Food and Pockets...right or left? - Page 2 - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

AgilityIG · 09-03-2010, 05:56 PM

I use my mouth. I can't stand the taste of hot dogs, so use cheese or chicken. I have a bait bag, but the food does not come from there to the dog, so they ignore it. The source of the food is my mouth (sometimes spit - the dogs will catch and sometimes hand to them from my mouth). That keeps their attention on my face. It's a convenient place to stuff a few pieces of food

Curlydogs · 09-03-2010, 10:06 PM

I used a treat pouch for a while but recently switched to pockets (I like being free of the pouch - it always seemed to flap around and get in the way). I wear cargo style pants or shorts so they have large pockets on the sides. I put a plastic baggie of treats in both side pockets - the pockets stay pretty clean and I have access to treats no matter what side we are working on.

Feralpudel · 09-04-2010, 06:31 AM

So am I the only one with holes in my pockets from treats left in, and pants foolishly left on the floor where the dog can find them and excavate the treats?

I use a big treat pouch that a friend gave me. It is wide with a hinged opening that snaps open and shut and its own belt. I wear it towards my right hip so that the dog ignores it and focuses on what appears in my hand. My bag is a Quick Draw, but I don't think they make them any more. This is similar, but deeper and narrower:

Gentle Leader Hinged Dog Training Pouch - Dog Training Supply

When we are just out in the neighborhood, or weaning off of treats in training for something, I will put dry treats (Merrick lamb filets) in my pockets. Hence the holes in my pockets...

fjm · 09-04-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feralpudel

So am I the only one with holes in my pockets from treats left in, and pants foolishly left on the floor where the dog can find them and excavate the treats?

Sophy waits until we've gone to bed and the lights are out, then jumps down and turns all my trouser pockets inside out to check them for treats. She does the same with my coat, if it is anywhere she can climb up to reach. She is so quiet about it that it took a while before I realised why my clothes were always on the floor with the pockets turned out come morning.

CharismaticMillie · 09-04-2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teffy

Hello,

I was wondering which pocket you place your treats in when training for obedience. I have been told to keep them in my right but I am not coordinated enough to juggle this, I've also heard that the right pocket encourages the dog to forge and go slanted. What are your experiences with this?

If any of my non-dog sport friends read this thread they'd

, they would commit me I swear.

OH, also thought I'd add, that while I do use a treat apron, I keep the treats on the right side pocket. Well, sometime I have some in both pockets in case I am feeling uncoordinated that day. Millie really does not focus on the apron, which is great!

debjen · 09-04-2010, 09:32 AM

[QUOTE=Feralpudel;117930]So am I the only one with holes in my pockets from treats left in, and pants foolishly left on the floor where the dog can find them and excavate the treats?

QUOTE]

Yep been there..went to grab some shorts to wash before packing for a trial..huge hole..useless to fix..

markfsanderson · 09-04-2010, 10:09 AM

Neither . . . I put a bait pouch on my belt behind me so that they don't associate a 'side' with a treat. This is particularly important in non-obedience competition where s/he could be on either side. I use hot dogs (pre-cooked) or string cheese and try never to have a treat in my hand when issuing a command. I also try to keep a visible chunk of goodies in the mouth so s/he will tend to look at my face instead of my hands. I'll a piece of a treat at my feet where I want them to be at during certain lessons or as 'surprise' treat during drive/motivation lessons.

Mark, Jamie and The Poodle Gangsters

Olie · 09-04-2010, 10:16 AM

The treat in the mouth is a great tip and I can see what a difference this may make. I am going to use this.

Beach girl · 09-04-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

I put a plastic baggie of treats in both side pockets

I did this too and then my agility instructor told me not to do it, that the rustling of the plastic bag would be confusing to the dog, since I'm also doing clicker training. Have the rest of you ever heard of an instructor objecting to plastic bags?

I quit using them in her class, of course, but I still use them on walks and in the privacy of my own back yard where instructor doesn't know about it. ;-) Am I undercutting myself by using plastic bags?

I like the mouth training thing.

You really have to be coordinated to do dog training - between one hand for the leash, the other hand for command motions, the clicker in your third hand - well, you can see the problem!! ;-)

bigpoodleperson · 09-04-2010, 11:33 AM

LOL!! Ive tried the mouth tip! Riley will only look up at me when sitting/laying. He will NOT catch any food either, so i had to use my hands regardless (he doesnt trust thrown treats). He cannot/willnot physically look up when walking!! I have tried everything! So the mouth thing just doesnt work for us. If i Must use a pocket i find that sample food bags work great!! You can empty the food and put whatever treats in instead. Most are long and more narrow to fit into the pocket. Also is plastic so nothing will get on your pants!