Buck finally got it!

skeletor, we seem to be in the same training stage. I have been working with Monty on all these things too. He is 1-1/2 years old and although we went to 2 puppy school sessions and a beginner training session (I also am training to train dogs part-time at a local facility), he just now seems to "get" it, like a light went on in his head. It's awesome. He picks things up quickly and seems eager to learn more which is why I'm seeking new things for him to do. I can appreciate your enthusiasm. They make us so proud, don't they?

Buck is only 4 months old and he is learning fast! He was suprisingly easy to housebreak when we got him at 3 months and its just been this easy transition to training ever since then. Today we worked on over and I added a new "problem" to the game of over. Let me explain over first. I have 4 old wheels from a car, these are placed on the ground with a peice of wood across them. They are maybe 6 inches above the ground. I then command Buck to come and as he gets close to the wood I say "Over" with the anticipation that he "jumps" it. He has absolutely falling in love with this game! I have 2 sets of these little jumps for him and he will do it over and over again. So today I added a ramp to one jump. It was a broad peice of wood that starts on the ground and the ramp ends on the jump. Meaning he must do a tiny jump. He quickly loved this new element and would do this also over and over again. I need more ideas to challenge my little guy! He has been picking up on this stuff really quickly.

We should trade ideas back and forth kmarie! My training methods are purely reward for good behavoir and ignore the bad. He loves positive reinforcement and I vary whether or not he gets food rewards or praise.

I've been using a hula hoop and trying to get Monty to walk through it. He does it . . . sometimes. Usually, he just tries to bite the hoop and play tug of war with it . . . the joys of being a pup. But he's getting it. Once he walks through it consistently, I'll raise it a little and keep doing that for as high as he can jump. His legs are pretty short so probably not too far off the ground. I only use reward for good behavior also. We ignore the bad, although lately I can say there hasn't been too much bad. He was housebroken by 4 months and has had free reign of the house since he was about 8 months. We've only used positive training and the clicker for outdoor stuff. I'd love to hear other things you're doing. It's helpful to try different stuff your dog likes.

I've never clicker trained. It's just not my preference. Buck seems to work really well with just verbal reward. He will do just about anything for a tummy rub and with food rewards it just seems like he working for the food only. His eyes are constantly on my pocket and not on me. I'm afraid if I tried a hula hoop he would also try to play with it like your's does. He also gets lots of social interaction. He lives with another dog and sees the in laws 2 labs reguarly. He goes to pet stores, work, video stores, and parks 2-3 times a week. He went from shy around strangers to happy around strangers. And thats pretty much how I'm working it now.[sm=crazy.gif]