Need help with obedience training I've had Ivy since she was a baby and began obedience training with her with a personal in home trainer at about 5 months old. She worked with Ivy on sit and down commands, and to this day, Ivy will sit, but she sits or does down out of fear. When I approach her, she sits and starts shivering. Sometimes, when I say sit, she goes to down and hides her face. She has ALWAYS been this way and I've never laid a hand on her, so I'm not sure why she is like this. Yesterday, she was in the backyard playing with my other two dogs and when I say inside, they all usually come running. Well, yesterday, she ran under the steps and was shivering and would not come out. I had to go and get her from under the steps. Today I decided to start over with sit and down commands. She started shaking like crazy and won't even look at me. I tried for 5 mins and gave up. She is not treat movitvated although we have always used treats to try and teach her. What else can I try and why do you think she's so fearful? |
Aww, poor thing. I wish I had some advice for you. Did anyone have her before you? Maybe she has some anxiety for whatever reason. I hope someone can help you better! |
I am the first owner. The breeder was great with her and she socialized her with other dogs before I even adopted her. She doesn't have a problem with other dogs, she just fears us/me. I'm home with her during the day, so she mainly spends her time with me, but still remains timid and fearful even with me. Quite puzzling. |
This may sound silly, but do you ever talk "baby talk" to her? I raise my voice in a silly, high pitched way to tell my dog what a good girl she is and she goes crazy! Then when she's bad, my voice is stern. Her ears go back b/c she knows she was bad. |
Quote:
Not silly at all. I do talk 'baby talk' to her and my other dogs and my family laughs at me. :p |
Right now, she's sitting beside me as I work. Very cuddly for now. If I try any training, she falls apart. She's very fearful of grooming as well, although she has been groomed A LOT since I got her. Yesterday, I was brushing her and putting a top knot in and she shivered the entire time. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
So you have the right idea, ie back to the drawing board. She might just be naturally a touch more timid/fearful, or an anxious dog; and it was nothing you did or didn't do per say. Ok she is not treat motivated. then how about toys? Try to reward with toy play instead of treats. Sit; try having all your pups sit before the breakie or dinner. See if she shivers then. If not then work the down with the immediate "treat" of dinner or breakfast. Then throw all those expecatations out, and try some very fun trick training. Crawling, rolling over, clap hands, shake paws, play dead etc. Get down to her level for a bit. Release your own tension etc, and just have fun on the floor with your doll. I have a fearful dog who shuts down with training; but I can get her to do almost anything when we "dance together". |
Quote:
Thanks for the suggestions. I was working with my youngest pup yesterday doing sit and down and Ivy went behind a chair and shivered until the training session was over. She's prob just an anxious dog, whom I will have to spend extra time with to assure her. Sh'se so sweet, so I hate that she feels this way. Makes me sad. |
Awh (((((((hugs to you)))))), I really know how you feel. Vs a Vs my Zoey. Have you looked at Rescue Remedy. I give Zoey a dose of it, when we go to new places, or are at shows; it does help a bit to calm her. Also there is the Thunder Shirt which can work quite well. |
Aw, poor baby. I had a German Shorthaired Pointer years ago, and he too was very timid, for no apparent reason. He would also have anxiety with basic training commands...we eventually learned to teach him with hand signals, no voice. Once he relaxed, he was an absolute breeze to train, and he was brilliant. As far as Ivy not being treat-driven, have you tried tiny bits of boiled chicken? That usually motivates. :) Good luck with her, she sounds like a sweetheart. |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:48 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use