Teaching Doodle Trick

[Renu & Theo]

Tried to search around but not sure this is a repeat question, if it is sorry in advance :)

Now that my little Theo is 4 months I am trying to understand different stages of doodle training, basic training, intermiddiate/advanced, fun tricks....?

my understanding is basic training include minimum of below commands

• No
• Sit
• Down
• Stand Up
• Leave it
• Go to Crate
• Stay or wait
• Quiet

Do we i need to take certification for this basic training?

Also I am wondering whats are fun tricks we can teach doodles or things doodles cannot do as a breed

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Kona loves to roll over on command, and up for him means he can
It his paws on my chest. The potty bell was the best thing of all of his commands! He's been ringing the bell to go potty since about 10 weeks, and perfectly and always since about 12 weeks.

I need work on the place command, recall, and off leash trust that he won't jump in front of a moving car

[Renu & Theo]

How nice :)  I was thinking of stating Theo on it but he ended up going to the door and looking back and forth to tell us he has to go .

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can answer the last question: Doodles are not a breed, they are a mix of two or more breeds, and there is nothing any other kind of dog can do that doodles can't do. 

[Renu & Theo]

Thx Karen, wrong use of terminology :) .  I noticed that lot of doodle sit differently than other dogs(without tucking their legs under the body) similarly tough may be their physiology doesn't allow them to do certain trick like balancing on 2 legs..

I was starting to teach Theo Rollover he kind of get to his back and stays there wont go full turn :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Poodles are famous for walking on two legs, lol. They are the #1 breed used in circus acts. And all doodles have at least 50% poodle genetics. 

However, I really think "tricks" are something that should take a back seat to obedience training. And it's a HUGE mistake to teach a dog to stand up on his hind legs until he is very well trained on the basic commands. Teaching tricks like "up" and "sit up" to a puppy or untrained young dog will just about guarantee that you end up with a dog who jumps on people. 

[Renu & Theo]

Thats a good point , basic training is mandatory . I am trying to get a trainer to help me with it . He is pretty good with basic command but still have issue of distraction and excitement :)

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

If I knew how to attach a video in here from my iPad, I'd show you a quick little video I took of Kona doing a few tricks.  They are fun, but I'm much more concerned about him learning some safety commands.  I had a very close call with him a few weeks ago and it was too scary to even talk about.  He is great at the parlor tricks, but I need him to get great at the "stay alive!" commands!

 

You still might want to teach theo about the bell.  I LOVE being able to hear it from another room and go find him before the poor boy is dying crossing his legs at the back door.  If he already goes to the door, it should be quick to teach him to hit the bell when he gets there.  I just helped Kona hit the bell with his body or nose or paw every single time we went out, and within a few weeks, he did it on his own every time.  He just rubs his body against it until he hears the sound.  Most dogs hit it with their paw, but not Kona.  Whatever!  He still manages to ring the bell!

[Adina P]

Basics to me = sit, down, stay, come, heel -- and knowing these well and around distractions. 

Doodles who sit sloppy sit sloppy because they haven't been taught otherwise.  I think it has to do with method of training--possibly luring into a sit vs. placing into a sit and helping their butt tuck under, but it also depends on the dog.  We had one border collie who sat beautifully straight and I have one doodle that sits very nicely.  Also have another that is slow and can't imagine sitting with his back as fully straight up and down (might be due to conformation). Another doodle I had was the queen of sloppy sits.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

I agree that luring by moving food over the dogs head (as is often taught in "positive only" classes) can produce sloppy sits.  So can the old fashioned way of jerking up on the collar and pushing the butt down.  However I think the best way to do it is to use food, hold it in front of the dog's nose and lift up and slightly away from the dog (toward you).  That way the dog sits upright and tucks his butt under, instead of rocking back.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

There are puppy and good citizen certifications you can if you want  You can check the AKC website for details on the specific behaviors they require.

To me the very basics are potty training, socialization, engagement, communication, leash pressure, being lured, the concepts of running away and coming back (not on cue, just in general) and most importantly, that obedience training is a fun and that I want them to do their best but they don't have to be perfect to have a spot under my roof and be loved.

Next step would be to turn those into coming when called (the most important thing), walking politely on a leash (the second most important thing) and things like you list above.

More advanced behaviors involve multiple steps, like a formal retrieve.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also very important commands that may one day save their lives: Leave it and drop it

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Agree.  Although what is the difference between leave it and drop it?