Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:16 am Post subject: Target sticks
Hi,
I am about to purchase a target stick for Basil and would appreciate any recommendations.
Having looked on line it seems there are basically 2 types on the market-
1/ a shorter retractable stick (like an old car aerial) but with a bobble on the end so its easy for dog to spot exactly. It says this is suitablr for small/med dogs (presumably because its breakable??) - this one retracts v small so seems better for being out an about.
2/ a folding stick, this one is longer when folded and has no bobble on the end. it is longer when extended too.
Any advice on which is best to go for?
Sorry for such a boring post but since i have to have it posted out from the uk i dont want to buy the wrong one and wait again for the second to arrive
A lot of people use an ordinary garden cane. One person I know used a thin stick with a single leaf on the end! Think of it this way, you wany the end to reach to the spot you want the nose to be, so thinking about that, you might need a longer stick for a smaller dog! Not the way you might think at first thoughts!
I must say though, although a couple of friends used target sticks, combined with clicker training, it is not something I use so I am not the best one to talk about this.
The aim is to focus the pup’s attention on the end of the stick, marking the correct response with a click on the clicker. Have a look at this web site:-
Thanks, i'm sure you're right and the actual stick doesn't matter really (he'll probably destroy at least 1 anyway)
We had a go with a chopstick last night and he got the idea!
We're not using it for serious traning stuff anyway. Basil's commands are really strong now and he loves to learn new things so we're going to teach him some new fun commands like switching the lights / TV on and my husband would like him to fetch beer and do the ironing
Of course these commands could go horribly wrong and we may spend future evenings in the dark!
A person I chat to sometimes is disabled and has taught her Coton du Tulear as an assistants dog. To do such things as open doors and cupboards, take her socks off and load the washing machine then take the washing out when finished. The only limit to what a dog can do is your own imagination!
yes i'd heard of 'alley oops' before but wasnt sure how you spelt it si i havent googled it to find one online- where did you buy yours?
I was planning on using the stick to start us off , targetting people and objects etc but the alley oop would be great when we then go for distance (ie go find OH in another room).
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