baiting.. can't get his attention?

[HemiBee]

Hey everyone

I was wondering if I could get some kind of advice with baiting. As far as treats go.. well with food in general, Hemi is so picky. I've never met a dog who was this picky when it came to foods. Finally he's loving his food.. He's getting Wellness with a spoonfull of wet.

Anyways.. INSIDE the house I've finally found a treat that he enjoys and will keep his attention with.. it's peanut butter flavored.. but when we're outside, forget it. I've tried hot dogs, other stinky treats and still no luck.

Any suggestions here? His attention span is so definitely something of the ADHD nature (ha ha

Any suggestions would be great? He hasn't been neutered yet.. but will be soon. He is about 14months old at the moment.. but I mean the dog is great other than his ADD tendencies.. He heals and is great to take rollerblading etc. I just am having a hard time keeping his attention.

I used to have Siberians and they loved food so any kind of food was easy to use to bait them.. but this boy is so picky it's crazy!!

Thanks again

Tiffany

[Jane Austen]

If Hemi is fourteen months now and in good shape, weight wise, could you give him less food and see if being a little hungry would make him focus more on treats? Or take him outside before his feeding?
After he is neutered he may be better but you will be getting another corgi soon too. When Hemi sees that other dog getting attention with food he may not be as "picky".

[fogebotom]

I use a couple different tricks to get focus on our dogs. In training class the first this we do is name recognition along with the focus. The key to any of the training is making sure that you have positive reinforcement, you are consistent and that the reward is given immediately--do not delay for a second.

Start with whatever treat it is that he will do any thing for. Chicken pieces are a big hit around here. Make the pieces small-tiny-itty bitty. The goal is for the dog to taste, no chewing, swallow and want more immediately. If they have to chew it such as with crunchy treats, they tend to forget what they did to receive the reward.

Next bring the treat to the dog's nose, let them sniff it and then bring the treat up to your face. The dog should follow the treat and when you make eye contact, immediately reward the dog. It's kind of like you are a candy dispenser-immediate reward for pushing a button or lifting the head on the Pez dispenser. Even if the eye contact is a split second, reward the dog. Never scold, never bribe by asking the dog multiple times to look at you. If you get 5 or 6 good responses-quit. Come back to it later.

Now the next time you pick this up, as you get the treat out and get the dogs focus on the treat, say their name at the same time you bring the treat up to your face. Do the same reward - immediate and positive. As you go on, 5-6 good responses-then quit.

By now you can say the dogs name, get a response and give a reward. I recommed two books-Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog and then her basic Clicker Training book. You don't have to use the clicker but using a word or other sound to be the reinforcement for the behavior works too. I use "good" for my guys. Also as you go along, Karen will say this in her books, many times you have to retrain the behavior when you go into a new environment, but it shouldn't take as long to train as it did the first time.

It amazes people that in my herd, I can open a door, say a specific name and the correct dog will come to the door and go out. Now I do have a few eager beavers who like to bolt through the door-they end up being last out. But overall, they all learn their names at a young young age. The current 11 week old pups, many at 9 weeks knew their names and would come when called. They were always rewarded with pats, scritches or hugs. Again, positive reinforcement.

Let me know if this helps or if you need a little more instruction. Remember it's positive reinforcement even if it's a millisecond of attention or even an ear flick acknowledging the dogs name. Then extend the time that you require the dog to pay attention before the reward is given. Don't move too fast but you can always back track if it's going no where when you try to ask for more-the dog might not be ready yet.

Cindy and the crew at Foggy Bottom

[fogebotom]

Oh and I forgot to add this:

Baiting is something we do in the ring when showing in conformation. More like a bribe then anything else. I never bait my dog in obedience. But I do ask for Focus which is used more so in obedience/rally to describe the dogs total attention on the owner-they are focusing on the lead holder rather then being distracted by the outside world.

I have awesome focus on the dogs regardless of the ring we are in but the focus also describes my dogs attention on me, wondering what's next.

Cindy and the crew at Foggy Bottom

[HemiBee]

Cindy, thanks so much! I used to do obedience work with my Siberians but evidently its so much more different with my Corgi haha.

Anyways, I really appreciate the advice! Hope you don't mind if I come to you in the future for training tips and everything

[MyPemCharlie]

I think Hemi and Charlie must be related. We seem to have the only two ADHD, picky-eating Corgis on this forum!

[fogebotom]

No problem at all! I have collies too which are like sooo easy to train. The corgis are a challenge but well worth the effort when it works.

ADHD-you are not alone. My Moose who is going through the teenager stage can't remember his own name at times. I must be nuts to think that he will pass his TDI test this weekend. And food--I have one who takes it, drops it on the ground, stares at it then me and wonders if she can have another choice.

Good luck and always open for questions!

Cindy and the crew at Foggy Bottom

[colbycorgi]

Mommy and Colby both are afflicted with add here....its great fun for daddee!!! .........oh yeah, the food that works for colbs is pepperoni....he likes all kinds of bad dog stuff...not kidding.....tic tacs, buffalo wing goldfish, dunkin donuts....he loves the drive through window for his weekend munchkin!!......i know im a bad mom.....in actuality he really doesnt get alot of people food....

anywho....cant wait to meet hemi and jaxon in a few weeks....

let us know if you come up with anything enlightening....

julie, jamie and colbster

[HemiBee]

He is soo picky with his food . I've never had a dog this picky. These are all very helpful tips!! I'll be sure to try them. It's just whenever we're outside he thinks there's better things to do than eat. Which will be the hard part to get his attention b/c that's when his big radar ears seem to shut down or his brain forgets his name hahaha go figure.

my cardi pup gets here tonight!!! yay!!

[colbycorgi]

we are jealous here in NH!!!! As i said, it may be just what we need to get us to the next level....did you get him locally??? we'll have to talk about it at the play date.....have fun till then....

[HemiBee]

Originally Posted by colbycorgi

we are jealous here in NH!!!! As i said, it may be just what we need to get us to the next level....did you get him locally??? we'll have to talk about it at the play date.....have fun till then....

i think it's a sign!! YOU SHOULD GET ANOTHER Feel free to email me if you'd like.. not sure what you're looking for exactly but.. the Breeder that I got hemi from has a litter that is just about 2 -3 wks old at the moment.. they're Half siblings to Hemi.. and then she also has 2 females available that are a 2-3months old at the moment.. She's out in Loudon, NH. Not sure how far you are from her?

But my Cardi boy is from Texas

can't wait to meet everyone at the playdate!!!