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Too OLD to train????? Charlie turned 4 in January, he is not trained and I would like for him to learn to sit and stay and come when called. is he to old to learn and if not should I take him to classes to learn these things |
He's not too old. I don't know that dogs are ever too old to learn. They seem to thrive on learning and love being praised and rewarded when they do well. Basic commands like sit, stay, come are easy to train. There are lots of videos on youtube about training, some better than others. I use voice commands along with hand signals. Decide what words/signals you want to use ahead of time & be consistent, and praise, praise, praise & a treat :D |
I don't think that Charlie is too old to train. Try using his very favorite treats as a training tool and reward. Have lots of fun training!! Good luck! |
well............. And now........ the rest of the story... Charlie may be a bit on the spoiled side :rolleyes: .................. He uhhhh gets to do what he wants when he wants as much as he wants not matter what he wants (sheeeeew) oh yeah and those favorite treats you spoke of.... well lets just say, he gets them by the handful :D Soooooooo maybe my question should be is Charlie to SPOILED to be trained :confused: Dont get me wrong he is a very good baby, he pottys outside and lets me know when he needs to go out, he doesnt tear or chew things up..well (except tissue, but uhhhh i give it to him to shred I think its cute it sticks to his face) anyway anyway hes not a biter he is not a yappy barky dog he is soooooo lovable, and sooooooooo loved. I just would like him to have some basic commands and know them but Im afraid I am to weak to do it on my own which is why I was thinking a training class. Ok................... Im ready............ let it rip :( oh yeah and the praise praise praise, I got that covered!!!!!!!! ( I love this place) |
No, you are not too old to be trained... I think Charlie has trained you perfectly! Haha...JK.... Training classes can be great fun too... and will help build your confidence in working with him. After not making him work for treats for so long... he may refuse... I'm sure he'll figure out what you are up to. :D |
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Now, if you do decide to pay for classes, keep in mind that no matter how good he does in class with the trainer, if you don't keep it up yourself at home, along with whoever else lives in your home, or who Charlie encounters daily, his paid training will do him no good. You say you are too weak to train him yourself, do you mean like you don't feel comfortable getting down on the floor on your knees and stuff? I feel a lot of training you need to get down on the floor with them. Or putting them up on the bed or a big sofa seems to help sometimes too. Well, I think start cutting back on the treats. Make him sit before you put his food down. Make him sit or wait before you open the door for him to go outside. Always go through doorways first and he follows. You have to be very repeatative all the time, everyday. If he dosn't know sit yet, put him up on the bed or chair, and get a [SMALL!] piece of treat and put it in front of his face. Slowly pull it up from his nose up over the top of his head. If you do it close enough to his face and slowly enough, he will automatically go into a sit. Treat pieces should be no bigger than a pencil eraser. You can do it! :D:thumbup: |
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Funny, Rocco is using the same techniques to train me!!!! Good luck!:) |
It would be a great experience for you both just be sure you fine a good and gentle technique trainer. Believe it or not there are alleged dog trainers out there that do not like toy dogs, belittle both dog and owner, and are so rough they have a bad reputation and they believe instilling fear is the way to train. What nonsense!. Check it out and one way is to find out if any complaints have been logged by the local spca or animal control against a trainer. Yes, that does happen. Or google the name of the trainer and/or city you are in. |
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Is it better to train one on one or within a group of dogs?? |
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All dogs are adorably cute, that does not mean they should be able to get whatever they want, whenever they want. You are right, Charlie has YOU trained. And I'm not gonna lie, he's used to life being a certain way, the training is not gonna come easy. But ask yourself, do you want your dog to look at you as his leader? Or do you want him to think he is YOUR leader? I believe in the nothing-in-life-is-free, Charlie needs to do something to get something, and by doing something I don't mean whine and look cute. If he wants a treat, make him sit, beg, high five, etc. BTW, Milk Bone treats are one of the worse on the market. Avoid anything they sell at supermarkets. Try Zukes mini's, they are the size of a pencil eraser, they have really good ingredients. Let me ask you this, is Charlie overweight? (I'm sure you think no) When you look at him from the top while he is standing, can you see a definite waist narrowing in? If he's too fluffy, can yo see the waist when he is wet like during bathtime? If he's overweight, then the training will come easier. Dieting and training makes it SO much easier. Train during mealtime when he's super hungry. Lead with the food by his nose, the body will follow. |
Your little guy, Charlie is never too old to train! Classes are a good idea if you feel you would like guidance with his training. Its a good idea to fully research the trainer and get references and talk to other owners with small dogs that have used the particular class you might like to join. I highly recommend Clicker Training if you have not heard of it. I went to it after training my first two dogs using traditional methods, its the only way I train now. It is a very efficient training method and one I swear by and many members here have posted positive results with it. (If you do a search here, you will find many posts) It is very important to fully understand the methodology with it though, as a lot of people mistakenly think they just click and that makes the furbaby do things, :D. Here is a link, they provide a training video, and a very nice little kit with flash cards and small book to get you going. I think it was 19.99 when I got it a few years ago. Karen Pryor Clickertraining Another key is finding that one great training treat that they LOVE! We use Charlie Bears, very small, lightweight and they love them. :) Charlee Bear Dog Treats | Products | Dogs love the taste, the crunch and the aroma of our treats |
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Training Ok I used to have an Akita (wishbone) that I took to a place called Dog House Kennel here close to where I live, they were very good to her as she had severe hip dysplasia and could not get around they would come and get her from the car and carry her in for me (she weighed 120lbs) and they just took very good care of her... anyway they have an on site a Tom Rose School for training. It looks as though they do allot of training for shows but do training for everyday people like me too. I did email them and explain my situation and they said they could help me with the areas I wanted to work in (now Im sure they would all tell me that) I did look them up online they have a site The Tom Rose School-School if anyone with experience in finding a trainer would mind looking at it and see if you notice any red flags that I would not notice I would appreciate it. The have free sessions on Saturdays so that you can come and see if it is what you are looking for. so I think I am going to go to one of those and see what its about...good idea????? |
Update Well, At the advise of some (capt noonie) I have stopped giving treats freely for no reason. He was used to coming to my hand for a treat when I held it up so I have used that in my favor he comes thinking there is a treat but instead he simply praised like crazy with love and hugs. Im sure he feels cheated LOL but it is progress because now I can put my hand up like Im holding a treat and call his name and he comes. still working on the "sit" trick not sure how to accomplish it I did try the treat and bringing it up to see if he would sit but instead of sitting he just jumped up so maybe I wasnt doing it right.as I said before he waits very well to be fed. he actually goes to the bedroom doorway to wait while I fix his meal, then when I go to the bowl he moves to the living room and stays until I come out of the bedroom then he does in. I want him to walk next to me on a leash I think my problem there is that when we walk I let him take the leash as far as it will go, (we have no traffic) but my fear is that sometimes he pulls hard and gags and I have read allot on here about collaps trachea not sure if the 2 are connected but made me think it was. if there is advise on this I would appreciate it. Looked into the training class I had mentioned it is NOT cheap and I am NOT rich so I guess I am going to have to be it for now. |
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I think a training class will be very beneficial. I know most aren't cheap but you will really learn a lot. I, who enjoys training by myself and taught Jackson everything he knows, even had great fun and learned a ton in our training class. The trainer guides you and helps you with things you sometimes don't even realize you are doing. I paid $165 for an 8 week agility course -- not cheap but totally worth it. I am even planning on doing some obedience courses just to fresh up what we already know. |
Glad to hear the progress! I know the fake treat trick works all the time. :D They won't give up an opportunity for a treat, so even if there is a chance there is nothing, they will still go for it. I do it all the time still with Uni. The sit, I think you are holding the treat up too high. Hold it in front of his nose, then slowly bring it up just over his head, so when he tries to look at it, he rocks backwards onto his butt. The leash thing, I have no tips, Uni is a crazy girl with walking. |
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Well guess im off to wally world after work for a harness :) |
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