Training

[pongo111]

Hi All,
Please could I have your thoughts on training?
I've done some research and there are some group sessions near me. My pup is nearly 5 months so we were told she can't do the puppy class, but instead need to do the class up from that (adolescent?). However, the times for the older class don't suit me, so can't go that at the moment.
Someone recommended me a trainer who i think does one on one training. So surely more expensive.
Otherwise I do it myself. Patience isn't my strongest quality, but i can do my best..........hmmm

 

[Nanny71]

Dudley was also too old for puppy class at six months. The next class was dreadful, we were both unhappy with it and only went three times.
Taught him myself, luckily it worked. He was willing to learn and I got lots of help from other dog walkers.

 

[pongo111]

Thank you. I just have the concern that I won't be as good as a professional so I'm worried that if I do it myself i'll miss doing something. Plus there are certain things that i just can't seem to get her to do

 

[JudyN]

Can you find any other classes near you?

You don't need a professional, though it can be handy to have another pair of eyes to see what you're doing. A few one-to-one sessions might turn out to be better value for money than a long course of group classes - once you've got the basic understanding of how to motivate your dog and keep their interest, the same rules will apply for any number of things you train, and it'll also give you confidence for deciding what works best for your dog.

An excellent puppy training book is The Puppy Primer by Patricial McConnell - it's very detailed.

Also, don't worry if there's the odd skill you have problems teaching your dog. I could never get mine to 'roll over' or 'play dead', but these are hardly essentials. You could always ask about specific skills on here (if you haven't already) and we might be able to give you some ideas to try.

 

[JoanneF]

I find Kikopup on YouTube a great resource for training. Her videos are short and easy to follow. And as Judy said, if you are looking for something specific you can always ask here.

 

[Shalista]

The most useful skill Bax picked up from training classes were working with distractions. nothing i could do at home could simulate keeping his focus on me surrounded by strangers and dogs. That being said, the vast bulk of his training happened at home and he's CGC certified.

 

[Nanny71]

Luckily we have a secure dog walking field nearby. This is where he was socialised and also learned recall.
Walking to heel and wait before crossing the road was done whilst walking to the field.
He will sit on command and stay. He was almost six months when I got him and very willing to learn and please.
Can't get him to bring a ball back, although he will do that for my husband

 

[Shalista]

Classes were also great for socialization. i got bax at 8 months but he had ZERO socialization so he was terrified of people. (great with dogs though, oh how the tables have turned) so i used the class as a great way to have people who were guaranteed to be dog friendly and be safe about dog handling give him some snuggles and since they knew how fearful he was they took their time to pet him on his terms.

 

[leashedForLife]

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... or - U could explore clicker training, using a “click!” from a box-clicker to mark the desired behavior so that the dog understands what behavior will be rewarded,
& then go to Sue Ailsby’s website & use her preplanned, step by step manual for dog training.

Training Levels is a brilliant, simple system that meets the dog on whatever stage of training, AND crucially, it has proofing built in.
Proofing is where owners & even trainers can fall down, not adding the 3 Ds to test that the behavior U thought U were teaching, is well & truly learned, & also that what U thot U were teaching is, indeed, what the dog has learned.

The 3 Ds are Distance (from the handler), Distraction (anything around - sight, sound, smell, whatever, including ABSENCE as well as presence), & last but not least, Duration (of the behavior).
The dog can be at Level 1, just learning, on one behavior, & at Level 6, highly fluent, on another; it’s custom tailored.

Sue-eh? AKA Ailsby is a Canadian trainer, best known for training assistance dogs & k9 sports, and the LEVELS manual will provide all the training that forms the base skill set for any pet, working dog, show dog, competition sport, hunting, whatever.
There is also a Yahoo Group & probly a FaceHack page for support & discussion, if U get into trouble with a specific exercise - but really, it’s designed as a DIY manual, & it’s brilliant.

U can print off the bits U are working on, & carry them along, too.
- terry

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