[nagdu] Having a bit of trouble convincing my dog to reverse course

[Bryan Jones]

Thanks everybody for your feedback and suggestions. It was good to hear that my dog is not the only one who exhibits this behavior, and that folks have had success altering the behavior. I'm adding the "About" command and additional practice to our daily routine and will report back on how things go. Also, I recalled that one of the TSE staff had shared a theory with me a couple years ago when Marqi & I were having trouble adapting to a new suburban walking route. The TSE staff person theorized that, while humans and some dogs are perfectly content to walk in circles -- as one might do when walking for exercise -- other dogs prefer to have some sort of destination. Marqi is definitely a "destination" sort of dog, something I need to keep in mind.

Cheers,
Bryan

On Oct 3, 2012, at 5:03 PM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:

> Bryan, I really like this command. As you need this when I am in a hurry or are looking for something. Emma would absolutely pout if we turned around. I would cheer, praise, whatever it took, but she did not like it. I would say do it in the way I described in my blog. 
> 
> TSE uses the "rest" command. Although I am so use to this now, I say it to my new pup, she will it soon too. I say stay, give the "about" command, while patting my hip. I would do the same but offer treats and praise. Soon the pup will pick up that you want to go back the same way you came and associate the "about" comkmand with that. Its a customization, just like you do to teach them to find the chair, or whatever. 
> 
> Maybe I am wrong, but atleast that makes sense to me, in my mind. LOL 
> 
> Good luck and let us know what happens. 
> 
> Marsha drenth