[pd1168]

We rescued a 4 month old Lab mix puppy last week. It's our 3rd dog the others weren't trained) and I want Cooper to be obedient: sit, stay, come, leash walking, leave it (don't eat everything on the ground he finds) , don't jump up on the couch, kids etc.
Are there any good books out there anyone can recommend that go over these commands or should I just take Coopper to obedience classes. I work odd hours and the classes I found aren't compatable with my schedule.

[opokki]

I think it would be much more beneficial to take him to classes. If this is not possible, here are a few book suggestions:

How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar
Beginning Family Dog Training by Patricia McConnell
The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
Outwitting Dogs by Terry Ryan
Parenting Your Dog by Trish King
How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Sophia Yin
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson

I also have one video suggestion (its easier when you can observe someone esle doing things):
Train Your Dog by Nicole Wilde

Here are some free dog training video clips by Sophia Yin:
http://nerdbook.com/sophia/movies.html

[OwnedBySix]

"The Other End of the Leash" is a MUST for ANY dog owner!!!!

[eley]

I've heard grest things about:

Schutzhund Obedience: Training in Drive by Sheila booth

it's not just a ScH book, it can be applied to any dog as far as obedience goes, I just ordered it.

[Kuvaszier]

Originally Posted by eley

I've heard grest things about:

Schutzhund Obedience: Training in Drive by Sheila booth

it's not just a ScH book, it can be applied to any dog as far as obedience goes, I just ordered it.

Schutzhund training is out of date. It uses too much positive punishment and results in reactive, poorly-socialized dogs. Yes, it looks great when your dog functions like a machine, but unless all you care about is response time, and do not care about neruo-psychological health of your pet, try a more up-to-date book.

If you want more back up on that, no problem.

Try: Monks of New Skete and Ian Dunbar to start.

[Cheetah]

Did the Monks of New Skete update their methods? Because last I heard, they were outdated and even they themselves admitted so. >O.o< If they have, then I'm curious.

[Curbside Prophet]

I believe you are referring to the Monks and the Alpha Roll. The Monks were one of the first to introduce the idea of Alpha Rolling a dog as a correction for serious problems. They first introduced this idea back in 1976, but quickly saw the technique was being misused by trainers, and now they regret introducing the idea. As a result I've read articles from ultra +R trainers who have openly criticized the Monks for their training techniques...but this was also done in conjunction with promoting their own training methods. A typical mud slinging tactic I guess, to sell their own product. But everything that I have read on the Monks training has been useful.

[luv4gsds]

Schutzhund Obedience: Training in Drive by Sheila booth

Is a good book. They are still police departments that still use the alpha roll.

I for one have two dogs (soon to be three) that are being trained in schutzhund.

opokki has posted some great books.

[eley]

"Schutzhund training is out of date. It uses too much positive punishment and results in reactive, poorly-socialized dogs"

I'm sorry, do you even know what Schutzhund is? It seems to me like you're under the impression that Schutzhund is a method when it really is a sport.
Your statement is equivalent of saying that Agility training creates out of control dogs.

The book I mentioned focuses on purely motivational training, and uses little if any compulsion at all. Actually Shelia Booth is also the author of "Purely Possitive Training" which as in opposed to the monks of new skete, DOES NOT advocate the use of +P. By the way, aren't the monks the ones that suggest grabbing your dog from the scruff and shaking him/her into submission? how's that for excessive use of possitive punishment.

[pd1168]

What is "Schutzlund training" ? I am trying the positive reenforcement training (that's all that's offered nowadays) but lately my dog won't do half of the commands unless there's food rewards involved. At first his kibbles were enough but now he's wanting better rewards(hot dogs , cheese, etc) This is especially true when recalling in my own yard; if he see's I'm not holding a treat he won't even pay attention. Daily walks were especially hard with his pulling; I'd stop and he'd pull till he chokes ( w/ a plain collar), I've gone back to my other dog's prong collar. By the time he's a year old he probably won't do anything unless I'm dangling a steak in front of him. I'm pretty much looking for something quicker.

[opokki]

Originally Posted by pd1168

What is "Schutzlund training" ? I am trying the positive reenforcement training (that's all that's offered nowadays) but lately my dog won't do half of the commands unless there's food rewards involved. At first his kibbles were enough but now he's wanting better rewards(hot dogs , cheese, etc) This is especially true when recalling in my own yard; if he see's I'm not holding a treat he won't even pay attention. Daily walks were especially hard with his pulling; I'd stop and he'd pull till he chokes ( w/ a plain collar), I've gone back to my other dog's prong collar. By the time he's a year old he probably won't do anything unless I'm dangling a steak in front of him. I'm pretty much looking for something quicker.

When using treats try not to make them so obvious to the dog. Keep them hidden in your back pocket, on the counter, fridge, shelves...in a variety of places where they won't be so obvious but where you can easily access them when you need to. Treats should be used to reward rather than to solicit behavior and should not be shown or offered until after the dog complies. Once the dog understand the cue and is complying upon request you can start giving the treats sometimes rather than everytime.

It's important to vary your rewards. Besides food, what other things can you think of that might motivate your dog? I prefer to use treats in combination with many other rewards. This gets me speedy, reliable behavior. Rewards for my dogs include affection & praise, access to the yard, couch, bed, car, off-leash time, walks, play, ect. They never know what they will get but they have learned that complying gets them things that they desire so they are quick to comply even without enticement.

For the pulling on leash you might find a front clip harness helpful as an aid while you're in the process of loose leash training.

[Swissmiss]

Patricia McConnell has a series of great training books for positive training. I would also suggest that you google NILIF and implement these technique's - NILIF will help show your dog who the leader is with an easy way of life practice. If you can enroll in obdience classes it will help you socialize your dog. Many dog issue arise due to lack of socialization and non-leadership. I commend you wanting to learn how to train your dog. Reserach and read many books and then customize your training for you and your dog.

[Alpha]

Swissmiss- You are soo right! I had no idea before I went to dog school, and began frequenting dog boards, what exactly being a good leader meant.

And how important that you are the leader, and implement that into everyday life. NILIF is a great way to do it!

NO physical. A true leader does not have to use force. A true leader uses body language, tone (disgust, happy, mad), and what was SOO important to me was: A true leader does not get overexcited about anything! They don't have temper tantrums, they don't jump up and down in excitement. Kind of like, suave, cool, always laid back. Calm and confident!

[Swissmiss]

Here's a link that may help you understand why benevlant leadership is so important to a puppy and as a dog. Good luck, enroll in a class if possible and seriously look up Nothing in life is free (NILIF) and use the techniques. They are simple to implement into your daily routine.

http://www.bcrescuetexas.org/Trainin...20Training.pdf

[Vosil5]

Originally Posted by pd1168

We rescued a 4 month old Lab mix puppy last week. It's our 3rd dog the others weren't trained) and I want Cooper to be obedient: sit, stay, come, leash walking, leave it (don't eat everything on the ground he finds) , don't jump up on the couch, kids etc.
Are there any good books out there anyone can recommend that go over these commands or should I just take Coopper to obedience classes. I work odd hours and the classes I found aren't compatable with my schedule.

I'm a fan of Ceasar Milan,but he' a dog psychologist.

**Edited to remove ad. Advertising personal websites for profit is not allowed.** ~Cheetah~

[gritney]

The best book on dog training I have seen is called the Dog Man, by Martin McKenna. Written by an Irish bloke who was living on the streets with a stray dog pack at the age of ten. It is a very easy and entertaining read. The whole focus of his approach is understanding how the dog interprets situations it may find itself in. Once you do understand that it is a simple thing to send an appropriate message to the dog.

Published in Australia but here's a link to it on Amazon.

Amazon.com: The Dog Man : An Expert Explains Dog Sense: Books: Martin Mckenna

[kelkat]

We have two labs that we started training recently. We don't give any food treats until the end of the training session. We give lots of praise and petting reinforcement, though. Both of our labs seem to thrive on the praise. Then at the end of the session we give them four treats while heaping more petting and praise. They really seem to be responding.

[sheltieluver]

Originally Posted by OwnedBySix

"The Other End of the Leash" is a MUST for ANY dog owner!!!!

I agree....just finished reading. Loved it.

[mcate]

I have Pamela Dennison's book but sometimes it's a bit confusing. Tossing a cookie while he is on a long leash (to get him to run after me) will so NOT work, particularly in the grass! Also, I can't allow my 5 month old puppy to jump on a visitor & have that visitor simply ignore him until he sits.

It's fun to read & there have been so good tips. She avoids talking too much about what to do about aggression (just lists the "symptoms") besides "contact a trainer."

[Carissa]

these are 2 books we used for our pitbull and wolf hybrid (very stuborn breeds) and it work.

Dog Training by Dorman Pantfoeder

The Guied to Beginning Obedience by Nikki Moustaki