Training question for my sister about treats and 2 pups

Cobalt · 08-27-2007, 11:17 PM

My sister has a male and female, maltese/poodle mix puppies. They are 8 weeks old.

She gives a treat and praise when a puppy goes on the pee pad but the other pup runs up and expects a treat too. I told her I would ask you if she should give them both treats or not.

My sister makes this high pitch sound and says "treat" when they hit the pad. It sounds like a dolphin, I swear.

Anyway, she's driving me bonkers! Thanks

FilleBelle · 08-28-2007, 12:22 AM

I have to confess that I'm just guessing on this one, so I will be as interested as you to see the responses you get.

Having said that, I would vote "no" on giving both puppies a treat when one puppy has used the pee pad. The treats are for successful going-to-the-potty, not for just showing up.

Of course, your sister could ask the non-peeing puppy to do something for her that would warrant a treat. Then everybody is happy!

TooneyDogs · 08-28-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

Anyway, she's driving me bonkers! Thanks

Who? The 2nd puppy or your sister?... LOL. We can't offer any help for the latter but, for the puppies......all the dogs will come when a treat is out. That's a good thing! They both have to earn it however. The 2nd one can do a sit. Your sister can also use this pack behavior for training both of them at the same time in other basic commands like sit, down and come. Hold 'contests' between the two dogs. Whoever sits 1st gets a treat. Whoever came in 2nd will almost always try harder the next time. For this to really work, the two dogs need to be about the same size. A sit contest with a Great Dane and a Yorkie would not be fair. The Great Dane would probably lose everytime but, you can/should reward any increase in effort to sit quicker.

Cobalt · 08-28-2007, 11:02 AM

Great idea, I'll tell her. They are litter mates, I don't think the girl is 2# and the boy is maybe 4#.

My sister drives me bonkers! You know the people who ask advice and then never take it? Or ask you and then take the advice of someone who they know that has no idea of the subject? She calls me all day long with questions.

I am being nice and NOT telling her about this site, it's my little gift to you all!

Shalva · 08-28-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

Great idea, I'll tell her. They are litter mates, I don't think the girl is 2# and the boy is maybe 4#.

My sister drives me bonkers! You know the people who ask advice and then never take it? Or ask you and then take the advice of someone who they know that has no idea of the subject? She calls me all day long with questions.

I am being nice and NOT telling her about this site, it's my little gift to you all!

thank you lolol
I would give a treat to the first puppy and make second puppy do soemthing to earn his treat..... sit, down, touch, whatever.... but make him do something.