Training with Nihon Ken
Training of a Nihon Ken
Wait for that right class to come open and pay fees….$80
Travel (gas) to get to the LKC (weekly)………………......$15
Treats, New Collar……………………………………...........….$35
Commanding your dog with no response……………....Priceless
All kidding aside, Jazz is doing okay on training. She got the most improved award last night – mainly for her “sit”, “leave it”, and controlled (paced) walking. She got bonus points for doing a sit, stay (unhooked leash), and spin – she won’t do the spin on-leash. We are working on the following: sit, stand, walk, down, spin, bow, leave it for commands and controlled walking. Last night in training, Jazz would not bow or go into a down position. In fact, Jazz looked at me like I was crazy. The trainer who has worked with Shibas before – just laughed. She asked me if Jazz did play bows and I told her of course Jazz did that – she just not going to do it in front of a crowd.
My question for you guys…what commands were the hardest for your Nihon Ken to learn? Did they ever learn them? Was it a patience thing or did you come up with a cool way to trick the dog into doing what you wanted?
Wait for that right class to come open and pay fees….$80
Travel (gas) to get to the LKC (weekly)………………......$15
Treats, New Collar……………………………………...........….$35
Commanding your dog with no response……………....Priceless
All kidding aside, Jazz is doing okay on training. She got the most improved award last night – mainly for her “sit”, “leave it”, and controlled (paced) walking. She got bonus points for doing a sit, stay (unhooked leash), and spin – she won’t do the spin on-leash. We are working on the following: sit, stand, walk, down, spin, bow, leave it for commands and controlled walking. Last night in training, Jazz would not bow or go into a down position. In fact, Jazz looked at me like I was crazy. The trainer who has worked with Shibas before – just laughed. She asked me if Jazz did play bows and I told her of course Jazz did that – she just not going to do it in front of a crowd.
My question for you guys…what commands were the hardest for your Nihon Ken to learn? Did they ever learn them? Was it a patience thing or did you come up with a cool way to trick the dog into doing what you wanted?
Comments
I think the hardest thing for Nemo was a "sit/stay" because he always wanted to lay down after a minute, and a "stand/stay", as he did not trust people walking behind him, and if I would even lift my hand to scratch my nose he would sit. Nemo is really food motivated, so after about 8 weeks (of 26 consecutive weeks of obedience) he was able to focus on me a lot better as I would always carry the good stuff.
Nemo only does "leave it" at obedience. If I say it outside on a walk he starts chewing really fast and jumping backwards away from me. *sigh*
At least your trainer understands.
Jazz is all about the treats - she'll sit if I have a treat. Without the treat, it's iffy, very iffy.
"leave it" is a 50/50 shot depending on the value of the item coveted...
sit/stay was much easier to conquer in our home than stand/stay, we still are working on that with our two (Hachi isn't doing much training yet)
and we didn't train bow, rather "say prayers" where they do a bow on an elevated object, like a chair or couch, and only Kitsune can do it well when asked, Tsuki is very, as brad details Loa, "ants in the pants" and wants the reward asap or there is no praying.
consistency and a never ending supply of patience and sense of humor are all I can offer! She'll get it, but only when she feels like it. Jazz seems low key enough where she will probably be more accommodating once it becomes routine for her. What are your ultimate goals for Jazz?
Training equipment: $100
Toys: $100
The embarassment you feel watching your dog pee on everything in sight at PetSmart: Priceless.
Ronan and Tasha are both very, very good at obedience with the following exceptions:
Tasha - if someone ELSE has food. Not great at front and finishes. Over anticipates commands. Long sequences aren't for her - she starts to try every trick in the book and becomes frustrated - food must be given every couple commands. Highly food motivated - not toy driven at all.
Ronan - if someone ELSE has a squeaky toy regardless of the five I'm holding, if there are other dogs, if there are people he hasn't greeted, won't come when called if he suspects there's no toy to be had. He knows more commands and tricks than Tasha and executes them with precision. Not food driven at all. Highly toy driven (um, maybe obsessed is a better word).
Ronan loves other dogs except he's horrible at greeting them. Frankly, he's always been rather rude, which sets off the other dog, which sets off Ronan. The dogs he does best with are opposite sex, submissive dogs, although he seems to really like Huskies and Mals. We think it's because they look like Tasha to him.
He met a Shiba at the dog fest, a male. Ronan was okay (but he was exhausted). He sniffed the dog's shoulder and wagged his tail. There must have been some body language I didn't see, because the Shiba went ballistic, which surprised Ronan.
http://www.doggroups.com/dog-training/item/3
Have your dog distracted, get it's attention, eye contact, "watch me", and treat.
Tasha would have been show queen: drop-dead gorgeous, prissy, excellent temperment, ignores other dogs, fluid movement, incredible handler focus.
Tasha isn't a problem solver. She wants you to tell her what to do. Ronan is very good at problem solving and will figure out ways to do things his way.
Ronan understands it, but ignores it if there are other dogs. I started training him with Watch Me by holding a favorite toy to my face - getting him to place his focus there. I've since dropped Watch Me and just use their names. If I call their name, I expect them to 'Watch Me' and wait for another command. Too many commands in a row. Ronan, Watch Me, Sit. Or just Ronan, Sit. I like the second way, although for field work or guard dog work, Watch Me would be crucial, I think.
Toys, food, nothing works if there are dogs Ronan wants to be around. It might be something he gets better with in time and in all fairness, he's very young and unneutered.
Tasha is a 'soft' dog. Ronan is more hard than soft, say about a 7 where 10 is hard.
LJOWEN - yes, that was the one in Suwanee. Petapalooza.
I almost went to the petpalooza, but it was after my 5k and I was in pain from the stones. Do you take Ronan & Tasha to dogs parks? I would love to meet a shikoku in person.
I do take them places in public, though. Coffee shops, parks, etc. Someplace that they are always on lead and I can trust other dogs are on lead, too. Not so much in the summertime as Tasha has such a heavy coat and hates the heat.
Yes, you'll have to see my little Ronanator. I'm very proud of the exciteable boy.
A soft dog will quit if they've got someone who trains them as though they were linebackers. A soft dog is like instructing a young child. Lots of repetiton, lots of praise. Bumps or taps for physical correction, escalating only if absolutely necessary (although it's usually a sign the dog has had enough for the day). Hard: a linebacker or soldier. They like to work hard won't take it personal if you step on their leash or give them a physical correction. Police dogs are made of this stuff. Some working dogs, too. Somewhere in between is like a college professor. you can expect a decent amount and don't have to coddle them, but they'll react or quit if you get too physical or raise your voice too much. They'll ignore you if you're too soft and don't command their attention or they don't think you're as serious.
I guess Jazz would be a medium - she doesn't listen to the kids when they try to command her (she looks at them and laughs maniacally - in her head).
It is interesting to train him since my previous dogs (Siberians) were more of a "hard" dog and fit your description above whereas Kuma really needs praise and soft commands. I also take all my dogs to places like you do, but not dog parks.
Have you competed yet with Ronan (eg, Novice or higher?). My obedience instructor says that Kuma is by far the best in the class (mainly boxers, GSD, Goldens) and wants me to go ahead and start competing with him at some point. She is very, very interested in a Shikoku as her future dog.
Ronan loves praise as well, and as long as the training is 'fun' he'll give it his all. But he's definitely self-serving - the reward and the training have to be all about him. Tasha is more of a dog willing to please, hence why her focus is much better.
If you think agility would be great, take a look into Canine Freestyle. I think you'll see it fits the Shikoku to a T. There aren't any other dogs (usually) to distract them or cause them to be reactive, it's play, it's work, it requires some fancy foot work, and it's a way to really bond with your pup.
Ronan and I have a small routine to "Mr. Big Stuff'"