One of my favorite trainers

[Stacy]

I follow a blog of a dog trainer that I have really enjoyed and I just wanted to share it with you all. nicolewilde.com I also read her book, Hit By a Flying Wolf and really enjoyed it. She is a CPDT-K and trains force free. She's not local to me, but I feel like I've learned a lot reading her stories. Don't we live in a great time where we can take advantage of the knowledge of people we'll never be able to meet.

Today's Tuesday Training Tip was about the untrainer. Sometimes I'm my own untrainer. I want these well behaved mannered dogs, but I do like it when they jump up on me. I don't want them to do it when I'm dressed for dinner, but sometimes it's okay. She's talking about giving a command to the "bad" behavior so the dog knows when it's acceptable. Probably the easiest command anyone will ever train! I think it's a great idea.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Years ago when I was first training my Doodles a trainer explained to me that dogs learn contextually and so it's okay to have different expectations for them depending on the situation.  I thought that might be confusing, but he worked with me to teach them that it's okay for them to be on my bed....ONLY WHEN I INVITED THEM.  They never get on the bed or any furniture unless I get in the bed and give them the okay.....and I don't say okay every time.  I think this is very much like your "untraining" concept, and it works really well with my guys.