We learned that Scarlett's high prey drive is manageable, but we'll probably never train it out of her 100%. It's part of her DNA, so why fight genetics...?
We've mastered the art of the Come-for. I'm not sure if that's the technical name for it, but that's what our trainer calls it.
If Scarlett sees a bird or squirrel and becomes interested but doesn't otherwise react, then we either ignore the situation or if we recognise that it was particularly difficult for Scarlett to make the decision to ignore, then we say YES as soon as she looks away, and treat. If she is having a hard time ignoring the distraction then we'll say her name and get a watch me, then a yes and treat.
The come-for is saved for situations where Scarlett just immediately reacts to the distraction and tries to dart to the end of the leash. Her hardest distractions are squirrels that dart across her path or cats that are just standing there. We'll also use the come-for for other dogs that she may be having a hard time ignoring.
It's as easy as this...
1. Squirrel runs across the street.
2. Scarlett reacts and pulls to the end of the leash.
3. Handler stands still and says Scarlett, come.
4. Scarlett turns around and is lured into a front sit with a treat. Sometimes Scarlett will get distracted at this point and start sniffing the ground and pretty much doing everything in her power to NOT give me what I want...but...I always win.
5. Handler asks for a watch me, treat.
6. Continue on your walk. If necessary, cross the street or turn back in the opposite direction.
So when you're doing this, you're basically teaching two things - self control, and watch me. You get a real sense of victory when you and your dog see a squirrel, you feel your dog twitch at the end of the leash, and then they give you eye contact instead of reacting.
Sometimes those successes feel few and far between but they are there. This is probably one thing we'll have to do with Scarlett for the rest of her life, or at least until she's too old and lazy to care.To be honest, I don't know if she will ever teach herself self control when she sees a cat, but I can dream...and keep trying...
Hope this helps!!!
