Quote:
Originally Posted by roseylovestosho
(Post 3360816)
I completely agree. Even though I've never had a puppy before- when it came to doing the "homework" my trainer assigned to me...I just CANNOT do it. I tried and felt terrible (even though it was just a "tap" under the chin). I cried yesterday because I felt as if I was not being the pet owner I wanted to be. I knew that training a puppy would require a lot of work and I am MORE than OKAY with putting in work...however feeling as if I'm doing something wrong made me feel absolutely terrible, and I refuse to ever put my furbaby or myself in that situation again.
I contacted another trainer and she said ...
" We offer private behavioral instruction and small group classes for dogs of all types and ages. Our training methods are humane and dog-friendly, and based in scientific learning theory. We do NOT use physical force, intimidation, or threats in our training. This should be an enjoyable activity for you and your dog -- not a power struggle or war of wills. "
I think she sounds like a winner to me. She also has links to Dr. Sophia and a bunch of articles about positive reinforcement on her website. She even sent me a couple of things to read in her response e-mail. | This sounds promising. I applaud you for taking these steps early on. Being a pack leader is rather easy, and I think you are the only owner of the dog, so there is no-one else who may let your dog get away with things that you don't want them to do. Believe you me that helps a whole lot, to be the only trainer. :)
You already are the leader! You just need to believe that. Okay one way and a very good one is to start your pup on other training things. Like sit, come, stay, leave it. A few minutes every day will help. You can hand feed the pup for at least one meal every day. He/she must do a command for his "treat" reward.
with the no biting, I have used a really squeaky high pitched ouch, that hurts, and immediately turned my back and walked away from the pup. It does take time, and lots of dedication, which you have.
These rascals can surely try your patience:p We have been working for about a year on Razzle to stay out of the kitchen when we eat. Our two older dogs set a great example for him...but.... here are just a few of his antics to get "into" the kitchen. Sneaks in via the other doorway. When I say out, he play bows and wags his tail, and tilts his head... he looks absolutely adorable, and will stay there even when I say out again. Then I rise from my chair, he backs away paw by paw by paw by paw to outside of the kitchen. Next he will lay down with just his front paws on the threshold, then he will crawl bit by bit to "hide" under a chair. I get up and have to pick him up and take him "out" again. He will whine cry and bark, and stand up and shake his tail. Finally after about 15 minutes of this which is about the amount of time it takes my dinner to get cold, he will settle down with the older dogs outside of the kitchen. did I mention he was STUBBORN? LMAO it's so true. But there is some light shining through, last night was only 5minutes, and who knows maybe tonight will be the red letter night and he will go out and stay out until we finish our dinner.
I have trained two dogs to CDX and currently working on Utility dog title, alas and aleck not yet with my Yorkie though:D |