Odd Question

[LisaCass]

OK, after wording the subject line several times, I figured I'd better just entitle it as an odd question. Forgive me if I seem like an idiot.

We have had Mac for three days now. Mac is an amazing boy, and though I know we are still "honeymooning" I am really liking some of his behaviors. I know how to train a dog to do things I want him to do...lots of practice, treats, love and praise, etc. My question is, do I reinforce the behaviors he already has in the same manner?

For example: Unless he is sleeping, he will respond to "come" along with a whistle or a kissy noise. When he "comes" he will sit down at my feet and just look up at me. I have been praising and treating him like crazy (I STILL have a hard time getting my JRT female to do this!) He is so natural with these manners. If he is not called, he will follow me to the kitchen or wherever, and lay or sit at my feet until I move, and then the same. He is VERY young, about 6 weeks, a pound puppy, and this behavior seems so natural to him. He does this with my husband as well, who is delighted. He will sit until his food is ready, and I have NEVER seen that without a good amount of training.

So I guess my question is...is this possibly just because our home is new to him? Is it possible to reinforce a "natural" (not the word I am looking for, but I can't seem to find the right one) behavior?

We had company over and they wanted to know how long it took us to get him to do these things. We were congratulated on having such a well-mannered pup, but we really don't deserve any credit, and what I don't get is that he has been without his Mom for over a week. His sister, my neighbor's new puppy, has a great temperment also but is more puppylike and doesn't do these things...I know I should just be gateful for now, but any ideas to keep it going?

Thanks. I really do feel silly, but I want this to last! It isn't at all what I expected!

Lisa

[WorkinDogz]

Lisa,

Positively reward behaviors you like (conditioned ones; or "natural") and show disapproval with the ones that WILL surface that you're not as pleased with.

Even though he comes to you when called; still reinforce it as though you're training it. Consistant reward.

Best of luck with the little one!! :)

[LisaCass]

Thanks SO much, WorkinDogz! I totaaly expect to see some negative, but I am glad to know I can at least work on this great stuff I am seeing thus far.

I follow a lot of your replies, and I wanted to say I am grateful to have such knowledgeable people like yourself to help in my new adventure!

Lisa

[Trinitii]

My girl Athena who is almost 5 months old will sit for attention so natural. I will often tell her good sit and praise her even if I didn't ask her to do so. It seems with time she has the sit command down even when I do ask her so I think praise helps. I'm not a professional just my thoughts :) Sounds like you have a wonderful pup. I'm a little jealous hehe

[Mattweiser]

Trintii, Lisa,

Most things that I have read call this "autotraining".... basically taking a picture of a specific action and rewarding it....

by rewarding it, you encourage the action... then the inclusion of a word eventually becomes a command.... it is probably the easiest, quickest, and least stressful (to the dog) way of training OB..