Janice Jarman Webboard User Reg: 04-19-2005
Posts: 505
Loc: Mid Missouri USA
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Hi Ben. Sounds like you are trying to start training on a dog that has had none. People tend to let minpins get away with whatever they want to do and then wonder why they don't obey. Don't let the "denseness" fool you.
Most minpins are very smart and quite clever at getting their own way.
They are a big dog in a tiny body and be very dominant and bossy little dogs.
I have two, so I know.
In one way, they are a lot like GSD's, you need to gain their respect before they will listen to you. A long line is essential, in the beginnig, same as for any dog that's had no training.
They have a lot of terrier in their personalities and can be very prey driven. Also most of them are highly food motivated.
Please don't forget to also train the owner in how to be a pack leader. Otherwise, Mr. Dobie will go right back to ALL his old bad habits as soon as you are not around. Trust me on that. Good luck and good for you for helping!
Thanks for your insight Janice. He definitely thinks he is a big dog. I can see food working for him, but I have been locked into a thought process that prey drive means - here's the ball. Go get it and bring it back to me (like my GSD). I've been sitting here thinking about the prey drive with Dobie. Should I expect him to "retrieve" or should I just redirect him when I want him to come back? As you can tell, my experience with small dogs is limited. I'm saving for Ed's Obedience as well as developing drive. I'm sure those will help a lot.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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You will really like the video (#302).
I would start with setting a reward marker, which is what I always do with a new (to me) untrained dog. That's an easy exercise, and fun, and can be done indoors at any time. For example, you can do it with "look." The second his eyes meet yours, you say your marker (maybe "yes") and then reward. I have speeded it up sometimes by luring the dog's eyes to my face with a high-value treat up by my eyes. :>
Then I would train the recall. As Janice says, a dog who was badly trained or untrained probably requires a long line.
Then -- while you wait for the Drive video, finding the prey drive that's there can definitely be done. It can't be created, but I have actually spent time with an adopted adult Pug and ended up with a retrieving Pug. Excitement and fun and wiggly "prey" can help you bring to the surface even the most deeply-buried prey drive.
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Re: Obedience on a Min. Pin?
[Re: Ben Muncie ]
#161917 - 11/08/2007 03:30 PM 
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