This might be a dumb question, but I have seen this phrase used over and over when reading over forums and sites about training....'issue correction'.

How exactly do you issue correction? Is it just saying a simple 'NO' or is it a hand gesture? or?

Like say he does something wrong or that he is not supposed to it says 'issure correction' but never says HOW to issure it.


Thanks.

IMO, it depends on what you are correcting. A correction could be a verbal correction, a pop on the leash, a flank to the side, a pinch on the ear, a shock from a remote collar, etc. Can you be more specific on what your trying to correct?

Just in general....say I tell him to stay and he comes before I tell him too....or he is chewing on something he isnt supposed too.

Sometimes I say sit, and he lays down also....just things of that nature.

Thanks for the help!
I am just trying to find the right way to go about things for good results to have great rewards for both of us!

For one, you can't (IMHO) correct a dog for getting up from a stay to come to you. He then just won't come to you. Corrections should be warranted the exact time the dog is disobedient (NOT making mistakes and not when he doesn't know what you ask of him). When the dog gets up from a stay, take his leash, put him in the EXACT spot he was in and tell him to stay. You probably went too far so take a few steps back in the training process and only take enough steps away from you dog before he breaks the stay to return and reward.

As for the down when sitting, just do not reward the dog. He's probably either confused or anticipating.

Always make sure your dog knows exactly what you want. It's not fair to correct him when he's confused. When your dog has a good foundation in his work and is disobedient, that warrants a correction...not mistakes, not confusion. Eliminate the gray areas in training.

Traci is right as the timing is crucial. If your 2 seconds too late, your dog does not know why you are correcting it. You must correct the behavior the instant it happens. So in the case of breaking a down, assuming you see the dog get up, right then you can say "No" then walk calmly over to your dog take it back to where it got up and give the down command. If the dog refuses to lie down then you might want to give more of a physical correction. Keep in mind that you don't want to do this to a puppy you want to have as a working dog. Obedience for pups needs to be fun so they learn to enjoy the work. Too much obedience in pups kills drive. As far as chewing on an object you don't want him to have, I would simply trade him for something better like a favorite toy or a piece of food. You can use a command like "Out" or "Leave It" etc. As for lying down for a sit, I generally guide my dog into a sit with the leash, or piece of food. Hope this helps, there are many different ways to do all this stuff, these are some of the things that have worked for me.

Mike,
How old is your dog? How much training does he have?

I would be inclined to think that he is rather young, and that the behaviors you're seeing are mistakes rather than disobedience. Correct me if I'm wrong.

If your dog is getting up to come to you before you call him/release him, then you're probably moving too far away and/or staying gone too long. Just take him by the leash and reposition him back where he was before and try again, only don't go as far away and don't stay away as long. Remember to only work on one element at a time. For instance, work on distance first, then when your dog can hold the stay at the desired distance, start working on duration but be sure to go back to square one on the distance. Once he has both distance and duration down separately, start combining the two. So for now at this stage in the game, you might be taking five steps away, then turn around and come right back.

If he downs on a sit command instead of sitting, or if he sits and then downs, you need to work on only the sitting OR the down in each session, and reward the desired behavior immediately. For instance, to work on the sit, give the sit command and if he downs instead, just ignore him and take a few steps forward (this is assuming you have him on leash and that he will get up out of the down to move with you) and give the sit command again. When he sits, praise him immediately so that he knows that the sitting behavior is what you were asking for. If he goes into a down after sitting, just ignore him and take a few steps, give the sit command, and praise immediately. He needs to know that it's the sitting behavior that you want. Over time you can work on building duration, but first you need to get him understanding that "sit" means to sit. In separate obedience sessions, work on the down in the same way. But for now, don't work on both in the same session.

If he's chewing on something he isn't supposed to, just take it away and give him something that he is supposed to chew on. Keep stuff that he's not supposed to chew picked up and put away.

Thank your for the replies! I gave a brief description of my dog in these posts: http://leerburg.server294.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=147;t=001196

http://leerburg.server294.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=147;t=001197

And yes Lisa, you are correct, I see it as him making mistakes rather than disobedience. He LOVES when he does something right, you can see it in him. I just want to get him to the point where he listens 'now', without hesitation and in no matter what circumstance. He will get there, its just gonna take time and patience and the right guidelines/training (which I am hoping all of you can help me with!)
As far as how much training...not very much. I am trying to learn everything I can without wasting money on usless videos, etc. This is by far the most informative site I have seen. Its actually the first time I have seen some videos and not been wondering if its a scam and if they really do work.

I work with my dog as much as possible. Every night we go for a walk, he is getting good at leash walking too. When I first got him he would be at the end of the leash pulling me along. Now he walks at my heel for the most part....on occasion he gets ahead, but upon 'heel' comes back in line.

He still needs LOTS of training, but I am already amazed at how well he learns for having such a screwed up 'puppyhood'.

He is lacking some confidence, but I guess all in time.
there is a great bond between us and it is getting better everyday.

I think I may have been trying to move to fast. Its just I havent had any 'guidelines' to follow until I found this site. Like I said, I want to do things the right way that both my dog and I enjoy.
I will probably order a few tapes off this site to reassure what I have been doing and I have no doubt that there is alot that I can learn!

Do the tapes outline how long a training period is? I understand its never ending...but how do you know when to move on to the next 'command'?


Thank you all so much!

I will say this. I was doing the say thing you are. I got the Basic Dog Obedience DVD and saw where I was screwing-up not the dog. I was moving to fast and wanting to much to soon. Now that I slowed down to my dogs pace. I see a stronger bound between us. She will do anything I ask of her.

I also ordered/watched A friend of mine as a lot of these DVD’s
Training a Competition Heeling Dog
The First Steps of Bite Training
The First Steps of Defense

I would get the Basic Dog Obedience to teach yourself on how to work with your dog. And it will show you when to reward. Must of all it will show you how to get the right timing in your reward/ praise and when to start the correction vase of training.


Just my thoughts I am still new at this..

sorry for the spelling in the above post

Thanks for the reply. Glad there is someone is the same boat as I am <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> . I want to improve MY knowledge and ability to pass it on to my dog.

I have the drive and the willingness....just not a whole lot of knowledge on 'the correct way' to go about training. Just what i have picked up from web sites and other people.

Looks like its time to order up a DVD!
I think someone suggested getting the puppy training video as well as the basic obedience video. Are there things in the puppy video that will benefit my dog even though he is already 20months?

Thanks again for all of the replies!