Dog training thread

[Folly's place]

These dogs are very independent, which makes them good LGDs, so are more difficult to train, because they are busy thinking for themselves.
'Self right' dogs are wonderful is so many ways, but harder to convince that your way is a better choice.
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Any tips on training a lgd to stand between it's owner and a perceived threat? Dogs are all reasonably well trained. Doesn't jump. Extremely friendly. Knows sit, stand, leave it, stay, shake etc. I want one to run to my children and shield them when needed. I've had several incidents and my 4 dogs just want pets from methheads instead of to chase them off

I had a full-size Collie once that I didn't train anything along these lines, just Basic Obedience. He was the sweetest thing (neutered) and loved everybody. We had people in and out of our house all the time and he was everybody's friend. Then one day my two small children were playing outside and a gentleman who had been to our house many times came over to use the phone, a common occurrence. Afterward he saw the children playing and took a step toward them to see what they were doing. To my great surprise this sweet Collie, who knew him well, and who had been lying beside the children, stood up and placed himself in front of the kids, between them and the man. There was nothing threatening or unfriendly about the dog's demeanor, his tail was wagging slightly and he had a pleasant expression on his face. But the man stopped himself and said, "I don't think I'll go any closer," thanked me for the use of the phone, and left.

I had a Golden retriever that protected me on three separate occasions. He was extremely sociable and socialized, and went with me everywhere. I wouldn't have the slightest notion how to teach protection. But he knew when I was in danger, and he took care of it. I may be wrong, but it's my belief that dogs instinctively protect what they value.

 

[Backroadlogic]

I had a full-size Collie once that I didn't train anything along these lines, just Basic Obedience. He was the sweetest thing (neutered) and loved everybody. We had people in and out of our house all the time and he was everybody's friend. Then one day my two small children were playing outside and a gentleman who had been to our house many times came over to use the phone, a common occurrence. Afterward he saw the children playing and took a step toward them to see what they were doing. To my great surprise this sweet Collie, who knew him well, and who had been lying beside the children, stood up and placed himself in front of the kids, between them and the man. There was nothing threatening or unfriendly about the dog's demeanor, his tail was wagging slightly and he had a pleasant expression on his face. But the man stopped himself and said, "I don't think I'll go any closer," thanked me for the use of the phone, and left.

I had a Golden retriever that protected me on three separate occasions. He was extremely sociable and socialized, and went with me everywhere. I wouldn't have the slightest notion how to teach protection. But he knew when I was in danger, and he took care of it. I may be wrong, but it's my belief that dogs instinctively protect what they value.

Unfortunately the other day my boy was trying to get petted by the guy I was yelling at and waving a gun at

 

[Backroadlogic]

Teaching lgd to bark at objects or people is actually a little harder then I originally thought. They bark at things they perceive as a threat normally but, at least in my case, they are so focused on what they are barking at that there is literally no attention on you to shape the behavior. Absolutely nothing will distract my dog off what she's barking at and her attention is not on me at all, its on the "threat". And since they are not prey driven, teaching off toys is difficult. I'm sure it's possible to shape the behavior onto a command but it definitely seems like itd be difficult. I haven't gotta around to it.

I appreciate the input.

I've taught him leave it, when he's worked up playing or barking at whatever he will stop immediately and come back to my side, lobo has the best recall of any dog i have had. 3 little whistles and he will drop everything and come running from across the farm.

I played with him trying to get him to bark a little last night and he looked at me like I was dumb, tail barely wagging. he was wanting lovins instead and just shoved his head in my lap lol

 

[Backroadlogic]

These dogs are very independent, which makes them good LGDs, so are more difficult to train, because they are busy thinking for themselves.
'Self right' dogs are wonderful is so many ways, but harder to convince that your way is a better choice.
Mary

This dig i want to train is the opposite of my other lgd. He's up our butt's and always with us. Sleeps inches from my kids. I'm thinking about getting his doggie dna test done, I don't think his daddy was Pyrenees like they claimed. He's got boarder collie energy in there lol

 

[Folly's place]

DNA testing is a good idea, because it helps see where his brain is coming from, makes training easier, and helps ID possible health issues.
Our latest foundling turned out to be a bullmastiff/ Staffie mix, and it explains a lot about him...
We've never been interested in bullmastiffs, but might reconsider in the future (except for their size!).
Mary