Dempsey's hose work - Day 1

It's a beautiful day over here, so Dempsey was out in the garden 'helping' mum with some potting. Our garden's closed off by seven foot fences, so he can be allowed to roam around as he pleases, which is nice.

Decided it would be a good time to get started on the hose work. It was mainly to see what his limits are, what he'll tolerate and what he won't. The noise of the hose seems to trigger it mostly, but also the high pressure.

The hose keeps dripping for a while after it's turned off, so I got started by letting him sniff that. He went straight in for the kill at first, but after about five minutes I managed to get him fairly comfortable with it. Eventually, I had him licking the water drips straight from the hose, like a hamster!

Turned it up a tiny bit and he was a bit more bitey, still licking the water droplets, but jumping up and snatching at the end of the hose as well. Progress is progress though and I'm proud of him!

A great start!

It is, considering he's always had an intense dislike of the hose! Usually, there are snarls and growls all over the place. He had a couple of angry growly snarls at it, but was much better than usual.

Yes, he did quite well, although it's going to take a lot of hard work!  

We'll get there!

I must admit that it went better than I thought it would!

It did, you Negative Nelly!

 

Read that article I posted about marking behaviour - I think it'll help.

All you do to start is saying yessss and treating, yesss and treating. You've then charged your 'clicker' which is the word yes. Then when he doesn't react/ is good with the hose you can mark that behaviour and treat him for it.
When he does react you say No or Uhuh marking the bad behaviour negatively.

Dempsey doesn't get on very well with marker or clicker training. He gets bored far too easily, even with treats.  

I've clicker trained before, but it doesn't suit Dempsey. This is more of a habituation situation, rather than training as such. Just getting him used to being around the hose so that he can see it isn't a threat.

Well done Dempsey (and Eleanor and Caryll).

Just a wonder - how is Dempsey with the hose just lying on the ground, kind of wriggly but not dripping or anything? (you can guess that I'm still thinking primeval snake fear here!)

Absolutely fine with it! He was always fine with it, until the hose was turned on. I think it stems from his water phobia, as well as dislike of the water pressure and the noise. Started as fear, then developed into pure hatred!

Well it was just a thought.

Do let us know how you get on! Good luck!

Definitely an interesting concept! I wonder how many dogs' dislike of hoses stems from snake fears...

I'll make sure I post updates!