Puppy training advice

[BigBlueHen53]

This is fantastic. (Especially for a Golden, who will generally adore anyone with food or a ball—I grew up with them and know! Ha!) Do you mind explaining how you did this? Very impressive. (Plus great way to teach little ones about strangers.)

Sorry you miss him so much...I know exactly how you feel. But we don't miss them if we didn't love them, too.

First I taught Blind Stays, using a long line. This was a 15-foot length of cotton clothesline to which I had attached a harness snap to one end. I would put him on a sit-stay near a doorway, then walk through the door where he couldn't see me, keeping hold of the end of the long line. If he moved away from me I would feel it, but if he came looking for me of course I would see him. In either case he would get a correction for breaking from the Sit-stay. I gradually lengthened the time I asked him to hold, up to five minutes. Then I got a helper, someone from my classes, to help, by asking them to call him, not using his name at first. Just, Nice puppy, here boy, pat legs, clap hands, kissy noises, that sort of thing. Again, if he broke, I would correct. Gradually we increased the temptations, up to and including treats. This all took time, taking place over weeks, even months. My dog was a celebrity in the community. I did not want him stolen or poisoned. He was with me a lot. I could leave him on a down-stay outside a gas station while i went inside to pay and know he would still be there when I came out, even if I had to wait in line. I did come out once to find a man trying to lure him away. Too bad for you, dog thief!

 

[ShrekDawg]

First I taught Blind Stays, using a long line. This was a 15-foot length of cotton clothesline to which I had attached a harness snap to one end. I would put him on a sit-stay near a doorway, then walk through the door where he couldn't see me, keeping hold of the end of the long line. If he moved away from me I would feel it, but if he came looking for me of course I would see him. In either case he would get a correction for breaking from the Sit-stay. I gradually lengthened the time I asked him to hold, up to five minutes. Then I got a helper, someone from my classes, to help, by asking them to call him, not using his name at first. Just, Nice puppy, here boy, pat legs, clap hands, kissy noises, that sort of thing. Again, if he broke, I would correct. Gradually we increased the temptations, up to and including treats. This all took time, taking place over weeks, even months. My dog was a celebrity in the community. I did not want him stolen or poisoned. He was with me a lot. I could leave him on a down-stay outside a gas station while i went inside to pay and know he would still be there when I came out, even if I had to wait in line. I did come out once to find a man trying to lure him away. Too bad for you, dog thief!

Wow this is amazing!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Wow this is amazing!!

Thanks but I can't take credit for it. Found it in The Koehler Method of Dog Training, a book now largely out of favor, but containing IMO many useful techniques.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Training is all about communicating. If your dog does not know what you expect of him, there is no way he can give you what you want. Any equipment you use, any body language, any facial expression or verbal command or tone of voice, should be used with this in mind. What are you communicating to the dog? And if he doesn't give you what you want, how did you fail to communicate? Watch how dogs communicate with each other. You can learn so much.

Oops, dinner time. Later!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks but I can't take credit for it. Found it in The Koehler Method of Dog Training, a book now largely out of favor, but containing IMO many useful techniques.

Thanks!!! Might have to get that haha

 

[ShrekDawg]

Training is all about communicating. If your dog does not know what you expect of him, there is no way he can give you what you want. Any equipment you use, any body language, any facial expression or verbal command or tone of voice, should be used with this in mind. What are you communicating to the dog? And if he doesn't give you what you want, how did you fail to communicate? Watch how dogs communicate with each other. You can learn so much.

Oops, dinner time. Later!

Love this!!! So true!!!

 

[Sweelmeister]

Sorry for chiming in to this thread so late, but I just had to share this in case it helps someone out. I wish I had gotten this advice years ago.

Training your dog really is the only long-term solution, OP.

I love my dog so much but it constantly did the things that irked me most. It would chew on things that it shouldn’t or jump up and down out of the blue.

Whenever I put on the leash, it would pull on it. Whenever it was out of the house, it would continue digging on the ground - I wish I could tell what it was looking for down there. The same goes for all the nasty urine.

All the things it did left me feeling depressed as if I failed it monumentally.

But since I discovered Brain Training 4 Dogs and applied the system offered, it now behaves the way a beautiful dog I always expect of. I highly recommend it.

Here's a link to their site. Good luck!

 

[NightingaleJen]

First I taught Blind Stays, using a long line. This was a 15-foot length of cotton clothesline to which I had attached a harness snap to one end. I would put him on a sit-stay near a doorway, then walk through the door where he couldn't see me, keeping hold of the end of the long line. If he moved away from me I would feel it, but if he came looking for me of course I would see him. In either case he would get a correction for breaking from the Sit-stay. I gradually lengthened the time I asked him to hold, up to five minutes. Then I got a helper, someone from my classes, to help, by asking them to call him, not using his name at first. Just, Nice puppy, here boy, pat legs, clap hands, kissy noises, that sort of thing. Again, if he broke, I would correct. Gradually we increased the temptations, up to and including treats. This all took time, taking place over weeks, even months.

Well done! Worth the effort, I'd say—in peace of mind alone, which as we all know is invaluable! Maybe I'll do that with our next dog. Thank you for sharing! That's just brilliant.

 

[LoreWalker]

Immediately start on training them to be off-leash and have good recall! Young puppies instinctively will follow you around once you're bonded, because you are their safe space. The sooner you start on recall, the better!

Especially with a breed that is used in bird hunting, I agree that a "leave it" command is important to train as soon as possible in regards to your chickens. Do you intend to use the dog for hunting at all? In that case I'd find a hunter who can help you train your puppy to learn that it is ok to work sometimes, but in other situations, it is to leave the birds alone. A hunter might be able to help you with breed specific training a regular obedience trainer may not have as much experience in.

And lastly: have fun! The tiny puppy stage is over so very fast, so try to just enjoy it as much as you can!
The more fun you try to have training, and the less feel like you "must" reach certain milestones in the training, the stronger your bond with your puppy will be and the more eager they'll be to work for you, wether that be hunting, keeping you company, doing silly tricks or something else.
Each dog is different and they all learn in their own ways and in their own tempo.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Did you get your pupper yet?