Dog Community

Is this even possible?

Posted : 4/30/2007 8:47:22 AM

Beau has come a long way since I got him a little over a month ago. He's really come out of his shell and most importantly - I've discovered a high value food (cheese and these little cookies called "Bits" that my mom's dog loves) so we are beginning our obedience training. I've enrolled him in an 8 week clicker class starting in June.

The thing I want to know is - is it possible to train him on a "permission" system?

For example - I like it when he snuggles with me in bed (I just love big dogs that think they are small and like to cuddle), BUT I want to train him to get on the bed ONLY when I give him "permission" to do so.

We're just starting with the bed thing (he finally figure out it's not scary) and I want to make sure I do it right from the start so I don't end up with dominance and disobedience problems later.

So, how do I go about training him to get on the bed with me ONLY when I say he can? Because right now he does it sneakily when I am not looking (but he doesn't try it when I am not home, or at least I am not aware that he does) and he doesn't get down right away. Is there a way to positively reinforce the behavior I want - and then how do I go about "ignoring" him if he does get on the bed by accident (because it's a reward for him either way!)

Thanks in advance for the advice.

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/30/2007 9:00:55 AM

I think you have the cart a bit before the horse. Once you get to clicker class, you will learn all about reinforcement, and how to teach discrete behaviors. For now, I would work on just getting to know one another and perhaps on some attention and name recognition exercises. There will be plenty of time to let him up on the bed once you can communicate. [

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Find the attention exercises here for free:
www.clickerlessons.com

tamoo

Posted : 4/30/2007 10:15:34 AM

Yeah - I know it's a little "early" before the class starts - but the thing is, he is already getting up on the bed without my permission and I want to curb this behavior before it becomes a problem.

Thanks for the web site - I was looking for some new things to try

Ixas_girl

Posted : 4/30/2007 1:05:46 PM

Yes! Your house rules should be all about the permissions you grant! Yes, start it right away!

This falls under NILIF or Pack Leader house rules. It's the same as having your dog sit calmly before you'll put his food bowl down, sit calmly before you'll put his collar on for a walk, not enter certain rooms or sit on furniture without your permission, etc.

My dog sits on the floor next to my bed. She doesn't come up till I pat the bed and say "here, girl." The way I taught her was by pushing her off everytime she came up without permission. When I pushed her off, I did it gently but firmly, and without emotion, no anger, no giggling, no verbal or physical negotiations. Just neutral, matter of fact. She didn't find that to be a fun game, and quickly learned, that being invited is *the happy, yummy, lovey* way to be on the bed. If you don't want to push your dog off the bed, then don't let the dog in the bedroom until you are prepared to remain at the ready to block the dog from coming on your bed without permission. Don't teach your dog that sneaking will get the better of you, be prepared!

If you let the dog come on the bed without permission, and you do nothing about it, you are training a behavior that will take many repetitions of counter-training to extinguish. You have to be really consistent. You can't let him "get away with it" sometimes!