Daisy Mae - No Longer Spare Emergency Back-up Shepherd

As much as I love my student dogs, sometimes I like to share things on my own dogs. My youngest dog is  Daisy Mae, a rescue German Shepherd.. During the years I was showing Saber, Daisy Mae only received training time in bits and pieces...Saber was definitely in my number one position. I referred to her as "Spare Emergency Back-up Shepherd" Since Saber's spinal surgery and retirement, she is now in the number one position for training and showing.

Obviously I didn't expect her to be ready instantly. However, the question of  how to ramp up her training has given me great pause for thought. As I have said hundreds of times, "She is not Saber." Saber and the two dogs I trained before him, were all very high drive dogs, who came "hard-wired" to work. This included my German Shepherd, Ajax, and my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Star. Daisy Mae is definitely a "beta" in my household; she has minimal work ethic...and lots of play ethic. She loves to sun bathe! The work ethic I have had to build into her.The question became, "How do I make training fun and interesting for her?"

Several years ago, we attended an excellent seminar on drive and motivation, with Denise Fenzi. One of the many focuses of this seminar was teaching your dog to tug. Daisy Mae did not know how to tug, and showed no interest in learning. She was not into toys at all, and didn't know how to play retrieve, or even particularly want to chase toys or balls. I has tried a variety of textures and types...to no avail. using Denise's techniques, Daisy showed her first interest in tugging! this is one skill we have worked on continuously, and is key to the behaviors we have built.

As I tried to build a working relationship with Daisy Mae, I realized that, while she loved me on a personal relationship basis, she didn't really need me. She is quite independent. I provided for all of her needs, including the physical, as well as love and affection, without asking anything in return. Now it wwas time to ask for more, and make her realize that she is really dependent on me. One behavior we started with was "tethering". Daisy Mae was not a "hang with me" dog, so I tethered her to me with  a leash, so she had to go everywhere I went. This started a change in her attitude. she started to understand that I was definitely a part of her picture.

Since this was during the winter months, I took advantage of  Daisy Mae's love of being in her crate in the car, and took her to work with me every day. Now she was totally dependent on me for everything, including pottying, walking, feeding, playing and training. this continued for at least 6 months, and our relationship improved by leaps and bounds. She seemed more eager to spend time with me, and I gained a better understanding of her personality. everyday included several short training sessions on my breaks.

Fast-forward to the current time...

The only time I have to train Daisy Mae is after work. She has reached the point that she would rather go out and train with me than eat her dinner. She prances back and forth from the kitchen to the front door, waitng for me to finish feeding Saber and Star, so I will put her in the car, and go out to train. Since she also assists me on the classes I teach, she goes with me at least 4 nights a week. 

Training has become her special one-on-one time with me. At home, she is still number three on the totem pole. Senior dogs Star and Saber really need a lot of special help. Daisy seems to sense that, and understands where she stands. She is now excited to work!!!