[MARLHILL JACK]

Hi
I have a 14 week old Brittany dog that doesnt really show any interest/enthusiasm during his short training sessions.These are done while the rest of the family are absent so as not to distract him.After a couple of succesful commands and treats he loses interest and i feel i really have show him the treats before hell respond.Hes very enthusiastic during playtime although i am trying to calm the biting down which is working.
This is the first time I have trained a dog(using the clicker) .He is almost house trained which is great.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Thanks Tony......

 

[Teachadog]

find what motivates him, tug toy, ball, a really excited scratch, whatever. Doesn't have to be treats and don't always use them, make sure your alternating motivators. What are you teaching, basic manners, commands or tricks? For things like impluse control just use things like doorways, food bowls and have him sit quietly. If he can't sit quietly he can't go through door way/can't have his food. He needs to learn some patience which will help with the training sessions. (not in a bad way, same with people, we lose focus very easily!) With the clicker make sure you're quick enough. You have about 3 seconds to click, the sooner the better. A lot of people fumble with the clicker and it gets harder for them so they get confused/frazzled which translates down the leash. Just a thought, sometimes we do this unknowingly.

As for getting him motivated, once again figure out what his favorite thing is, and play during training sessions. Like "tug tug tug, 'watch me', great eye contact!! throw ball, get ball back, tug 'sit', good boy!" etc. Just like kids if its not a "training session" but fun and games they will become more motivated and so will you


Which is why I do musical sit, hide and seek and red light green light with the doggies in class Keeps me and the pet parents from going crazy haha

 

[TooneyDogs]

At this age, playtraining can be much more effective than the straighforward, formal approach. Lots of games/play after a sit or a down. Intersperse with treats, praise, petting. Use every trick in the book...run away...play chase....suddenly halt and ask for sit then, start again....throw a treat across the floor, let him pounce on it/eat it and then ask for a down.

 

[MARLHILL JACK]

At the moment im just doing basic .sit,stay,down,come,fetch .i will now break these sessions up now with playtime and then back to training and see if he responds better.
Its all good learning for me too but they can sleep forever

 

[Curbside Prophet]

An example:

 

[MARLHILL JACK]

Yes I see what you mean now .Thank you for the clip .Really helpful .I will definately introduce this method tomorrow and keep you informed on his progress.
Tony...

 

[MARLHILL JACK]

Thanks for the advice guys.Todays trainig sessions were totally different.first session he was more interested in doing the commands rather than play training but the second session his response was great.He obeyed each command instantly and an added bonus was i taught him to drop his play toy and leave.Very happy to say the least.Once again thanks
Tony...