My dog needs a job~ Seeing success!

[tortoise]

Thanks BBH...is that a grain free food?

Wellness is grain free.

Only Wellness CORE is grain-free.

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/recipes.aspx?pet=dog&ft=1

 

[MsPony]

101 dog tricks I got it at TSC in Visalia since were not cool enough to hve one in so cal.

 

[Dace]

Wow, excellent training (for me )

Thanks for taking the time to write all that out Tort! We are going to start on it tomorrow! I am so excited, he is going to love the fun

 

[tortoise]

Wow, excellent training (for me )

Thanks for taking the time to write all that out Tort! We are going to start on it tomorrow! I am so excited, he is going to love the fun

Once you both "get" the clicker training game, the possibilities are endless. Have fun!

 

[Dace]

So I should use a clicker or the word Yes?
We bought a clicker because my 8 yr old (who is terrified of strange dogs) is obsessed with dog training shows

Does it matter which we use? Seems it would be easier to train him to our voice but of course the folks on tv use a clicker :/

I assume the goal is to get him to simply follow the voice command with no reward, is that correct?

 

[Dace]

Thanks BBH...is that a grain free food?

Wellness is grain free.

Only Wellness CORE is grain-free.

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/recipes.aspx?pet=dog&ft=1

I picked up a bag and had the vet look at it and she gave it a thumbs up.....but according to my scale he IS losing weight ! I am taking him in to be weighed on her scale on Sat.....the good news is that would mean he may not need further thyroid testing and potentially thyroid meds

 

[tortoise]

So I should use a clicker or the word Yes?
We bought a clicker because my 8 yr old (who is terrified of strange dogs) is obsessed with dog training shows

Does it matter which we use? Seems it would be easier to train him to our voice but of course the folks on tv use a clicker :/

I assume the goal is to get him to simply follow the voice command with no reward, is that correct?

Use the clicker carefully. You need to click the exact moment of the behavior. This allows unlimited options in training!

I use clicker to teach new behaviors, my dogs also understand verbal yes as the same as the click. I use verbal afrter I've taught the behavior.

Nobody knows why, but in studies dogs learn faster with a mechanical click versus verbal word. I forget the percent difference - I think it was about 10%?

With clicker training you can entertain yourself for weeks... I love "legged" dog tricks. This is an excellent video showing a few of them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS9d2Q1_jHM

They are:
front legs up (beg)
front legs up (upright stand)
walk forward upright
walk backward upright
"pushups" switch from upright stand to beg, to upright stand. (This is physically very difficult for the dog!)
lift each paw individually on cue
limp - hold one front paw up while walking
skip - alternate front paw held up while walking
right legs up
left legs up
diagonal legs up (most trainers only do one combination - I think it would be great to do both diagonals)
back legs up
handstand
walk with back legs up
bow (front elbows on the ground)
walk backwards while bowing

hmmm... I haven't trained any of this since my stunt dog. I should try it with my big ol' stupid lab.

 

[Dace]

Ok I am doing something wrong.

I decided to use his bed, maybe that is part of the problem. I put it in the middle of the floor and he ignored it. I tossed a treat onto it and clicked when he went onto the bed for the treat where he promptly laid down hoping for more. So I had to call him off the bed.

Then toss another treat, he goes on the bed *click* eats treat. Steps off bed lays down giving me his attention.

Did this many times and added the word place as I clicked. Eventually tried just clicking to see if that would trigger him to go to the pad, but it did not....then I thought it was because I was not using the cue, so I added that and while he is happy to have the treat we are both confused.

I am clearly doing it wrong because he goes on the pad to get his treat, but them promptly goes off and lays down waiting for the next treat to be thrown.

I re read your directions and still cant tell where I derailed! Help!

It is fun though and he has enjoyed the extra treats and attnetion.....but we are still confused

 

[tortoise]

Ok I am doing something wrong.

I decided to use his bed, maybe that is part of the problem. I put it in the middle of the floor and he ignored it. I tossed a treat onto it and clicked when he went onto the bed for the treat where he promptly laid down hoping for more. So I had to call him off the bed.

Then toss another treat, he goes on the bed *click* eats treat. Steps off bed lays down giving me his attention.

Did this many times and added the word place as I clicked. Eventually tried just clicking to see if that would trigger him to go to the pad, but it did not....then I thought it was because I was not using the cue, so I added that and while he is happy to have the treat we are both confused.

I am clearly doing it wrong because he goes on the pad to get his treat, but them promptly goes off and lays down waiting for the next treat to be thrown.

I re read your directions and still cant tell where I derailed! Help!

It is fun though and he has enjoyed the extra treats and attnetion.....but we are still confused

Nope you did it right. The click ends the behavior. He goes to the pad, you click - he SHOULD hop up come to you, go for that tossed treat, play tug. Whatever.

Duration (stay on the bed) comes much later. It is a separate behavior. Right now all you want is him FINDING the bed. You do not want him staying on it.

Too easy? Be creative - just remember the goal now is finding the bed. Switch so you're on the opposite side of the room. Start the next room over. Put some chairs in the way that he has to go around. Put it under a table. In the corner. In a hall.

Make sure to do this one: right in front of a door. (Helpful for teaching good door manners, AND to teach the dogs to STOP and let you clean muddy paws.

It sounds like you are getting the right reaction and your dog has figured out to "break" after the click (Yay!). You're having good results "resetting" him in between attempts.

But you did make a couple mistakes. The click will never trigger the behavior (some exceptions, but for this, no). Use clicks sparingly - they are powerful! Use cues sparingly - they are precious and easily damaged.

The other mistake is the rhythm of your session. I know, I know, you're just learning and trying to figure it out from a long-winded forum post (I'm sorry). So he goes to the bed, *click*, runs off to get the treat. (this part is perfect). The part that concerns me is he is lying down. This is a problem. If he's lying down with a treat, they are WAY, WAY too big. Think dog kibble sized treats. Or he's not that interested in the game - this means way more enthusiasm in praise, play and even better rewards. How about cheese bits?

Once he has the basic idea, keep sessions SHORT (2 - 5 minutes), and highly rewarding. If your dog lives for these training session, you're doing it right.

You might be having problems with this if
your dog self-feeds
your dog has access to toys
your dog has access to play

In order for something to be rewarding, it must be restricted. (I like ice cream... but if I was swimming in a vat of ice cream for 2 weeks and at the end of it I was offered and ice cream cone if I did 10 jumping jacks. Am I going to do the work? No! Because *I* do not find the reward valuable *at that time.*

I know that my dog is highly motivated by praise and interaction with me. To keep that motivator, I restrict praise and interaction. She's sleeping on the couch next to me, but I haven't touched her.

To keep a balance, choose the 3 things your dog loves most. Choose 2 for training and restrict them. The 3rd... let your doggie be a dog!

 

[Dace]

Ok....I think I blew it right off the bat then because he won't go to the pad. If I say 'place' he just lays down, next to the pad. I know he is comfortable with the pad because it is his bed. If I stand on the opposite side of the pad (the pad between us) he will step onto it, he gets a click, a treat and a rub down with 'good boy!' then I walk away and he follows, that is how I get him off the pad other wise he will lay there and look at me.

I am not sure that he is responding to the click at all.

I should be treating him for stepping all four feet onto the pad right? Treat on the pad?

As for the treats, he scarfs them and then lays down, they are eraser sized as you suggested. He seems to be having fun and engaged, keeps following me around expecting me to do something else *weird*

I am just missing something, I can feel it.

I stand or sit by the pad, say PLACE, if he steps onto the pad I click and treat. Trouble is getting him to step on is requiring coaxing which I know is not right.