Harley's favourite thing is to carry things in her mouth. Preferably from one person to another. She isn't a natural fetcher, and if we play fetch with her she will enthusiastically play for a few throws and then she tries to engage a game of tug rather. But if we have her run between the two of us, for treats or cuddles, she is very happy. I have a delicate shoulder so I struggle to play tug with her without developing pain in my shoulder. DH plays the tug games with her. For carrying, she helps with groceries or deliveries from the front door or we sent her between outselves from one room to the other. Does anyone have any ideas of other ways we can stimulate her in this way? It really makes her happy.
Homer collects the post for us, still trying in to teach him to chew up the bills. Some manage to train their dogs to tidy up their toys and put them in a box.
You could look at getting a whipit stick - the Squishy Face ones have a bungee cord, so it doesn't put much pressure on your shoulder. You can get them from Amazon. They're great for training impulse control as well as playing. When you're playing tug, there shouldn't be a huge amount of pressure between you (although still maybe too much for a damaged shoulder). I went to an interactive play workshop when I was in the UK and the guy had us moving our dogs left and right with the tug, but letting them move us. The idea is to make them feel powerful, rather than fighting them for possession. No lifting them off the ground or anything like that, which is really bad for their necks - you always want to keep the tugger at the same level as their head, so they don't have to crane upwards. Tug-e-nuff sells loads of different toys on bungees which she might like, and would be easier on you, too.
With tug, I practice her release cue over and over and then start the game up by saying "tug". I can't actually play tug with her, she is too strong, so I just do a bit of tugging side to side before I ask her to release. We've used tug in all 3 training classes we've done, so it's important she releases instantly on cue. Another "fetching" game is that I put her in stay in another room, hide her ball (or toy) and send her to find it and bring it to me. I also play the same game and hide myself (though this is way too easy now, as there are only so many spots an adult can hide). She goes crazy for both games and usually gets the zoomies after a few rounds. Another thing we play in the house is a "controlled fetch" (i have no idea what it's really called)...she has to stay in a sit while I throw a ball or her toy down the hall and then release her. We practice lengths of holding her stay....very difficult with the ball as she is ball crazy but I have moved this up one step to the park (when no other distractions).
Same here. Coco is far too strong for much tugging with me, but it's one of his favourite games - so I do the same as you Ashley, it's great for practicing the release. OH will tug-tug-tug - much more fun.
But that's the thing - playing tug shouldn't be a battle of strength or weight, it's more like a dance. You shouldn't be hanging on for grim death while your dog tried to wrench the toy out of your hands, that's just asking for injury. Lots of cued releases are good, but, even whilst tugging, it shouldn't be frantic. Watch a big dog play tug with a small one and you'll see how the big dog adjusts how hard they pull, because there's no fun in a game you win in a split second. So, there's no need for it to be a battle of strength. Give some resistance, move the dog around, stroke him while you play. If he drops the toy uncued, whip it away - he lost that go. Sometimes, let him take it from you and tell him how strong he is. Teach him a drop cue and, as soon as he drops it, restart an exciting game as reward. Re-engage, chuck the toy away from you, encourage him to bring it back, or run off with it trailing behind you - tug is about repeatedly choosing to engage with you, not a fight of strength and will.
I saw a video this evening - can't seem to link to it I'm afraid - of a dog picking up small hoops/ quoits and placing them over a plastic stand / cone - you know, like those baby toys. I thought I might have a go at teaching Molly this trick and maybe Harley would enjoy it. I've taught Molly to put objects in a bucket but today I asked her to put them inside a hula hoop lying flat on the floor. Well, talk about not generalising - she had no idea what I wanted! I'll have another go tomorrow. Next week it's my turn to provide the fun activity at the 'graduate' class at our dog club and I thought we could do that - but only if I can demonstrate it with Molly! Anyway, I thought you could teach Harley to put different objects in different containers.
Oh yes. The is how we play. But it has to be me that moderates the game, Coco is up for a full-on, brute strength tug - probably due to OH enjoying this type of tug with him. It's far more animated and varied when I play.
