Two important questions
 

Oliver will be a year on Nov 1st!! YEAH!!!

One thing that is really getting hard is his need to "be an anklebiter" Always trying to attack feet!!
I've told him no.
I've tried to distract him.
I've replaced my foot with a toy.
Usually, whenever he does it I tell him "go get your toy" (a command he knows) and he'll go get a toy... but STILL--
I heard he is supposed to grow out of it. It isn't happening. Any suggestions?

Also, I'm looking into obedience training. He is a BIG trick dog. Knows all the ones in the book-- but he only LISTENS when he feels like it :) :) (especially to the NO or COME commands)

Anyone had success with obedience training for a dog that is almost too smart? (like all yorkies!!!!!! DUH)
I looked at PetCo for classes but I have been in the store when they conduct that classes (out in the middle of the isles!!) and it is all general stuff he knows. (And it seems a little weird to pay 100$ to do it in the isles) Am i wrong here? Please let me know the success you've had!

Sounds like he has you trained well. Dogs are pack animals and need a leader or they will be your leader. Take him for nice long walks. make him wait for you to be ready. If you are feeding him have him sit. and put the food down for him. then let him have it after he sits and stays. same for going out the door. if he is a rusher( goes running out the door top speed) make him sit untill you say ok. I know that you have a ankle bitter problem but if you get this down I bet that will stop also. Just make sure he knows you as the pack leader and I bet he will be a well behaved lil guy in no time. If you think a trainer can help go for it. It will be good for both of you and good exercise too :):animal-pa

what about trying a spray bottle of water... layla used to try and jump up the counter to get what i was fixing for dinner... a few squirts of the water bottle.. now it isn't even an issue! good luck!:thumbup:

THE DOG WHISPERER! haha Yeah, I've established many of these things- long daily walks. Waiting for me. Having him walk behind/next to me. Waiting for treats, food when placed in front of him.
I'll have to keep it up!
thanks

YES, definitely! We LOVE going to class. It's great fun both for Joey and for me.

For the "come" command, do you reward profusely (& with yummy treats) when Oliver does obey? I think it's very important that "come" be highly rewarded! Something to be careful of with the "come" command is that you aren't using it to end his fun - you know, "come" we have to go inside now, "come" & let me take that forbidden item away from you, "come" so I can put you in your crate. A trainer told me that 75 - 90% of all "comes" need to be met with only good consequences. That means ALOT of "comes" just to get a treat!

More later....

As for the Ankle biting. I would stomp my foot and say NO. And be consistent.

I take mine to obedience classes through our Local Kennel Club. They do well in the classes and in our home training sessions, but will still ignore the COME command if they are trying to keep something from me or if the get out of their fenced area. I think they will get better about that as they get older. Some things just take maturity and you can't rush that.

What worked for me on the ankle biting thing is saying Ouch really loud. In the summer I started saying Ouch buddy Sandals & now all I have to say is sandals & he'll stop. If we have shoes on will let him play this game for a little while, but when i'm wearing sandals I can't have it at all. So now I just say sandals & he stops. Even if I'm not wearing sandals, but I want him to stop I say sandals. Whatever, works.

I'm back.

I was thinking. Since Oliver has a history of only obeying "come" occasionally, I think you should reteach it and use a different word. Once he's learned it, only use your word that means come when you are prepared to back it up by going to get him. You don't want to let him practice refusing a come command.

As far as "no", you need to understand that no isn't really a command. Dogs learn what that should do much easier than what they shouldn't do. For instance, sit instead of jumping on me, down/stay during meals instead of begging for food, etc. This is the challenging part - it's up to You to figure out what behavior you want to replace the unacceptable behavior, then teach it. Oliver sounds more than capable of learning what you do want if it's clearly explained to him.

Does that help at all?

By the way, I like your idea of "go get a toy" instead of biting my ankles. Maybe you can try to get the command out in that second when he's about to go for the ankles but before he actually does. I don't think I'd play with the toy with him if he has first bit your ankle. He might learn that biting your ankles is how to get you to play with him!

Jeannie's suggestion to stomp your foot might help with the ankle biting and is worth a try. Be careful, though, your little guy might think you are playing a game.

Thank you, everyone, for you amazing responses!! I will really look into the rewarding "come" idea. ANd you're totally right! Comes SOMETIMES means treat or walk or cuddle but mostly means get away from there, let me get that out of your mouth, or it's time for you to get in your crate.
I'm sure things will run a little smoother once I put this all into action
thank you!