Training with conflict

[Vislor]

Just wondering how many people use it or have even heard of it. I was pretty mystified at one trainers lack of understanding of it and wondered how widely spread/known technique it was. I don't think its anything new...

[Zak]

Never heard of it

Care to shed some light for a dog newbie like me?

[Vislor]

Once you've got a dog to do an exercise where they pretty much understand it you add a conflict/distraction during the exercise like someone clapping or making a noise behind the dog. The dog will naturally want to investigate, so the trainer uses a little correction to keep the dog concentrated on the exercise.

At first it will make the dog worse at the exercise, but after (quite a few) repetitions the dog learns that it must ignore any distractions and focus on the handler at all times. It helps for fool proofing against unknown distractions at trials and makes the dog more clear headed overall.

Its a very simple and effective system.

Originally Posted by Vislor

Once you've got a dog to do an exercise where they pretty much understand it you add a conflict/distraction during the exercise like someone clapping or making a noise behind the dog. The dog will naturally want to investigate, so the trainer uses a little correction to keep the dog concentrated on the exercise.

At first it will make the dog worse at the exercise, but after (quite a few) repetitions the dog learns that it must ignore any distractions and focus on the handler at all times. It helps for fool proofing against unknown distractions at trials and makes the dog more clear headed overall.

Its a very simple and effective system.

I do that with mine but call it training with distraction

[Mazz]

We do that at training school.
We put our dogs in down/sit or stand, tell them to stay walk away, and hold the dogs in that position.
Our handler walks or jogs in between dogs and handlers.
Or she drags a big stuffed toy in between us.
The trainer also does a whistle as the dogs are in down stay.
The dogs do look the first time, but with a firm 'LEAVE' they soon get the message.
It's all part of training (well mine anyway), just has to be fun also.
I know your training is real training, but I still get the result I want....eventually
Mazz

Originally Posted by Anni

I do that with mine but call it training with distraction

Same hear
Some trainers with play with a ball, call the dogs name, clap their hands, loud noise(gun shout) call Time! All to distract the dog during any excersie wether it be stays, recall or anything

Originally Posted by Anni

I do that with mine but call it training with distraction

I agree with you and call it the same as you. Usually I get my kids to try and distract Storm as they are literally his playmates who he adores and will do anything to be with them. So it's the ultimate task for me and anyone else in my family to keep him focussed on the handler. Lately I have increased distractions and change of locations using dogs in the distance that are playing , believe me this used to be a toughy as he wanted to be with them sooo much. I seem to struck the right balance by allowing him free time with dogs and now when he sees dogs he returns to me and sits to see if i will allow him to meet and greet . I think if you practice with as many distractions and different places and maybe the use of a long line in early days your dog sees it has to obey commands and then it becomes the norm for your dog. That's just my opinion and it seems to have worked for me so far! xx

[Vislor]

Originally Posted by Mazz&Bazz

I know your training is real training, but I still get the result I want....eventually
Mazz

All training is real training as long as the dog is learning!

We do it with very simple things from very early on like getting the dog to constantly watch the handler in the sit until its released but its amazing how something as simple as that can make such a huge psychological difference in terms of work ethic.

If you watch Kai in the Positions in his schutzhund 2 he doesn't take his eyes off dad the whole time.

One person who's been training dogs for 20 years came to us last week and tried it for the first time and the difference in the dog even after only a week is unbelievable. He said he's never had so much control over a dog before.

Good to see its widely used because I really think its the best way to get a dog to really focus and understand.

[Zak]

How do you get Kai to watch you and focus so well?

[GobbySchäferhund]

Originally Posted by Zak

How do you get Kai to watch you and focus so well?

Gives him a blow up dog at night time in his kennel