Games to play with Hovawarts.
A skill building training game for Hovawarts
This training game was first introduced in Gottfried Dildei's book, 'Training for Drive'; it is well suited to Hovawarts, and is a first class training game which can be developed to encompass a great variety of skills and behaviours. The purpose of this exercise was to build the drive to retrieve and eventually to introduce elements of Schutzhund work.
The idea of the game is that you stand holding two pieces of hose (about 30cm of clean garden or radiator hose) and throw one piece of hose. The dog chases the hose, and when he returns with that hose, you throw the other hose in the opposite direction. The dog learns that if he retrieves the hose and brings it back, he is rewarded with a throw of the second hose. Subsequently, you can introduce a range of commands.
With Hovawart puppies use squeaky toys for this game and introduce the game in a hallway inside the house. The pup will have a limited area within which to run after the squeaky toy, and little option but to come back up the hallway toward you. This helps build the natural progression to run, retrieve the toy, return it to you, and release it for the next throw.
As soon as the pup understands that he is to get the toy and to return to you, begin to throw the second toy a short distance in the opposite direction. The puppy will quickly learn that this is a two-directional game. With daily repetitions of the game and in very little time, you can progress from a short single throw in the hallway, to 10 meters and more in both directions out of doors.
Clearly this game involves specific behaviours -- noticing the toy, running after it, investigating it, picking it up, running back with it, and dropping it. Do not underestimate the value and the importance of praise, be excited and enthusiastically praise him. As the pup or young dog develops an understanding of the game encourage and congratulate him for each new achievement.
Aim for him to develop "a love affair" with the hose; it can be effectively used during obedience training. Once you have developed your Hovawart's focus onto the hose in a controlled "play" manner, it is simple to build a variety of commands and skills into the game. “Down”, “sit”, anything really. The hose can easily be tucked under the armpit, hidden in a pocket, tucked into your waist band and quickly produced for well-timed reward/play purposes.
Some Hovawarts learn to anticipate the second hose and drop the first hose too soon, they want the reward of the second hose. So apply some motivational direction to the game. Withhold the reward (the hose) until the he is performing the behaviour you want. Training the dog to drop the hose into your hand for example.
Gradually increase your demands on the dog to release or drop the toy only when and where you command. This will take time and patience and will also be influenced his temperament, his drive, and his " trainability". But by withholding the reward until the desired behaviour is performed, the Hovawart will quickly learn and voluntarily perform a particular behaviour for the reward. It is no different to any training aimed at refining behaviours or skills.
In the typical "sit" exercise, the goal is to have him sit "perfectly" next to you. But when you first train a hovawart puppy to sit, you reward all the imperfect variations of the sit, without insisting on "perfection." Then, once the pup understands the basic "sit" command, you continue to motivate him, through appropriately timed rewards (toy, food, spoken or tactile praise), to assume the desired "perfect" sit position.
Similarly with the two hoses, continue to increase the motivational pressure to perform "perfectly" by delaying the throw of the second hose until the dog has retrieved the first and released it in the way you want. Your demands must be reasonable and be within the dog's level of understanding of the task. Both of you will become frustrated if you expect him to understand the subtleties of the game after only one or two repetitions, or if you attempt to increase your demands for precision before he has a thorough understanding of the basics.
This is a game, so Keep it fun! Your Hovawart should enjoy playing “two hoses”, only you know and appreciate the training that is going into the "game." Once a strong foundation has been laid, you can use the game to enhance his learning processes and to introduce new tasks.
Games to play with young Hovawarts
- Start all game with a plan in mind and a few tasty dog treats in your pocket. Keep the game short because Hovawart puppies have a short attention span and Hovawarts get bored with too much repetition.
- This is a game that helps to teach the "come"command. Two people sit on the floor about 3 or 4 meters apart, one person holds and strokes the pup while the other calls him, Name of pup, name of pup, come! in a happy voice. When the pup comes running, give him lots of praise, and give him a treat. Six repetions is sufficient.
- Using the same basic game you can add a ball or toy and throw it back and forth for the puppy to retrieve. Whenever he picks it up, praise him and give him a treat together with a word of command to release the toy, then throw it back to the other person . Repeat as above.
- Another retrieving game, indoors to start with. Begin by placing one of his favorite toys in plain sight, ask your puppy "Wheres your toy?" or whatever words you choose, and let him take it. Then place your puppy out of site and place the toy where only part of it shows. Bring him back and ask the same question. Give him lots of encouragement and praise him when he finds it. Repeat several times. When he understands what is expected move on and conceal the toy completely. Let your puppy sniff it out. Hovawarts have excellectent scenting abilities, with encouragement he will find his toy.
- Play hide-and-seek - indoors. Have your dog heel by your side in a room. Throw a treat across the room. As your puppy runs after it, go around the corner out of sight and call your dog by name. When he comes to you, reward him with a treat and lots of praise. Repeat four or five times.
- Hide-and-seek - Play this game outdoors in your garden or other confined safe area. When the puppy is distracted, hide behind a tree. Peek out to see when he discovers you are gone and comes running back to find you ( he will do that). As soon as he gets close, show yourself and squat down with arms outstretched and call him, Name of pup, come! This is also an excellent bonding aid, it helps teach the puppy to depend on you, and is the beginings of tracking. To teach tracking skills show your Hovawart a favourite toy and hide it in an easy to find location. Once he gets the hang of the game, ask a friend to walk away from your dog to a hiding place in the garden. Ready or not, here he comes. As your dog's skills improve, have your dog sit with his back turned while the other person hides. remember to use words of command such as "find" or "search".
Hovawart puppies love to have fun with their owners and games are excellent teaching aids and one of the best ways to have fun with your hovawart puppy.
