Trick - Solo Catch

Wooferhound · #1 24-04-09, 12:51 PM

1) First, teach your dog to catch. Stand a few steps in front of him, get his attention and then throw a toy or treat for him to catch, if he succeeds, praise and treat. If he misses, throw again. Throw accurately and keep practising until your dog is catching more than missing. Then introduce the command ‘catch’.

2) Place your dog in a sit and command him to wait. Gently but firmly place the item on his nose, positioning it carefully to that it balances and doesn’t interfere with his eyes. Command ‘wait’ again. After a second or two, praise and return to him. Remove the item and give him a treat.

3) Balance the item on your dogs nose and try to encourage him to flip it up. With your dog watching, make a sharp throwing gesture and command ‘catch’. You are aiming for a your dog to jerk his nose up enough to dislodge the item,. Praise and reward.

4) Keep practising until your dog achieves a catch, then praise and reward. If your dog doesn’t get the idea, throw him a few toys or treats to catch before balancing one on his nose again. With practise, he will make the connection.

* Flatter items tend to be easier for your dog to balance, flip and catch. Make sure they are not too heavy.

* Choose an object that is big enough for your dog to see. Bigger items also tend to stay a little longer in the air. However, if they are too big, your dog won’t be able to see round them, so will either refuse to keep them on his nose or be forced to dip his head to see you.

* When balancing the item, encourage your dog to keep his nose level – don’t stand over him so that he has to look up to see you.

ilsongirl · #2 06-05-09, 10:59 AM

Jo, just wanted to say thanks again for putting these up. I tried to teach Ben and Sophie this one, but Ben does not like things on his nose bless him....

and Sophie can't catch

Wooferhound · #3 06-05-09, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilsongirl

Jo, just wanted to say thanks again for putting these up. I tried to teach Ben and Sophie this one, but Ben does not like things on his nose bless him....

and Sophie can't catch

There are ways around it if you are interested...just need to know what you have tried with both before I suggest further.

AND...you are most welcome, I LOVE tricks!

Jo
x

ilsongirl · #4 06-05-09, 02:23 PM

I defiantly would be interested here’s what I did;
With Ben he already knew the catch part, so went straight for the next step I placed the treat on his nose and he knocked it straight off, when I went to place another on his nose he moved away looking a little worried. So I didn’t try again, we do not know his past but from his reactions to certain situations we think his previous owners thought the way to train a dog was with a stick.

Sophie I was trying to teach her catch by using bit of chopped up crab stick about a 1cm cube, she was struggling to catch it, so I got ball about tennis ball size but soft and threw it to her. With both she pretty much fail to react until it hit the floor or her. She did catch the ball a couple of times but more through luck than judgement I think!!

Wooferhound · #5 06-05-09, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilsongirl

I defiantly would be interested here’s what I did;
With Ben he already knew the catch part, so went straight for the next step I placed the treat on his nose and he knocked it straight off, when I went to place another on his nose he moved away looking a little worried. So I didn’t try again, we do not know his past but from his reactions to certain situations we think his previous owners thought the way to train a dog was with a stick.

Does Ben flinch/cower when you touch his face? If so, then this trick isn't for him, yet! When he is happier about it you can carry on as you are, but perhaps use a bigger treat, or a flat toy! Food can be tricky sometimes, depends on the dog really. I tend to suggest flat treats, such as a broken large Bonio biscuit, less likely to topple and fall off! With a toy, obviously you need something that they love, but that will sit still.

Quote:

Sophie I was trying to teach her catch by using bit of chopped up crab stick about a 1cm cube, she was struggling to catch it, so I got ball about tennis ball size but soft and threw it to her. With both she pretty much fail to react until it hit the floor or her. She did catch the ball a couple of times but more through luck than judgement I think!!

Before trying the trick encourage Sophie to catch...hold a treat above her head and get her excited, when holding the treat above her (with you standing) say 'ready' and drop the treat, when she catches the treat say 'good catch' and carry on until she cracks it most of the time. When ready to move on start gently throwing a treat towards her and encourage her to catch, again praise the catch. When she gets the hang of it you can move on to the trick!

Good luck!

Jo
x

ilsongirl · #6 06-05-09, 02:46 PM

He will let me and Paul touch his head but is not keen on anybody else, he will always duck away from their hands, we always ask people to rub his chest.
He cannot sit still when toys are around

I will try that with Sof tonight, it seems to be her timing that’s out, so that should really help.