Training

Training a pack...

3girls — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:50:50 GMT

For those of you with multiple dogs, how do you do it?? Individually my dogs are on all different levels of training. As a pack, they lose their minds and seem to forget everything. The basics - sit, down, come, they do just fine if they think there's a treat involved. 3 out of 4 are already at the "treats are nowhere on my body" training stage. But again, when they're all together, its a completely different mindset they seem to have.

In a few months, we're going to be having another body living here. I *have* to get them used to this person and behaving when he's around. One on one its going okay, as a pack - I feel I'm doomed.

A few months after that, we're also going to have a new baby in the house (human not puppy). Another good reason for me to get their pack behavior under control.

Suggestions, thoughts, hints, tips, anything???

So many of you already seem to manage it. Help please.

Susan

Back to Square One/Retrieving

BlackLabbie — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:45:44 GMT

Has anyone gone back to square one when training their dog?

Lately I've allowed Apollo get sloppy...sloppy sits, sloppy downs, sloppy stands, very sloppy heels...and I'm thinking of retraining him using new commands. We do clicker train and I'm going to intergrate a whistle for recalls and far away sits as well as hand signals (which he used to know until I stopped using them, although I think he might still know a few). Should be fun and interesting and it will give me something new to do with him.

I'm also looking for new words to use...

"Sit" is now...?
"Down" is now...?
"Get It" (retrieve) is now...?
"Stand" is now "Up"
"Walk" (heel) is now "Heel"
"Drop It" is now "Out"
"Come" (recall) is now "Here"
"On Your Bed" (goes to crate) is now "Kennel Up"

**Also, if anyone has any tips on getting him to put a canvas bumper in his mouth I'd love to here them! He will run to the bumper, maybe pick it up, immediately drop it, and run back to me. He will only retrieve a tennis ball. I'd like him to learn to retrieve almost anything I throw (bumpers, dummies, Kong Wubbas, etc). Putting peanutbutter/food on the bumper doesn't work- he'll just lick it off.**

Weighted backpack for exercise?

RaceProfessor — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:30:10 GMT

I was pondering if a doggie backpack with some weight added would be ideal for a more substancial workout? My boy is pretty high energy and even with frequent dog park runs and 3 mile daily speed walks doesn't seem to be adequate of satisfying his high strung needs. Now that it's cold, it's getting more difficult to walk him for long periods of time and the dog park is deserted most of the time. If a weighted backpack is ideal what would be a good starting weight for an athletic 32lbs. dog? Thanks!

puppy training

wendyjo — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:33:12 GMT

Hi,

I just picked up my teacup yorkie yesterday. He is 13 weeks old and started crate and potty training already. He walks well on a leash too. He has been here for 18 hours now. He peed when I first brought home (6:00pm) and didn't again until 10:30 pm. I have been taking him out every two hours or more, he did poop in his crate last night. (He went in at 11:00 pm and I got him out at 6:00 am). My concern is that we are in Michigan and the weather is turning colder, I think he is hesitant to go out in the colder weather, any suggestions? What do you do with a small dog in the snow?

ok

dogfan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:01:29 GMT

now many of you people know that dogs are in traning> but why

Edited, Spam

darni — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:58:51 GMT

Edited, Spam.

Training your dog to Hide?

pups4life — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:04:23 GMT

I want my dog to hide whenever I say, "Hide!" and then come out when I say something like, "Clear." or something. Has anyone tried this, or know how to do this?

Dog,Bike,Training

kle1986 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:43:01 GMT

Ok so do not know how to train a dog to go with the bike on leash. Cheyanne and Lillie just run off lead with me. I live in the country on a small road so not worried about them getting run over. Plus they stay in the grass anyways.

I want to start taking Fynn out and even though he can be let off lead now when outside I just dont wanna take the chance when riding the bike. I thought about getting a bike attachement but Im very impatient and dont wanna wait for one in the mail.

So how did you get your dog to go on leash and not pull you? He knows not to pull when he's on leash of course being a show dog and all just dont know if he could keep from pulling when we're going faster than a walk! Could I get one of those antipull harnesses until my bike attachement comes in?

Training Gus the Deaf Sheepdog Update (brookcove)

brookcove — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:30:00 GMT

A friend kindly loaned us a set of collars with the "buzzer." The first thing I did with it was hold it in one hand while petting Gus with the other, and triggered it, followed by my "good dog" sign and a jellybean. He blinked and looked around at my other hand that had the collar in it, so I realized that it was something that was VERY distracting. He wasn't upset, just like, "That was new!"

So I started him wearing one collar, and did some work with the other one in my hand - buzz/mark/treat, buzz/mark/treat. He could sense the "buzz" even standing a few feet away and now turns expecting the jellybean when he feels it.

Gus is SUPER sensitive and his hearing loss has made him even more so. Therefore, I only just started using the buzzer on the collar this week. The first time, I made sure he was looking at me and could see I had jellybeans, and then triggered it. He did jump, but he kept his eyes on me (or rather, the jellybean) and when he "focused" I marked and gave him the jellybean.

I'm not using the collar with the probes right on his skin - it hangs like a normal collar with three fingers space. I did this because I noticed right away that it was all too easy to trigger the wrong button - the buzzer and the shock are both active when it's on. The shock turns down to something like a static shock (I made sure I felt it) but as sensitive as he is I don't even want to risk that. And the shock level is controlled with a big giant dial on the top that I could see could easily get bumped in my pocket.

He's gotten used to the thing and seems not to notice if it's on or off. We don't leave it on all the time - so far I've only put it on him randomly for an hour or so, and now I've started bringing it on walks.

The next step is to see whether he'll respond when we are out and about on a walk. I have to send these back next week or purchase one, and I've pretty much decided already that it will be worth it. This training has been tremendously good for him, for me, and for his "dad" too. The first day I started this, it felt a little weird and stiff. I chatter to my dogs all the time and it was hard to remember that talking to him is actually harmful - he tries very hard to understand and it's upsetting to him that he can't.

As our vocabulary has grown, however, it flows very naturally. It's a little weird because it's something like getting into the head of a dog. They don't yammer at each other. Gus has gotten really confident - he's getting much more adept at telling me what he wants - or maybe I'm just getting better at "listening."

Gus now knows:

"look at me" - both hand signal (point to eyes) and buzzer -
"Gus" - point behind his butt (pointing right at him would be aversive)
"Here" - three pats on my leg
"Off/Go away/leave it" - flicking thumb and finger at him
"Sit" - typical obedience signal, hand out, palm down
"Down" Two hands above head palm up
"Good boy" - this is the same as a "click" - pinch finger and thumb together like I'm picking flies out of the air (lol)
"Inside" - motion like I'm scooping behind his butt
"Go to bed" - leg pat, point to where I want him, also for loading in car
Sheepdog commands:

Clockwise - right hand out, finger pointing. He'll go in bigger or smaller circles (farther or closer to the sheep) depending on how "big" this gesture is
Counterclockwise - left hand out. Same as above.
"Stop" - one hand up like "down" sign. Again, I can make this gesture bigger or smaller to moderate whether he just slows down, stops completely, or completely lies down
"Get the sheep moving" - Hand claps. Again, I can have him come in faster or slower as needed by doing this more or less excitedly.
"NO!" Hands clutching hair on side of head (lol). The funny thing is it's impossible to stay "mad" while doing this ridiculous gesture, so I've found a completely neutral correction is far more effective than the "come to Jesus meeting" that many sheepdog trainers favor. The less "noise" Gus has to deal with - extraneous facial expressions and movement - the more comfortably he reacts to a correction and comes up with a "plan B."

This is true of all the rest of the gestures too. It's made me more mindful of the "noise" I subject my other dogs to. I'm trying to become more aware of making my cues less ambiguous and free of distractions like extra words, repetitions, facial expressions and other emotional communications. Eventually, the only variation I'd like to use is "more encouraging" which does have a use in assisting a dog through a tough decision.

Well, it's a goal. We've all got to have 'em, huh?

Beagley Dog - Training Suggestions?

brookcove — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:39:27 GMT

Don't laugh - I'm well aware that food is supposed to be a sure road to a beagle's heart. But my neighbor's dog is half Rottie and she didn't get that whole food hound memo.

Jasmine is an F1 cross between two nice dogs and about three years old, spayed, decently cared for though a 24/7 "outside dog." She has a moderate sized lot that adjoins our yard and I recently got permission to redo her fence (our sheep were busting through it) and put a gate between the yards to let her come play here.

She's really done nothing but play occasionally with the oldest boy (eight) and run the fence chasing "intruders" visible from her pen. The arrival of our sheep has sent her over the moon. She lost about ten pounds (which was a good thing!) the first couple weeks we were here. Every time they move she goes into her "ME TOO! ME TOO! ME TOO!" routine.

This week I started Operation Give Jasmine Something Else to Do. Each morning, we put the ducks up, then we let Jasmine into our yard. She goes to check out all the smells and we enjoy blessed peace and quiet while we feed and do other needed chores.

Then the rest of the dogs come out and Jasmine gets to play. She's very nice natured though she's still a bit intimidated by the pack. We finish chores and start breakfast, and then our dogs come back in.

Then I get the fun of chasing Jasmine down in a 1.5 acre yard (fenced of course), and then I walk her back home.

I would like to take that brief time, to get in some quick training. I'm having some trouble figuring out what makes her tick. She's friendly but not very people--oriented right now. She's not used to "doing stuff" so I've got to start by connecting with her somehow.

Once the leash is on, Jasmine sticks her nose to the ground and sniffs here and there, in front and to the side and behind. Food? Whatever. Not interested in toys, petting makes her nervous, and praise seems to as well.

Shortly after we moved here, I brought some sheep into her pen thinking we'd make a connection since she seemed to be very excited by them. Holy cow - she freaked out - went in her doghouse and literally did not come out for 24 hours. I finally went in there and gave her a meaty bone to get her forgiveness - but for a while she still went in her house anytime I came near her gate.

All right, brainstorm please!

Trainer Lady Was A Blast!

julesmac8 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:35:57 GMT

I have one very exhausted pup right beside me, we just finished with an in home lesson with a fabulous trainer.

I wanted an evaluation before taking Sweetie into puppy classes. I am really happy with this trainer, I can't wait to get into the classes. This will be money well spent. :)

I have a list of things to work on at home, and a little refining on some behaviors and habits. We're heading in the right direction, Sweetie is going to shape into a great girl. I've been thinking about what I want to do with Sweetie over time, she has potential for something more than just obedience but I'm not sure what. Maybe make a goal of earning her Good Citizen Certificate.

Poor girl, we wore her out. She's snoring. lol

Parole-A-Pet training game suggesstions

ColleenC — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:10:12 GMT

I'm the trainer for our local Parole-A-Pet program. The guys are all ususally very interested in class, but I have been losing their attention lately. I think a lot of it has to do with the new warden and some changes that are going on in the prison. I was wanting to make class more fun by having different games to play that reinforce the training. I LOVE the program and the way it helps the guys and the dogs. I want to make it as successful as possible!

If you have any games or other things that you did in training classes that helped keep attention and made it fun, let me know! I need everyone's ideas!

Exciting news! (Pirate)

sl2crmeg — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:47:26 GMT

I was browsing the 'net the other night, looking for a trainer for a friend of BF's girlfriend (uhhh, yeah. LOL) and I found a training club within driving distance to me that looked interesting. They are mostly positive based, big into clickers, etc. They have a basic session starting the last week in April, and since I'm not taking classes this summer, I looked at the price. $160, ouch!

This is where the exciting part comes in! They have a section on their website called 'work study', so I emailed them and they'd love to have me come work in exchange! Lucky us, the class is mid-day Sunday, so I can bring Pirate beforehand and crate him while I help set up and break down some of the other classes, file papers, whatever and not have to pay for the class. WHOO-HOO! I think doing work-study will be a good way to make some friends out there, as well.

PLUS they have a 30 min session right after basic called 'Jump Start' - basically introducing the dog to agility and equipment and seeing if they like it. I'm tempted to put Pirate in and see how he does, just for the heck of it.

I think this is the training center of my dreams. They had NO problemo with me coming out to watch a class or two, were more than happy to take titers, and are THRILLED to have me work instead of pay. Hooray!

Which class to take next?

BlackLabbie — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:18:15 GMT

I'm having trouble figuring out which class to take next with Apollo. Maybe CGC (if I can find any around here)? He did great on beginnner obedience, but that ends next week. I'm so proud of him. But...where do I go from here? I'm not into agility, but I am getting into obedience. I'd also like to dabble in field tests. I'm just not sure what comes after beginner?

My main goal is to get him his CGC certification.

Petsmart's corporate policy on outside training in their stores

Bordercolliemom — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:04:10 GMT

Hello all!

I just thought I would give you all a headup about Petsmart's corporate policy if you have your own trainer and go to the store to do some social training. On Wednesday, we had our two boys along with our trainer to go out to different stores and she could observe their reactions in different social settings. So we started at Petsmart, we were just walking around the store, calm, talking about what is going on in the world, etc. Every now and then we would stop walking and put the dogs into a sit or down. Well the manager came up and asked if we were training, Both DH and I were caught off guard, I said yes, he said no! Oh well, we were not distrubing anyone, he told us to leave! That they had their own training classes, etc! I tried to tell him that we took two different sessions of their classes and what we were doing they did not offer! He then raised his voice to us, so this gets DH upset----oh well we left as he was yeling at us to get out of his store and that this did not help sales in his store (we bought a new harness there on Monday and were also going to get a new collar for our oldest dog). We were stunned! DH wrote to corporate and this am the manager who yelled at us called to apologize to us, oh well once again too late. BUT their policy is NO OUTSIDE DOG TRAINERS are allowed in the store.

After the incident, we went to Lowes and were greeted with open arms!!! Just an FYI, if you ever go to Petsmart with your trainer, you are NOT permitted inside. They just lost our business. I will go to the smaller boutiques that carry my brand to dog food and who really care and appreciate that fact that we are concerned and working to make our dogs and ourselves better for the community!

Iz haz a thief

oranges81 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:15:03 GMT

So Sandy is a food thief extrodinaire! She doesn't counter surf (can't reach) but she does hoover the floors (which I'm working on). My biggest problem is when I'm handing Maze a treat, Sandy will LEAP to get it. She's never succeded with me. I just want to make sure I'm going about it the right way. Never had to deal with this before.

First when I'm handing out the treats, both dogs have to be in a calm sit. Then I'll address each dog (usually Maze first), give a command, then give treat. Now when Sandy lunges from her spot, I'll remove the treat, tell her no and place her back in her spot and return to Maze and give her the treat. Tonight when I was giving out treats, Maze dropped hers and before I could stop it, Sandy had grabbed the cookie. I didn't let her eat it thou. I grabbed her and took back the cookie and place all treats up and walked away, ignoring Sandy.

So am I going about it the right way??

How to teach dog how to approach people and dogs

YellowOx — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:01:45 GMT

Without the aid of "an accomplice", of which I have none, how would I teach my dog how to approach people and other dogs calmly and politely.

Being a young overexcited staffy her current method of approach is to run full sprint right at them, dodge out of the way at the last minute, then go crazy with tail wagging etc and jumping up.

I appreciate I should have got a hold of this earlier but frankly she gets so overexcited she doesnt listen, and I hate it when I see other people yelling and screaming at their dogs which is what i would have to do.

I cant do the thing where you get someone she doesnt know to come round your house etc because I just dont have anyone like that I can ask.

teaching a dog to 'go slow' - seriously (Bugsy)

kpwlee — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:10:48 GMT

I know many of you that have been on here a while know that Bugsy is a very large dog who runs through life. Generally this isn't an issue - funny for onlookers - but not an issue. However when i am doing some training with him it is just insane how he attacks what he is supposed to do, he is like on speed.

A great example is I am teaching him to go up on an exercise ball and walk it along BUT when he knows that is what I want, he runs over to it and gets both feet up and then tries to run, it is flat out dangerous (OK I'm laughing because it is like watching a dog on fast forward)

He knows 'careful' which helps to slow him down on stairs and worked on the ice but doesn't when training a trick

He knows 'gentle' and he knows 'go slow' when we bike (trot) or if changing from a jog to a walk.

So how do I slow the beast down in a 'trick' and what command would you suggest?

Major Brag on SANDY! =D

oranges81 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:14:36 GMT

Last night at OB class Sandy had to wait an hour in her crate for her class to start. I was worried that she'd throw a fit but she layed there quietly (after getting car sick on the way there.. Lol) until it was her turn. Well in her class was 3 JRT's (including her), 2 havanese puppies, and a 4 month old english sheepdog. All the dogs where under a year. After everyone got over the fact of 3 jacks, class got started. We started with Focus, which Sandy has down pat. Andrea (my trainer) asked to use Sandy to show the finished product of a recall. She did fantastic! I kinda thought she wouldn't listen to Andrea since she hasn't seen her in a while but she did. After that we spilt in to two groups, Andrea put the three littermates together. My group started with a tunnel and a go around. Sandy was a pro! She showed her brothers how it's done.

We switched and went to do some LLW, weaves and a down on the table. For the first time since I started training her, I had a competition worthy heel with eye contact completely around the circle three times. Her weaves were great. I didn't need bait last night, she just followed my finger through the weaves. Her down still needs work but meh. I'm not complaining after all she gave me last night! I can't wait for next week to see what happens!!

And Maze has been offered a postion on the agility drill team this year if we can proof her enough. So after she's done the 4 week agility class, we're gonna put her in to OB to proof her.

I'm proud of my girls!!!

Commands & Hand Signals

3girls — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:53:39 GMT

I need an alternate command for "weave".. it sounds too much like "leave"

I also need to figure out a hand signal for "wait" I use a one finger pointed up for my other girls, but Astra confuses that with the finger wiggle for her "wave" command. The trainer wants me to do a hand pointed down wave in her face type thing for wait. Looks like a shaking the hand dry type thing. I don't like it, its too close to what I use for "touch"

Astra is very OCD and things need to be clear and concise for her training.

Suggestions would be much appreciated!!

how to teach shelter dog to walk on leash

spiritsmom — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:58:09 GMT

there is a great dog at the shelter, very pretty, weighs about 60+ pounds. he hasn't been getting adopted. I take him out the other day after seeing another guy try to walk him prior. Before you are out the door, he has the leash in his mouth, and is pulling back for all he's worth. This continues until something gets his interest. The harder you pull, the better he likes it, it's a big game. When he decides to walk on, he does half decent. But if you pet him or get his attention back on you, he's hanging on the leash again. Now unless I can get them to let me bring him home for a couple of days, I may only be able to work with him in big chunks of time at the shelter. I know that is a huge turnoff when someone takes him out for a walk and that is why he stays there. No training collar on him, no chance of letting him run off all his energy first. Unless they let me bring him home to the fenced in yard. ANy suggestions on how to work some magic in a short amount of time with a pent up energy dog? I think under that demeanor is a sweet dog, he just needs some obedience.

Teaching "take it"

kle1986 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:26:48 GMT

I have a question. How do you teach take it and treat the dog? I mean if the dog has something in his mouth how is he supposed to take a treat? I mean if he drops the item to get the treat dont he think he's getting a treat for dropping it?

Success!!(kle1986)

kle1986 — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:22:38 GMT

As some of you all know I have been having a hard time teaching Joker "down." Well as of 5 minutes ago he gave me 5 downs with me saying "down" and no hand command!!! I know it's not a big deal to some of you all but I have never had this much trouble teaching down to any other dog before. So I wanted to share with you all that my little red monster has learned a new command. Oh and we are gonna do conformation and obiedience because he really loves to learn things and catches on so fast.

Training problem

oranges81 — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:43:00 GMT

Maze is very food driven and works great for treats. I've just recently picked up a bait bag for easy access.

My problem is Maze is so focused on getting her reward that she'll follow the bag and end up "heeling" on an angle in front of me to keep an eye on the bag. I usually have it on the opposite hip then the dog is walking on. Now Maze has great focus when she can't see the bag but I can't get treats out of my pockets as fast as I can with the bag..

I can try and put it on the same side as her, but I'm worried she'll help her self. She might not thou.. Hmmm...

Advice??

Talking about Labs ...

Bonita of Bwana — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:41:22 GMT

I have had labs off and on my whole life and I had noticed some one mentioned how wonderful they are, I agree wholeheartly, Since I could not find that OP I thought this would be a good place for this tidbit that came up on our RR breed list, it is about training them for the FBI.

http://www.fbi.gov/multimedia/workingdogs112508/workingdogs112508.htm

Bonita of Bwana