Sounds like a typical teenage dog butthead testing his limits.

He needs a bootcamp of NILIF--"Nothing In Life is Free."

Starting today, the dog must earn everything. He cannot eat, drink, pass through a doorway, enter or exit a room, play with a toy--nothing he wants--without first "earning" it by complying with a command that you have given.

His behavior is easy to explain: everything you've listed is an assertion of dominance. He is showing you very clearly how dogs understand leadership--they take command of physical space, they do not respect other pack members in their path, and they go first.

It doesn't mean he's bad. But it does mean he senses that there is a void in leadership within his pack and he is prepared to step up and lead since no one else is proving to him that they are up to it.

So, it's up to you to very firmly and fairly and consistently remind him who pays the rent and buys the groceries. This should not be a battle. And it should not require any kind of harsh correction or force. It simply will require you to have a set of house rules which are 100% black and white. Dog wants to go out the door? He must sit. He must wait for you to open the door and go through first and wait for a release word. If at any point his butt leaves the floor, you close the door and start over. It doesn't require you saying or doing anything but waiting him out. That's how leaders behave.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

... I'd be focusing on some pack work, and learning about marker training in the meantime.

This video is not expensive, even if you want the actual DVD as well as the online streaming.

http://leerburg.com/219.htm or http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=522


This video is for folks brand-new to markers (and even those who are brand-new to owning a dog!).

That basic groundwork in marker training would be followed by the first of the Michael Ellis video series: http://leerburg.com/training-with-food.htm

Those two would give you a very solid understanding of marker training. (Even the first one will get you started with your dog, IMO.)

And there a million free Ellis clips, too, if you click up above here on "Video on Demand."

 Quote: Rob Maltese

 Quote: Greg Meyer

 Quote: Rob Maltese

As for marker training, I don't quite follow - although when I think marker I think clicker. Again, I am new to this and am learning more and more as I read.

Rob,

Check out this link below that will take you to one of the very good e-articles Leerburg has provided. I think it will get you on a better footing in training new commands, reinforcing the training your dog has already had, and in overall building a relationship based on respect with your dog.

http://leerburg.com/markers.htm

I think you will find your relationship with your dog and the level of obedience you will achieve will be vastly improved if you steer away from the compulsion-based training you are practicing with your dog and head more toward positive training that you'll find with marker training. I was pretty old-school myself until I discovered marker training, through this website and from dog trainers we had used, and it changed my whole attitude, in a great way.

Great article I'm currently picking through it now, thank you Greg. I look forward to purchasing the videos to learn more as well. The below quote sticks in my head and I will also explain below...

 Quote: Ed

When a dog exhibits a behavior we like the consequence is a high value reward. In marker training that reward is either a high value food treat or a high value toy that the dog really loves. If a dog does not perform a behavior the consequence is "No Reward." This is called a negative reinforcer. When a dog gets a negative reinforcer it must then repeat the exercises if it wants to get the high value reward

I notice myself doing this now with his ChuckIT ball which I believe he views as high value. I give command, he performs how I want, he gets his ball tossed for him. If I give command, he fails to perform it correctly, I give him a "No", then give command again if he then performs it correctly, I toss his ball.

If I understand marker training up to this point - that is what I am performing. Again, bare with me - for I am still reading and learning more about it. It seems very interesting and a positive, fun method for both handler & dog.

I think you're probably trying out reward-based training (leaps and bounds ahead of compulsion training, for me), but maybe not exactly "marker" training. (The marker has to be loaded, or charged, which we can definitely explain if you want, before you can use it to "mark" the desired behavior. The marker can be verbal -- short and sweet, such as "yes!" -- or mechanical: a clicker. The marker-charging, a short but necessary precursor to marker work, shows the dog that the marker means "reward is coming, for what you did to hear the immediate sound of the marker!")

 Quote: Tracy Collins

Sounds like a typical teenage dog butthead testing his limits.

He needs a bootcamp of NILIF--"Nothing In Life is Free."

Starting today, the dog must earn everything. He cannot eat, drink, pass through a doorway, enter or exit a room, play with a toy--nothing he wants--without first "earning" it by complying with a command that you have given.

His behavior is easy to explain: everything you've listed is an assertion of dominance. He is showing you very clearly how dogs understand leadership--they take command of physical space, they do not respect other pack members in their path, and they go first.

It doesn't mean he's bad. But it does mean he senses that there is a void in leadership within his pack and he is prepared to step up and lead since no one else is proving to him that they are up to it.

So, it's up to you to very firmly and fairly and consistently remind him who pays the rent and buys the groceries. This should not be a battle. And it should not require any kind of harsh correction or force. It simply will require you to have a set of house rules which are 100% black and white. Dog wants to go out the door? He must sit. He must wait for you to open the door and go through first and wait for a release word. If at any point his butt leaves the floor, you close the door and start over. It doesn't require you saying or doing anything but waiting him out. That's how leaders behave.

ABSOLUTELY!

NILIF is really what Ed's pack groundwork is all about.

This post explains perfectly what you need to initiate in your house, Rob. Your life (and how you share it with your dog) will change.

JMO!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

... I'd be focusing on some pack work, and learning about marker training in the meantime.

This video is not expensive, even if you want the actual DVD as well as the online streaming.

http://leerburg.com/219.htm or http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=522


This video is for folks brand-new to markers (and even those who are brand-new to owning a dog!).

That basic groundwork in marker training would be followed by the first of the Michael Ellis video series: http://leerburg.com/training-with-food.htm

Those two would give you a very solid understanding of marker training. (Even the first one will get you started with your dog, IMO.)

And there a million free Ellis clips, too, if you click up above here on "Video on Demand."


And here's an article to get you familiarized with marker training: http://leerburg.com/markers.htm

Sounds good, I might purchase that $25.00 streaming video now, if I do so - how long do I have to view it? Also, I noticed it is the power of training your dog with food...if he isn't very food motivated (which he is but I prefer toys), can I substitute toy instead of food?

This may seem like a stupid reason to prefer toys over food but, similar to the NILIF training method I like the theory of having Axle work for his toys, which means he must do what he's told, then he gets his reward - his toy! Is this the wrong train of thought?

You do need to use food first: http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=206

(You'll understand better when you view the first two marker videos, too.)

But we've helped lots of folks on this board find the right tiny food rewards for their dog, and about doing sessions before rather than after meals if the dog isn't wildly food-driven.


Also:

 Quote: Ed Frawley

... When you purchase a streaming version of one of our DVD's you can watch it as many times as you wish. There is no limit to that. We currently have the stream available for 5 years with unlimited views. ...

"This may seem like a stupid reason to prefer toys over food but, similar to the NILIF training method I like the theory of having Axle work for his toys, which means he must do what he's told, then he gets his reward - his toy! Is this the wrong train of thought?"

Remember we're talking about pack work, not ob training, when we talk about NILIF.

I guess I need to determine a value of treats... part of me believes he was marker trained too. I don't know if I should ask the trainer or not... I don't want to step on his toes?

We were told when we got Axle back that he knows the word "No" and he knows the word "Yes"... how much further he knows - I'm not sure...

Axle doesn't own any toys. They are all yours. He will always only have a toy because you have given it to him. When you decide that he can play with a toy (either with you, or a chew toy by himself) he will sit politely to "ask" for it, and then release it when you ask for it back.

So--I think your logic is right. Yes, he will get the toy as a reward. But he will get EVERYTHING in his life as a reward, because it will come from you as the provider of everything in the universe.

But before you go back to working on obedience with him (and thinking about using food or toys as OB rewards), take a week off and don't worry about obedience. Work on nothing but pack structure--the simple kinds of "show me you respect me" gestures described by NILIF (search that here, or on Google---it's a thing.)

Most dogs can change their outlook pretty quickly when they see that you mean it. But this is not a license to go all Rambo. Think of yourself as a kindly but strict kindergarden teacher. You want the pupil to succeed. And you are generally supportive and encouraging. But you have rules, they are always fairly and consistently enforced, no matter what, and you're not putting up with any funny business. Ever.

Once you are convinced that he sees you as his leader, THEN the OB will be much easier.

And then we can debate the merits of tiny treats vs. toys for OB training.

Thank you Tracy, I've looked into the NILIF and I have already began to adapt this to our life. Below are some examples...

Prior to "NILIF"
Axle had freedom to enter & exit doors before us.
Axle had freedom to jump on the bed and get comfy, and we would get comfy around him.

Axle had freedom to enter/exit the vehicles.


Current doings.

Axle is required to sit, wait for Sam & I to clear the doorway and release him saying "free".

Axle is required to sit off the bed, allow us to get comfy (undressed, prepared for bed, in bed, comfy), then we release him saying "free". Then he can jump on the bed and get comfy around us.

Axle is required to sit before entering the vehicle, once I am ready for him to enter - he is released with "free". Then when we come to a location to exit, he is required to sit. I get out, he remains seated till I am ready for him to get out. Then I say "free" and he can exit.

These changes alone have changed the relationship to a much more positive one and I do believe he respects me more. How do you test that respect level?