Is it me or him? (K9 Freestyle related whine)

[Wonka & Nilla]

I know it's probably me...
Wonka and I are supposed to be practicing and preparing for our first Canine Freestyle competition in early November - 8.5 weeks away. It just seems like nothing is going right. I'm feeling so discouraged because Wonka just doesn't seem to be focusing. I need to wean him off of treats because in the competition ring he can't have a treat during the routine. Well, I'm trying to let him know that he gets treats before and after the dance, but it's just not working.

I'm also feeling really sorry for myself because I no longer have a freestyle class to go to and that makes it hard for me to do as much practice as I should be doing. My instructor's dog passed away this summer and no one else would take over the class. With class canceled, I feel like I've lost a bunch of friends and also my motivation. I've tried to contact a local college dance department for help in the visual/dance aspect of my routine and no one replies to my emails... they probably think it's a joke. I tried emailing a local dance studio and, same thing, no reply. I should probably try phoning and talking to someone instead of emailing, but email is just easier.

I think my general frustration and self-pity might be making Wonka not enjoy dancing as much. He just doesn't seem to 'get into it' as much as he did before our training break and that makes me sad. I took a break from regular training for a couple of months during the summer, thinking he would be rested up and ready to go... but I think he misses the class setting as much as I do. He used to be so excited to go to class and dance.

I'm just not sure now if I should even bother with the competition... I had been looking forward to it so much - I wanted to show off my wonderful dog and dedicate our performance to our teacher's dog who passed away... but now I'm just so frustrated and not sure what to do to get the spark back.

[ayleash]

I think you are very "in tune" with your pug...

Is there a "corner" in the local pet store where you can "go" to practice for half an hour - or 15 minutes once a week? that might get him back in the mood...

As for fading treats: can you transfer him to a special toy? One that fits in your hand? That you can take in the ring? And when he gets something right do a little "goody goody" tugging, and then an "out" - ALWAYS an out - into your hand?

Else fade them really slowly...

You know way more about this than I... just some thoughts...

WE LOVE YOU WONKA! PLEEEEASE DANCE?!

[Sunflower42479]

I think you are very "in tune" with your pug...

Is there a "corner" in the local pet store where you can "go" to practice for half an hour - or 15 minutes once a week? that might get him back in the mood...

As for fading treats: can you transfer him to a special toy? One that fits in your hand? That you can take in the ring? And when he gets something right do a little "goody goody" tugging, and then an "out" - ALWAYS an out - into your hand?

Else fade them really slowly...

You know way more about this than I... just some thoughts...

WE LOVE YOU WONKA! PLEEEEASE DANCE?!

Or moving to a clicker? Sorry you are both bummed about class. That would be pretty hard to deal with.

[Wonka & Nilla]

I think I'm mostly just feeling sorry for myself and need to improve my mood so that Wonka will enjoy it again. I just need to find a way to make it fun again, even without the support of classmates and an instructor. Maybe, as suggested, practicing at a pet store would help. Maybe if Wonka had other people around, watching him...

As for fading treats: can you transfer him to a special toy? One that fits in your hand? That you can take in the ring? And when he gets something right do a little "goody goody" tugging, and then an "out" - ALWAYS an out - into your hand?

I can't take a toy or a clicker or any other motivator into the ring - just me and my voice. That's part of the challenge of competition. In the spring, when he was dancing a lot he was always focused, having a good time and ready to dance. I just don't know what happened... that's why I assume it must be me.

[shaynapug]

I bet the others in your class are feeling the same way!!! Could you maybe get together just to practice and cheer each other on! Maybe you could get a corner of a pet store......so people could watch that too!!!

[Wonka & Nilla]

Ok, just got home from practicing at my mother-in-law's garage. I thought maybe a change of scenery (instead of our backyard) would help - and it did help a little. But, what REALLY made a difference was going back to giving him an almost constant supply of treats like when he was first learning. Suddenly he was all excited to dance again!! Tonight I gave him way more treats than what he had been getting lately for tricks/moves. So...... maybe I was just trying to fade the treats TOO much. I guess I'll try to do it more gradually and also see if I can find some more public places to practice so he has an audience. I think he likes that and it helps him focus on me more.

Thanks for your input and support!

[jwestoverpug]

Ok, just got home from practicing at my mother-in-law's garage. I thought maybe a change of scenery (instead of our backyard) would help - and it did help a little. But, what REALLY made a difference was going back to giving him an almost constant supply of treats like when he was first learning. Suddenly he was all excited to dance again!! Tonight I gave him way more treats than what he had been getting lately for tricks/moves. So...... maybe I was just trying to fade the treats TOO much. I guess I'll try to do it more gradually and also see if I can find some more public places to practice so he has an audience. I think he likes that and it helps him focus on me more.

Thanks for your input and support!

I think you're on to something here. I don't do freestyle, but in agility the dogs can't have any type of reward other than verbal praise in the ring either....we *always* give treats or play with toys during runs in training, always! Not like a lure, but when the dog does something really well, or improves in even the smallest bit I stop and reward them.

Pugs are insanely sensitive, so I'm sure he's picking up on anything and everthing that you're thinking.....it's a good and a bad thing!

I like Diane's suggestion of finding some people from your class to work with.

[jwestoverpug]

Or moving to a clicker? Sorry you are both bummed about class. That would be pretty hard to deal with.

A clicker wouldn't be the solution here, the click has to be followed by a treat anyway and it's mainly used for training new behaviors or reinforcing trouble spots that will always be rewarded.

[Snifter]

You know - I do wonder whether it might be worth just carrying on with the treats to spark his interest in practising, and then just wing it on the day and see what happens. He might be so astonished that he just performs all the way through - depends how long the routine is. I say this because they don't usually run racehorses over a full race distance in training (not at full pelt, anyway) - they run shorter and then just hope for the best on the day!

If you can't bear to wing it on the day then try sparking his interest now, and one day in a couple of weeks time do a dummy run with no treats at all and see what happens.

[bumble]

Cann you get in touvh with your former teacher and see if she/he has any advice?