Whining during stays (mostly)

**melbrod** · 03-28-2008, 05:58 PM

I asked this question in another post, but I don't remember an answer--In obedience competition, is a dog penalized or DQ'ed for whining as he works? Mine is a nervous whiner. Though he does well on an informal level, and I've thought of doing more obedience-wise with him, I'm not sure I could ever get rid of the whine. He's well enough trained to live with comfortably--should I just wait for the next dog to work in competition?

secretz · 03-28-2008, 06:25 PM

(needlesstosay, I've never shown OB, but I did manage to find the rules)

Yes, you'll get a NQ in competition (http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RO2999.pdf page 27, section 13. Groups, exercises, scoring).

However, I don't know if it'd be the same in Rally compititions.

**doberkim** · 03-28-2008, 06:28 PM

short answer, yes

their is a penalty for whining - if its extreme, it can cause an NQ.

sorthund · 03-28-2008, 08:47 PM

I'm sorry I can't remember how old your dog is... but maybe you could train him that he gets a treat when quiet, but not when whining, rewarding the good, kinda going back to basics, like when you first start teaching "stay" and go back often to reward for the stay. Does that make any sense?

**ellenm** · 03-28-2008, 08:52 PM

I agree to reward for "quiet" behavior to try and nip this in the bud.
My girl used to bark like mad from her crate in the car at the horses as I led them by....I would yell and squirt with water and she would quiet, but what has REALLY worked is saying "good quiet" BEFORE she starts off and give her a piece of food while holding my horse at the back of the car near her crate.
She now associates HORSE NEAR CAR = FOOD!!! It is working for me.

momtoarmani · 04-03-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorthund

but maybe you could train him that he gets a treat when quiet, but not when whining, rewarding the good, kinda going back to basics, like when you first start teaching "stay" and go back often to reward for the stay.

I agree totally with the above statement. I'm doing clicker training with Armani, and when he's in his crate he'll sometimes bark or whine when there is excitement. I try as much as possible to watch his behavior, and when his body language starts to escalate, I click then treat saying "good quiet". When he starts in, I immediately turn my back and then look for the soonest opportunity to mark his good behavior. This is definately a work in progress thanks to the help of my friend who is a trainer.
Hope this helps!