Training - Experiences, Challenges, and Mindsets

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Comment by Adina P on November 23, 2010 at 12:31pm

LOL Jane.
"STAY? But...look how CUUUUUTE and snuggly I am!"

Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on November 23, 2010 at 6:12am

Murphy and I have just started working with a new trainer/behaviorist that works with my Vet. He's been pointing out some things that I never even noticed. Here's one that I thought was kind of funny. When I give Murph a command to do something he really doesn't want to do (like "down"), he becomes very affectionate. He'll try to rub against me or lick me. Ben (the new trainer) says that he's actually figured out that this is an avoidance strategy. He's in tune enough with my reactions for him to know that giving affection always makes me happy/relaxed. He's trying to "create" that energy in me so that I may not actually "require" him to fulfill the command. So, I started to really pay attention to it....and he's right. When Murphy wants something (or wants to avoid something) his strategy is always to become very affectionate. Interesting....

Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on November 23, 2010 at 6:03am

I think that's a great idea, Adina! We can build our own training video library. I find it so much easier to watch a video than to just read about a training exercise in a book.

Comment by Adina P on November 22, 2010 at 4:56pm

We need more training videos from everybody! It's fun to see everyone at various stages of training...I want to encourage EVERYONE in this group to pick a goal and show us your progress now and then with a video. Just like Joanne did! Then you can also document your improvement over time! Maybe we can start a thread for various obedience things like Heeling (or at least loose leash walking), Stays, Recalls, etc.... Anyone up for the challenge? I'm going to start one on sit stays as soon as my video uploads.

Comment by Adina P on November 16, 2010 at 8:15am

Thinking of the dog's response to training as asking questions/getting clarification may be a bit anthropomorphic...but I think it makes the need for consistency clear. If you think of a mistake, broken command, etc as a question then it is important you give a consistent answer. Then you can see how NOT reinforcing, not following through, not being consistent is like lying. Dog asks: Is it okay if I get up after I've gotten bored 'staying'? If you sometimes put the dog back into place and other times not do anything the dog will get very mixed messages.

Comment by Christine & Camus on November 16, 2010 at 8:13am

Baby steps for Camus and I hope I am not counting my chicken before they have hatched but .... He has been a barker and a very loud one, but only when he is outside at home. Whenever anyone was on the other side of the fence he would start barking and not stop unless I brought him inside. I started making him lay down on his bed and stay every time he started barking. It's working!!! Now he only does a very quiet woof when he sees someone. We live in a densly populated neighborhood and his barking was bothering the neighbors, people were beginning to complain so Camus learning not to bark or use only his 'inside voice' is a wonderful change.

Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on November 16, 2010 at 6:19am

Adina, I love the idea of thinking about training experiences as a "learning process" for the dog, and that process involves asking questions and taking some "guesses"and even "making some mistakes". Thinking of it this way makes me realize how important it is that I'm understanding and answering the questions, and that I'm letting him know consistently whether his "guesses" were right.

Comment by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 15, 2010 at 8:21pm

Here Here, F. Parker!

Comment by F, Calla & Luca on November 15, 2010 at 8:15pm

I am much more simplistic. Two nights in a row, very late the first night , Luca did not return after I let the dogs out despite the "Here" command. Calla was never trained with this but she is more compliant. So last night, after I retrieved him on the leash--he was in the fenced yard of course, he spent the night in his crate. He was right on the button when called tonight because he really does prefer to sleep with company : ) Sometimes actions speak louder than words and when it's dark and cold, I don't care what the question is. I guess I really need to work on training more.

Comment by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 15, 2010 at 7:42pm

Okay. I see it now. I put Spud's looks and thoughts into this too and I have another visualization :) of the way Spud asks questions.

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