Too much training for a puppy ?

[JaniceH]

Hi,

I am not sure whether this should have been posted in the behaviour section but I thought I would try here first.

Teazle is now 4 1/2 months old. My friend met her again last week and was amazed at how well trained Teazle was.

Since she was 8 weeks I have been training her the basic commands and a couple of tricks. She can sit, down, recall, finish (German), leave, and can do 1 minute sit and down stays. The down stays are usually done in the kitchen when I am preparing food and sometimes I may forget she is in a down stay and so she stays for longer. Outside on a walk I make her sit and wait whilst I go through gates first, make her sit at kerbs to most roads and sometimes get her to sit and stay when she is off the lead and a short distance away (distance control). When off the lead, she is usually very good when I call her, running to me with enthusiasm, (unless she has found something very tasty in the grass !!) She is made to sit and wait for her meals (only a few seconds). In addition she has learnt a few simple tricks. All the training is rewarded with tit bits as she is very food focussed, and is followed by play. She is always very enthusuastic.

I train her nearly every day for about 10-15 minutes usually spread out over 2 sessions, if you exclude what happens when we go for a walk. The rest of our day togther is spent sleeping (Teazle not me), playing, Teazle curled up between my legs eating her chew stick or chewing her toys (she always seems to want to eat her chews whilst touching me yet she is quite possesive over her food), and going for walks which she loves.

We started puppy class 2 weeks ago and the trainer said he thought there was an intense bond between us. When I asked why, he said he had been watching our interaction. I personally think he is wrong. Teazle was watching me when we were doing the exercises simply because I was talking to her all the time (no one else seemed to talk to their dogs) and she was expecting her treat, which she got at the end of each completed exercise.

The problem is this. I told my friend that Teazle does not greet me with the same joy she greets visitors..she is very quiet and controlled, perhaps giving me her paw and sometimes puts her paws on my shoulder very gently. She greets visitors with enthusiasm and happily jumps up for their attention, her little stump wagging away. In fact, I must admit that I don't think Teazle is a very affectionate puppy towards me, but she does give me licks and hugs from time to time. I would cuddle her all day if she would let me. Anyway, my friend said that in her opinion, I am putting too much emphasis on training Teazle and therefore, she feels she can not show me the affection she shows other people. I did not think that 10-15 minutes (spread out) a day was too much. I thought she enjoyed the interaction and it kept her brain active..she certainly enjoys the treats. When she was younger, it was only 5 minutes so it has increased but it just doesn't seem a lot to me. I also don't think what she can do now is amazing...just normal for an intelligent puppy.

I am so sorry this has gone on for a while, but I would really appreciate your advice as to whether;

a) I am over training her, hence her lack of outward affection towards me. I love her to bits and would hate to think I was brain washing her or driving her away from me (which I don't really get the impression I am doing).
b) Will this affect our bonding or relationship later ?

Thank you.

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by JaniceH

Teazle is now 4 1/2 months old. My friend met her again last week and was amazed at how well trained Teazle was.

Since she was 8 weeks I have been training her the basic commands and a couple of tricks. She can sit, down, recall, finish (German), leave, and can do 1 minute sit and down stays. The down stays are usually done in the kitchen when I am preparing food and sometimes I may forget she is in a down stay and so she stays for longer. Outside on a walk I make her sit and wait whilst I go through gates first, make her sit at kerbs to most roads and sometimes get her to sit and stay when she is off the lead and a short distance away (distance control). When off the lead, she is usually very good when I call her, running to me with enthusiasm, (unless she has found something very tasty in the grass !!) She is made to sit and wait for her meals (only a few seconds). In addition she has learnt a few simple tricks. All the training is rewarded with tit bits as she is very food focussed, and is followed by play. She is always very enthusuastic.

I train her nearly every day for about 10-15 minutes usually spread out over 2 sessions, if you exclude what happens when we go for a walk.

I think that as long as you are keeping the sessions short and very positive you are doing fine. She is still young, so I wouldn't really give her any corrections yet. She sounds like a smart girl and you seem to be doing a very good job with her :D

Originally Posted by JaniceH

We started puppy class 2 weeks ago and the trainer said he thought there was an intense bond between us. When I asked why, he said he had been watching our interaction. I personally think he is wrong. Teazle was watching me when we were doing the exercises simply because I was talking to her all the time (no one else seemed to talk to their dogs) and she was expecting her treat, which she got at the end of each completed exercise.

You probably do have a strong bond with her. Training really helps create a very strong bond between dog and owner. Talking to her like you did probably helped, but I bet that wasn't the only reason she was watching you.

The problem is this. I told my friend that Teazle does not greet me with the same joy she greets visitors..she is very quiet and controlled, perhaps giving me her paw and sometimes puts her paws on my shoulder very gently. She greets visitors with enthusiasm and happily jumps up for their attention, her little stump wagging away. In fact, I must admit that I don't think Teazle is a very affectionate puppy towards me, but she does give me licks and hugs from time to time. I would cuddle her all day if she would let me. Anyway, my friend said that in her opinion, I am putting too much emphasis on training Teazle and therefore, she feels she can not show me the affection she shows other people. I did not think that 10-15 minutes (spread out) a day was too much. I thought she enjoyed the interaction and it kept her brain active..she certainly enjoys the treats. When she was younger, it was only 5 minutes so it has increased but it just doesn't seem a lot to me. I also don't think what she can do now is amazing...just normal for an intelligent puppy.

Akasha is the same way with me that Teazle is with you. I was talking to my instructor about it one day, because like you it concerned me. I was told that it was because I was alpha. Akasha is affectionate with me but not overly affectionate as she is with my husband, but yet she watches everything I do. She can usually be found laying by my feet and when I get up she follows me where ever I go. I am the only one that she does this with.

I don't know if my instructor is right about it being because I am alpha, but after watching her behavior it sure seems that way ;)

[JaniceH]

Thank you Carol and Dino for your replies and I do feel better for them.

Carol, please can you expand on "I wouldn't really give her any corrections yet ?" Our little training sessions are always positive and never harsh and I must admit, she rarely needs correcting. I do correct her when she pulls on the lead though, but again it is not a harsh correction. This is probably the hardest part of training, walking on a loose lead, but she is very young and is progressing well, I think.

However I do correct her, if that is what you can call it, when she does something undesirable like mouthing me.

Sorry if I seem a bit thick !

Also, if she considers me Alpha and thus more reserved in her greetings, will she still love me ? Pathetic question I know... sorry.



Oh...and yes...she was watching me mainly because she was wanting her treat for being a cute puppy and strutting round the room by my side without pulling on the lead, not because she adored me !!!!

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by JaniceH

Thank you Carol and Dino for your replies and I do feel better for them.

Carol, please can you expand on "I wouldn't really give her any corrections yet ?" Our little training sessions are always positive and never harsh and I must admit, she rarely needs correcting. I do correct her when she pulls on the lead though, but again it is not a harsh correction. This is probably the hardest part of training, walking on a loose lead, but she is very young and is progressing well, I think.

However I do correct her, if that is what you can call it, when she does something undesirable like mouthing me.

Sorry if I seem a bit thick !

Also, if she considers me Alpha and thus more reserved in her greetings, will she still love me ? Pathetic question I know... sorry.

What I was referring to by no corrections were mainly pops to her collar and forcing her into positions. Puppies should not be corrected until they have a good understanding of what you are asking of them.

As far as her still loving you even if she is reserved with her greetings, I don't think that is a pathetic question. We all want our dogs to love us. I wondered the same thing about Akasha at first ;) I later realized that she just expressed herself to me differently than she does to my husband.

BTW, you do not seem a bit thick. I think it is great that you are asking questions. How else will you learn? :D I hope that if I have answered any of your questions incorrectly someone will set me straight and we can both learn ;)

[JaniceH]

Thanks Carol, I understand fully now.

All her training is off the lead unless we are outside, so she doesn't get popped. I am happy to say that she always does seem to understand what is wanted. If I am teaching her something new, I do it with patience, and encouragement, rather than correction.

Thank you for your help.

[LavenderRott]

It sounds like you are doing an excellent job!

Chase is my dog. There is no disputing that. But when I come home from whever I have been, she doesnt' even come to the door! But let someone else come over. That is a whole different ball game. There are lots of butt wiggles then. That's ok, I know that I am her mom.

[Denise L.]

When I visit Richard's owner, Richard flips his lid when I come in.

When I am taking care of Richard he barely lifts his big old head when I come in. But if someone else comes...make way for wiggle butt!

Because when he is in my care I am alpha? Makes sense to me.

[carib]

Roxy is exactly the same way with me! don't worry, I am not an expert but I think is normal, visitors are new and exciting things, we are just always there for them. But I am sure the bond is there! Your Teazle baby sounds like a wonderful girl!

[LynnS]

Sounds like you are doing a great job with your puppy.

I found it very easy to teach new behaviors at a young age....like everyone else has said, just keep it short and positive. I did not introduce corrections until Bella was about a year old (with the exception of walking on a loose lead and basic manners)

[JaniceH]

Thank you all so very much...I even had a little chuckle at your comments.