May 11, 2011
During training with my dog, I made commands that sound similar and wish to change them. How should I go about this?
Full Question:
Hi Cindy,I have a couple of questions I have been thinking about for a while and would appreciate your input.
Firstly in regards to marker training - changing commands and relearning old commands.
During the training with my dog I have indivertibly made commands which sound very similar and wish to change them, I have used "with me" as the command for my dog to follow me/come with me, and I have used "watch me" as a look command, obviously there is an area for confusion with my dog now. If I wish to change the "watch me" to "look" should I mark the behaviour as I first did and when the dog is offering this behaviour then add new command just as if I were teaching a new behaviour/command?
Also can I re-teach old commands such as "sit" using markers if the command was originally taught without markers, or is it ok just to leave already taught commands as the are and just mark and reward.
Second - walking a dominant dog.
In a couple of your DVDs it is mentioned that it is not necessary to have a dog walk at your side while walking your dog but can be on a 6 foot lead, I understand this but is it still true with a dominant dog, would it be best to keep a dominant dog close by your side and slightly behind me?
Also my dog always walks with some forward pressure on the lead, not much but still pressure, is this to be accepted or should I expect a slack lead ? I have a dogtra collar, should I stem him as soon as feel slight forward pressure on lead?
Is it also feasible to have to micro manage these types of dogs there whole life? I find he is very good at finding holes in the way I control his daily life it seems he is always looking to take any opportunity to test my leadership, If I give him the slightest freedom he sees this as some weakness and will misbehave and act pushy at any opportunity, is this just the way a dominant dog is or does he not respect my position as leader or is it just his age?
PS My dog is a 15month old GSD intact male.
Kind Regards,
Neil
Cindy's Answer:
It’s fine to use markers to “re-teach” things the dog already knows. The more practice you can get using markers the better it is for your dog. I’ve had to change commands, when I found I was confusing my dog. Obviously it’s best to NOT confuse the dog, but it happens to the best of us. Just pick another word that’s easier for both of you to use. Say “LOOK” then use the old command, then mark and reward. Very soon you won’t need to use the old command at all. I hope that makes sense.
I’d make sure a dominant dog was never in front and I would not allow any tension on the leash at all. Low level nick on the ecollar is very effective with many dogs because you don’t actually have to move your arm or the leash to remind him of where he belongs.
I hope this helps.
Cindy
I’d make sure a dominant dog was never in front and I would not allow any tension on the leash at all. Low level nick on the ecollar is very effective with many dogs because you don’t actually have to move your arm or the leash to remind him of where he belongs.
I hope this helps.
Cindy
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