Starting over...
#387159 - 12/10/2013 10:08 PM |
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Hi
I haven't been on here in a long time, and I am kind of kicking myself for that. :p
Alright, so after I started in 4-H with Zak (my now almost 2 y/o intact male German Shepherd) in the spring, I kind of dropped establishing the pack structure and doing any type of training except for what was needed for my shows. I slacked on his behavior in the house and just kind of let him do whatever. Which was a huge mistake. I let him get away with a LOT, including jumping on the furniture, chasing the cat and pulling on the leash when we go for a walk. Lately he's started to get a bit more dominant and out of control, so now I've actually got my head screwed on right and decided to start over from the beginning as if Zak were a new dog. I've read a bunch of articles around the Leerburg site and on the webboard trying to get all the information I need. Also, my dad has ordered the dvd on establishing pack structure.
With all that said, and after reading articles on establishing pack structure and all that, I am still really lost as to how to really start over and get going again. And also, I'm overwhelmed because there is just SO much information to take in. Do you have any advice on where to begin? Or have I begun correctly by reading the articles on pack structure and ordering the dvds? I need all the help and support I can get.
If anything I've said is unclear, feel free to ask questions.
Thank you!
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387164 - 12/11/2013 06:48 AM |
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I'm not an expert but I would probably start with pack structure and also doing some structured obedience to get him back in line with listening to you. Good luck.
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387166 - 12/11/2013 08:48 AM |
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You need to work on your discipline as much or more than the dog's (voice of experience). For you to break the bad habits, you have to be 100% consistent from here on out. You can't teach him that it's bad to chase the cat, then occasionally let him get away with it. No matter which way you choose to redirect him from problem behavior in the future, you have to do it the same way EVERY time. I believe you're already starting to see that.
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387170 - 12/11/2013 09:50 AM |
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It's never too late to go back to the basics. Every so often, Bailey pulls some knucklehead stunt that's usually the result of me being inconsistent in my expectations of her or in our training. It's usually a learning experience for both of us. Don't worry, they respond to the change and leadership just fine. Like Duane said, you have to stay consistent.
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387177 - 12/11/2013 11:52 AM |
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Do you know about something called NILIF? It stands for Nothing in Life is Free, and it's completely complementary to all of the Leerburg methods. If you don't know what it is, we can help you.
Basically, a couple of examples, let's say when you feed your dog, you just put the dish in front of him and he dives in. No more! He now has to sit politely and wait for your release command (I say "Okay!") before he's allowed to eat. Same thing for going outside. Any time you are putting him out, whether it's to do his business or to take him someplace, he should be expected to sit or down politely and wait for your permission, not just be allowed to bolt through the door. Is he pesky about demanding to be petted? Ignore him! Petting him is fine, we all want to give our dogs affection! But make sure it's initiated by you, not him.
Are you doing marker training? I'm not sure if that's really covered in the Pack Structure DVD. Maybe someone else knows. If not, the DVD "The Power of Training Dogs With Markers" would give you a good overview of the method.
I give you lots of credit, Anna, for recognizing that you have a problem and making up your mind to do sometning about it now, before it gets any worse. If you can enlist your family's help in making sure everyone is treating Zak the same way and using the same training methods (and it sounds like you have a supportive family), then you should have no problem turning things around.
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387205 - 12/12/2013 11:42 AM |
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387223 - 12/13/2013 12:23 AM |
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No need to be overwhelmed. Start at the beginning as suggested above and take your time.
To many people over think dog training. Pick out specific problem areas and don't be shy about asking questions here.
As for DVDs it's dern near impossible to get better ones the the Michael Ellis marker training stuff. They're like watching a fav movie. Every time you watch you'll pick out something new.
Did I say ask questions here?
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387277 - 12/15/2013 12:43 PM |
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For sure, Anna, ask questions.
Do you have the DVD yet?
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387284 - 12/15/2013 04:09 PM |
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Yes! I got the DVD Friday and have watched about three 30 minute segments so far. I'm really glad I got it, as it clears up some things that aren't covered in the article. Also it has somewhat helped me figure out how I'm supposed to behave as the leader...which is all new stuff for me as I'm an introvert and have never been good at leading...except when it comes to horses.
Yesterday I started Zak back in the beginning, keeping him in a crate in the living room so he's around the family and he can be with us. So far, he's doing well. He's used to a crate because he always sleeps in it and has to go in when we leave the house, so basically he's learning how to be calm in the crate when we're moving around him and not giving him attention. Also, just in the past 24 hours he's gotten really good at figuring out that he needs to sit and be calm when I open the crate door to take him out to go the the bathroom. Furthermore, when I feed him, he gets excited as I walk up the crate with the food, but when I just stand there with it, totally ignoring him, he will sit down and wait and continues to wait until the bowl is down and I release.
So for now, just tiny improvements. But it's better than nothing.
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Re: Starting over...
[Re: Anna Hutzky ]
#387286 - 12/15/2013 05:36 PM |
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Good!
My animals are not "like" family, they ARE family. |
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