Quote: joy van veen

... Redirecting with a "watch-me" is very good; but only after you've worked on the command and get good results without distractions.

Huge ditto.

But at home, in the kitchen or back yard -- are PERFECT places to work on watch me with fabulous marker rewards.

I forgot: You have the marker video?

Foundation marker work is going to do a ton, from bonding to releasing frustrated energy (including mental) to creating a dog who loves training.

We don't have the marker video yet. Just the little bit that was covered in 8weeks to 8months, what I've read and watched on the Leerburg site, and some Karen Pryor that I've watched.

Will research more.

Off topic slightly but any advice on how to keep him from trying to bite my hand off when I reward him? I've tried keeping in in a fist so he can smell it and not giving it to him til he's licking my hand only, but my hands are getting pretty beat up from rewarding....TIA

Hi Danity,
Try placing the reward between your thumb and forefinger, kind of pinching it between the two. Keep your palm flat when you present the reward to your pup...

QUOTE: " He doesn't listen (especially to me) and is just a PITA at this point."

So now the puppy is a PITA because YOU are not able to manage him or his environment, control him, work with him, train him or even be able to follow the suggestions made to you here without many excuses for why you can't. The poor puppy. He deserves better.

 Quote: danity siebenale

We don't have the marker video yet. Just the little bit that was covered in 8weeks to 8months, what I've read and watched on the Leerburg site, and some Karen Pryor that I've watched.

Will research more.

OK, tell us what you know. Do you know to load the marker? If not, we'll start there.

Do you have a clicker? If not, we'll start with a verbal marker.

Do you have a bunch of tiny rewards (M&M size)? The criteria are yummy but small, and easy for you to handle.

In fact, make them small enough to hide some in a back jeans pocket or in small containers around the first room you plan to use (high enough that the dog can't reach or see them). Later you will probably want to get a bait bag.

I also keep a baggie by the door to the yard. Training opportunities come up all day, every day.

For the treat-taking hand-thing, good suggestion about having a flat palm, reward kind of partly tucked into the fold between the thumb and forefinger.

The dog is not a PITA. There is an old and very true saying: "Let the trainer examine himself when the dog makes a mistake, or does not understand the exercise, or fails in obedience, and let him ask 'Where am I at fault?' " ....

This is as true with a companion pup as it is with any SchH dog.

This means that all of this is in your power and control! In other words, this is good news. You do not have a PITA pup. He just has not had the foundation work that he (and all pups) need.

You can do this. It's in your hands, not his paws, and all you need is the info and then to do the work (which is, I have to say, fun!).

Dani, I also had a 'PITA' puppy, and so I came here for advice. I eventually realized that the puppy was only a 'PITA' because of my mismanagement and lack of experience in dealing with a pup who was not soft as butter.

But I learned, and so will you!

At 5-6 months, even though your pup is probably pretty big, he's still very much a puppy. You may be expecting too much from him at this age.
Work with him in short training sessions and keep them fun. Keep posting, reading and watching videos and try to enjoy this stage of your dog's life. It really doesn't last forever.

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

... But I learned, and so will you!

It hasn't been that long, either, and now you are one of the very best at helping the new folks!

So Danity, in 2010, people will need help with their new PITA puppies on here and you will know how to help them.

Dani-

I've been watching this strand (just to let you know you are not alone) because I am having some of the same issues. So hang in there!

I want to add that I have done marker training with the verbal mark, "yes". The puppy loves it (been doing it since about 4 months old and she is 8 months old now and quite competent--but still naughty from time to time)

Connie is right have little treat bowls EVERYWHERE in the house--it really works and you don't have to always feel like you need a formal training session. Just little quickies to settle down the pup, they love to work.

My dog needs a sign hanging on her neck: Will work for food.

One other thing Dani, my dog has been restricted to our property due to quarantine, I have had the advantage (or disadvantage, one might think) of having to use training for exercise in addition to lots of back yard games. My point being, that this dog is getting stuff like marker and place training down (stuff I never really did with my previous softies) We haven't been on walks yet but I am hoping that she will be confident and well behaved when we are finally able to go out in public in December!
(I'll keep you posted)

So maybe also take some steps one at a time??

 Quote: anne jones

QUOTE: " He doesn't listen (especially to me) and is just a PITA at this point."

So now the puppy is a PITA because YOU are not able to manage him or his environment, control him, work with him, train him or even be able to follow the suggestions made to you here without many excuses for why you can't. The poor puppy. He deserves better.

Yes, poor puppy. I am following the suggestions I've been given. I continue to train him and work with him. I do control his environment...I'm the one who cleans house, scoops the poop, feeds, waters, and grooms him. I'm the one who takes him to the vet. And yes, despite all of the above he's still a PITA. Where I have I made any excuses for why I can't do anything? I came here looking for help because the people here have more experience than I do.