I just lost my buddy Opie not long ago and do have a young (about a year old) Doxie I call him Mr Griswold. I had Opie for only a few years when he passed away but before I got him he was abused. It took a year or so just to make him feel safe around other people at all. My goal is to raise Griz. with manners, some tricks, and to not be scared of people. I think that part is simple! Just never strike or hurt the poor thing in the first place! So to the point then, I have been working with a click and treat method. Just reading about it seems to be the way to go! Positive reinforcement, sounds good right there! I am amazed at how well it is working so far. My question is are you using this method? Do you find it to be an easy way to train? Any reason you don't like it? And how can I learn more about this? I have searched and read a lot about it, but I just wondered if anyone here has some good links or advise on this subject. This dog seems to be very smart and willing to learn, I just don't want that to go to waste! Thanks for any help and input you may offer!
I got a standard poodle for Christmas 2007 when he was about 8 weeks old. I let him get accustomed to our house and kids for about two weeks and then started to get him used to the clicker. At first just click and treat so that when he hears the sound he will know treats are coming (I used basic puppy food because he was really picky about his treats and everything I bought went to my neighbor). After he knows what the clicker is start working on sit. You have to click as soon as his butt hits the floor. After that work on down, stay and come. A good book it the "Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book" by Gerily Bielakiewicz. It teaches step by step instruction for easy tricks and "show-off tricks." It also has chapters for untraining undesirable behaviors. So far so good with the pup. He catches on quick so we constantly have to change things up or he will get bored. Good luck training!
I LOVE CLICKER TRAINING!! I used it with my little adopted chihuahua who was severely abused as a pup, was a "street dog" and had 2 adoptive owners before me who returned her for fear biting... she was HORRIBLE when I got her and I was her last hope... I got her when she was 2 years old. Now she has learned to LIKE sticks instead of cowering when she sees one (I used a pointer to get her to "touch" things), she knows a TON of tricks and can even skateboard... all thanks to a LOT of patience and CLICKER TRAINING! She's awesome now.. I've had her for about 7 years... The only issue with the clicker is if you have more than one dog it gets a little confusing. To fix that you can assign one clicker to one dog and maybe a beeper or something that makes a different noise to the other dog. This is Tessa... I even taught her to ride in an airline carrier (with her clicker) and took her on some trips with me! She was SO GOOD!
Griz is ADORABLE! Doxies are very smart but can be stubborn. Clicker training is great. Once they learn that they are suppose to be learning, there is no stopping them. Keep his training fun and interesting. Once he knows what the clicker is all about give him some challenges and I bet he will figure them out in no time. The best of luck to you and Griz. I can see a very happy little guy who just wants to please you walking by your side.
Well thank you for the replies. Camjac; I will look into that book. Kelly; Tessa looks like a fine dog. I had Opie trained to sit in a seat in the truck, he loved to go "to work" Mr Griswold so far knows how to sit,stay(kind of),FETCH(loves that) and is learning down,as in around the chickens and the quail. Frizzledhen; Thank you for the kind words. He sure can be stubborn. I look forward to see how much we can learn together I read that it is his job to teach me! Or so he thinks. I have to throw in a picture of Opieman! He was such a little ham! He is all geared up for work in this one.
