I think I have on another spot told about Charlie, whom I found on the street. He must have recieved one or multiple strong blows on his head. Brain-damaged for him means problems with the balance, orientation and coordination.

He at fiirst had great difficulties to down and climb up a stair with 3 steps. I'm training this with him since about 2 years daily twice. He masters in between this exercise without me helping him, but still feels unsure. It depends a lot from the angle where he starts.

Apart from this I train with him the stepping up or into different objects, which he succeeds to do quite well, also the hand touch, touching other items and going around my legs and between them is well, but not yet on cue. I lay for him mainly worth on body awareness. Stepping backwards or up on an object is much too difficult for him. Standing with the front paws on a bucket he does, but doesn't rotate with me not a single step. I guess he doesn't know yet has a movable butt.

This only to give you a picture about him. One of the greatest diffiulties is the Sit. I'm training this with him since 2 years too. My other 3 had learned this within three days. He does sit when I hold my baited hand to his snout and then slowly upwards, but not every day, he sometimes simply doesn't seem to be in the right mood. No sit stay at all. More exactly: once he sits I can make him hold it via duration marker and constant feeding. When I stop the feeding just for a moment he is the next second on all fours.

Has anyone an idea how I could do it better?

I do remember you posting quite a while ago about Charlie. Without going back to look for that thread, I don't remember what advice was given at that time, but I'm sure you tried everything that was suggested. You are certainly determined to do right by all your dogs, and I commend you for that, Christina.

Many of the folks on this board have a saying, "Train the dog in front of you," or words to that effect. To me, that means that no two dogs are alike, and we can't take a one-size-fits-all approach to training. Even though you don't know Charlie's history, you have reason to believe that he has had a head injury and suffers physical disabilities as a result. It would not surprise me if he has learning disabilities, as well. It sounds like you have made progress in some areas in the last two years but are still having difficulties in others. It may be that you have to accept Charlie's limitations and not drive yourself crazy thinking you are doing something wrong.

You saved him from the streets, and he has a good life with you now. Maybe just continuing to work within his comfort zone is what will make him the happiest.

The head injury was diagnosed by a Vet, the one who said it was not worth time and money to train Charlie.

I disagreed but at least I was prepared that it would be difficult. Yes, he has made progress. Don't worry, nothing about him drives me crazy, he is generally a wonderful dog and very affectionate. I can accept that he is different and that some things he'll perhaps never learn. Time will show. But he makes me think, that I perhaps am doing something wrong. and if I'd like to change this.

I also thought, that with easy tricks he might have fun too. But what was easy and fun for the other 3 might be too difficult for him, for example a roll over, a roll to the side and play dead, a sit pretty. The last one would also be good for strengthening his fine musculature of the back. But for this he would first need to to have a reasonable sit stay, for the other tricks a good down stay. I'm not trying such tricks yet, only thinking ahead what could be fun and also useful for him.

Yes I think I'm working within his comfort zone, I never force him and when something doesn't work after one or two times I add exercises I know he'll have success and can reward often enough. So each session ends with a big win.

As you say, what really counts are not his skills but that he's happy. But he would be even happier if he learned to deal with his body better. This is my goal for him. But yes all within the comfort zone.

I think it would be almost next to impossible to say what your dog's limits are but kudos for your efforts.

Thanks Bob. I don't mind what his limits are. But I'd like to further him as good as I can. He has already proven that he is trainable to a certain point and as long as he loves training I will not stop. He deserves this.

Just have fun and you both will enjoy it.

Juhuu, one great succes yesterday. I often lure him on a bank. he until now only did it with his front feet. it' a bit high. When I put the food on the very right or left hind end of the bank he couldn't reach it. But yesterday he had HIMSELF (!!!) the idea to put one hind leg on the bank too and then managed to snap the food. Hope the idea will also come for the other leg.

Sounds like a step in the right direction.

I'd keep working on that

I certainly will. Can I give him help by puttung his secong hindleg on the banc or would this disturb him? The first step he's made by free shaping. Should I better wait until he does this too in this way?

Depends on how the dog understands what your doing.

If it causes any stress at all I'd just work on shaping or luring and maybe have him do this with a lower bank.

Again, this is a dog with issues in motor skills and possibly comprehension skills. That, for me, makes it really hard to suggest any particular thing to do with him.