Getting re-started - Training questions..
#83803 - 09/06/2005 04:04 PM |
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I want to get back on track with my dog and training. He is 2.5 (neutered) years old, I've had him for a year. We started but some things came up and I feel we just need to start over.
I do have Eds basic obedience video that I will be reviewing again. I have read some of the articles and done some searches here.
I figure we will start out usin markers again, basically from the beginning. Now is it correct that this can be used no matter what? On leash, off leash, on a walk, in the house or wherever, correct?
The more the better? Any action that I like, say 'good' or 'yes'...then pause, then reward?
I want to get off to a good start.
Also, I am a little confused on weather or not he should be confined unless on leash. I am on a ranch, so he has plenty of room to run with no real neighbors (20acres). While in initial training (or maybe thereafter?) should he only be let out of the 'yard' (a 25x25 enclosed yard, where he stays while I am at work) while on leash? Right now, at night he is loose and frequently roams if he hears something. During the day when I am home, he is loose and roams if he wants although he usually is near me. Shoud this 'free time' not be allowed, or restricted for any reason?
Another question is about a crate. He usually stays in the garage via door from the yard he is in while I am at work. Every now and then he stays in the house, but not often (landlord rules). Is there a need for a crate? When we go somewhere, he is usually just in the back of the truck.
These may be newbie questions, but I want to get off to the right start and proceed from there.
Something that has always stuck in my head was in an email from Ed a while back when I ordered his video. A dog is either trained or is not trained, there is no in between, I think I saw on the site as being compared to 'kind of pregnant'.
I would like to be able to say, yes, he is trained.
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Mike McKeen ]
#83804 - 09/06/2005 04:15 PM |
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Well, don't know where you live, but 20 acres is not a very big "ranch" for a dog to roam.
In the country near me, a dog wandering of his property onto someone else's farm would probably be shot if the cars did not get it first.
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Nancy Jocoy ]
#83805 - 09/06/2005 04:23 PM |
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I guess, its all relative. I used to have neighbors 10feet from my house, so being on 20acres is HUGE to me, but you are right, its not like there are miles and miles in between so there is a chance that he could end up on someone elses property. Good point. I should have clarified that, or thought about it more before I posted. By the way I am So.Cal.
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Mike McKeen ]
#83806 - 09/06/2005 07:14 PM |
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Confining your dog prior to a training session will help the dog be positive during the session.
If the dog has acres to run and is sniffing squirrels and poop and stuff all day, then you come home and snap on a leash, the dog will feel confined during training.
But if he is in the crate while you are at work, or for an hour or so after you get home, and you let him out of the crate, the dog will feel a (relative) sense of freedom.
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Anne Vaini ]
#83807 - 09/07/2005 12:52 PM |
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Thanks, I never thought about it that way. So when 'confined'...is the yard I described sufficient or should he be in a crate until I come home? I am usually gone about 10 hours from the time I leave for work until the time I return, that seems a little long to be in a crate I would think.
So should he NOT be allowed to roam at his own free will at all?, should he be in 'his yard' unless he is in training?
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Mike McKeen ]
#83808 - 09/07/2005 06:49 PM |
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Mike, how about building a kennel with a roof and house in it, otherwise you'll come home to an injured dog or no dog at all, also a dog with 10 hrs. of unsupervised time will probably figure an easy way out (digging etc.) i couldn't imagine letting my dogs roam under any circumstance, not to mention a lawsuit waiting to happen, seems like you've been lucky so far, good luck, AL
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Mike McKeen ]
#83809 - 09/07/2005 09:06 PM |
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So should he NOT be allowed to roam at his own free will at all?, should he be in 'his yard' unless he is in training?
This may help:
http://www.leerburg.com/groundwork.htm
I'm not a big believer in dog's being given free will. Dogs are creatures of pack structure and habit. When the pack structure is weak or missing and the habit is removed you have a behavior problem time-bomb. Actions as simple as crating the dogs at night, or confining it properly go a long, long way towards preventing behavior problems.
When I say confined before training, I mean shorter than your leash. To me that is a 18" tether or a crate. To your dog that might be being kept in the fenced portion of your yard. For the aspect of training, there is no need to confine the dog longer than an hour. For the aspect of your dog's safety and your liability, the dog must ALWAYS be safely contained on your property.
Mike, how about building a kennel with a roof and house in it, otherwise you'll come home to an injured dog or no dog at all, also a dog with 10 hrs. of unsupervised time will probably figure an easy way out (digging etc.)
Chances are your dog won't take to confinement well, and escape and injury will only make it more difficult for the future. Building or buying a comfortable, sturdy and safe enclosure as Al suggests, and teaching your dog that it is "home" might be your best route (before you begin retraining). Dogs tear up crates, dig under, jump over fences, etc. If they are able to escape once, they try much harder to escape again.
I will send you more information in a PM.
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Anne Vaini ]
#83810 - 09/09/2005 12:17 AM |
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I agree with the kennel idea. Confinement might be a good thing. Remember the dog is your responsibility and he is to be under your control at all times. Even when your not home. Like it was mentioned earlier it can be a lawsuit waiting to happen. Also please take the weather into consideration during these summer months.
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Re: Getting re-started - Training questions..
[Re: Mike McKeen ]
#83811 - 09/09/2005 06:00 AM |
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There are 101 ways to teach OB and markers work really well for some dogs.. others it doesn't. Give it a try, if it is not "clicking" in the dogs head.. try another approach.
As far as confinment goes I think it really depends on what you want as the end result for the dog (and depends on the dog itself). If you are just looking to have a well behaved house pet, and your dog is pretty laid back all the time then confining it before training will probably make no difference. On the other hand, some dogs who are crated for a period of time before you train work MUCH better.. the energy is there, everything is "fresh" and they are raring to go.
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