Lori Hall Webboard User Reg: 06-12-2007
Posts: 1039
Loc: So. California coast
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We've had Reggie now for 6 weeks and I've been working with him doing marker training. We are also doing a level 2 obedience class (it's marker training also and actually pretty good surprisingly!) Reggie didn't know much when he came to us - basically sit and give me 5. But he graduated out of level 1 in only 2 class times so he definitely understands a lot more now.
But his downs are totally NOT reliable. He will hem and haw and sometimes go down after thinking about it, other times he won't, and other times he goes right down. I'm positive he knows what I want but I can't figure out why he's being stubborn about them. He doesn't do that with any other behavior. I'm also sure it's not about him feeling vulnerable because he lays down in class all the time all on his own - even rolls over on his side during breaks. And this behavior happens at home just as much.
So how do you deal with that using marker training? I've tried doing the little "nope" when he won't go down, which works for sit or other things, but not for down. And I use his favorite treats! Any suggestions?? Bob??!!
Candi Campbell Webboard User Reg: 03-28-2013
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Quote: Lori Hall
We've had Reggie now for 6 weeks and I've been working with him doing marker training. We are also doing a level 2 obedience class (it's marker training also and actually pretty good surprisingly!) Reggie didn't know much when he came to us - basically sit and give me 5. But he graduated out of level 1 in only 2 class times so he definitely understands a lot more now.
But his downs are totally NOT reliable. He will hem and haw and sometimes go down after thinking about it, other times he won't, and other times he goes right down. I'm positive he knows what I want but I can't figure out why he's being stubborn about them. He doesn't do that with any other behavior. I'm also sure it's not about him feeling vulnerable because he lays down in class all the time all on his own - even rolls over on his side during breaks. And this behavior happens at home just as much.
So how do you deal with that using marker training? I've tried doing the little "nope" when he won't go down, which works for sit or other things, but not for down. And I use his favorite treats! Any suggestions?? Bob??!!
Are you training ONLY when he is Very hungry ??? That's helpful for "chow-hounds"
Lori Hall Webboard User Reg: 06-12-2007
Posts: 1039
Loc: So. California coast
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Candi, he's always hungry...but yes, I've tried training right before dinner and it doesn't matter.
We don't know what his first 1 1/2 to 2 years was like but there are clues it wasn't good, and sometimes it seems like he's having some kind of negative 'feeling' about a down.
Becky Niedbalka Webboard User Reg: 04-13-2016
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Loc: Churchill,Manitoba
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Do you point? Ir is it a word without a signal? I found pointing down with your hand near the nose and near the floor so a dog follows the treat and the hand worked better for me rather than a word only.
Lori Hall Webboard User Reg: 06-12-2007
Posts: 1039
Loc: So. California coast
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Quote: Becky Niedbalka
Do you point? Ir is it a word without a signal? I found pointing down with your hand near the nose and near the floor so a dog follows the treat and the hand worked better for me rather than a word only.
Yes, I do point. And Bob mentioned using a lure - I point and lure at the same time. the thing is, he absolutely KNOWS what down is because he does it half the time.
We've only had him for 6 weeks so we probably need to be patient and just keep working on it.
Bob, I do make sure to be upbeat with him because he's very sensitive and if he thinks you're upset with him it affects things too.
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