Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Olga Chaiko's picture
Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Sun, 2007-01-28 20:54.
Kari has asked:

"Daisy has a hard time getting her mind off of her toy.  Olga, do you have another behavior besides "speak" to use at the start?  (Neither of my girls will do it, will sit silently and watch me forever)."
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Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Sun, 2007-01-28 21:16.
Kari,

There are zillions of things you can use as a startline routine with your dog, but barking on cue is a skill all the dogs need to have, imo.

Let me explain. Generally, dogs like to bark. Dogs get happy when they bark. Barking is an instant "doggie happy pill", ;-)..

If the dog is tought to bark on command, it's the best way for you to test the "temperature in the brain department", the stress level, and the willingness of the dog to play as a team. If the dog has a difficulty to snap out of his reverie and utter a "woof!", how do you expect him to have fun on the course? .. and to follow your direction..

Daisy is a bird dog. I am not a pro when it comes to bird dogs, but I heard students with bird dogs say: they are not supposed to bark and, god forbid, they are not supposed to tug! Thankfully they are allowed to breathe, ;-)..

Agility is not hunting, it is not herding, it is not a matter of national security and surely it is not rocket science (now,, try explaining that one to Luz, ;-)..)! Agility is supposed to be fun. And sometimes it's up to us to remind our doggies about that.

People who have fearful/timid/unsure/inattentive/slower dogs are ready to stand on their heads to make their dogs relax and feel happy. Good for them!

Now, people whose dogs are digging Agility and are so intent on the job at hand they can't even bark (!), seem not to give any thought to the matter of how their doggie may be feeling at the startline, as long as he is quivering/crouching/can-hardly-wait..

FUN, guys, FUN, as in "having a GOOD TIME".. dogs are supposed to be having fun running Agility with us.

Teach your dog to speak on cue, so he can relax.. or go buy him an MP3 player, so he can listen to his favorite music and tune out all the negativity before he runs, ;-).., (AgileDogs list subscribers, sorry, just couldn't resist)..

Olga.
kmanning913's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by kmanning913 on Mon, 2007-01-29 10:29.

Thanks, Olga--good things to think about.  I did teach my previous 3 dogs (all males) to speak without any problem.  It's these 2 girls who will stare at me forever and not utter a peep (Emmy jumps up when she gets frustrated).  So, I will take on teaching them to speak as probably one of my greatest training challenges!   :-)

Kari

Helen Hindley's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by Helen Hindley on Tue, 2007-01-30 13:11.

On the hunting dog issue... it's true that we don't encourage our hunting dogs to bark, however, it's never been an issue with the bird dogs. A puppies they learn that if they bark the bird goes away and if they're quiet and sneaky the bird stays put and they eventually get to fetch it.

All of our vizslas happily learned to bark on command. They are highly food driven and I'd get something absolutely irresistable and stand, waiting, until they tried every trick in they knew how to do to get it. Eventually, out of frustration, they'd bark or make a noise. Click! didn't take long to attach the 'speak' command and they're good to go. Helen

kmanning913's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by kmanning913 on Thu, 2007-02-01 12:52.

Woohoo....I managed to catch Daisy barking at some nonexistant thing outside, reinforced it, and now have her speaking on command.  She looks so incredulous and proud of herself, it really makes me laugh.  Today we trained in a barn, and she spoke for me 3 times at the startline---first time ever.  The run was fast, fabulous, and connected, so much fun!  (And Helen, she did her happy woof through the whole thing).

Emmy, on the other hand, has not offered a peep in days, if not weeks.  She usually doesn't even bark at people at the door, etc.  She is offering me about every behavior she knows, finally standing up on her hind legs and placing her paws on my arm, bowing her head and offering me a prayer in desparation.  Very cute, but  no reward.   She continues to be the ultimate challenge......

Kari

addictedtolabs's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by addictedtolabs on Thu, 2007-02-01 15:58.

Now you got her. Sit both girls next to each other,give the speak cue and when Daisy speaks and gets treated, Emmy will be besides herself. That is how Kody taught Bailey.

Cheers,

Jean

 

Helen Hindley's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by Helen Hindley on Fri, 2007-02-02 13:38.

Woof! When Daisy is having a ball, usually in a jumpers run or sections where she can go flat out, she does a funny wooof, wooof, wooof of pure joy! It makes me laugh out loud when Kari's and Daisy are out on the course and she starts woooofing. She's a special kind of girl! Smile Helen

addictedtolabs's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by addictedtolabs on Fri, 2007-02-02 15:01.

You should hear Kody. LOL His table cue is "table quiet". It allows me to hear the count.  We have a shirt that says "bark if you love the judge". Havent had the nerve to wear it in the ring yet.

Cheers,

Jea

 

newfire's picture

Re: Speak! - barking on command and startline routines

Submitted by newfire on Fri, 2007-02-02 15:14.

I definately need a shirt like that!!!........elizabeth