This evening I decided to have our first attempt at whippit. It was so much fun for all of us! I took Willow out first and she was a demon at it. I followed the Devon Dogs tutorial for the first three steps - 1: creating arousal, 2: adding a simple behaviour before play, 3: introducing impulse control. She was great at all three. In fact, I've never seen her so stimulated by a game. At first her sit was a little lacklustre, but once she realised that it was rewarded by a game of chase, she became a lot more enthusiastic about it. And she understood the flick meaning stop after only a couple of flicks. Smart girl. However, one thing I need help with is, she is smart and worked out that if she grabbed the cord of the whip closer to me, where it moves slower, it's easier. Her big gnashers have already started to fray it, and I'm worried she will break it in no time. Any advice on getting her to focus on the toy at the end? Shadow went next and he loved it, too. I wasn't sure he would, because he was less aroused by the toy when it wasn't moving, but as soon as I started to use it on the whip, he perked up and his chase instinct kicked in. He didn't get the flick for stop quite as quickly, but eventually started to get it. We'll continue on that when we next play. How often should I play this? I wouldn't want them to get bored of it, but on the other hand, I don't want them to forget the lessons learned.
Re: First attempt at whippit Ah, that's fantastic - and so very well done to you for giving it a go, I love it that you are willing to try things and experiment. If Willow grabs the cord, make the whole thing "go dead" and stop the game. You could try with a bigger toy, a more interesting toy, or teaching her to play tug (where she must grab the toy, not the handle) might also help. Get two toys that are the same. One for the whipit and one for your pocket (on a bit of cord). Say "whipit" when the game starts (or whatever you want your cue to be to say "get it") and then use your pocket whipit as a reward for recall. Wait until she is running back to you, pull out your pocket whipit and shout "whipit!" dangling the toy on a bit of cord. It's fab. Makes a smashing emergency recall too. You have to keep playing the main game to keep the power in the toy though. I don't play the game very often, I'm short of space - I think I'd play it a couple of times a week if I could, but depends on what I was working on. Definitely not so they ever might get tired of it, but keep the sessions very short. Particularly for younger pups, it's a very energetic game and a lot of exercise!
Re: First attempt at whippit This is new to me.... Snowbunny any links / explanations of what this is, purpose etc?? ;D sounds like the pups are enjoying it!!
Re: First attempt at whippit There's a link in my first post - click where it says "Devon Dogs tutorial" in the first line It's for building arousal and also for teaching impulse control. It's a great game and a lot of fun for us all! The video explains it better than I ever could.
Re: First attempt at whippit Julie - I've started reading Control Unleashed, too. I'm about a quarter of the way in and have found a large amount of it a bit verbose and fluffy, but there were also a couple of lightbulb moments in there, too.I love how she says that it's unrealistic to be the absolute centre of your dog's universe 100% of the time - this was something that was really worrying me. How can I compete with (as today), a discarded ham sandwich buried about 6 inches under the surface of the snow? But the bits I've read so far, talking in really general terms about improving your relationship with your dog have really spoken to me. The last few days I've found a bit frustrating with some of Willow's lead walking, especially since she was so good before her spay. But today, before whipit, I decided to work on our focus. I mean, this stuff is so basic, it's ridiculous and I shouldn't have forgotten it from basic puppy training, but man, does it work! So, letting her go have a free run, but watching her rather being in my own little world, and clicking for every single bit of attention. After about three minutes, she didn't want to "go play" at all, and I felt she was super relaxed and enjoying my company. Clearly very early days, but it's made me reassess what I'm doing and why. I don't want to be asking my dog to be walking next to me miserable that I'm not letting her go see all the lovely things; I want her to want to be with me, which means making it a happy, rewarding place to be. Not rocket science, really, is it?
Re: First attempt at whippit [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10155.msg148832#msg148832 date=1426102419] There's a link in my first post - click where it says "Devon Dogs tutorial" in the first line It's for building arousal and also for teaching impulse control. It's a great game and a lot of fun for us all! The video explains it better than I ever could. [/quote] Doh... Thanks I'm on it
Re: First attempt at whippit [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10155.msg148839#msg148839 date=1426103118] Julie - I've started reading Control Unleashed, too. I'm about a quarter of the way in and have found a large amount of it a bit verbose and fluffy, but there were also a couple of lightbulb moments in there, too.I love how she says that it's unrealistic to be the absolute centre of your dog's universe 100% of the time - this was something that was really worrying me. How can I compete with (as today), a discarded ham sandwich buried about 6 inches under the surface of the snow? But the bits I've read so far, talking in really general terms about improving your relationship with your dog have really spoken to me. The last few days I've found a bit frustrating with some of Willow's lead walking, especially since she was so good before her spay. But today, before whipit, I decided to work on our focus. I mean, this stuff is so basic, it's ridiculous and I shouldn't have forgotten it from basic puppy training, but man, does it work! So, letting her go have a free run, but watching her rather being in my own little world, and clicking for every single bit of attention. After about three minutes, she didn't want to "go play" at all, and I felt she was super relaxed and enjoying my company. Clearly very early days, but it's made me reassess what I'm doing and why. I don't want to be asking my dog to be walking next to me miserable that I'm not letting her go see all the lovely things; I want her to want to be with me, which means making it a happy, rewarding place to be. Not rocket science, really, is it? [/quote] You are going to have two fantastic dogs.
Re: First attempt at whippit [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10155.msg148839#msg148839 date=1426103118] have found a large amount of it a bit verbose and fluffy [/quote] I often find this with dog training books - not all, of course. There are usually 3 or 4 really good ideas, padded out with a load of verbiage so there is enough for a book. Really, I'd pay the price of the book for the ideas, just set out clearly without all the rubbish to fill up the other 200 pages!
Re: First attempt at whippit [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10155.msg148855#msg148855 date=1426105382] You are going to have two fantastic dogs. [/quote] Well, I hope so, but the best laid plans and all that... I'll probably end up with two COMPLETE hooligans I'm embarrassed to walk in the daylight hours ;D
Re: First attempt at whippit Just watched the video - fab!!! Where do you get whippet and toys from? Tinterweb?
Re: First attempt at whippit Great to hear about people having fun with their dogs! Must watch the vid when I get the chance.
Re: First attempt at whippit [quote author=CDM link=topic=10155.msg148864#msg148864 date=1426106499] Just watched the video - fab!!! Where do you get whippet and toys from? Tinterweb? [/quote] Horse lung whip and whatever toy takes your dog's fancy. Shorter whips are a bit easy to handle. But not a whole lot less obvious while walking in boots with whip in the woods on Wimbledon Common. I get some funny looks.... ;D ;D ;D
Re: First attempt at whippit [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10155.msg148866#msg148866 date=1426106786] [quote author=CDM link=topic=10155.msg148864#msg148864 date=1426106499] Just watched the video - fab!!! Where do you get whippet and toys from? Tinterweb? [/quote] Horse lung whip and whatever toy takes your dog's fancy. Shorter whips are a bit easy to handle. But not a whole lot less obvious while walking in boots with whip in the woods on Wimbledon Common. I get some funny looks.... ;D ;D ;D [/quote] He he Yer this could be an interesting experience
Re: First attempt at whippit [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10155.msg148861#msg148861 date=1426106306] Well, I hope so, but the best laid plans and all that... I'll probably end up with two COMPLETE hooligans I'm embarrassed to walk in the daylight hours ;D [/quote] Charlie's hooliganism waaaay outlasted me feeling embarrassed about it. ;D ;D ;D
Re: First attempt at whippit I heard someone say in a horrified voice, "is she going to use that on her dog?!!?!" I got the toy from Tug-e-Nuff. I need to put in an order for a bigger one; I just have a few of the small variety at the moment.
Re: First attempt at whippit That looks like brilliant fun as well as a good training opportunity. Will get OH to watch it and see if he fancies having a go for his lunchtime play/train slot in the garden
