Help Again!
This may seem like a silly thing to be asking - But I need some help in bonding with my pup!
I think I have probably overdone it on petting her and talking to her - because she doesn't seem to respond to praise with any real enthusiasm!
Now she will follow me from room to room like any pup will, but when I praise her for doing good she doesn't act real excited. And I don't know if it's because I will pet her and talk to her for no reason. And maybe it's old hat with her and doesn't seem like any big deal. Although I am not doing this with any great excitement or high pitched voice.
When we are working on training commands I try to praise with a high pitched voice and act real excited with my "Good Girl" etc. - But SHE doesn't act real excited.
I know when I was taking her to the private training sessions they said to make her earn your praise. I guess maybe this is a hard one for me -Cause I guess I pet her for no reason and am always talking to her. Is this wrong to be doing this?? I thought we were "bonding"?
I just got my Leerburg video today on Basic Dog
Obedience. And his dogs look so excited when he praises them. And his are grown dogs, and mine is a 5 1/2 month old pup. And a lab pup to boot, who generally will do anything for praise.
And she just does not wag her tail real excited like his dogs do in the video.
At times she is dangerous with that tail she wags it so hard - but it's not usually when I am praising her -
She wags her tail with real excitement when I come home from work or someplace and haven't seen her for awhile. Actually pretty much when anyone comes in the door - she goes crazy with the tail.
But when we are working on training exercises praise just doesn't seem to excite her that much.
So I was hoping someone could tell me how to bond better with her - I go out and throw the ball with her in the back yard and inside the house we play hide and seek - she loves that!
And like I said before I am always talking to her - I guess I thought this was bonding with her?? Please Help!
Thanks Sharon

You are doing fine with the bonding. Remembering your earlier posts, you went through obd training with a trainer who was very big on compulsion. She was to young for any type of compulsion. Formal Obd training at this point, may just remind her of some harsh corrections. If she is a typical lab pup, her enthusiasim will come back. Again, keep it fun and be patient.She is a puppy. Slow down and enjoy her.

She loves hide and seek, and she is happy when you come home. She is not so happy when you train. She is trying to tell you something. Again SLOW DOWN and have fun with her.

Play Play And then some more Play... best bonding experience you can do.

Your training should be preceded by play and proceded with play.. in fact I made training play...

Does play ring any bells with you? Heheheh

Lonny, what you wrote should be etched in stone.
PLAY / PLAY/ PLAY SOMEMORE!!!!!!!!
It looks like I'll get to start folowing your advice next week.

Did someone post PLAY!!!!!!!!
I'll keep all posted as to how new pup bonds.

Butch
Just in case you are busy with something else next wk, I can pick up your puppy for you if you'd like <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

OED, I can arrange one for you. Are you ready??
I should have gotten pup two weeks ago. New work schedule allowed pup to stay at breeder a litle longer then I like.
Thanks for the offer. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Just dreamin. sigh! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

OED,
I know exactly what you are expericing. I took a very hard look at making this committment. Sometimes those who wait till the moment is right, get the rewards of others.

When the right times comes, we all know what you are going to do..........
Keep the Faith!

Mix things up. Variety is the spice of life. Did anyone mention play?LOL :rolleyes: <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You need to find what motivates your dog and work it to death.