Happy Holidays to all'
I have a 19 mo old male that I "work" with using a ball for motivation, occasionally I use food or tug.
He is doing well with this method and we have fun while working on commands.

I also have kids who love this dog and want to play with him and ocassionally give him a treat.
They do not give him german commands or use the same toys to play with him,they do walk him around the property every once in a while.
I want him to have a good relationship with them, and to obey them if the need arises. He is very good with them,no rank issues they are older,(12 & 17).
I'm just not sure where to draw the line if I need to at all,we have had this dog for 2 months and have had zero problems. He does excellent bitework as well, very calm.
I realize every dog is different, and maybe he just knows when he is working vs just playing with the kids. Just don't want to screw up his training.
What is the general consenus (if there is one <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ) on separating family from work in a family/sport dog <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Erin

It sounds like you are doing a great job. Your family is the pack and your dog should be the lowest member of that pack. It is more than ok for your children to give the dog commands, just make sure that they follow through with all commands and use them correctly. Separating German and English commands might be confusing, but if it works for you, than don't worry about it. This sounds like a wonderful dog.

I don't see any problem with giving German/English commands. I do it with Karl all the time and have started it with the younger boys. Come=I want you in my general area and check up on where you're at (most of the time he just runs up, looks at me, and if there are no further orders off he goes again. Front=I want you sitting in front of me looking up at my face./Heel=As I'm standing I want you to come around and sit at my left side (also known as a finish). Fuss=walk along side of me on the left./ Stay=I want you in your run and don't try to get out. Bleib=don't move from that spot or out of position, I'll be back for you. Wait=don't move from the spot until you get a further command./ Down=jump from the back of the truck, etc. Platz=belly on the ground. I have had trainers/dog people tell me that I can't mix commands like that, but since my boys are not show/sport dogs I'm not going to worry about it at all. They are being raised for different jobs and some call for a different degree of basically the same thing. ie. most of the time I want them to walk nicely at my left side--down the road or through a store. If I'm tired and need a boost up a hill then a nice pull helps (for S&R tracking). If for some reason the handler can't see (darkness, smoke, etc.--Fire Rescue) then walk a little in front and guide. Of course the rest of the family don't get the same responses that I do--no need and they don't work the dogs. All they need are basic "pet" commands. Come here and eat your dinner--time to go in the house--come here for a scratch and visit--get off my feet--don't jump on me. Each family member uses their own words to get their point across and it doesn't seem to matter to the boys. "TJ"

My german commands mean we are working and you need to look sharp, focused, and position yourself perfectly. For this you get the ball.

English means you need to sit or lay down, but your posture can suck, kind of like an "at ease" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> For this you get to hang out with me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Strangely enough,he gets it.

I intermix German/Czech commands with English:

Shut up

get in the damn house

outside

NO

forget it bucko, or forget it fluffy, or not on your life butthead

hey stinker

get offa me

and a whole list of cutsy names that I'm to embarassed to post

where's yer ball??

good dog

you hungry- always a yes :rolleyes:

I think dogs can easily discriminate between just kickin' it and for real. I mean, everybody has just plain quality time, right?

hi i currently have a belhie that i work very often and i am doing the same idea with dutch/english commands the only problem which i started seeing with my dog was she realized that she wasnt realy working when the kids gave her commands and she started to diobey a little but i corected it early enough

good luck

A dog will assess his environment before he addresses a command given to him. Because dogs communicate primarily with body language they know the situation is able to distinguish the difference between playing around and engaging in a trained activity such as bite work. An activity is situational and social interaction and contact with his family is important. As long as the dog sees himself as a pat of this family and has gravitated to the lower position but not necessarily a submissive position, to maintain pack continuity.

Verbal commands are important it is but you should consider them as one block in a set of blocks that determine a dog’s reaction to his situation. For example: You can train your dog to “key off” on a command but without conditioning him to many situations his reaction will suffer.

Similarly, one can take the same trained command and in a very short time teach the dog 3 separate words and get him to respond exactly as his original command as long as we incorporate situational similarities with the new commands or words.

Your concern about screwing up his training is a valid one but not for your dog’s lack of understanding the difference between play and bite work. Though a strong dog can get out of a hand even in play, it would not be directed to harm. This is a matter of teaching control. Think of a dog that snaps the fingers for tasty food. You can teach him not to snap so you also can teach him boundaries in play.

The main problem that persist with all dog owners, competitive or not, comes from anyone who is not consistent with his commands. Often there is a lack of consensus about training & behavior expectations within his family. You should work with your kids to be certain everyone understands the need to maintain consistent expectations. If I tell my dog to “Plotz” I expect him to stay there until he is released. If my daughter sees him in a plotz she can release him also but he cannot break his position unless someone says he can.

Some may think this is extreme but really it is not. Remember, the easiest way to train a dog is not to set them up of a mistake in the first place. So I do not require my dog to be in under the influence of my directive unless I need him too. Thereby giving him freedoms that come along with working under the house rules. He is free to roam the house, play with the kids, drink water, sleep (his favorite) and so on. I don’t forget about him when I have told him