Need Some Info On Training Obediance

[Jackson821]

Hey everyone, just looking for some insight on some obedience training. If there are any links or post that I could print and put to use for me and jackson I would greatly appreciate it. I know thats kind of a wide open request but any info is appreciated.

[bodazafa]

Originally Posted by Jackson821

Hey everyone, just looking for some insight on some obedience training. If there are any links or post that I could print and put to use for me and jackson I would greatly appreciate it. I know thats kind of a wide open request but any info is appreciated.

search for NILIF on the board

[Jackson821]

I found a bunch but any additional would be appreciated.

[Cinder]

Insights on obedience training....do what Boda suggested you do and find a REPUTABLE trainer that has experience working with bully breeds. I don't think you'll get much above and beyond that unless you get specific with the questions you would like to have answered.

[Lisa]

Hand feed your pup. Do this for as long as you can. Several months would be great. They learn VERY fast to pay attention to you when they know that's what they need to do to eat and having a dogs focus is a pre -requisite to having a well trained dog. . Measure out your pups ration of kibble for the day and divide it up into 2 or 3 meals...however you do it. When meal time comes, instead of feeding from a bowl, you feed from your hand. Put the food in a pocket or pouch and start by rewarding your puppy with a small handful every time it looks at you. Let him know you have the food, especially in the beginning. After several days of this your pup should have started to clue in and you can move on to basic positions like sit and down..these can be taught very easily and without force by using food. Just lure the pup into the position you want by showing them the food and manipulating their bodies into the position you want. Make sure to say the command as they are doing right at first and eventually you can say the word and they will do it on their own. When they get it right, MARK the behavior with a click or word (I use "yes) and quickly reward. It only takes about 10 mins to hand feed a meal. Not that time consuming at all. Anytime I get a puppy I do this. They do not eat from bowls for several months and get all their food during training (with the exception of a small amount when they go into their crate).

Also, do not give free access to toys and any play should include YOU. YOU bring the toy out and encourage the pup to interact with you while playing..do not let the pup run off with the toy and play by itself. You should be part of the play time because again, it will teach the puppy that you are fun and interesting. You need to me more fun than any person, thing, or animal on the planet. That will help your bond and get focus. Play for a few minutes and put the toy away but always do so before the dog gets bored of the game. That will keep the dogs drive for the toy high which is what you want because later you can substitute the toy for the food as your motivator in training.

Remember, your dogs world is only as big as you make it and you need to be the most important thing in the world to your dog. If you show them how much fun they can have WITHOUT you, that will only hinder your relationship with your dog and your training progress. It's really hard to train a dog who doesn't care whether you exist or not.

I hope that helped.

[2bully]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Hand feed your pup. Do this for as long as you can. Several months would be great. They learn VERY fast to pay attention to you when they know that's what they need to do to eat and having a dogs focus is a pre -requisite to having a well trained dog. . Measure out your pups ration of kibble for the day and divide it up into 2 or 3 meals...however you do it. When meal time comes, instead of feeding from a bowl, you feed from your hand. Put the food in a pocket or pouch and start by rewarding your puppy with a small handful every time it looks at you. Let him know you have the food, especially in the beginning. After several days of this your pup should have started to clue in and you can move on to basic positions like sit and down..these can be taught very easily and without force by using food. Just lure the pup into the position you want by showing them the food and manipulating their bodies into the position you want. Make sure to say the command as they are doing right at first and eventually you can say the word and they will do it on their own. When they get it right, MARK the behavior with a click or word (I use "yes) and quickly reward. It only takes about 10 mins to hand feed a meal. Not that time consuming at all. Anytime I get a puppy I do this. They do not eat from bowls for several months and get all their food during training (with the exception of a small amount when they go into their crate).

Also, do not give free access to toys and any play should include YOU. YOU bring the toy out and encourage the pup to interact with you while playing..do not let the pup run off with the toy and play by itself. You should be part of the play time because again, it will teach the puppy that you are fun and interesting. You need to me more fun than any person, thing, or animal on the planet. That will help your bond and get focus. Play for a few minutes and put the toy away but always do so before the dog gets bored of the game. That will keep the dogs drive for the toy high which is what you want because later you can substitute the toy for the food as your motivator in training.

Remember, your dogs world is only as big as you make it and you need to be the most important thing in the world to your dog. If you show them how much fun they can have WITHOUT you, that will only hinder your relationship with your dog and your training progress. It's really hard to train a dog who doesn't care whether you exist or not.

I hope that helped.

Very sound advice. Lisa can you expand on the physical manipulation of positions? I've heard arguments for doing it and against, I'm undecided, but would like to hear your thoughts.

[Lisa]

What do you mean by physical manipulation? I was actually referring to "luring". I apologize if I was unclear with my post.

[2bully]

Originally Posted by Lisa

What do you mean by physical manipulation? I was actually referring to "luring". I apologize if I was unclear with my post.

Originally Posted by Lisa

Just lure the pup into the position you want by showing them the food and manipulating their bodies into the position you want.

I read that as luring and manipulation into position. After reading it a second time I can see it being read either way. Sorry about that.

Anybody else have a pet peeve of teaching the down from a sit? I know I do.

[Lisa]

Anybody else have a pet peeve of teaching the down from a sit? I know I do.

Absolutely! It drives me nuts when the only time a dog will lie down if it it is in a sit first.

I will teach my dog to lay down from a sit position, but I will also teach them to down from a stand as well. I mix it up. Once they get more advanced, they learn to down while heeling also.

[2bully]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Absolutely! It drives me nuts when the only time a dog will lie down if it it is in a sit first.

I will teach my dog to lay down from a sit position, but I will also teach them to down from a stand as well. I mix it up. Once they get more advanced, they learn to down while heeling also.

Do you teach the down in that order? I teach the down first and from the standing position.