Puppy Training

[pjackson]

Hello All,

I have a 7 1/2 week old female Rottie, whom I picked up last Friday. She's doiung very good, and we are working on potty training, which as long as we are paying attention, she's able to go outside with no problems. I initially intended to send her to puppy kindergarten, but because of scheduling she wouldn't have been able to go until June. I was going to take her to Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club, which is the only AKC licensed Obedience Training Club in Greater Pittsburgh, Pa. I want her to go to Puppy Kindgarten, then Basic to Advanced training, as well as get her CGC certification. From the AKC website, I lerned that for CGC she would have to go to an authorized trainer, which I located her, and she was recommended for training by a friend also. I spoke with her yesterdya, and my concern is her training method. Example: Everywhere I read when it comes to puppies biting, it's recommended you tell then no bitr, and redirect thir biting to one of the toys. Her method is to not teach "no biting", but teaches puppies to soften their bite, because she wants them to bite. I don't know if that's the best approach, and wanted to get additional thoughts. Her name is Barb Levenson, an ex-school teacher, who has spent the last few years stidying dog obedience and training. She mentioned the other school being ran by volunteers, and with them you don't get the best results. I don't know if you can post a website in the forum, but I was wondering if anyone could look at both sites, and provide feedback.

http://www.gtotc.com/

http://www.barblevensondogtraining.com/door/

I don't want to send her to a place, where the results won't be positive, please advise.

[RottiMomCT]

Hmm...wonder why the AKC site told you that you had to go to an AKC authorized training place in order to receive a CGC. I think if you go to ANY school that trains you and your dog to be good, polite canines & handlers you will have no problems getting your CGC.

I do CGC evaluations and I know of three dogs, all rescues/strays, that rec'd their CGC certificates and had no formal training...all done by owner/handlers.

If you do not agree with the methods of training, you will not be happy with the training facility.

[pjackson]

Hi RottiMomct,

It's not that the aite told me I had to go to an authorized AKC trainer for CGC, But I did a search for my area, and this lady who has already been recommended for training was there, and I called her. It's not so much as I don't agree with the tarining method, I want to be sure that is the best method for my Nikita. I've searched the forum regarding biting behavior, and I always read teaching no bite, and redirect it by giving her something of hers to bite on, which I agree with. As well as the fact that it has been working. I tell her Nikita no bite, and give her a chew toy. If she doesn't listen I raise my voice, then if necessary I pick her up gently holding her head to make eye contact. That normall does the trick, although I don't have to go there often, because she listens to me. If she's too wound up, and still biting, I simply end the play session by putting her in her crate for a few minutes, and hen she calms down I let her out.

[TrishB]

There is a difference here that you might be missing.

Yes, you do want your puppy to bite and then to learn to 'soften' their bite. THEN you teach 'no bite'. Here's why:

Puppies learn by biting things what they can and can't bite. They also learn that when something they bite reacts, that they can't bite it that hard. ;)

So in a sense, you DO want your puppy to bite you in the beginning. That why, when they do bite you, you let out a loud, high pitched yelp "OUCH!!! " You'll find that your puppy will instantly release your hand. Your puppy has just learned that he hurt you and released (just like a litter mate would if they were bit too hard).

So follow these steps:
1) Let the puppy bite your HANDS (hands only)
2) Let out a loud, OUCH!!!!
3) The puppy will release your hand
4) Instantly praise the puppy for releasing your hand

This way the puppy learns how much pressure they can and can't put on your skin. This is incredibly important. Bite inhibition (teaching bite pressure) is critical. A puppy that has no idea of bite inhibition may, further down the road, bite someone seriously simply because they don't know HOW to bite softly.

Once your puppy learns how to bite softly, then you can teach 'no bite'. But the soft bite must be taught first.

[pjackson]

Hi TrishB,

I do now understand the difference, and I thank you for it. Now what about when she bites clothes, items, and articles. Until Puppy Kindergarten should I tell her no bite, and give her something else to bite on?

[TrishB]

Originally posted by pjackson
...should I tell her no bite, and give her something else to bite on?

Yes! Just make sure you say it in a stern voice and that you mean it. Only say it once.

People that say commands more than once only train their dogs that they didn't mean it the first time. ;) :D