After a long time with an oldster and a couple of middle aged dogs,
two weeks ago I was given a youngster, a very bright stray abandoned
at a gas station. He has the build of a whippet, the head of a hound,
and a curly spitz tail. His ball game playing is almost obsessively
border collie, and he will 'fetch' objects lost in the grass on
command. He is a velcro dog, and walks delicately over the others to
lie on me when we are on the sofa. Luckily they don't mind. His recall
is very good, in fact excellent for a stray. His stays are less
good ... His table manners were appalling, ie jumping on table and
trying to eat off my plate, but, after use of a water pistol, we have
this sorted. I have no idea how old he is, but from his behaviour, eg
trying to help me tie up shoelaces, he is almost certainly under a
year old.

Question: this dog very much needs to use his intelligence and learn
self control. I want to teach him activities that help to calm him. We
have started on finding and fetching objects by name. I am asking for
suggestions for games and other activities that will help use his
potential. Very many thanks to anyone who can help.

McDog spoke these words of wisdom in news:c907feec-
:
I play the following games with my dog. We usually do this as a party.


Dog must walk between players legs, back to front, then BOTH player and
dog lie down.
(real life value) trust building between player and dog
Dog must circle a chair placed 10 feet away and return to player
(player & dog start next to each other, player cannot move)
(real life value) directional distance commands
Dog must wag its tail
(real life value, friendship to children and strangers)
Player must move ten feet away from dog and beckon dog with a hand
signal. Dog must come close enough to be petted
(real life value) handy when you are hoarse
Dog must shake head up and down, side to side, up and down, side to
side.. not touching!
(real life value) great party trick
Dog must sit lift right paw and shake players right hand .. no touching
dog except to shake the extended paw
(real life value) desensitizes for grooming and nail trimming
Dog must lie down, player places treat on the floor 6 inches in front of
the dog and moves back 5 feet. Dog cannot touch treat for 10 seconds
after player is 10 feet away
(real life value) teaches dog not to grab food
Dog must sit, then lie down. Must be performed in sequence, with no
standing in between. Bonus if you can do this with only hand signals
(real life value) Many times its easier to use two commands to
accomplish the same objective
Dog must stand from a down position following a hand signal. Talk all
you want, but no VERBAL STAND commands
(real life value) Believe it or not, hand signals are easier for
dogs to learn
Dog must walk at players side for 15 feet, turn, return to starting
point, turn again, and sit Dog must remain within 2 feet of the player
on the same side, at all times, To be done off leash in a secure area
(real life value) too inumerable to mention
Dog must stand and stay while player HOPS ten feet away and stops. Dog
must stays tanding 10 seconds after player stops
(real life value) wet dog stays put while you go get the towel
Dog must lie down and stay while player leaves the room. once out of
sight the player counts to 5 and calls the dog. Player cannot move, and
dog must come close enough to be petted. Bonus points if the dog goes
through more rooms to find the player
(real life value) a reliable recall is more critical when you
cant SEE your dog
Dog must lie down following verbal command, No hand signals
(real life value) Important to control an excited dog who is
not looking at the owner
Dog must lie downh from a standing position following a hand signal (no
talking/voice)
(real life value) Always talking on the phone? No problem
controlling your dog now!
Dogs must sit and stay while all players form a ten foot box around the
dog. Dog must go to the person who calls its name without being petted
by any other player. Only person playing this card, may use the dog's
name
(real life value) Tells you who the dog listens too.

Dog must lie on his back with legs in the air for 5 seconds.. no
tickling. Bonus points if the handler ALSO plays possum while the dog
does
(real life value) really useful when examining your dog.

Dog must stand and stay while player skips ten feet away and stops. Dog
must stays tanding 10 seconds after player stops
(real life value) Think of all the things your dog might be
doing while shes NOT sitting
Dog must lie on his side with legs extended to the side for 5 seconds.
Legs do not have to be straight, but they have to be on the floor to the
side
(real life value) Really useful in getting your dog to
settle down and yield to owner and self control
Dog must sit following a verbal signal (no hand signals)
(real life value) Huge, if your dog is sitting, he cant be
jumping on people, run away etc
Dog must sit from a standing position following an hand signal (you can
talk, but no VERBAL commands)
(Real life value) ideal when meeting someone during a walk
Dog must score a touchdown by moving a ball across a 6 foot goal line,
"drawn" with 6 treats on the floor ten feet away Player must stay behind
the dog. Only the ball has to cross the line in order to score a
touchdown *even Danny failed this one, he dropped the ball BEFORE the
treats and ate the line. The ball was3 inches short of touchdown)
(real life value) endorsement possibilities?
Dog must sit, lie down, sit up, lie down again in rapid sequence. If the
hind leaves the floor, you are out the door. Bonus if the handler does
two pushups at the same time
(real life value) performing command sequences
Dog must stand and stay while player runs ten feet away and stops. Dog
must stays standing 10 seconds after player stops
(real life value) teaching your dog to stay put while
preparing dinner in peace
Dog must sit and stay while player walks ten feet away , waits ten
seconds, then gives the command to come. Dog must not break stay until
released, then go to the owner close enough to be petted.
(real life value) A solid stay and recall could save your
pets life. This one cannot be overlooked.

Have a group of people sit on the
floor foot touching foot to make a corral.
Every person has a bag of treats.
Place the puppy in the center of the circle.
One person (agreed upon by the playing community) calls the puppy's
name.
If the puppy goes to that person, it gets a treat and praised and loved.
If it goes to the wrong person, it gets NO treat, and no response
(unless it tries to leave the circle.. and the nearest person captures
the puppy and directs it to the calling person, receiving no other
reward)
The calling person will then appoint the next caller and the game
repeats.
(real life Value) Teaches come, and teaches appropriate decision making.
what might be right one moment, might be the wrong decision the next.
Discrimination)

INTERMEDIATE

Throw interesting objects, if it picks it up, immediately trade for
something desirable as you remove the object from it's mouth in exchange
(real life value) fundamentals of the retrieve

Player and dog must circle 4 complete times around a hat placed on the
ground , Clap your hands over your head throughout. NO TREATS!
(real life value) Good practice controlling your dog when YOU are
excited)

Bounce Ball to Dog. Dog must be able to catch the ball on the first
bounce. Player and dog must be at least 5 feet apart. Limit 3 attempts
(Real life value) Fun and exercise for your dog
Dog must heel in 5 foot square pattern, sit at the first and third
corners, lie down on the second and 4th corners, Then repeat in the
opposite direction
(Real Life Value) quick sits and dogs keep your dog on its paws
Dog must paw the ground 5 times after the player asks "what is two plus
three"? hand signals only
(real life value) everyone loves this one!
Dog must sit, lie, sit, lie, sit,lie,sit and lie down. disqualified if
the dogs hind leaves the floor
(real life value) This one shows what a dog can do when you make
training FUN
Dog must stand and stay while player hops 15 feet away
(real life value) Wonderful for grooming and examining your dog,
should be done every day!
Player must hold a teaspoon of treats and the dogs leash in the same
hand while circling the room 3 times with the dog on leash.circle must
be a minimum. of 10 feet in diameter
(real, life value) Your dog does NOT pull on leash
Player and dog start next to each other. Dog must sit and stay while
player RUNS around a chair ten feet away and returns. Then dog must RUN
around the chair and returns. Dog and player must remain stationary when
not running
( Real life Value) proves a solid stay and real good fun.

Dog must sit,following a verbal command, while player sits on the floor
with the back to the dog(player may spin like a top if necessary)
(Real Life Value) learning to listen, no matter WHAT you are
doing. is the key to a WELL trained dog)
Set up 3 cups as "pins" ten feet away from the dog. Dog must knock over
all three pins.. Player must remain stationary
(real life value) Beginning of directional distance control
Dog walks through players legs in a figure eight pattern (ie go through
,circle one leg, go through again, circle the other and go through
again)Then both the player and dog lie down
(RLV) Great Luring practice and confidence builder
Dog must lie down and stay while player turns, walks 10 feet and stops
Dog must remain down for 20 seconds with the players back to dog at all
times
(RLV) Marvelous for temporary control over rambunctious
behaviour
Player places open sheet of newspaper on the floor. Dog must sit
directly on the paper. No body parts except the tail can touch the floor
(RLV) Fav for people whose spouses spend all morning reading
the paper
Dog must sit and stay while player skips 15 feet away and stops Dog must
remain sitting for 15 seconds after handler stops
(RLV) Ultimate in short term control commands
Dog must come to player then sit while player lies on the floor Dog
must sit for a count of twen, player lies down for a count of ten and
may not get up until trick is over.
(RLV) dog MUST sit
Dog must sit and stay while an opponent goes to the front door and
knocks on the inside. Dog must remain sitting for 15 seconds and not
bark more than 3 times
(RLV) Do you really want the Pizza guy to come back?
Dog must bark in response to a verbal command. No hand signals
(RLV) Dogs taught to bark on command are less likely to be
problem barkers since its easier to teach them "shush"

Dog must allow player to loosely tie a bandanna around its leg. Dog must
not try to mouth bandana for 10 seconds
(RLV) Teaches dog to trust in case he needs a bandage
Dog must walk backwards fir 5 feet. If dog interrupts walk (Ie sits,
turns, etc) start over
(RLV) Dog blocking your path? Now HE can move back instead
of YOU!
Dog must lower head and shoulders while keeping hindquarters elevated.
dog must stay in position for the count of three. No touching
(RLV) Dog language for Let's Party!
Dog must lie down, roll over completely, then stand up.
(RLV) Dogs love this! its great for scratching their backs!
Dog must jump off the ground twice, all 4 feet must be off the ground at
the same time
(RLV) Excellent indoor exercise for keeping fit

Dog must find a toy or ball thrown at least 10 feet away, pick it up,
return to the player and drop it at the players feet Player must remain
in original location and cannot take it out of the dogs mouth
(RLV) Great for getting the morning paper
Dog must sit and present paws for shaking in a right, left, right left
rapid sequence No touching except to shake the paw presented.
(RLV) Pups love pawing-put it on cue.

More advanced skills

Dog must sit and stay while player walks away, placing treat on the
floor every foot for a distance of ten feet. Dog must then go to player
WITHOUT picking up a treat from the floor. If a dog picks up a treat,
you better work on basics again
(RLV) Dogs trained to help the handicapped wouldn't DREAM of picking
up food without permission
Dog must retrieve a toy and drop it in a basket 5 feet from the player.
Basket and player MUST remain stationary
(RLV) Reinforces your dogs focus on his chew toys rather than YOUR
furniture
Place the newspaper on the floor. dog must put its right paw on, take
its right paw off, put its left paw on, take its left paw off and turn
itself around. No touching
(RLV) Pawing objects is a part of the standard repertoire of all good
tv dogs
Dog must pick up only one of three toys placed ten feet from the dog.
Opponent designates which toy is to be picked up.Once objects are in
place, player stays away
(RLV) Improves dogs focus on chewing toys, rather than chewing
furniture (I really don't understand this philosophy, once a dog is this
well trained, chewing is not a problem)
Dog must sit, lie down, sit, down, stand up,, sit in rapid succession.
NO variation in sequence
(RLV) a simple tester-sequence used to determine your dogs training
level. *danny failed to stand*
Dog must sit in front of a chair,place front paws on a chair, drop his
muzzle between his paws (as if saying bedtime prayers) must stay in that
position 5 seconds
(RLV) its adorable
Dogmust walk on his hind legs for a distance of 5 feet, front paws may
not rest on anything
(RLV) Dogs need a lot of exercise. This is calisthenics!
The dog is placed in another room while the opposite team "hides" a toy.
the dog must find the toy within thirty seconds. The toy must be hidden
in plain sight on the floor. Timer starts when the dog enters the room.
(RLV) "has anyone seen my keys?"
Dog must stand, on hind legs, for 5 seconds. Front legs may not touch
anything
(RLV) This is how little guys see over tall grass!
Dog starts at players side, then moves at least 10 feet away and lies
down for twenty seconds, Player may not move
(RLV) A quiet moment is the HALLMARK of harmonious living
Turn 3 cups over on a smooth surface.Place a treat under one cup. Make
sure the dog sees you do this. Rearrange the cups like the old shell
game. Dog Must knock over the correct cup without knocking over any
others

Dog must go to another room and lie down. Player must stay in the
original room. Dog must stay down for 10 seconds
(RLV) Sometimes dogs NEED time outs, just like kids
Dog balances a treat on his snout for ten seconds. no glue (advance 3
spaces if he catches it in his mouth afterwards)
(RLV) A balanced treat pre-supposes a SOLID stay
Dog must pass between the players legs with each step player takes.
Player must take 5 steps & dog must pass through legs 5 times in a zig
zag pattern.
(RLV) Agility DOG!! enter him in weave poles!
Dog must place his paw on the head near eyes as if saluting, no tape or
touching
(RLV) If people see your dog saluting, you will be a legend in your
own time
Dog must sit and stay while player walks 10 feet then turns and calls
the dog. The dog then must approach, DOWN when told (half way to the
player) Player cannot move
(RLV) Control of your dog at a distance
Dog must sit on hind legs with front paws in the air FRONT paws cannot
rest on anything, and must hold position for ten seconds
(RLV) Always a crowd pleaser and a wonderful way to put children
and adults at ease.
Dog must shake itself as if it just finished a bath. No hoses allowed
(RLV) Huge, any dog that will do this on command at a distance, is
welcome at any beach
Dog must bark following a hand signal. The handler may not speak
(RLV) Let people know there is a dog around, when YOU choose to

Dog must sit and stay while player gets down on all 4s and crawls 5 feet
away. Dog must maintain sitting position for 20 seconds
(RLV) You know your dog will stay, even around the antics of
children.
The dog is distracted while a treat is placed in plain sight, at least
ten feet away. The dog musr then find the treat. Handler must remain in
the original location
(RLV) Looking for help cleaning up after meals?
Dog must lie down on his belly and crawl a distance of at least 5 feet.
Dogs belly must always be on the floor.
(RLV) Long haired breeds can now clean their own dust bunnies out
from under the bed
Dog must stand and stay while all players walk in a circle ten feet in
diameter, around the dog. Dog must stand in place for 60 seconds
(RLV) Good control command indicating a dogs steadiness

wow, diddy, that was a fast response with lots of ideas. I can see
that stay, stay, stay, has got to be paramount for many games.
Handling Toby is no prob. Though I know this little guy had stones
thrown at him, and has been hit by humans, once he decides he trusts
you, you can do anything with him, eg turn him upside down handle
paws, etc. He is a little gem. Back Monday now, thanks again.

In article
,
McDog wrote:

wow, diddy, that was a fast response with lots of ideas. I can see
that stay, stay, stay, has got to be paramount for many games.
Handling Toby is no prob. Though I know this little guy had stones
thrown at him, and has been hit by humans, once he decides he trusts
you, you can do anything with him, eg turn him upside down handle
paws, etc. He is a little gem. Back Monday now, thanks again.

He sounds like a little gem, indeed!
--
boss, sometimes i think * * * * * |* kevin michael vail
that our friend mehitabel * * * * |*
is a trifle too gay * * * * * * * |
* * * * -- archy* * * * * * * * * |* wotthehell wotthehell