Introduction
Welcome to our Taking Turns Class!
In this class, we will make perfectly patient dogs even out of the most crazy ones.In this introduction I explain why I think it is hugely valuable to have dogs that can wait their turn.
It is a skill that, once taught, you will be able to utilize every single day in your training.
Comments (12)
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Elizabeth Dog Owner
Hi Steffi – we’re enjoying training but I have a possibly silly question. What do you do with the dog in between training sessions? Our dog is about a year and a half, 90 lbs, and non-stop. He is also pretty obsessed with me, especially now that I’m back to work in person. I love that he loves me, but I can’t sit down without him and whining or barking for attention. He wants to play all the time. We let him run in our yard, but I feel bad for doing that too much. I know part of this might be age, but any suggestions for what to do in the meantime?
Elizabeth Dog Owner
Want to mention that I do play with him frequently. It’s just difficult to get any kind of break. Also, because we’re working through the loose leash course, I’m not walking him right now, although I am looking forward to being able to start that again.
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
Just read this comment after posting the other … yes, for many dogs there will never be “enough playing”. You can also check out the lesson “Daily schedules” in the ultimate puppy program for explanations on the scheduled activity times. At the end of the day many working-breed dogs will always have more energy and want to play more and explore more and run more … it is really important that we help them understand that there are times for activities and times for rest.
Are you feeding your dog from some kind of toys yet? Frozen Kongs or other chew toys, lickimats, scatter feeding, …? That can help add a lot of calm and thoughtful activity into their day!
Elizabeth Dog Owner
Thank you so much. Yes, he is very food motivated, so his evening meal is all training sessions and toys – we have some puzzles and I’ve been having him chase some food, plus hiding in a towel, etc. He does not eat much when we are gone for work during the day, so really he might have a cup of food from his bowl, but we usually get through three cups of food during training/games per day.
I will check out the lessons you mentioned. Sometimes he will be happy by himself chewing on a bone, but other days he has no interest and just wants me all the time. It would be great to teach him a schedule etc. Thanks for your help!
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
Let me know how it goes 🙂 It can be tricky to have a “needy” dog so yes, establishing a schedule can really help 🙂
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
Hi! Not a silly question 🙂
Especially for dogs that are high-energy, it is important that you have a structured schedule. This way the dog knows when he can expect activities and when not. As you say, many high-drive breeds think they are only “20 minutes of whining away” from making you play with them again …
I like to have 3-4 activity times throughout the day for dogs. An activity time can be a walk, a training session, a playtime, running in the yard, seeing doggy friends, doing a food puzzle, using a snuffle mat etc… And in between these activity times your dog has downtime. It can really rile dogs up to always be “begging” their owners for the next interaction and activity, I think it actually increases their whiny-ness and how demanding they are.
I see you got the Masterclass, I would actually recommend to check out the course “Slow Down” as that one discusses this in detail!
Jon Dog Owner
Should the courses be done in the sequence they are listed under the courses tab? Thanks!
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
Not necessarily, just make sure that you go lesson by lesson in each course (don’t do the later lessons within one course before the first ones 🙂 )
Jon Dog Owner
Thank you!
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
🙂
Deanne Dog Owner
Hi Steffi, I went through the challenge end of last year and saved some dog treat recipes that you had shared but I can’t find the original video so I can see consistency, etc. Is that recipe video someplace in the coursework? I have tapioca flour but no wheat flour – will that still work?
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
Hi Deanne,
The original video and recipes are in the Tackling Reactivity course that is also part of your online classroom – in the lesson called “The right treats” 🙂
Let me know if you cannot find it 🙂