Dog training thread

[SunriseChickers]

You're welcome. Try to set it up so the water bottle (AKA Trash Monster) is not easily visible.

You can ask me why I call it a Trash Monster.

I would like to know, it sounds like a funny story! Trashcan troubles?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would like to know, it sounds like a funny story! Trashcan troubles?

No, because I initially used this technique to teach a ... ummm ... you know, I think it might have been Rocky, my first Sheltie, to stay out of the trash! I tied a chicken leg to about half a dozen aluminum cans with beans, then set the bone on top of the kitchen trash, which was otherwise tied shut. The cans were lurking innocently on the counter top above the trash, just hanging out and talking quietly amongst themselves .... until Rocky grabbed the bait and started to sneak off with it! It made a great snd terrifying racket and he dropped that bone like it was hot and high-tailed it out of there! And the trash never got turned over again. Which gave me a wonderful idea for keeping the dogs out of the kitty litter!

 

[Nym]

Long, good ramble!
Doggo inside was a fantastic success!!

Spoiler

Jäger was amazing. Energetic as he always is, of course, but he didn't get into anything (we removed the "hot" stuff from the room, but did leave a couple of things he could pick at). He more or less managed to settle (with bouts of spazzing and running in between), and while he never flopped down and really relaxed out with us, he only got rowdy twice which was quickly fixed by us standing or redirecting, and he did actually go into his crate with the pupsicle and give that his attention for maybe a total of 5-10 mins (he'll be happy to have the rest after dinner tonight I bet). He didn't try too hard to get on the low futon with us, either. Only needed a few corrections, and it was worse when we were each sitting on either end "ooh, a spot for meeee!". At one point I got him some water, which includes going outside to get the bowl, then bringing it back in, putting it in his crate, and filling up the bottle then filling the bowl. He listened when I asked him to wait inside the door (which I would expect of him), and when I filled the bottle he didn't try to jump on the counter with me, which he did when he was younger. Instead, he sat down! He didn't try to jump up on a counter, table, or ledge even once. I'm so proud of him for that. I bet being taller helps ease the curiosity. There were some things he sniffed that he used to get into, but he let them be with no corrections. He listened very well whenever we said "hey" in warning tones, which we didn't have to do often at all. I think the biggest "fail" (which, I don't see this evening as anything but a success!) was that he never totally settled anywhere, which I know he is capable of in the crate at any time of day, but we will get there.

So, we hope to do this every couple of weeks to start off with. I know that a higher frequency might be better, but that's what's likely going to work for us for now. I'm of course going to keep playing fetch with him as I can (he did great with that today, too).

I'd like advice on what house items to reintroduce. I puppy proofed by removing the things he went after when he was smaller, and what I know might catch his eye.
What we removed: Pillows and blanket from the couch, water cases (plastic is fun!), any other plastic bag like things, any plants he could reach (I also have large, pet-toxic crotons, so we barred those off with chairs and he wasn't too interested), my cowboy hat from the lower part of the wall (he never tried to jump for anything, so I won't remove that going forward, I doubt he'd even notice it), any cords including electrical cords and cords for blinds, any hand towels that were within reach, and all the doormats (I'm going to leave those next time, too, since he didn't actually play with them last time he was loose inside, but he liked to when younger).
He still had access to things like our cookbooks, the shelf of vinyl records, and our board games, oh and he used to go for the couch cover, which I just made sure to tuck up a bit tighter. He sniffed it, but left it alone.
Anyways, what would be best to reintroduce first? Floppy things excite him the most, so blankets and towels. He used to tug at the loose fabric under the futon, so I actually cut it off (it was unsightly anyways). I'm not sure where to start with all of that aside from the doormats. We plan to remove all of those things (except the hat and the doormats) for the next couple of times, then start introducing those intriguing household items, unless you guys would advise otherwise.

One thing I'm always super happy about is his good relationship with his crate. He goes in there voluntarily all the time, is always eager to go in when asked, never fights when the door's getting closed, happy to go in there to munch on a treat with the door wide open, etc.
He is afraid of the basement steps, but we'd like him to sleep down there when he is full grown since he will need a larger crate, and that won't fit well up here at all. Today we just got him within a couple of feet of the top of the steps, and gave him treats and pets. Unfortunately, last time he had a run-in with the stairs it was an emergency (we were in a tornado's path and there was an extremely severe storm with window shattering hail - thankfully we and our house and our cars were unharmed, praise the Lord) so he basically got shoved down the stairs in a panic (oh the poor thing, all I heard was yelping and the thudding of unhappy feet - he didn't fall, and he wasn't hurt, but it was not a pretty descent and he was complaining loudly. He was quite happy to see me down there. He's too heavy to carry down, unfortunately.). Because of all that, he's even more scared of them than he was before, so we will take it really slowly getting him more confident with them. Anyways, when convincing him that it was okay to come near them, we both stood at the top of the stairs (there is a half wall separating them from the living room, so we could see him easily) and he danced around in the living room going "What?? No way! I'm not going near that!" With occasional vocal complaints and yelps that sounded like he was being emotionally wounded. But he was also eager to please, and was playing with the idea of coming over to us. He finally did when I sat down and offered pets, but before all that he went in and out of his crate about a dozen times (which is right against the half wall, very close to the top). It's his safe spot. He wanted to hide. I was happy to see him using it, at least.

First picture is him standing next to me. Big boy! I'm 5'9". Look close and you can see his big, happy tongue!
Second picture is him hoping we were joking when we asked him to come to the steps.

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Dont introduce / re-introduce anything (including the baby when it comes). Anything that hes previously grabbed at is of no issue now. In fact I wouldnt allow any free roaming of the house. I would remain silent on the days you allow him in - its a huge honour for the dog being welcomed into the pack leaders den. Always lead him in when you welcome him in and only when hes most calm so he remains in that state once inside, this sets him up to not being excited and needing to use his mouth. If he has a future bed/place/rest area planned, set up a old towel - it will smell like you both and he may choose to settle there. (my dogs did). Then reward with a high value treat in that place... a dental stick or such is good as it will encourage calm, and calm gets rewarded inside.

If he enters calm and everyone remains calm he'll always understand that the house is for calm and outside is for running etc. This will be perfect when youre busy with bub. Once bub arrives you can add a clothing item from baby to his bed area by way of introducing him to the new pack member.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, I agree. Have DH practice doing Sit-stays! No running, playing, horsing around in the house AT ALL. Play is for outside. Practice having the dog do0 Sit-stays and Down-stays also. Especially on his Designated Area, which you will intoduce him to by saying something like. "Place. This is your PLACE." And give him a treat as he gets on it. Any word will do. Go Home, perhaps, or Go to Bed. Just so you're consistent and that phrase means ONLY that one spot. Have fun, I kinda envy you!

 

[Squawkers]

How about you both just get Goldens?

Been there done that

 

[Nym]

Edi & Hodge enjoying the morning sun earlier. There is a 4lane highway beyond thatgum tree trunk and no fence.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

TOO BAD

I'd be willing to get a golden! I actually want one. Or a Berner

Goldens are the best

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Denvers birthday is this weekend. So im hoping to take her to a store and let her pick out a toy. We havent really ever done that before. But it will be a good training for her. She knows how to behave just havent been to a store with her in a while.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Been there done that

Get another

 

[ShrekDawg]

Brew threw up three times last night AND was desperate to go out. I think it’s the new “treats” (technically a complete meal LOL)