Quote: randy allen

All I am saying is to keep in mind that the dog is learning something all the time, whether at play (with or without you), whether he is alone, or when he is at formal training. He is learning all the time.

Absolutely!

 Quote: randy allen

All I am saying is to keep in mind that the dog is learning something all the time, whether at play (with or without you), whether he is alone, or when he is at formal training. He is learning all the time.
May has well give him something to learn, it's a natural course for the dog.........even 'just hanging out and having fun' he is learning something.

I agree. Just hanging out, playing, and sniffing, he is learning about his world. By laying and watching TV with you, he learns, for instance, that the dogs barking on the TV won't hurt him

Don't forget, that as trainers, we are constantly teaching. The way we interact with our dogs, the way we react to a mistake, the way we give a correction -- it's all teaching the dog about us, as leader.

I spend a lot of time just hanging out with the dogs. We actively train each day, but we also have "quality time." Giving them this time to just be dogs is important in building and maintaining the bond I have with each dog.

As I write this, Toni, Caterina, and Tyra are laying on the bed. Shyner is at my feet, and Drift is off somewhere with Paul. We're all just hanging out and that's just fine

That trainer you mentioned was right.. ENJOY YOUR DOG!!! I enjoy each minute I spend with my dogs. I do sports that they like so they enjoy time with me as well. The day I worry more about ribbons or titles than I do about having fun, is the day I have to re-evaluate why I have the dogs in the first place.

As a trainer, you will be learning constantly from your dog, as well. When things don't go perfectly, figure out why and move on.

Enjoy each minute you have with Chico. They leave us far too quickly to dwell on mistakes and imperfection.

--Kel

 Quote: randy allen

I liken it to just a gentle constant breeze that in the end shapes the tree.

It takes awhile but it's worth it in the end...

Never heard it put that way, but kinda like it. Always there, sometimes more intense, sometimes not intense at all. Interesting.

I wish I could find it again, I posted something to the effect that we don't really train dogs, they only let us think that. Lets face it almost everytime they bark or nose bump us we jump to and get them what they want. The REAL reason humans and dogs started to live to gether is dogs figured out they could get us to scratch all the places they can't reach

I like to hang out with my dogs. This summer is a great time when it is too hot to do anything.
My boy cody loves to have some time alone with me without the other dogs. He asks to go out, all the other dogs say yes, me too, then when we get to the door they run out, he hangs back and lays down, won't go out, instead he goes and gets a ball, or usually (since his toys are not out all the time) runs into the living room and sits an looks at me. I usually get out his flirt pole and have a blast with him or we play search, he hunts for the bunny. Sometimes we just sit together. I enjoy those time with him. At night my other dog Bindi goes into her crate to sleep. When I go to bed, I let her out and she lays next to me and I pet her. Then when my husband comes to bed she immediately gets off the bed and goes into her crate.
We like this time together. My other dog terra is just getting used to enjoying time alone with us. She is very shy and reserved, but is starting to desire to play. She was very fearful when we got her. We have no idea what happened to her before we got her.
I have noticed that after times like this my dogs desire to please me more and perform what I ask of them even better.
I do spend a lot of time asking them to do things for me. And use the time around the house to watch for good things they do and reward them. So, its fun for me and my pups to spend time together. My dogs are not my best friend, but they are my friends in a way, we enjoy each others company. I believe our dogs are a blessing from God. THey love to please and will go way out of their way to please us. I am blessed to have dogs. I do not believe my dogs are people and I try and make their lives full of dog things, but I still enjoy the communication a human can have with a little animal like my pups.
Thanks for bringing this up, it causes us to reflect on how great our pups are!

 Quote:

I liken it to just a gentle constant breeze that in the end shapes the tree.
It takes awhile but it's worth it in the end

Nicely put!

I am with you Randy, Yes a dog will learn either bad behavior by being bored, lack of exercise, and guidance. or he will learn good habits by your guidance, your input and your trust etc etc.

the army example to me is the same,twenty two years experience, weather it was formal or just walking a trail, all was training. and believe you me, most of it was fun, I am talking cohesiveness, like a unit, not boot camp were everyone is at edge. I am with you, if I still miss your mark PM me lets discuss it. But, keep in mind all I did since the age of seventeen was the Army. I do have a softer side now. (Smile)Dan

Dave, as stated before, I agree and understand, they are always in tune to what is going on. Dan

Kelly, one of the reason I got Chico is that I was out of balance, Pain both physically, and mentally. Gaining weight, and did I had enough sense to tell my Dr. what I needed. A dog, not any dog, but one that would challenge me although my limitations, so we went thru that learning curve, and still learning. Now I am more in tune with Chico's needs weather is a walk, or just play, or a massage, I am fortunate to have him in my life, and I am glad that I can provide his needs, whatever that might be at the moment, But I find that hanging out is like yoga, relaxing. no pressure, just learning each other, he is calmer thus I am calmer, he is not jumping, so I am less stress. and is all of training , formal and non formal. Dan

 Quote: Danilo A. Nelson

Now I am more in tune with Chico's needs weather is a walk, or just play, or a massage, I am fortunate to have him in my life, and I am glad that I can provide his needs, whatever that might be at the moment, But I find that hanging out is like yoga, relaxing. no pressure, just learning each other, he is calmer thus I am calmer, he is not jumping, so I am less stress. and is all of training , formal and non formal. Dan

That's awesome Dan. Sounds like you and Chico were meant for each other.