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Not eager to please...
- Thread starter Ddski5
- Start date
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Totally agree with what the more experienced owners are saying but wanted to add that this scenario happened with us as well so it's not just you. We have a less routine oriented household, but Dobes are supposed to love routine so you have that working on your side.
I think it may be the Doberteens showing up. K at least went through a stage where we knew he knew the command but he would choose not to listen. This is where the Donkey name came from! Lured by food, he suddenly knew the command.
Also, I suspect the puppy commands are now boring to Ragnar. He is thinking, "hey, I already know this, what else can we do?" We were able to establish way better focus with this Rally class because we learned new commands. It wasn't easy the first few classes though. There was enough variety of new commands that really got his interest, like weaving poles, walking backward. Now we are entering the repetitive phase of this class and he is getting bored. I guess the other pups needs more time to figure it out
So my trick is to rush through the rally course. I walk much faster so he has to pay more attention. Or I really slow down. The fast and slow commands are built on heel walking so he has to pay attention to get the treat. I increase the challenge for in house training by removing voice commands and using only hand gestures.
I think it may be the Doberteens showing up. K at least went through a stage where we knew he knew the command but he would choose not to listen. This is where the Donkey name came from! Lured by food, he suddenly knew the command.
Also, I suspect the puppy commands are now boring to Ragnar. He is thinking, "hey, I already know this, what else can we do?" We were able to establish way better focus with this Rally class because we learned new commands. It wasn't easy the first few classes though. There was enough variety of new commands that really got his interest, like weaving poles, walking backward. Now we are entering the repetitive phase of this class and he is getting bored. I guess the other pups needs more time to figure it out
So my trick is to rush through the rally course. I walk much faster so he has to pay more attention. Or I really slow down. The fast and slow commands are built on heel walking so he has to pay attention to get the treat. I increase the challenge for in house training by removing voice commands and using only hand gestures.
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Love the jackpot idea! And hand feeding encourages a gentle mouth.
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
An idea for his breakfast and/or dinner. The Wobbler Kong was already mentioned, why not have meals served in there? That way your daughter can make him sit, down, stay, wait, and then take it. She's just done obedience training without getting bored of it, it'll probably be a pretty neat experience for her to make him do so many "tricks" all at once, it's short enough, and it ends with a great reward for the dog.
This is also a good way to occupy him. Although no one will be engaging him directly, the treat toy is coming from his family so that must count for something? It works for us. He's very proud when he's done, he'll bring the toy to us (we also have a treat ball we use the same way and it's way quieter than the Wobbler Kong if dropped). The two toys on the right.
This is also a good way to occupy him. Although no one will be engaging him directly, the treat toy is coming from his family so that must count for something? It works for us. He's very proud when he's done, he'll bring the toy to us (we also have a treat ball we use the same way and it's way quieter than the Wobbler Kong if dropped). The two toys on the right.
GOD'S GRACE
Notable member
On raining days I always mess with the schedule...if I don't I'm the one who is trained...I crate her with she thinks it's play time, feed her with she thinks it's nap time and so on...now she becomes attentive, not knowing what's next...
You make a good point with the food. I must say that the 15mins that I take in making his food, he is the most obedient well mannered Doberman you would ever see. He sits/down/rolls/place and is so excitably silly that it is funny. I make him place about 20' away and he will not move until I set him free. It is soooo awesome to observe this. This is the impenetrable focus and attention I am looking for during training outside of the house.
GOD'S GRACE
Notable member
If I don't look at Grace every once or twice during prep, she does the sniper crawl!!!
Thank you for another very important thread and for naming it aptly so it can be searched in the future.
Oji is a good example here: He's from working lines and I've found that this makes a Dobe easier to train (not easier to live with though). Thing is, Oji is a bit different. I don't see as much of learning and working coming automatically to him as I did with my previous working Dobe. It might be interpreted as Oji is not eager to please. I really do feel he has less innate desire to work for mankind in him than I expected. I sometimes say he is acting like my wife's late Husky. Doesn't mean they aren't smart – just not as inclined to do stuff humans say.
I know, I know: "No Bad Dogs!" It's up to the trainer to find what motivates the individual dog. Doesn't mean I can't be bitter.
Oji is a good example here: He's from working lines and I've found that this makes a Dobe easier to train (not easier to live with though). Thing is, Oji is a bit different. I don't see as much of learning and working coming automatically to him as I did with my previous working Dobe. It might be interpreted as Oji is not eager to please. I really do feel he has less innate desire to work for mankind in him than I expected. I sometimes say he is acting like my wife's late Husky. Doesn't mean they aren't smart – just not as inclined to do stuff humans say.
I know, I know: "No Bad Dogs!" It's up to the trainer to find what motivates the individual dog. Doesn't mean I can't be bitter.
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Amazing to discover what captures their focus. During meal prep he is perfectly placed sitting so upright. I used the egg toy to confirm that he does indeed understand "back door" and "front door" commands. He will follow that egg anywhere. He even escorts egghead back to his toy box to make sure it's safe. If it's still in the yard he'll stare out the window at it and will whine to get outside
What a guard dog
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Oh little Oji's dad!
A hungry dog is a motivated dog.
I always feed Maddie first and get her insulin ready so they are waiting in a down position and do not budge until I say chow time. Of course Bogie chats, sings, hitting the high notes. He will run to his feeding spot on the porch and plant his butt with his paw at the ready to shake. Then he zones on his food dish until I release him.
Bacall sits quietly waiting, looking at Bogie and the bubble above her head is
“What a Drama King Wussy.”
I always feed Maddie first and get her insulin ready so they are waiting in a down position and do not budge until I say chow time. Of course Bogie chats, sings, hitting the high notes. He will run to his feeding spot on the porch and plant his butt with his paw at the ready to shake. Then he zones on his food dish until I release him.
Bacall sits quietly waiting, looking at Bogie and the bubble above her head is
“What a Drama King Wussy.”
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
If I'm not fast enough at loading his treat ball he'll start to throw handshakes into the air. It's just hilarious. Like his way of saying, WTH is taking you so long, I'm ready to go!
He reminds me of me in those moments
He reminds me of me in those moments
You know I started this thread based off of an accumulations of WTF's, last nights performance and my frustrations with him being a "donkey" at the soccer fields. It was an absolute mess from start to finish.
Went to the fields again tonight with renewed vigor and clean slate.
I can't believe how much better he did tonight. I believe I am being too structured, too disciplined and expecting too much.
Six month old pup with short attention span, KISS--keep it simple, stupid.
And yes, the same old monotonous commands over and over do get boring, I am sure. Have to figure a way to change it up and make it fun....
Thank you all for the great suggestions. They will get used!!
Went to the fields again tonight with renewed vigor and clean slate.
I can't believe how much better he did tonight. I believe I am being too structured, too disciplined and expecting too much.
Six month old pup with short attention span, KISS--keep it simple, stupid.
And yes, the same old monotonous commands over and over do get boring, I am sure. Have to figure a way to change it up and make it fun....
Thank you all for the great suggestions. They will get used!!
You know these guys hear EVERYthing!If I'm not fast enough at loading his treat ball he'll start to throw handshakes into the air. It's just hilarious. Like his way of saying, WTH is taking you so long, I'm ready to go!
He reminds me of me in those moments
They know the sound of my glasses when I fold them to put in the case and get my sunglasses on. They could be in a dead sleep and the minute I get my sunglasses on they are front and center at attention. They have learned sunglasses on means we are going outside and or going to a job. They refuse to be left behind. Watching them sit at the front door trembling with anticipation and ready to make a mad dash once I release them. It’s hilarious.
They run and sit by the front gate and when they see me grab their leashes, they are spinning and then plop down for me to hook their leashes on. They are literally vibrating waiting for my command to kennel up in the truck. Hahaha
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
They definitley give you
days. It's normal but totally frustrating because you know they have it in them and it can feel like disobedience when they go donkey on you. I would say that's been the hardest part about raising Kaiser. He's a pleasure one day and the next day you need to 
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
This reminded me of something my hb said to me when Kaiser still had his ear posts. He seemed like he was still very much in love with having his dream dog but his comment was priceless:
Do you realize...that once his ears are done...he'll be able to hear even better.
(Insert twilight zone music here.)
GOD'S GRACE
Notable member
GRACE...DID IN ANOTHER BLANKET THIS MORNING....she's on my "S" list...good thing she's cute! 
How do you get them to give you eye contact? I have tried with Bruno and sometimes he will look at me but usually he looks to the side, over my head etc.! My GSD would look at me nearly all the time, looking for words but Bruno seems detached. We are together all day (apart from siesta time and night time)
I held a treat and or toy up to my face and would say look. When they would look at me I treated them. It’s an everyday training and they will learn it quickly with practice.
GOD'S GRACE
Notable member
Oh boy are you lucky...Grace never stops looking at me...somedays it's just too much...
