Doggy self-control

Wellyboots6

Does anyone have any tricks or games I can play to help improve Tysons (7 year old GSD) self-control?

He is good at 'leave it' and things like that.

He used to have no self-control whatsoever which I guess was through a lack of training.

We were at class today and he was doing an off lead sit-stay.

A pup from the younger class got loose and was charging round the field. Tyson was watching and you could see he wanted to go and chase. He kept looking from me to the pup and I could see his legs quivering as he was trying to hold himself back! I kept telling him to 'stay' and 'leave it' but eventually he just couldn't do it and had to get up and chase!

I am proud of him for how long he managed to keep himself in check, as previously he would been the first one up and running round.

Just wondered if anyone has any ideas to build on his self-control?

Mara69

Maybe you expected too much from him and unfortunately set him up to fail. It perhaps would have been better to have released the sit/stay and done something else to distract him. I think time in the sit/stay is extended by practice.

krlyr

http://www.youtube.com/pamelamarxsen is a good place to check Sorry to be brief, full of cold and suffering from fuzzy brain!

Katiehound

Yes, you build up the time gradually with a sit stay, and reward when the dog stays. So you might have rewarded him for the stay (realising he couldn't stay still any longer) and then perhaps rushed off in the opposite direction with a delicious treat in your hand!! Of course it always easy to be wise after the event!! A down stay is (in most cases) more reliable as eventually the dog will learn to lay down in a relaxed manner.

Congratulations on getting where you are now- don't beat yourself up!!
Sometimes clicking your fingers or having a squeaky toy in the pocket (or whatever turns your dog on!)proves enough of a distraction

I know this is basic training but there might be something here:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4F64C87E574309A0
Dogs Trust with trainer Carolyn Mentieth

Wellyboots6

Thanks for the replies, some good stuff there to think about

He has been extending his stays, and can do over 5 minutes now in a sit, lie and stand.

He can do them without breaking when people walk past, when people walk dogs past, and when I go off and hide. I think the chasing puppy was just a little bit too much for him though!