Motivational Advice

[Tykie'sMom]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone had some advice out there for me. My baby (well she is not really a baby anymore) Tykie is having motivational problems in class. As Tykie is only a year and a couple months, the trainers says we should wait a few more months before she begins agility training, so she is still in advanced obedience.

When we take her to class she is no longer excited or motivated to perform the commands that she knows really well. Food, toys, even her most treasured tennis ball doesn't seem to help keep her focused. Funny enough once the class is over she perks right up and wants the treats we offered during class.

As we have 5 more lessons, my husband and I don't want to pull out of the classes just yet. Does anyone have any tips they could share with us? Have you encountered the same situation?

Tykie' Mom

 

[BXRmum]

When I was taking my female to classes she really loved it at first and was very excited about going. After we reached the 3rd level and had been going for a few months she started to become bored and acted much the way you are describing with your girl. I figured she was just sick of going to classes and that I had been taking her to long. I don't know how long you've been going, but that could be the problem - maybe she needs a break.

Unfortunately I don't have any advice. I know how frustrating it can be when they don't cooperate and nothing can get their attention. I'm sorry I can't offer any help, but I just wanted you to know that I went through the same thing and I know how you feel. I stopped taking her to classes, but like I said we had already completed 3 levels of obedience training so she had simply had enough.

I hope you can make it through the last classes. Could you try a different flavor of treats, a new toy, maybe something that squeaks or is brightly colored?

 

[Krikkit]

It sounds like she is bored, we have been in the same situation at times with our Boxers. How 'formal' are the classes? Are you able to be a bit silly with her and play with her or pull her out of class for breaks? Teaching her some tricks would be good at the moment if you can. If you can't adjust the classes to suit you then it may be worth thinking about pulling her out rather than let her get totally bored and tuned out by it all. You could try varying the exercises a bit, use a funny voice, when the trainer asks for a sit you could stand her instead to get her thinking. Are you getting a bit bored too? Sometimes in class I've found I'm not totally tuned in and my Boxers will to off working If there are exercises I don't really want to do, or too much repition I'll pull my dogs out of class for that time and work on tricks, or play tug, or whatever, until I want to join in again.

Tykie sounds like a lovely girl

 

[kay85]

When I took my boxer to obedience class, my instructor told us that dogs sometimes reach a plateau for a period of time, where it seems like they do not learn any more and have no interest in it, but they do come out of that stage. Maybe that is what your dog is going through. Don't give up and hang in there!

 

[Renee&Jake]

Keeping a Boxer motivated to work is not always easy. I think this is where they get the "stubborn" label.

I don't know how formal your classes are, or what she is doing to indicate that she's not interested, so suggestions are hard. If she is in an 'advanced' obedience class, I am assuming by this that the instructors COMPETE in the sport, and would include motivator training in the cirriculum. but if not, you could try:

Tricks, like "High Five" to keep training light and fun (I use that in the OB Ring between exercises.)

Jakob doesn't like class formats where he is being corrected too often. You didn't mention your trainer's suggested methods, but there may be others more suited to your dog.

Since we compete in Obedience at AKC trials and matches, boredom is a 'kiss of death' for us. It's the difference between qualifying or not.

Not to argue with a trainer I never met, but Jakob started Agility at 4 months, with jumps and contact articles scaled down for safety. Sure, their bones need to finish growing before jumping 20-26", I would NEVER dispute safety, but Obedience and Agility go hand in hand with us.

 

[Tykie'sMom]

Thank you for all your tips guys!!

Just a little more background.....Tyson has been in classes since she was 9 weeks old. So needless to say she has gone through many a class, (Our 7th set of classes to be exact). Some examples of times she tunes out include: she no longer makes/maintains eye contact when requested, she doesn't run with enthusiasm when called (she walks very slowly), she sighs a lot, and is generally unresponsive. Our trainer keeps the classes quite informal, she includes tricks in every class, etc. However, since these tricks are now more practice than fun, they are not very motivating.

My husband and I really like the idea of time-outs from class. We will try that in our next session. A change of scenery may be just what she needs when she tunes out.

We are definitely looking forward to agility in the spring.

If you have any further ideas on motivator please let us know!! We can use all the help we can get!

Tykie's Mom
(Tykie's number one fan!)