basic training...??

**coco-bean** · 08-30-2006, 12:27 PM

Coco doesnt seem to want to learn anything from me, i dont understand?!?! she knows sit very well and lay down...only after she gets told NUMBEROUS times and finally i have to raise my voice in anger at her! or if her dad(my boyfriend) tells her too, and even then she has to be told more than once! She's known lay down for almost as long as she's know sit, which is about 2 and a half months! But i want her to learn more, she absolutely refuses, and i try to train with treats...and she just wants the treat...i try and reward with happy talking and lots of head pats and belly rubs, still nothing, i try and reward with the tennis ball...she'd rather just have the tennis ball! what do i do? help!!!

P.S. oh and everytime i call her to come in or to come to me in general and she doesnt want to, she just stands there looking at me like im an idiot and so i call her each time getting a little more aggitated because she isnt listening when finally i say "coco come here, NOW" then she trots over like everything is just peachy and like i was calling her for an hour! I just dont get it!!

**catnapper** · 08-30-2006, 12:44 PM

Say sit ONCE. Expect one action from one command. She probably thinks sit sit sit sit sit is her command. NEVER say sit or any other command in anger or with raised voice.

Come should always be a game and get lots of good rewards. A lot of people "ruin" the come command by making their dog come then doing things the dog sees as punishment (like being taken inside when they were nejoying playing outside, or giving medicine, etc.)

Get her to a training class. Its not for her, but YOU. You sound like you need a lot of guidance and a trainer will help you tremendously. Well worth the money and time a hundred times over.

**coco-bean** · 08-30-2006, 12:56 PM

Im not saying the command in punishment, im saying it to her happily to get her to enjoy this command! I reward her but she seems to not put two and two together! I say the command once, and after she does not come and repeat it, still nothing....again...nothing! She is amazing with the sit command but when it comes to the other commands, she'd rather skip right to the reward! I think a trainer would help alot but when i know she knows these commands and she knows they end in happiness with lots of love and rewards she still refuses! After repeating myself over and over with still nothing that is when i get angry, as would just about anybody else after waiting for about 20 minutes with still no response! I just dont get it!

**catnapper** · 08-30-2006, 01:08 PM

Yes, SHE knows the commands, but you need to learn how to effectively give them, and WHEN to effectively give them. I'm a trainer, and I see this all the time.

I am pretty bad about typing answers to common problems like this one, because finding out what you're doing wrong requires face to face dialog. Its even best to see how you interact with your puppy. Thats where a trainer helps you, because you are doing something wrong, you just aren't aware of it... and what you're doing wrong isn't earthshattering or even "wrong" its just not getting through to the puppy. A trainer would point it out in one second -- is it your voice tone? Your body language? Your timing? A trainer right there with you will figure it out in five minutes. Its all things I can't do over the internet.

**coco-bean** · 08-30-2006, 01:10 PM

i see what you mean! thanks!

**sanford8916** · 08-30-2006, 01:10 PM

When Lou Lou was in puppy class the trainer said to keep them on a leash when using the come command, that way you can reel them in to get them to understand the command. I am thinking of signing Lou Lou up for the class above the last one to keep us both on track. It takes alot of patience and practice to get it right, you also might want to make sure you work with Coco away from the new puppy so you have her attention! Good luck, she will get there!

**coco-bean** · 08-30-2006, 01:31 PM

So i just took some of ur advice, i put the little guy in his kennel...he was naping anyways so he didnt mind...and grabbed a ball along with a couple treats and headed outside! Even though coco is a Pro and fetch i called her when she was on her way back and after she dropped the ball into my hand i gave her a treat and did that a few times and on the way back in all i had to do was say com'on coco and she followed right behind me and i gave her a treat when we got inside!

Normally she'd just get a treat when she got inside but i think a few treats outside helped alot too! thanks a ton!!!

**MajesticCollies** · 08-30-2006, 04:50 PM

Just a point to add. When training always train your dog on a leash. That way the dog knows who is in control at that moment. Even if it is the simple sit, down, stay or recall, always use a leash. And of course lots of treats.lol