Buddy is driving me NUTS! What am I doing wrong?

[rodriguezpoultry]

The issue is to have your dog focus on what YOU want.

So he's barking at odd times...train him to bark!

Or "speak" shall we say?

Get yourself and him riled up so that he's barking sporadically. Say speak during all of this to try and get him to "bark." Then have a calm down time in which you make a word for it...such as "Hush."

When he barks with you saying "Speak" or "Bark" or whatever, instantly calm down. He should "hush." If he doesn't calm down, just stand there. Do nothing. Do not get angry do not get excited...do nothing. He will calm down. You can say hush, but only if you say it in a calm manner. Screeching it at him won't help. When he calms and you say "Hush", give him a treat. He will associate "calm" with a treat. You may want to do this away from your other dogs and distractions. It will take awhile, but has worked with all dogs I've worked with. The trick is to have them bark when YOU want them to bark. They enjoy the barking, so you do not need to give a treat when he barks.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
This was the first thing I tried back in October, when I got him. He learned to "speak" on command within 3 minutes (no lie! - he's REALLY smart). He got a treat for speaking. When he was quiet, I gave the "quiet" command, followed by "good boy" and a treat. It works great if he's sitting in front of me, all focused. But when we go on a walk, "quiet" doesn't work at all. He gets so excited to walk that he loses all focus. So, we don't go anywhere until he calms down - at least that's the idea - dog spazzes, dog has to sit until calm. But he doesn't get calm. The longer I have him sit, the more aggitated he becomes. I turn my back to him, so as not to acknowledge his undesirable behavior, and he just keeps barking...

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

If he's spazzing while he's on the leash, then divert his attention. If he's pulling one direction and is absolutely hell-bent on going that way, you use that pinch collar to get his attention. A quick jerk will surprise him. SOME dogs let out a yelp, but it is not hurting them, it is only a surprise reflex. The quick jerk works will make him focus his attention back on you. If that doesn't work, do the quick jerk, and turn around another way. Make HIM follow your lead, not you follow his lead.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
This is what I've been doing, sans the pinch collar, but after turning around a few times, he gets really agitated and barks, with a more and more agitated tone (bordering on sounding downright aggressive). I will try the pinch collar, but the trainer thinks it's possible that he was treated so roughly for so many years that he's desensitized to corrections. I've witnessed the pevious owner literally punch Buddy repeatedly in the face, WHILE MUZZLED(!), then jerk him down the road using a thin choke chain (Buddy's fur was worn off from around his neck). I'm stumped...
I REALLY appreciate everyone's input!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Luckily, the pinch collar won't have the same feel as the choke chain. Plus, it won't put nearly as much strain on the front of the throat.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
I've been watching this thread. I don't like to keep repeating stuff everyone else has said, but since this hasn't been suggested I guess I can give you a few tips.

First I would say if he is freaking out like that on walks then stop walking him. I know...seems counter productive but hear me out. Walking is too much stimulation for him, outside with too much to do and he starts these hissy fits which are an overreaction due to too much stimulus..some of that stimulus comes from you. The walking, turning, jerking, praise is too much for him. And, and this is a big AND, you are also probably not focused enough and not confident enough, resulting in you being too energetic and you are more than likely feeding him your engery in a very negative way.

First step is to stop and take a deep breath. Seriously, if you aren't in the frame of mind to teach and be a leader how is he supposed to look up to you and learn?

Not trying to be harsh I intend this in the nicest possible way. You need someone to tell you this stuff.

So first take walking on the sidewalk out of the picture. Practice walking in the house. Yes I am dead serious. He needs the practice of behaved walks mastered before he can move on to more stimulous, which he can't handle. Dont forget YOU are his biggest stimulus/obsticle. You both must learn to work together and not against one another.

Second, you need to teach him a SETTLE command. Which at first isn't a command at all. Its a obedience position. AKA a solid and relaxed DOWN. I think since you seem to be an obsticle to him that you should take all praise and food out of the training context for now. Yes I did just say stop talking to him and feeding him. Its not working. He doesn't care and its just feeding his energy.

While teaching the settle command you can use hand signals and the leash to get him down. But no talking-no praise-no treats. At this time all that crud is counter productive. you are trying to get him CALM, not feed a rediculous engery level that he already has. That frantic energy is how he gets out of learning and how he gets out of respecting you.

So on leash in your house. Start the down command (without verbal cue). Use the leash to bring him down and a hand signal towards the floor. Dont give up, if he refuses use some firm leash pressure, step on the leash so its tugging firmly on his neck but not hurting him. Keep your hand in the signal position. Just wait he'll go down eventually. Yes you might have to do this for five mins. REMEMBER do not speak to him!

His "praise" at his point will be that when he does go down you let him up after three to four seconds. Practice, practice, after some success you may find yourself much more comfortable and relaxed. This is exactly what you need, both of you.

After a while he'll start understanding your cues (body language) to SETTLE. He'll be come more consistent with it inside the house. Next....teach him outside in your back yard if you have one, or on your porch. Don't attempt a walk at this point.

So..if you like this approach I will give you the next steps in the process later. Good luck.

PS the settle command is my go-to commands for my own high energy dogs. they know if i settle them they must relax and it gets them to listen better and they are much more focused. This works!! Just takes time and for YOU to relax and get into your groove as leader/teacher.

 

[thebritt]

Jamie - Excellent ideas. Because Buddy didn't respond to DH, he is now the only feeder of Buddy. Seems to be working. Buddy is EXTREMELY food-driven (he was emaciated when I got him), but we've gotten so we can put him at a sit-stay, put the food down (with our back to him or he takes looking AT him while standing between him and food as a challenge), and he waits until he's released with a "OK".
I really like the idea of the leash in the house. One question - how to release him after a few minutes of being in a down-stay? Verbally? Hand cue?
Thanks for your suggestions, Jamie (and everyone else).

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
I would release with a cue of a pat on your leg and picking the leash up. Release commands such as "ok" can also be counter productive to an energetic dog. So be careful even with a BLC (body language cue). Make sure whatever you choose to do will be low key. Also, when you first start teaching this, don't make him down for a few mins, more like a few seconds, then start over. This way you might be able to practice 10 times in five to seven mins instead of twice in that time.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
I would release with a cue of a pat on your leg and picking the leash up. Release commands such as "ok" can also be counter productive to an energetic dog. So be careful even with a BLC (body language cue). Make sure whatever you choose to do will be low key. Also, when you first start teaching this, don't make him down for a few mins, more like a few seconds, then start over. This way you might be able to practice 10 times in five to seven mins instead of twice in that time.

Jamie,

I will certainly try your suggestions...He's already good at a down-stay from a distance. Do I go to him to release him every time? Would that encourage him to think he should get up when I approach?
Also, I see we live on the same coast...what're ya doin' this weekend? (lol)

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:

No, you Stay with him during this Settle exercise. This is to show him you need him to calm down, at the same time you get comfortable with a simplified training session. No commands, no walking away, no treats, no anthing but YOU, the DOG, and the LEASH. Simple, focused training.

Hey if you wanted to fly me out I would do it for free except expenses LOL.