Little Bo Boop Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 What's the longest time it's ever taken you to teach a dog to drive? For those of you working with young dogs right now, what do you consider a reasonable or average amount of time before your dog starts to 'get it' ? I know all dogs are different, and go at their own pace, but just an average. Also, any tips for training a driving impaired pup would be most welcome. Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca, Irena Farm Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Nine years. It was not the dog's fault, but mine. I just didn't have the right knowlege to help Ben learn until it was almost too late - but he spent another two very useful years after that, and by George he turned out to be a driving fool! I sometimes wonder what might have happened if Ben and I had had good help early on. Open with Ben - what a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda-pop Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I'm also interested in this discussion. I've been eeking along with the Soda, making small progresses here and there and am just generally interested in how other folks do it and how long it took them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Nine years. I'm a patient girl but 9 years? ohhhh, I don't know ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokjbc Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I really have come to love teaching my dogs to drive- maybe it is because I held back so long when I was more involved in cow dog trials. When I started out, many of the people I worked with did not believe in teaching a drive and as a result, when I tried to start my 5 year old cow dog to drive, she was not a fan. Now of course, I realize how useful driving is, with sheep and cattle. The last dog I successfully taught driving was Jane, and it was so easy, I really only recall how she started doing it on her own and I just went from there. Lucky huh? Well, payback is a b$*$%tch, and this one’s name is Jet. We have been struggling with driving- Jet is very pushy and not the most responsible animal. She’ll do ok for about 30 yards, then push too hard and one of the sheep will split, and it turns into WHEEEE! CHAOS! She is slowly getting better, and I don’t have much of a steady on her yet, so been working on that as well so I have another gear to put her down too before she gets too forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC_Y2K9 Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Drive - Mine can steer but can't reach the pedals. LOL Sorry - couldn't resist! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Well I've actually managed to teach two dogs to drive, one was a natural driver, the othe not so much, but she finally figured it out, and now loves it. So I guess I'm capable of teaching it, I just can't seem to break the code on the proper technique on this little guy yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think so much depends on the dog - it has been a struggle for some years now (Becca has us beat but she had her Ben longer) to work on Celt's drive. I did find out that his father was a washout at driving (and he couldn't have had better training) and so any little progress we can make is a cause for celebration for me. Kathy Knox helped a great, great deal on this and so has my current trainer. I think most folks are not struggling quite so much with a dog that has Celt's anxiety issues that really increase when trying to drive. Best wishes to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsnrs Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Our trainer taught my Aussie driving. Now to teach me what the dog already knows but gets confused with my commands. Even the lady who trialed my dog at the ASCA trial said she was driving nice. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
concrete Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I teach driving pretty much from the start now. Especially with dogs that have a natural tendency to flank around pressure. I've also found that holding sheep off while I put out feed can help a dogs driving by getting them use to holding pressure. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Kevin, I agree. Nothing seems to help a dog figure out pushing sheep away better than letting hold sheep off feed. I do it with all my youngsters because it also gives them confidence to walk into sheep's faces. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I ended up doing a lot of that (pushing or keeping the sheep off of feed) with my Stella dog who didn't 'get' driving, and I agree that really helped a lot., she's a pretty darn good driver now, but it did take a while. I've tried that same thing with this dog (who happens to be Stella's littermate) but he just does not get it. Every now and again I'll get a glimmer of something, but then he reverts back. Although the sheep move readily off of him, he's very reluctant to donw his head and push. He stops a lot and will turn back and look at me, I can tell that he just doesn't 'get it'. We also do a ton of just walking, me trying to get farther away from him as we go...guess I'll just have to keep walking ;-) He's just two, so we have plenty of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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