Obedience Training

[Tam]

What approach do/did you take when training your doodle to obey your commands?
Lambeau is 14 months old and is a great puppy. Today he was so rebellious and got into any and everything he could. I think he wanted attention, but I digress.
My biggest concerns are getting him to "come" on command especially when we're out or he's off leash and getting him to stop barking when he's being ornery. Thanks

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We took an indoor off leash class and the followup class is outdoors. We use a 30' leash and learned 'this' way using verbal and arm signals. The best command we learned and think it is a life lesson is
using a whistle - the cheap plastic one you can find in the party supply stores.
whistle - here - treat (start up close and move to distance when he starts to predict. doesn't take long for the 3 things to click. then you can start using it at a distance. Just make usre your pockets are filled with treats!
The dog park here now has 14 acreas surrounding the enlosed dog park for dogs to run. We went for the first time yesterday. Samantha went off running with another mom and her dog. She was really a distance away - called her name and 'here' and she came running like a bat out of hell (I didn't have the whistle with me but i will never make that mistake again). I made it a game and she was thrilled with herself.
Maybe he was just rebellious due to boredom? When Samantha gets like that I start doing 'tricks'. roll the ball with her nose; crawling like a commando; even go back to the basics, sit, down, wait, etc. as long as I have a treat she is happy. I don't want you to think that they only treats I give her is food - I also use her ball, tug toy, her favorite unstuffed plush cow "Moo". - keeps the calories down.
We are constantly practicing all the commands we learned. I have them written down so I can remember what we need to practice.
Sorry for the long winded answer but this is something I really believe in - A bored puppy is one just waiting to get into trouble.
Happy New Year!!

[Tam]

Thanks! I'm getting a long leash tomorrow. I know he'll love it and I hope it helps me to teach him better, too. He's so smart, but like I said, too big for his britches right now!

[Tam]

Good ideas. I went and stocked up on treats today! Next on my list is a 30 or 50' leash. Thank you.

[Belinda Stevens]

Hey Tam, I haven't met Lambeau yet (love that name by the way) but did you mean 14 weeks or is he 14 months??? I might suggest one of the local training classes like at All Dogs Play Skool, here in Richmond just off of Broad and Staples Mill...also at any Pet Smart. I went to All Dogs and loved it. They teach positive reinforcement and it worked really well. It's one of those things that you have to stay on top of. I think it easy to do the puppy training and then sort of let it go.
Oh one more thing... search Youtube. There are really great training videos on there.

[Tam]

I had to go back and read what I wrote, he's 14 months. Thanks for the name compliment! He's part of my husband's shrine;). I've checked into Pet Smart's training classes before which conflicted w/schedules. Maybe I'll revisit that. Thanks.

[Adina P]

It helps to either attend obedience classes through the advanced level OR follow a training program via books or videos.
I used the David Dikeman Command Performance video series...you can find my review of it in the Reviews page. But it's not for everyone. It does involve using a choke chain as the collar and physical corrections. But it works VERY well.

[Tam]

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We use time outs when either doodle gets ornery as well.

For recall, we use lots of treats - every time they come when called (from outside) they get a treat. When they come when called indoor it's lots of praise. 14 months is a tough age...we found things got better after they hit 2 yrs. We make them know it's a really really good thing to obey "come".

[Tam]

Thank you...I'm looking forward to the fall, then. :) I hope he gets through this stage quickly (winter temps and less outdoor time doesn't help, I'm sure) because I like to take him to my son's games whenever possible.

[Tam]

ok, thanks. This is a lot of good advice. I sure appreciate it and will glean from it for certain.

[Tam]

I was reading about this rebellion recently myself and will check out that link too. LOL about it teaching me patience; if after teaching school for 17 years and home schooling my own teenager and preschooler currently (not to mention having my 93 y/o mother in law live with us) I need MORE help in the patience department (and I'm sure I do) I'm hopeless! yikes :P
Thanks for the help.

[Tamara & Giada]

You know, we NEVER took Giada to classes. We taught her at home and used all the info we knew from owning previous puppies. She is VERY well behaved!!!

I think it is ALL in follow through..................so what ever you do just keep doing it and be consistant!!