Since I have a new novice dog, you guys get to see me actually training a dog in action!
This is "Malos," btw. He came with the name. He is a purebred red Doberman and is 20 months old.
I have had this dog for just under three days now, and look at that attention and focus!
So here is a quick exercise in "extreme" obedience skills:
Before anyone asks, no, that collar does not hurt him. And no, I don't normally use it. This was the collar his previous owner used on him, and I am gradually getting him used to a martingale and a flat collar. I prefer martingales, flat collars, and "tactical" collars, and for "fancy" show gear I will usually use a leather martingale, a nylon slip lead, or a flat slip chain.
I'm not a big fan of using a collar or lead as the main way to control the dog, since the dog should be 100% responsive to voice commands and hand signals (as shown in this video) and not relying on external force.
He's on a leash here in my yard because I just got him a few days ago and I don't know if he's capable of bolting and jumping the fence yet, lol. So far only Enzo has managed to clear that fence.
When I watch novice Obedience competitors they are often kind of just pulling the dog along with the leash instead of giving the dog enthusiastic verbal instructions and keeping the dog's attention on them. The dogs look bored lol. At the higher levels, you don't even USE a leash. Everything is verbal or gestured.
Also, notice that he is being constantly praised and rewarded. I "pay" him with a reward (food) every time he does something correctly. He will eventually be able to do everything I ask him to do *with* or *without* a tangible reward. Like I said, I've had him for less than three full days. This is pretty damn good. Remember Enzo when I'd had him for three days? Lol
And yes, this is my backyard, by the way! I don't think I've ever shown a picture or video of it directly, lol. It was under construction for a long time.
Weird side note, in case anyone has ever noticed my legs/knees in these videos, I get asked about that a lot irl and I have a condition that causes them to hyperextend backwards like that.
This is "Malos," btw. He came with the name. He is a purebred red Doberman and is 20 months old.
I have had this dog for just under three days now, and look at that attention and focus!
So here is a quick exercise in "extreme" obedience skills:
Before anyone asks, no, that collar does not hurt him. And no, I don't normally use it. This was the collar his previous owner used on him, and I am gradually getting him used to a martingale and a flat collar. I prefer martingales, flat collars, and "tactical" collars, and for "fancy" show gear I will usually use a leather martingale, a nylon slip lead, or a flat slip chain.
I'm not a big fan of using a collar or lead as the main way to control the dog, since the dog should be 100% responsive to voice commands and hand signals (as shown in this video) and not relying on external force.
He's on a leash here in my yard because I just got him a few days ago and I don't know if he's capable of bolting and jumping the fence yet, lol. So far only Enzo has managed to clear that fence.
When I watch novice Obedience competitors they are often kind of just pulling the dog along with the leash instead of giving the dog enthusiastic verbal instructions and keeping the dog's attention on them. The dogs look bored lol. At the higher levels, you don't even USE a leash. Everything is verbal or gestured.
Also, notice that he is being constantly praised and rewarded. I "pay" him with a reward (food) every time he does something correctly. He will eventually be able to do everything I ask him to do *with* or *without* a tangible reward. Like I said, I've had him for less than three full days. This is pretty damn good. Remember Enzo when I'd had him for three days? Lol
And yes, this is my backyard, by the way! I don't think I've ever shown a picture or video of it directly, lol. It was under construction for a long time.
Weird side note, in case anyone has ever noticed my legs/knees in these videos, I get asked about that a lot irl and I have a condition that causes them to hyperextend backwards like that.