when it comes to exercise before training), but the neighborhood that the shelter is "sorta" located in disgusts me (they a very much opposed to having an animal shelter there and have anti-shelter propaganda signs all along the road to the shelter -- never mind that horse farm on the way which I KNOW puts out more stank than the animal shelter) and I only have a very limited walking area.

So, any suggestions? Like I said, I've tried several different sources of motivation, from tasty homemade liver treats to toys, and only a few of the dogs seem to respond to them. Any suggestions would be grateful!

 

[Electrophile]

Whoa, I've been paged! Cool, I guess? 😀

Thanks for taking cases like this. Motivational training is just about always a good idea with these guys, though it can be difficult in a shelter situation. One problem with developing food motivation in a dog is that in a shelter situation, food is almost always out for them at all times, so it's more like a buffet than scheduled meals. If a buffet is out for you at all times, a tasty treat will not be as appealing. If you can't foster her (which would probably be the best situation), I would see if you can get the shelter to get her on scheduled meal times, so that if she doesn't eat in 15 minutes, the bowl goes up until the next meal. Then when you're about to start some hardcore training, have them skip her daily (or twice daily, whatever) meal since she's going to get additional food in the training session. Use a high priority treat item, like cooked chicken, cheese or Cheese Whiz, hot dog cut into coins, etc. Doesn't have to be pricey or big at all.

Next, I would work on focus work. This all can be done with no leash and no collar in a quiet area with no distractions. I like this because it takes out the frustrating aspects of having the dog pulling on the leash. Are you familiar with clicker/marker training? If not, I can explain it, but if so, I would prime her with the clicker and then start on target training so she gets marked and treated for touching your hand with her nose or some other object (they make targeting sticks for agility and other sports, but it can be a small cone like they use for soccer drills, a lid to a tub of yogurt, margarine, sour cream, etc or other object).

Since she's not a real chow hound, you can probably do some free shaping without her getting to excited (my youngest Malinois is difficult to free shape because his food and toy drive is so high, he gets hectic and frustrated too quickly, so I find luring and marker training works best for him). Then you can train simple behaviors like sit and down and even teach tricks. Here's a neat video of using a clicker to free shape a bow. Notice there is no leash or even a collar involved:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iKaNN_XrnE

Last but not least, as I'm sure you're aware of with Cesar Millan, it helps if the dog is exercised at least a little bit before you begin so it gets the "crazies" out so they'll still be eager to come out of their kennel, but it takes the edge off. Hope that's enough to get you started!

 

[PrimalMU]

Thanks for the advice. I am familiar with clicker training, but was unsuccessful with her due to her lack of food motivation. Once I get into the groove of the semester I will try to go to the shelter on a regular basis. Once I can do that I will ask if they can withhold her food starting the evening before my scheduled visits. I guess I'll also break down and spend money on the gas to take her out somewhere away from the other dogs and the neighborhood to exercise her and work with her. Its difficult to work with her at the shelter because she gets so preoccupied with the various scents (both dog and wild animal).

 

[starlene45]

Primal

Just a thought about toy drive-- many dogs that are easily distracted or seem uninterested in toys can be behaviorally modified to enjoy play and toys. My agility dog Lucy is a tug-maniac at home, but in the setting of a class lesson or trial often loses her toy drive due to stress/excitement/distraction.

I definitely think electrophile's advice about feeding times & working on food motivation is right on. Once food is a useful reward, you could even try those tug-toys that you can fill with treats -- some dogs love those, and in some cases it can really help make a transition from food based rewards to toy based rewards.

I personally do not know any magic bullet for this, but I have found that perserverance along with lots of focus and relaxation work have improved Lucy dog's toy drive. She now happily works for toys at home and for her favorite toy at class. We're still working on trials

You might want to check out a book called "Control Unleashed" While it is specifically geared towards reactive or very shy dogs I have found that it has a lot of useful tools for anyone working with undersocialized animals. It's a little hard to find but can be bought through the Clean Run online bookstore. It is also agility-geared, but again, the lessons can be applied to any dog as the whole purpose is to have a dog who is calm, quiet, attentive and happy on or off leash. Who wouldn't want that?!

GOOD LUCK!