Quote: Nora Ferrell

It was confusing in that I didn't understand the difference in training for work and just a house pet. I think that is the conusing part

Nora

Ditto Nora,
I've been trying to figure out the same thing in terms of a house pet versus a working dog.

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

It was confusing in that I didn't understand the difference in training for work and just a house pet. I think that is the conusing part.

ps

If you know the link or podcast where I would have read about that please post.

The Basic Ob vedeo number 302 is perfect for every pet owner, IMO. I also think every owner should watch the pack structure video.

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: nora ferrell

It was confusing in that I didn't understand the difference in training for work and just a house pet. I think that is the conusing part.

ps

If you know the link or podcast where I would have read about that please post.

The Basic Ob vedeo number 302 is perfect for every pet owner, IMO. I also think every owner should watch the pack structure video.

Ditto to Connies post, I missed the PS part. This is what I would have suggested as well. I like the dog to "out" the toy, tug, ball, cat (J/K) or whatever into my hands.
I used to have the lab drop it for me at my feet until he gave me a black eye diving in for it as I tried to pick it up....OOOOPS...that was the last dropped item on the ground for me.

Thanks for all the advice, ladies.

I read on a thread somewhere to use two balls and when she brings one, throw the other.

I tried that tonight. She wouldn't drop the one in her mouth. She would keep that one and try to get the other one, too.

I think I have really confused her now.

A couple of weeks ago, she would finally drop it. She was dropping it right before she would get back to me.

Then, in my confusion, I thought she was supposed to play tug.

Then, I got un-confused, and realized she was to drop it. But now she wants to play keep with it. I have started taking it out of her mouth. No? And then the two balls tonight, I guess she wonders what in the he** I want her to do with two balls now.

I will re-read 302 tonight.

edit: Now I have an even dumber question. How do I find #302.

And yet, another edit. Please pardon my stupidity tonight. Jenn had already posted those links. My bad. Thanks for everything.

Nora,

I think that it is really important for you to pick one method and stick with it for a while or, as you say, she will be confused.

Did you try the food reward method?

And, the trick with the two ball method is that right when the dog drops the first ball you throw the other one and make sure she sees you do it....otherwise the dog has a tendency to pick up the dropped ball leaving you to walk out and get the other ball.

I do not like to use the two ball method to teach the out, it works for some, but food is easier IMHO.

I do use the two ball method when imprinting a new dog to odors though. I can get more repetitions in than when using food since I am not training anything other than get the smelly ball.

Thanks, Carol. I think my confusion has confused her. She seems to be really smart. I will use the food rewards tomorrow with her. I had it almost perfect when she was dropping the ball, now three steps foward and two steps back. She is sitting on command already and I did that with the high value food rewards. She is sitting before her supper and sitting before we go out and sometimes I have her sit just for reinforcement and many of these sits are without the treats, so I know this kind of program is working. I guess I just misunderstood the part about the prey thing. She also loves tug of war with a tug toy I got, but I don't know if I should play with that at all for now, or forever for that matter, but at least until I get her dropping the ball again.

The way I did it at first was I would tell her to drop it and if she didn't I just let her have it until she dropped it. Then I would throw again.

I know my posts are long winded, but I've never been able to make a long story short. Always with the details.

I just really, really,really want to do this just right with her. Especially considering her temperament. She is energetic and alert, basically a guard dog in a little body. And I hate annoying ankle biters which she has a real potential for. I know so much is bred thru hundreds of years for certain breeds and I don't want to change her breed. I just want her to be well trained and pleasant to be with. She is such a cutie.

Previous to her I have had three boxers and a chow mix. After I lost my boxer a few years ago, it has taken me some time to get another pet and I am getting too old for a big dog. She seems to adapt well to being in the house and from what I have read about the breed she is 90% perfect for what I want in a dog. I also have horses and trail ride and I hope to be able to take her with me this summer on trail rides. I have read that this breed has a natural inclination for horses and she is small enough to ride on saddle with me.

And lastly, I am having a little difficulty with down command. She sits and I take the reward to her mouth and lower it to the floor. She bends over but I haven't been able to get her completely on her tummy. Is there a trick for this? Or technique I should say.

Thanks for any help and once again, I apologize for the long post.

No apologies needed, the long post is good, since it lets us know more about you and your dog. That is a good thing.

I think you are on the right track and it is obvious that you want to do the best thing for your dog. Good Job!!

I think the main things are, to stick to one method and also to be patient and calm when training. Don't get in a hurry but rather work with what you have done and build on it slowly. When it gets confusing for either of you, go back a step and work on something you know for a fact will work.

With my dogs, I always throw in some basic work that the dog knows when we are training a new thing. This helps to build confidence in the dog and not frustrate them or the owner/handler.

Plus, it is really great to watch the dog go "Hey, I know that one, cool something I CAN do. Okay mom, let's try the new thing again, I'm ready to try because you make it SO fun for me."

And, one new thing at a time for now as well.....

Since February 3rd, Ember has went from "everything BUT mom" to sit, place, heir (still needs a little help) touch and stand.
One thing at a time is how I did it and when working on a new thing we would also do the things she had already learned.

And, high value treats for the new things, and a medium treat for the things she does already. I do change that up so she really never knows what treat she will get so she wants to try for the really good ones.

I am having trouble with the down right now.....Cindy or someone else may be better able to explain this one. I can learn too.
The one thing that worked that Cindy recommended was to sit on the floor with your knees up creating a little "bridge", then lead her under the "bridge" which will make her have to down to go under. Treat her when she is all the way down and mark with a "yes" or whatever you use.

And lastly, I found a link to a DVD for you that Ed made about dogs and horses....here is the link
Training Dogs to be around Horses

I think he has an article on it as well, but am not sure as I could not find it, so I may be mistaken.

Hang in there, be calm and have FUN. I know you will get the job done.

Thanks,Carol.

By the way, how old is Ember. I have probably read it before, but I forget. Also what is 'heir'? And the touch command. Is that just to touch your palm and what is it used for. Is it something special for working dogs or why would you want the touch command.

Thanks for reminding me about the medium treats. I had forgotten. I'll just tell you, it seems I read these pod casts over and over and sill forget. I'm at that shrinking memory age. Wish is was the shrinking body age.

Also, on another site I read that you should teach the different sit, stay, etc. commands in order. Sit was first, then down. Does it matter? I think it was on expertvillage.com or something like that. The site hooked you into youtube videos where the trainer was working with a little dog. Her dog was much more sedate than mine. Mine keeps me busy trying to give her enough exercise and play to burn off some energy. I know she is an energetic breed but that is part of the reason I want her well trained. She wants to jump on and run to people, really excitable. Of course, I've only had her a little over three weeks.

Also, how long have you had Ember.

Thanks,

Ember is 5 mos, give or take a week.

"heir"=come

And...I have these upside down dishes, little wooden raised squares and when I ask Ember to "touch" she goes over to whichever one I am using and places her front feet on it.

I am starting to use different things like cardboard boxes and stuff to get her used to "touching" different things.

They use it in Mondio training as the one of the steps toward the dog guarding an object, and other uses, but I am just learning Mondio so I may be a little off.
I do not use it with my search dogs. But I am sure it is used in more places that just Mondio.

I don't teach my commands in order, we work on whatever I feel like I want to start on and then stick with it until she gets it.

What breed do you have again Nora, and how old, it is a pup isn't it? Three weeks is a really short period of time so you have plenty of time to get everything you want done.

She is a schipperke. Marie Henrietta Antoinette (Mimi). She was recused from death row at the pound. The person that I got her from (rescuer) had her about three months while finding her a home. She is now close to 7 months and I have had her 3.5 weeks.