I just had a lovely walk with the two of mine together. They both checked in really regularly, especially for the second half of the walk, which was really rewarding to me (and them!). I had some pine cones I threw for them as rewards as well as just treating, but they soon got chomped. I thought I's try tossing a bit of kibble for each of them instead. They loved this game! Waiting for the throw, being sent individually and then hunting for the kibble in the snow, their tails were going ten to the dozen. I was only throwing about five or six feet from me, or they'd never find it. Are there any reasons that doing this is a bad idea? I like the game aspect of it, as well as it just being a normal treat for checking in - and they were more than happy to hunt even for low-value kibble.
Re: Any reason not to do this? No reason at all that I can see ;D I can't feed Gypsy on the ground at all as she has to ignore all ground-based food (no scavenging) - you will be amazed how much food is left around on the floors of buses, trains and cafes! But Gypsy is a special case.
Re: Any reason not to do this? No reason not to throw treats, I throw treats all the time - although if you intend to put "find it" on cue, it's best to read up on that first, but no reason not to toss treats. I wouldn't toss pine cones though - I wouldn't throw anything unless he knew what I wanted him to do with it (bring it back or run around etc) and I don't want him to chomp up anything I throw. I also wouldn't have him chewing pine cones, for splinters etc, I pick them up in the garden and throw them out so he doesn't get them. Appreciate you might have more pine cones than I do....
Re: Any reason not to do this? Maisie plays find it a lot, I'm stepping up my game by hiding the treats in towels or under things now but we also just play it where I throw it and she runs off to find it (in the house usually as she has more trouble outdoors). She also sits and waits while I throw treats around and then is released to "find it" and get the little treats I've thrown around. It's also a great way to get a stubborn lab to come away somewhere, particularly if you're on pavement - this is not my primary way to try to move Maisie, it's a management technique for when it's late and I'm tired and she doesn't want to go inside, kind of thing! I just throw treats for her progressively going towards where I want to go. Gets her butt moving where I want it and is fun for her.
Re: Any reason not to do this? [quote author=Boogie link=topic=10232.msg150237#msg150237 date=1426615338] No reason at all that I can see ;D I can't feed Gypsy on the ground at all as she has to ignore all ground-based food (no scavenging) - you will be amazed how much food is left around on the floors of buses, trains and cafes! But Gypsy is a special case. [/quote] Heh. I wouldn't be amazed at all..... : I throw treats to keep Simba focussed on me too. Works great!
Re: Any reason not to do this? [quote author=Lisa link=topic=10232.msg150309#msg150309 date=1426653503] [quote author=Boogie link=topic=10232.msg150237#msg150237 date=1426615338] No reason at all that I can see ;D I can't feed Gypsy on the ground at all as she has to ignore all ground-based food (no scavenging) - you will be amazed how much food is left around on the floors of buses, trains and cafes! But Gypsy is a special case. [/quote] Heh. I wouldn't be amazed at all..... : I throw treats to keep Simba focussed on me too. Works great! [/quote] Another treat thrower here too...
Re: Any reason not to do this? I throw treats for Rolo but he can never find them! Don't ask me why he's just rubbish at finding his kibble!
Re: Any reason not to do this? [quote author=Rolokris link=topic=10232.msg150422#msg150422 date=1426700328] I throw treats for Rolo but he can never find them! Don't ask me why he's just rubbish at finding his kibble! [/quote] Snap : Now, a deer 2 miles away, yes, a treat 12 inches away.............jeez!
Re: Any reason not to do this? [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=10232.msg150511#msg150511 date=1426714963] [quote author=Rolokris link=topic=10232.msg150422#msg150422 date=1426700328] I throw treats for Rolo but he can never find them! Don't ask me why he's just rubbish at finding his kibble! [/quote] Snap : Now, a deer 2 miles away, yes, a treat 12 inches away.............jeez! [/quote] That was us 2 days ago! Love spring but everywhere is full of distractions sheep, deer, farmers in fields etc.
