I understand you weren't trying to tell not to let her on the furniture. I was just pointing out that she came to me knowing she can't. Honestly had she been a smaller dog, I might of been fine with it. Heck I might of been ok with her doing it, but since she already doesn't, I'm not going to change it.

From what I've read on these forums, most people are on the same page, but with subtle differences. I think this is more because individual dogs are different and have to handled differently, more than it is the owners way of thinking. I know I've read in places an answer that has worked for a dog and I say to myself, that would never work for Ziva.

 Quote: Tresa Hendrix

James, the story about my grandmother was just for a laugh, sorry. Ziva's nipping is just playing...what exactly are you doing when she nips? One way to stop this is to use structured games like fetch or tug. When she nips you, the game stops, at least momentarily, redirect her to a sit or appropriate behavior, then back to the game.

When she's nipping at my heels, we are just playing a game where she tries to get behind me and I spin around and catch her. If I don't spin, she darts in and nips me. If I'm playing ball with her, if I don't throw it right away, she'll jump up and gently put her mouth on my wrist. Doesn't bite down at all. She will not bring the ball back to me yet.

Logan tries to play his version of the spin game. The point of the spin game is to try and bite you before you turn around...its best not to play this game at all. Spinning around just ads to their joy I tell ya.

For fetch, just make her sit before you drop, bounce or toss it. If she doesn't seem to know sit yet, you can raise your hand suddenly and he head goes up and butt down. If needed use a leash to keep her from jumping when you raise your hand. As SOON as her butt touches the ground drop the ball. Then gradually add a longer pause as she advances.

To get her to bring it back...use a long line on a buckle collar probably. Have 2 balls or another toy, toss the ball when she is under control (no biting no jumping)...then when she gets the ball, call her to you, don't let her possess the ball. If she doesn't respond you can show her another toy to lure her in or tap tap tap (not a correction just getting her attention) on the line and reel her in and reward her when she gets to you (even if she drops the first ball)...either throw the other ball behind you or play tug or use a treat. There is more to it than that but that's the beginning steps.

"She will not bring the ball back to me yet".

Ah yes! The old throw the ball and hope something happens method.
Learn marker training and back chaining. Unbelievably easy once you get the hang of it.....and I've not seen a dog yet that couldn't benefit from marker training. It doesn't have to mean that you don't add other methods with it. It's just a fantastic way to get started.
Out of curiosity how much training experience do you have to say "That would never work for Ziva (and why)?

I have a natural retriver and who is not.

Dexter would follow the ball but leave it when it stoped moving.
I back chaing the behavior with marker training.

He still is not brining the ball unless I have him sit by me, then toss the bal; and give him the cue. I can't do too many rep and I use a very high value reward.

Thanks for the tips Tresa. Last night she was bringing the ball back to me after some coaxing, using the old throw the ball and hope something happens trick . I am going to start some basic marker training this weekend that I've read about while I wait for videos to get here. I'm really looking forward to it.

We went for a walk last night, and she picked up pretty quickly that pulling on the leash was not acceptable, and before long, was walking beside me.

As you bond with her more, she'll be more likely to bring it too...if somebody Logan knows well tosses a ball he gets it and brings it to me not them. Structure is how you get a reliable retrieve though...which plays into other pack order things.

If she has a high value reward then be sure to reward her when she does bring it back. Use markers to pinpoint to her EXACTLY when here behaviors are rewardable.
If she like the chase then try playing two ball.
She has to have a good reason to bring it back consistently.

I was swamped yesterday but had a huge note to myself on the desk: "Adult Dog Thread ... wait for DVDs."

I had seen this: "I am going to start some basic marker training this weekend that I've read about while I wait for videos to get here."

I wanted to ask, do you know about loading the marker? (What is your marker? Is it a word or clicker?)

Not trying to drag you back, but there is no basic marker training until you load (charge) your marker.



Bob is giving you some great hints about fetch. I should know; he taught me about back-chaining. (All chaining means, James, is teaching the links of the chain of actions of a command one by one, back-chaining being when you start with the last link.) This is by far the fastest and most foolproof way for smooth retrieve teaching I've ever done, including two-ball. But two-ball is good too!

I do know about loading the marker. I plan on using yes as the mark. I didn't like the idea of having to carry a clicker.