[cece6]

I love dogs, thats why I have 6.Dogs have always loved me, we just seem to understand each other and Ive rarely met a dog that didnt like me.BUT when it comes to training I suck!!!
I dont know what it is that I do wrong.I think Im either too lazy or not consistent enough.Ive never been able to train a dog to walk on a leash without pulling.It doesnt really matter with most my dogs because they are small(under 20 lbs, most under 10) plus we have alot of oppertunity to take them places off leash to get exercise.Huge field across the street and a big lake 5 min. away.
But with Sasha(who is mostly Rott) I need to be able to walk her and have her mind me.The difference between a 10lb italian greyhound or chihuahua thats not minding and a Rott are just too big to deny.
I signed up for those 7 free clicker training emails in the sticky but dont have a clicker so I dont know what I was thinking there.
I need a rather inexpensive video. I NEED to see it being done.I need it spelled out in step by step daily instructions.It always seem like those videos have these super smart, calm dogs that learn the tricks or whatever in just seconds and they dont show those hyper, ADD type dogs.
I admit that when we had our 125 lb rott years ago I always felt I barely had him under control.I did manage to teach him to ignore other dogs when we walked but seriously if he didnt want to move, he didnt move.He often would lay down and flip on his back so he didnt have to go back home(He thought this was funny too and would just roll around on his back not budging).
Anyways any help would be great.I dont want to waste a bunch of money on dvds only to have them collect dust cause they are either too hard to figure out or just dont work.

 

[zimandtakandgrrandmimi]

clicker training is a style of marker training so to speak.

with marker training..you use a signal...one that you have conditioned the dog to understand means "Well done Good Job That's RIGHT!"...to 'mark' the behaviors you want the dog to continue and to signal that a reward is coming.


You don't NEED a clicker to marker train(though the consistency of the sound helps)

pick a word. "Yes" works.

get a big bag of stinky treats cut into itty bitty pieces.

get your dog in front of you in a quiet, low distraction place.

say yes. immediately hand dog a treat.

say yes. immediately hand dog a treat.

repeat like 50 or so times one right after the other.

the dog notices the repitition..everytime you make that particular sound...something good happens.


do it again. this time vary the treats with scratches and praise.

yes. treat
yes. treat.
yes. butt rub
yes. treat.

dog thinks "cool everytime human makes that noise, good things come to me"


then with the dog standing. take a treat and hold it over his head so he can see. move your hand back so he has to keep looking back farther and farther. eventually this will make him drop his bum to the floor. the INSTANT his bum begins to hit the floor, say "yes" and give him the treat.

there you have just charged a marker and lured a sit.


the rule of thumb..

mark the action, reward the result..which means...as he is in the middle of performing the action say "yes"...because that is an action you want him to do..once he is in the sitting position...he has completed your request and earned his goodie.


that's a start. any questions?

 

[Jr. Dog Expert]

How many books have you read on how to train dogs? If not many, I would start there. If you need to see videos you can find many of them all over the internet just do a little searching and don't give up after the first 30 seconds.

Once you understand how your dogs work, you really don't need step by step instructions because you know what WORKS. Of course you will need to be more consistent and confident!

 

[rosemaryninja]

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but are there any obedience classes near you?

 

[GottaLuvMutts]

I like this website: http://www.clickertraining.com/basics
Clickers cost about $1 at any pet store.

 

[cece6]

Living out in a rural area is very hard.Many people take it for granted that there are petstores nearby or cool stores like a Walmart...Nope nothing here..No obedience classes and the only petstore is a mom and pop that is almost a 2hr round trip.They dont have clickers I already called them.Since I have the 7 free lessons on my email I just have to order a clicker.I really think that will work for me.
She can sit very well but that always seems the easiest trick for any dog to learn.She jumps on the couch constantly, and is still biting/mouthing me.She even bit me today when I went to take a piece of paper stuck to a bone she was chewing on, this really shocked me as it hurt.Ive NEVER had a dog do that to me.Im kinda freaked out now.

 

[pamperedpups]

I suggest you order a few iclickers from clickertraining.com as they are quieter (some dogs are put off by loud clicks) and easier to work with than the box type clickers. Having a few clickers around and treats stored in various locations all around your home, in your car, etc. will help ensure you have those training supplies on hand when needed. Definitely read everything at www.clickertraining.com, do the free lessons you signed up for and also order a few books:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Training by Pamela Dennison

The Power of Positive Training by Pat Miller

Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson

Don't Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor

http://www.clickersolutions.com and http://www.dogstardaily.com are also good internet resources.

Mine! by Jean Donaldson would also be an excellent resource for the latest problem you described of your dog biting you when you took something from her (resource guarding). Next time, I suggest trading something of higher value for whatever your dog has. Know that it's important to practice trading up for things BEFORE it comes to her having something of really high value that may be hard to trade up for. When possible, trade and also give what the dog had back to further reinforce how wonderful trading with you can be.

 

[rosemaryninja]

I would definitely order the books pamperedpups listed -- the second and fourth are particularly good -- and read them thoroughly. http://www.dogwise.com is a good place to get affordable training books, or you can order them secondhand off Amazon.

 

[cece6]

Well I just ordered the iclicker.I think I need to do this right so I dont screw it up.I could use the word Yes but Im hoping to get my kids involved as well and it would be nice if everyone is on the same page...Im going to start with the 7 free lessons, then I will go from there.Probably order one of your suggested books.
I would prefer a DVD to a book so my kids could watch it with me too.

 

[pamperedpups]

http://shop.perfectpawsproductions.com/product.sc?productId=7

Here's a short clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US--_X5aQ9E

It's by Jean Donaldson. I haven't seen it, but I have read her book "Culture Clash." She is an excellent trainer.