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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on July 13, 2011 at 12:49pm

Seanna was horrible when she hit 9 months.  She wouldn't listen at all.  I would act just like she's a puppy, and start with all the basics.  If she doesn't listen in the house, then yup, I'd go back on the leash.  I never had much success with the NILF program until she was much older--I used the alpha dog method until then.  Wish I could put my teenager on a leash...does the program work for them?

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Permalink Reply by Baxter on July 13, 2011 at 2:03pm

If only teenagers could be trained like corgis.  Haha.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on July 13, 2011 at 1:14pm

Adolescence.  Spend time on this now.  It will pay off.

You're really training yourself.  You have to be organized, decide what behaviors you want, and insist upon them.  Top-down leadership.  Make a list.  Keep it simple.  Always use the same command and release word (one of my mistakes).  Always remember to release the dog from a sit, stay, whatever, else the dog learns it has to obey only until your attention wanders (another one of my mistakes).  Be very, very consistent.  Always use exactly the same command and release word.  Make sure everybody in the family is with the program.

I think making a list and keeping a log is a good idea.  It forces you to think about what you're doing.

If I'm not in control of my own program, the dog isn't going to do any better.

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Permalink Reply by Baxter on July 13, 2011 at 1:46pm

Thanks for the suggestion John.  Would you recommend a reward method such as verbal praises, occasional treats, or a combination of both?

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Permalink Reply by Jane on July 13, 2011 at 1:32pm

Has he been through any obedience classes? That's where I would start if he hasn't. Nothing in Life is Free was also a lifesaver for me when Henry was younger. He learned he had to do something for me before he would get what he wanted. Going outside, make him sit. Meal time, make him sit and wait until YOU say okay. If he asks you to throw a toy or tug, make him do a down first. When going through doors I make him wait politely without pulling. Etc.

 

I wouldn't crate him all the time, but I wouldn't even do that with a puppy. The crate should only be for when you can't watch him or you're gone IMO. I've never used a leash inside for training, but if he does things like run away when you call him it might be helpful. I'd do multiple short training sessions a day with really good treats like chicken or cheese, 5 minutes is plenty of time. End on a happy note, before he gets frustrated of repeating the same thing over and over.

 

Luke used to pull like crazy on the leash, I tried the standing still method, turning around and walking the other way, you name it nothing seemed to work. Now what I do is I have a treat pouch I can clip on my pocket which is full of good treats. When we go for a walk, occasionally I will say his name or "watch" (look at me) and when he's walking at my side I give him the treat. If he continues to walk at my side, more yummy treats. He will now offer this behavior to me pretty frequently on our walk without me having to say anything. He does still tug sometimes but he is loads better than he used to be.

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Permalink Reply by Baxter on July 13, 2011 at 1:55pm

Hi Jane!  He hasn't been to a formal obedience class.  My parents had taken their chocolate lab, Milo, to Petsmart classes and have passed along what they learned.  Baxter knows the same commands that Milo currently does.  Initially, I had considered enrolling him for the added benefit of socialization but have changed my mind since due to classes only having very low turnouts.  

 

You have really great suggestions!  Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Jane on July 13, 2011 at 6:05pm

Honestly the training is more for you than the dog, and I would still absolutely recommend taking a class. By the time Henry took puppy class I had already taught him sit, down, high five, shake, roll over, etc., but I would have been totally lost without the other knowledge the trainer provided. There's a lot more to a good obedience class than just teaching basic commands.

 

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with a small class size, you'll get more personal attention that way.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on July 13, 2011 at 3:07pm

Hi!   My opinion might be in the minority, BUT I think you want to seriously dial back your expectations.  Baxter is still a puppy.  If he's only listening half the time, the issue is not his obedience.  It's that you are asking too much of him at too young an age.  For puppies (even adolescent puppies) MOST training should still be a game.   You should ask him to do what he knows to do when he's very likely to comply.  So, for instance, you would not call him when he's standing across the room busy investigating something.   You would not ask him to sit when he's not already focused on you.

 

When you get ready to practice training, does your pup run up to you, excited and grinning?  When you call him across a big field, does he run full speed and almost crash into you, tongue lolling and eyes shining?   When you say his name does he prick his ears at you and smile?  If not, then you have not made training nearly fun enough.

Until a pup is around one year to 18 months, distraction training (training when the dog has something else he'd rather be doing) should be done very minimally.  You should be reinforcing good manners and keeping training fun.  So play the recall game, ask for sits and downs when he's inside and you have his full attention.  Give him a big praise party with claps and smiles and races to the treat jars when he complies.   At this age if he's 100% in understanding "no teeth on me" and 90% on potty training;  if he knows "sit", "down" "come" and his name and does them perfectly in a quiet room with nothing else to do, then you are doing well.  

 

When he's about three or six months older, gradually start asking these things ONCE when he's inside and distracted and you can already reach him if he doesn't listen. If he ignores you, tap him or say his name or gently tug the leash and repeat your request and praise like crazy. 

 

I think that puppy classes and all the dog shows on tv are a great thing but I think the downside is that many puppy owners have expectations that are way too high.  Til mine was about a year and a half he thought training was just a game and the bestest game ever. 

 

As far as loose-leash walking, if you want specific advice just ask and I'll be happy to give it.  Your pup is not disobedient.  He's just a puppy.  And ditto-plus for the six-month-old Zero.  :-)

 

When I am doing training with my two, they jostle each other excitedly trying to get the "best" position right in front of me, eyes on me the whole time, tongues out and eyes glistening and ears pitched straight at me.  THAT is the reaction you should be shooting for, and you don't get that by being "alpha".  You get that by being the bringer of all good things, by being the most fun thing in the room each and every time.

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