Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So the past couple of days, Cookie hasn't been doing as well with her training. She just doesn't seem interested in the treats anymore. I don't think anything is physically wrong, she eats her meals and will eat treats inside without distractions, and before a few days ago, ate them outside with distractions as well, but all of a sudden it's like she decided it just wasn't worth it anymore. Mainly with loose leash walking. At the begining of the week, we were making it to the end of the street and back with no problems, but the past couple of days we haven't made it more than a couple of houses past ours. We are doing everything the same, and working on training just before meal time so she is hungry.
Should we go back to just working on it in the yard, or even in the house? Is there anything I can do to make it more exciting for her? Does anyone know of an absolutely irresistable treat? She is more people oriented than she is food, so her treats have to be REAL yummy. Cheese works the best, but even lately she didn't want that. I even had bits of steak and she wasn't interested. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I should also mention we are using clicker training, and our method for loose leash walking is keeping her on one side of me, clicking and treating the exact moment she is next to me, and if she goes ahead of me, change directions and when she is next to me again, click and treat. This is instructions from our trainer.
Thanks again!

All dogs, at all ages & levels of training come to a "plateau" at intervals. I notice it more with beginning dogs (and handlers). The dog gets this "been there, done that" attitude and all of a sudden it seems all has been done for not. But hope is not lost! These plateaus usually only last for about a wk- 2 at the most and this is counting once a wk. training classes. She should just snap back to wherever she was a couple of wks. ago. In the meantime, you can return to basics. Doa couple of days of just in the house with the very beginning exercises- sit, down, stay and leave it at that. Try a couple of days just in the yard- same thing. If she doesn't respond, go ack in the house. She should soon realize that that is no where near as much fun as doing the more advanced things that she already knows.
Also, one of the favorite treats around here is liver! I boil beef liver cut it into very sm. pieces- like 1/2 the size of the end of your little finger- then bake them at 350 for 15-20 mins. Remember- the dog doesn' care about the size of a treat--- just that there is one! But with little chunks of liver they are easy to handle, the dogs love them and you can freeze a lb. or 2 of them after they're cooked and just take a handful or so (as much as you need for 1 session) at a time. 2 lbs. of liver lasts me more than a month training 2 of my dogs twice a wk and the 3rd dog occasionally. So it's worh the bother of prep. & cooking time. Some people use the microwave and it works fine also- I just never have.
Good luck!
Nancy

I wouldn't worry, they all go through these little 'regressions'.

You didn't say?, but is she misbehaving on your walks, pulling, etc. or just not wanting to walk in heel position?

I can't recall, but is the walking her only outdoor time - exercise/potty?

You are the one reading your dog, so I'd either give her a break & not try to reinforce the 'heeling', just ignore her....OR play or run to break the monotony...OR

if you think she is testing you or wanting to misbehave you might try immediately going back in the house, ignoring her for a bit, then trying again. If she isn't cooperating, the walk stops, with no fussing or other responce from you, except to go back in the house.

With my small dogs, I'd actually pick them up & carry them back inside to emphasize the point, but Cookie may be too big for that?

You also might try other commands that she does well inside & use other rewards beside treats, praise or a new toy. Its said that we should keep toys from them, so we can change to a new one from time to time, rather than just leave all toys out all the time,
maybe Cookie is just bored with 'treats'.

I have had success with inserting some 'agility' like obstacles into the heel routine. Use your imagination & have fun while reinforcing the 'team-work' concept.

Hey thanks!
Well she certainly did get a break! We spent the week at our summer cabin in Maine and she got to run jump and play all week. We put walking on hold since up there the only place to walk her is in the woods and I am petrified of her picking up a tick (Though we did get frontline this time). So she spent most of her outside time on a 50 ft leash in the front sandy area and we took her down to the lake and stuff. She had a BLAST!

So we started again when we got back, and she still doesn't seem interested (but we were also all out of cheese)
She has never been very motivated by treats and will often ignore them. Sometimes I literally have to shove them in her mouth, that usually gets her attention. SO we tried again and still didn't go too well, but it has been a week since we worked on it at all.
Oh and to answer your question, she does everything she's not supposed to when on walks. She pulls, she darts, she stops to sniff, etc. And no, walks are not her only outside time. She gets numerous potty breaks in the yard and on days that aren't too hot, we try to spend some time playing in the yard with her. But I have to say, even after a week of not using the clicker, she popped right back into it when we got home. I clicked once, and BOY did she remember what that click meant!
:-P
I think your right, she's just saying "Been there done that". I am going to take it back to the basic commands and hopefully she'll get that walking nicely on the leash is MUCH more fun.
Thanks!!