As we all know sometimes in training we hit the jack pot, our dog make's us proud, ten feet high. Then maybe the next hour, we want to know what went wrong? We might blame the dog, but ultimately I believe is not even our fault. That is how training goes. MHOP.

My Boy Chico, is a dog, nothing more, nothing less. As I would like to make him more, (companion, best friend, etc.) I cannot put that on him, even thou it is true. So when things don't go as well as my mind want it to, I contemplate, as I am doing now.

I cannot just train, and demand close to perfection at all times, so I decided to hang out with my dog, yes in my den, yes with the wife at home (But Sleep) I ain't stupid. We are having a good time, he is playing with a toy, and I am baring my soul.

I found out on many occasion that a five months old dog brings a lot of good times and then those moments you ask were did all that training went? So I thought hanging out in a quite place was the best thing at this moment. He knows who is the Alpha, but really is not about me, is about us. as a unit, a pack. I love my dog, Chico. Can anyone second this rant? Dan

Good reminder, Dan.:smile:

Thanks Michael, After that rant, Chico and I went for a good mile and a half walk, I could see after he warm up, he was in the flow. Yes, another high moment. Thanks. Dan

Sounds like you're well on the way to creating the companion you desire.

About those times that things don't seem to go as well...just remember that forgetting is part of learning for a dog, and especially at 5 months, that's gonna happens sometimes. Just part of the process...

Glad you're enjoying him so much!


leih

Thanks Leih, I have learn so much about myself true Chico. Angry moments, frustration,and many more emotions that in a matter of seconds you can see it. And then comes the turn around to the desire attitude you were seeking to communicate. The thought of my illness I have been scared about being a weak link in the pack (Scooter chair, and walking stick, body riddle with pain ) But no, WE are just moving along just fine. And he is definitely a protector at such an early age. Dan

I think you are taking a good approach.
Before a trained animal will be what you want it to be, you have to think on its level. Learn what makes the animal tick and learn its body language.

Dogs are pack animals, and believe it or not, they do not want to be a leader. They are much more at peace when they are following and know their place in the world. Being you, the leader, it is your job to express the qualities of leadership and give your pack a place in the world.

With your actions you have to teach the dog to trust you. Thus, preforming for you, even protecting you.

I don't even start putting much presser on a dog until they are 2 years old.

Just remember that a lot of what you see high end trainers do with their dogs has a lot of fine print in it. A lot of underline stuff that is not visible on the surface. Like the inner presents of the handlers confidante and attitude. Dogs, horses ect ect are very aware at all times of the stuff going on in your mind, because we carry our bodies in ways according to these things. As humans we are blind to a lot of it. As animals that still use a lot of body language they pick up on it instantly, even at a distance.

At 5 months old, I would still be letting my dog be hanging out and being welcome as part of the family most of the time. I would still be teaching him is basic place in your life.
With in reason. He should still mind you and respect you and start doing basic things you ask him to. But that imprinting is the basic foundation to giving him his place.

These are all my opinions. Sorry I got a little long winded.

Heck Dan,
I've got a one year pup and most of what we do is just as you describe......hanging out.

To the casual observer it looks like all we're doing is playing, but in reality it's all part of the shaping, learning and then chaining curve for when the time comes.

When Cassie was about Striders age I was working on the bring with her and some passer-by stop admirering her and said 'oh, training huh?' In all seriousness I relied, 'at her age everything is training'. And I meant it, though the passer-by didn't quite understand.
If they had stopped long enough to listen I would have explained that a young dog is always learning. It's learning something when it doesn't interact with me and it's learning when it is interacting with me. The dog is learning ALL the time it's awake. When the dog is interacting with me I find some way to teach it what it needs to know whether 'playing' with him or working more formally in a routine.

I liken it to just a gentle constant breeze that in the end shapes the tree.
It takes awhile but it's worth it in the end Dan.

Thanks Dave for your input, and I agree with you, a dog is looking for a leader, that is why they follow us as pups, if leadership is lacking then comes the pulling and bad behavior we then try to correct. also what we see in a dog at a trial or in a club settings is more going on than what we see, the constant repetition of task and so on, but before we get there, we have to have communication and trust. that is what I am trying to do. and even thou at five months he looks big, he is just a baby. two years is a ripe time to see the product and continue. Dan

Randy, that is like in the Army, everything is training. I remember in a seminar from a guy from Germany by the name of Alex Brewer, He said to me with my last dog, "You have a good dog, just make him be a dog and have a good time with him" Ace my prior now a SchsII (No credit to me) dog was just about Chico's age. Trying to be a dog trainer and do good, at least for me is constant trying to learn, and since I am disable and have some time, it brings more purpose to my life than to concentrate on pain.

This board and what Mr. Frawley has set up with Kelly and Michael and a whole bunch of you'll is more than a good thing. It is like training the trainer. Dan

No no no Dan,
You misunderstood or I'm not making myself clear.
It is not boot camp. And has little to do with how much little fun the service was. That was all work and only fun when off duty.
That is not how I, nor do I believe, how anyone should be training a pup.

All I am saying is to keep in mind that the dog is learning something all the time, whether at play (with or without you), whether he is alone, or when he is at formal training. He is learning all the time.
May has well give him something to learn, it's a natural course for the dog.........even 'just hanging out and having fun' he is learning something.