Training - Experiences, Challenges, and Mindsets

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Comment by Jennifer & Truffle on March 2, 2014 at 4:22pm

We've set up a tray with metal bowls and spoons (all the noisy stuff!) and booby-trapped it w/ a couple of yummy & smelly hot dog pieces. After Truffle knocked down the contraption down a couple of times, I kept it displayed as a warning/deterrent for a week or so. And it's worked!  I won't say that he's completely stopped counter surfing, but he's doing it a lot less now than before our trainer suggested clanging metal utensils!

Comment by Shari Becker on March 2, 2014 at 4:14pm

I'm so glad you're talking about counter surfing tonight. Lexi has been so naughty all week. She jumped up when no one was looking, grabbed a pancake and has been treating my kitchen like a self-serve buffet all week. I even booby-trapped the counter yesterday with cups of water. She thought it was a great game! Knocked over the cups, got wet, then trotted off with the cups to play with them. I'm going to try the training with treats tomorrow, too. But it's unclear to me how often it's smart to use the kong or bully during the day... 

Comment by Patti and Bosco on March 2, 2014 at 3:57pm

Hi Cheryl,

It sounds like Dallas knows quite well when he is in training mode. Most dogs do. :) if there are certain times of the day that Dallas is prone to the unwanted behaviors then I would recommend keeping him busy during those times. If you are preparing a meal during the counter surfing then give Dallas a kong or a dental chew to keep him busy during those times. If this behavior is more random then my suggestion is to start rewarding the behavior you do want. When Dallas is sitting or lying down quietly then walk over, praise him and give him a treat. When you can, ignore the behavior you don't want and reward the behavior you do want. If you have to get Dallas off the counter then wait until all four paws are still and he is calm and then praise and reward that behavior. It is working for us but it is a bit of work...well worth it in the long run.

Comment by Cheryl Lund on March 2, 2014 at 12:08pm

Our 5 month old Labradoodle Dallas has attended puppy training and performs perfectly when we go through his paces and treat him. However, during the day he will not obey a single command. Jumps with his paws on the counter, chases the cat, jumps on the couches. We immediately tell him off and leave it but we have to remove him to get him to stop. Should we put him in time out when he doesn't mind or hope he will mature and start to behave?

Comment by Shannon and Otis on February 26, 2014 at 10:56am

Karen - I only leave him in the crate for a maximum of 4 hours, most of the time it is only 3 hours, if that. 

Comment by Jordan & Daisy on February 26, 2014 at 10:13am

Shannon I feel for you! We have a 13 week old in an apartment as well. She also had a hard time with the crate during the day but slept with no problem at night. BUT then we started feeding all of her meals in her crate and this has made a huge difference. Now I think she associates the crate more with food than anything else.. but it took a LOT of meals inside crate. Also, while she was eating we would close the crate door and each day we would leave it closed for a little bit longer after she was done eating- that way she got used to being in the crate while we were home. She was pretty happy having just eaten so she would sit there SILENTLY (we are still doing this). Another thing that helped was teaching her the "go in the crate" command with treats, now she basically runs to the crate when we say it and goes inside and sits down because she wants food lol. When I come home during the day to take her out she is never ever crying and it only took about a week and a half for this change to happen.

She definitely still doesn't "love" her crate like some pups but she is much more willing to go in it and stay in it quietly and I think it will only get better. Good luck!

Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on February 26, 2014 at 10:10am

Shannon, how long is he crated during the day on the days he stays home?

Comment by Shannon and Otis on February 26, 2014 at 10:00am

Help! I live in an apartment in NYC and my 14 week old goldendoodle constantly barks, whines, and makes puppy noises when I put him in the crate during the day. At night he is perfectly quiet and fine. I have given him a Kong stuffed and frozen with peanut butter, a pigs ear to chew on, a bully stick, etc. And nothing seems to work. Today, one of the neighbors complained about the barking. His schedule is usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday that he comes to work with me and Tuesday and Thursday he stays home, but today I had to pick him up mid day to come to the office so as not to upset the neighbors. Does anyone have any advice for how to handle this issue? I would really appreciate it! I have grown up with dogs my entire life, and one of my golden's didn't like their crate, but he goes in at night, so I am not sure what the issues are here. Thank you in advance!!!! 

Comment by Gem's Jewel on February 16, 2014 at 12:55pm

We work on it every day & I have to say she is learning much quicker than I thought possible... However we have not hit the "teen stage"

Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on February 16, 2014 at 12:36pm

And I am hugely guilty of not keeping up the practice on my guys.

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