Sorry about that, it was a long day yesterday!

As in go lay down? And stay there…

You can train that just like anything using markers; Lynne gave you good advice on your other thread on the basics.

I have started this exercise using touch pads because they are so useful for many things. Do you understand the concept of touch pads? Well, if not here you go….Touch pads are any object you want to use, I like those cheap rubber chicken feeders, they are about 12” wide and 6” tall and pretty cheap. I like something that is raised a little off the ground so puppy can distinctly see it. Some use cooler lids, whatever is around. You teach puppy to go put paws on object and stay there using a command. I then can transfer that behavior to a dog bed or wherever you want puppy to go lay down, using a separate command when the time is right (he will need a target)

Once puppy learns touch pads or go put paws on object that you point to, and stay there, then go lay down on dog bed goes pretty easy (you will have to add in the lay down on bed part as additional steps), then add duration….puppies, in my experience, take a while to learn duration, but I am sure that is just me not knowing what I am doing

A little hint: a lot of people don’t break things down enough for each step in training and try to train a behavior all lumped together which can cause frustration, problems and confusion to the dog.

Here is a streaming video that may help:

http://leerburg.com/playem.htm?name=flv/5-9-09-news.flv

I hope this helps a little…and makes sense, couldn’t sleep last night....someone got mad at me yesterday on here

Have fun!!!

Added: how is the littel guy coming along????

Thank you Scott! The video was great for teaching the "touch" part of it. I will try to just get that part down before moving on.
Unfortunately, Toby's not doing so great. He "attacked" my husband when he walked onto the deck yesterday. He walked through the gate, and Toby, who had been sitting calmly and wagging his tail, just jumped up and bit his arm. He then started barking and growling. I spoke to a behavioralist who said this might just be his inappropriate way of asking people to play, but I don't know how to break him of it. I can't trust him with my daughter, and my husband wants nothing to do with him at this point. We are meeting with a trainer next week. I'm hoping maybe she can help. If not, I'm not sure if we're going to be able to keep him..

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/23/2010 11:15 AM)
Edit reason: title change

 Quote: Kelly Schultz

I can't trust him with my daughter, and my husband wants nothing to do with him at this point. We are meeting with a trainer next week. I'm hoping maybe she can help. If not, I'm not sure if we're going to be able to keep him..

Kelly, do you think Toby is aware of these feeling towards him? How would you feel if your family was afraid/mistrustful of you or hated you outright? Would you be calm and relaxed and eager to please? IMO it is your husband who needs professional help the most.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/23/2010 11:16 AM)
Edit reason: edit title

My husband didn't have these feelings until Toby started to bite him. My daughter has no dislike of the dog..she loves him, even though she can't play with him or even walk through the house if he's not on a leash. This is not something I want to do, especially because he is a great dog with me, aside of his skittishness and awful walking. However, I have to think of my family too. I just don't know how much more I can fight for this guy when he's not bonding with anyone but me. I am going to give this trainer a shot and hope for the best.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/23/2010 11:16 AM)
Edit reason: edit title

If your dog bonds with you only that is already a great foundation - you'll be able to teach him how to interact with others. If this was a newly adopted child with aggression problems - would you give him back? With children they probably do better screening on adopters (I hope) - once you take somebody into your family you shall see them through no matter how tough it gets. JMO. There is nothing wrong with your dog that cannot be dealt with using training methods from this website. His issues are not even all that severe and yet you have almost given up. You have to believe in yourself and your abilities and not set yourself for failure by constant doubts and hesitation.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/23/2010 11:18 AM)
Edit reason: title change

How in the world do I get him to interact with and not attack others??? We have tried distraction, time-outs, firm no's, grabbing scruff, grabbing cheeks, even the much debated water bottles and breath spray. It's like he just doesn't get it.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/23/2010 11:18 AM)
Edit reason: title change

Would it be possible to post a video of one of his "attacks"? I'm no expert, but I'd like to see his posture and expression.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/23/2010 10:58 AM)
Edit reason: edited title

Also see:

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=274064#Post274064

Can we keep the threads kind of about what they are entitled? I changed the title of this one. It drives people nuts to try to respond to a thread with two interim posts they don't know about because they're elsewhere.

Kelly, we need detail. Not big-picture we've-tried-everything statements.

This: to interact with and not attack others??? We have tried distraction, time-outs, firm no's, grabbing scruff, grabbing cheeks, even the much debated water bottles and breath spray....

.... tells us that the dog has learned that weird and varied things happen to him for no particular reason he can be sure about.

A video clip would be great. But also, it would help to read details: what is happening around him and what is the attackee doing when he does it, does he growl, does he nip at pants and hands, is he mouthy, what exactly is the "attack."

 Quote: kelly schultz

He "attacked" my husband when he walked onto the deck yesterday. He walked through the gate, and Toby, who had been sitting calmly and wagging his tail, just jumped up and bit his arm.

Nip or bite? Playful or attack?

What happened then? What did your husband do?