Help with training a dog

**GoldenRetrieverLover_01** · 07-28-2005, 10:03 AM

Does she like food? I have a Golden and he just loves food! I went to puppy training classes with him when he was little and this is what they taught me. Use the clicker (like others have said) and also treats. You click when he does the right thing. Also lots of praise- treats, just saying "good boy/girl" in a kind, excited voice and petting. You can also use hand signals along with words. For example raise your hand upwards as you say sit. Also with the treats, you start big then give smaller portions and gradually don't use any- just other forms of praise. Good luck with that and keep me updated!

**GoldenRetrieverLover_01** · 07-28-2005, 10:06 AM

Hmm...I have a neighbour with a boston terrier- very, very hyper! Sounds like the same issue as you have with the dog.

She was going to take her dog to obiedience and agility training- or flyball. It gets a lot of their energy out- so I heard. You could try that...

**jesse_3** · 07-28-2005, 09:42 PM

Okay, the first day of training...UGHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I took her on a LONG walk, and she did better than I thought, until she saw another dog. This dog is friendly, while Alex tries to rip up eveything in her way! I am glad that I had two leashes and my cousin! We tied Alex and Katie stayed with her while I put the dog on the other leash and found her house. First bad part if the lessons.
Then, we took her to a park, and, well, she can get out of her collar. She likes to play with little kids by pinning them, and there were 3 and 4 year olds there. They saw us trying to get Alex, and layed down calling her! I stayed close to them while Andy (her owner) and Katie tried to catch her. I sat down and she bouded up to me. I told her "Godd girl!" and pet her while Katie and Andy got her collar back on.

Now for the good part. She knows sit all ready! One session and she learned it! YAY!!!! She is very intelligent, as I have said before

Hmm...I have a neighbour with a boston terrier- very, very hyper! Sounds like the same issue as you have with the dog. She was going to take her dog to obiedience and agility training- or flyball. It gets a lot of their energy out- so I heard. You could try that...

My aunt all ready tried many obediance courses. One told her to leave

and one was mean and yeld at Alex! The rest only lasted three days...No luck there. She also doesn't like dogs and probably fely a little threatened and nervous.
For agility training, that would be fun for both of us!-but, of course, we don't have one in our town!

Does she like food?

Nope

I have tried that in her kennel...Doesn't affect her at all. But, I have found an old sock that is hers, and we play tug-of-war with that! We do that in between 1 minute training sessions...

Your Aunt and Alex are very lucky to have you help them out with training.
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you and that you are well prepared a fun filled training session.

Thank you! That gives me A LOT more encouragement

I am having TONS of fun too, for the most part

I have one question, how do you get her to drop her ball, I can't figure it out, she tries to play tug-of-war with that too!

Thanks everyone!-Steph and Jes

lol, sorry this was so long

**ginagt** · 07-29-2005, 12:55 AM

I logged on tonight to see how your session went, sounds like you had a good time and made some progress.

First off I would strongly recommend you get some sort of collar/harness that Alex cannot get out of. My golden retriever who is normally a good girl got out of her collar one time and lunged toward another dog. I didn't want that to happen ever again so I bought her a martaindale colllar. It has a regular collar in the front put a chain in the back, it is not a choke chain and never chokes the dog. What it does it tighten so the dog cannot pull out of the collar. If the dog pulls it tightens but only to a certain point. I high recommend it. The picture here is not very good but I wanted to show you what I was talking about so you know what to look for should you choose to get one.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1122614747891

I have never met a dog who didn't like food, the key is you need better treats. People food works the best, I use turkey hot dogs, some people use string cheese, boiled chicken you need something that Alex will go crazy for and do anything for. Keep trying different things until you find the best treat ever!!!!
Once you find this treat then you can teach her to GIVE the ball. To teach her to Give you the ball, you have to offer her the treat and save give. When she gives you(my Golden drops it on the ground so I can pick it up with the chuck it) the ball give her the treat and give her the ball right back and do it again. When she gets it and starts giving the ball up then randomly give it back sometimes throw it for her. Continue to give her a treat so giving it to you. Think of it as a trade for the ball, if she won't give it to you then hold the treat in front of her nose and say give again. It's important to remember dogs don't english so just by saying give she doesn't have clue what you want. You could say smile and get the same result. You are teaching her what Give means.

I might also suggest you do your training at Alex's house, the park has to many distractions.
Sorry this is so long. Keep up the good work. This dog really needs you.
Gina

**jesse_3** · 07-29-2005, 10:35 AM

Okay, I know what is wrong, I was using Checkers (her pal dog, 13 yrs. old) treats! I will try some meat, I know that my aunt has some

I do train her at her house, besides the walks...I wanted to see how she reacts towards people at the park, so she had a little field trip...I was sort of training her there, but not sit, manners. Too fast I'm guessing?

I have seen those collars before!-I can try to buy one for my aunt (she is in a little money problem, spare all the money that she can)-I don't mind really, this dog will almost be half mine

Thank you SO much Gina, your a real big help

-Everyone is!
Steph and Jes

-Do not worry how long your post is

I need all the help that I can get, I am thinking that this is going to take a LONG time!

**jesse_3** · 07-29-2005, 10:40 AM

lol, I forgot to mention this, I have a collar that I can use. The problem with hers is that she pulls too hard, and the collar loosens. I have a collar that doesn't clip/buckle together. Here is a website for one: http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1122651477259
lol, long website!!

**ginagt** · 07-29-2005, 11:18 AM

Loosening of the collar happens with most adjustable collars that is why the Martingale collar is such a good one. It won't let the dogs heads out. It tightens and doesn't loosen up until the dog stops pulling. It also helps with walking as the dog learns to pull less. Jasmine my boyfriends 9 year old Golden used to pull like crazy but with the Martindale collar you can actually have an enjoyable walk. I only use the Martindale collar for walking, I actually have her regular collar and martindale collar on when we walk and can switch back and fourth when need.

What is also going to be important is that everyone in the household follow the same set of "rules" you are making. Like Alex sits before she gets her dinner. etc.

I'm glad I could be of help. Keep up the great work.
Gina

**barncat** · 07-29-2005, 11:24 AM

One of my dogs can slip any collar I tried... my vet recommended using two collars, one in front of the other and putting the leash on the rear collar. It worked, probably not as well as the specially made collars, but it is quick and cheap as a temporary solution.

**jesse_3** · 07-29-2005, 05:01 PM

Okay Gina! When I go to Grand Forks, where I can buy some supplies, I will look at that collar!-It doesn't look like Alex can slip out of that one!

barncat, wow! Was your dog a Houdinie(sp?) Any collar! That is interesting! If she slips out of this collar, I will try using two collars!

Steph and Jes

**barncat** · 07-29-2005, 07:57 PM

lol... She seemed like it. She once slipped her slip chain while walking by backing up and shaking her head! She's a border collie and something cross... I am her fourth owner (I got her when she was only a year.) She was a handful, but now (4 years later) she is a very good dog. She also has a rather small head compared to her neck which no doubt helped in the slipping department.

**jesse_3** · 07-29-2005, 08:51 PM

She's lucky that you came along! Poor pup, 4 homes

Did you ever consider a harness for her? I have one for Jesse (it is too small for Alex) She has figured out how to slip out of that! I don't know how she does it yet either, she can also slip out of an adjustable collar too, I now watch her carefully

Steph and Jes

ps. I miss Alex, I won't see her until next week

**bckrazy** · 07-29-2005, 10:24 PM

hm.. All I will say, is definitely wait to take her to the park or basically anywhere with distractions for now. She needs to have solid recall, sits, downs, stays, heeling, and everything in a familiar environment before you move on to training her in public places. Start by training her inside of her house or in the yard, using a LOT of tiny hot dog bits and praise.

It must be really annoying that they're asking you to train their "out-of-control" dog, and they wont even buy a new gate for her -.- ... that would annoy me, at least. Tell them they need to secure their backyard if they want to improve their dogs behavior. She sounds like an under-stimulated and under-exercised puppy. Puppies her age and breed usually need 1-3 hours of good exercise every day! That's probably a big part of why she's bolting out the door and out of the yard. Try playing ball, tug, frisbee, or run around with her for 1 hour before training. Let her rest for a while, then start training. You should have your Aunt sit outside and watch you train her, at least.

Also... halti's could possibly help with walking for now. You can order them, chokes, and prong collars on-line. A fine choke chain that fits her (it should fit her neck with only a few inches of extra chain) could help with training. Adjust it so its always around the top of her neck, where it meets her head. Don't pull on the choke constantly! Only pop it once to correct her when she pulls or ignores you. Martingales also work really well.

Good luck!! It sounds like you have a really tough job ahead of you... it'd help a lot if your Aunt called a behaviorist for professional advice or you looked for better Obedience classes.

**jesse_3** · 07-30-2005, 11:40 PM

hm.. All I will say, is definitely wait to take her to the park or basically anywhere with distractions for now. She needs to have solid recall, sits, downs, stays, heeling, and everything in a familiar environment before you move on to training her in public places. Start by training her inside of her house or in the yard, using a LOT of tiny hot dog bits and praise.

That is what I was sort of thinking after the park incident....I will keep her walking around her house (more like three blocks away) and in her backyard for training....

It must be really annoying that they're asking you to train their "out-of-control" dog

Actually, I volunteered!!!

They love their dog very much, and are hsving a bit of money problems, to fix the fence would be a lot of money, they will be getting a new one. They do have a tie out for her, and I found out that my aunt was opening the kennel the wrong way. She was opening it towards her instead of away from her. I corrected her, and she now does it that way. So, that has illiminated one problem.

I will talk to my aunt and see if at all possible I could come over evey other night just to walk and train for a few minutes, I have to ask my parents too though. Do you think that would help?

Steph and Jes

**ginagt** · 07-31-2005, 02:04 AM

I will talk to my aunt and see if at all possible I could come over evey other night just to walk and train for a few minutes, I have to ask my parents too though. Do you think that would help?

Yes!!! That would help. Every little bit helps. Is you Aunt willing to continue the training when you are around? One thing that will help a lot with control is making Alex sit for each meal. Is that something your Aunt would be willing to do?

I think you are doing a great thing and are being a wonderful niece and person!!

**jesse_3** · 07-31-2005, 09:29 PM

Okay! I will speak to both my parents and aunt to see if at all possible!

I will tell my aunt to do that. Making her sit before every meal, that would help a lot. I am guessing, but, with Alex's personality, I wouldn't be surprised if she pawed or jumped on them while being fed...Thanks, I hadn't really thought of that before...

Try to wear the dog out by tossing a ball for a while, but first attach a long line to the dog so she can't run away. If you can't afford a "real" long line, nylon rope/ cord would work just as well. That way the dog can't get away, but will get exercise. The long line is great also for teaching a recall.

I will try that! It sounds like a great idea!-sorry that I didn't post that till now! I will try that though!

Steph and Jes