How to motivate Jake

Fiona · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject: How to motivate Jake

Does anyone have any ideas on how I could motivate Jake in his training? I'm so used to Star who gets things right (mostly) first time and is so eager to please that I have never really had this problem before. He isn't food orientated so treats are pretty much useless. I know he is really young and training must have been daunting for him last night but even in the house he isn't interested.....................help!
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marcella · Guest

give him time Fi ........ he's just a baby. Find what he reacts to best, either food or heaps of praise. If treats don't do much for him perhaps try not feeding him before training and see if being a little hungry makes him work better.
He's so young that his attention span is limited and he will get tired too ........
he'll get there. Very Happy

Fiona · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject:

I know what am I like! I just remember Star was so keen to please that he got everything right almost first time. It's so much easier if they are treat orintated Very Happy

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Dogs are like Chocolate, you just can't have one!

Eleanor · High Post Member Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 405

hi Libby & Jake

what have you tried so far?

do you think he'll work for toys?

Eleanor

Janis · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject:

i agree with marcella! just for one week even, don't feed him til after puppy class and you might get a better response! that's what we did for both gypsy and inca although like star gyspy was keen to please!

Fiona · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject:

I never feed them before class. Toys are ok but if you take them from him he doesn't care. I have tried praise which worked for a hand full of times then he again looses interest. This main motivation is Star! Not sure how to use that to my advantage tho Confused

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Dogs are like Chocolate, you just can't have one!

shirley c · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

Do you want me to bring a clean rabbit skin and see if that motivates him, thats Moyas favourite but she really still doesnt care about learning Laughing

Fiona · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject:

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Dogs are like Chocolate, you just can't have one!

shirley c · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject:

Janis · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject:

HE MIGHT JUST BE A LAID BACK PUPPY AND START TO LEARN A LITTLE LATER! KEEP PLAYING WITH HIM THOUGH AND MAYBE ON HIS OWN WITHOUT THE OTHERS ABOUT! Smile

Fiona · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

I know I am worrying about nothing but I keep comparing him to Star, I know they are totally different and will learn at their own speed but........ Embarassed

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Dogs are like Chocolate, you just can't have one!

Janice · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject:

Fiona I know just how you feel. The only other puppy I had was so easy compared with Dale. I was sure I was doing it all wrong. Come to think of it i probably was Shocked

I know its easy to say but give it time. GSD aren't thick You've years to train him. Just build up your relationship and do lots of the socialisation things. Have fun. Formal training can wait.He's only a baby. It took me ages to get Dale's attention but now I can see how far he's come. I'm sure your already getting Jake to sit and come and he's confidant with dogs and people isn't he? I was talking to a woman with a 6 year old springer who still can't manage that.

Its only in the last few weeks that walking on a loose lead has really clicked with Dale and he's 10 months! He still gets bored very quickly. I only do things once or twice and then play a game. Enjoy him.
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Janice and Dale

John Thomson · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:32 pm Post subject:

Fiona,

Let Jake be a puppy and enjoy it. He was calm and attentive in class...you cannot hope for anything more at 13 weeks.
Try not to push him.....you will do more harm than good if your expectations are unachievable for him.

I would be concerned if he had real drive at his age.
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

Lynn Scott · Forum Regular Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 115

Hi Fiona

My boy, Oscar, was a bit like yours by the sound of it - from day one nothing I tried motivated him - toys, ball, cheese, livercake, sausages, etc etc. In the end I decided I'd ignore everyone who told me I should use treats and so I just used my voice with LOADS of praise and excitement and that did the trick.

He has eventually learned after 3.5yrs to enjoy treats, but not all the time! I still mainly use my voice and body language to motivate him. If we're learning something new then I'll give him pieces of sausage or something, but other than that I don't bother!

As others have said, don't push your pup, enjoy him and let him go at his own pace and encourage him all you can with your voice - at the end of the day it will be good to have him respond to your verbal commands because you won't always have a treat or toy in your pocket:-) You want him to work for you because he wants to please you, not for the treat! The treat is a bonus:-)

Mind you, I'm not an expert and this is JMO Smile

Lynn

lynn · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject:

just let your pup be a pup for a while longer, try not to compare with star because they are not the same dog, life would be so boring if all dogs were the same, at 13 weeks old he is still wondering where the hell am I where's my mum sisters and brothers, let him settle learn his ways as he will learn yours, I think he needs lots of cuddles, some dogs do xxxx to Jake

Lynn (the other Lynn)
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