Jetts First Training

[TrinaJ]

Well last night we had our first ever training session with the Rotty Club of Vic. I wish I could say that it all went well...but...with about 40 or so dogs and a group of about 10 puppies, Jett was not interested in anything I had to say. She would sit and about .05 of a second later she was standing again, this went on all throughout the lesson so we couldn't even advance to the 'stay' position *sigh* - I dont know if it was all the other dogs distracting her but it sure was frustrating. She wouldn't watch me at all, so i was unable to give her any other command. I wasn't told to bring food (big mistake on my part), so next time i will be taking some lovely treats for her - i wasn't the only one without food. She did surprise me with the heel work though, she was quite good with that and also with weaving through the other puppies.

Today I am going to call a trainer and get some one on one training with her so that when i take her next time she will at least know the basics (as will i, its been a long time since i've trained a puppy) and that should make it a little easier on both of us.

On a positive note, she wasnt sick in the car Gotta be happy about that!

[Mick Trainer]

Remember that you are teaching her so do not assume that she knows the commands but rather look at it that you are creating an association to the word and doing the action so that each time you give the command be in a position to place her into the position rather than requesting her to do it and not being able to do it if she doesn't. Teaching the dog that it is it's choose whether to follow a command or not will only teach exactly this, that the dog can pick and choose when commands are followed and when they can be ignored. It is setting a poor foundation and is a very common mistake. Rather give the command at the same time you present the treat into position and place the dog into the sit position. Give the treat and reward with praise, then hold her until you give a release command (if you havn't had previous experience with release commands, do a search here and you will find much written about them but they are for me one of the most important commands that you have) as this will help her to progress to holding the position (or staying) much sooner. Teach or condition her that the sound of "sit" means place your bum on the ground everytime and hold it until I tell you not to. Looking at it this way will gain results infinatly faster with great accuracy than simply asking the dog to decide what it wants to do.

In short dont create associations you will only seek to break later, teach the dog what you seek from the start setting a good foundation and the rest is easy.

Mick.

[TrinaJ]

Teaching the dog that it is it's choose whether to follow a command or not will only teach exactly this, that the dog can pick and choose when commands are followed and when they can be ignored

Hence why i wasn't able to give her any other commands, she would only sit for 0.5 seconds then be up again, I spent the majority of the night putting her back into the sit position. While others were able to get their dog to stay, i was still trying to get her to sit (and look at me rather than all the other dogs *hehehe* i think that was the most frustrating).

Rather give the command at the same time you present the treat into position and place the dog into the sit position. Give the treat and reward with praise, then hold her until you give a release command (if you havn't had previous experience with release commands, do a search here and you will find much written about them but they are for me one of the most important commands that you have) as this will help her to progress to holding the position (or staying) much sooner

Thanks Mick, I will definately do that and will most definately be researching all i can about the release command

[Obelix]

Maybe it is an option to teach the basic commands (in the way Mick explained) in a place with lesser (or no distraction).Once you are sure your pup understands the commands take him to places with more distraction and so slowly increase the amount of distractions.Take him to the training and work at your own speed and level.Do not put to much pressure on the pup,just work it in a way it has pleasure in the "work".IMO pleasure in the training is one of the most important tools for the dog and the handler.

[felicityjay]

i think you will find a massive difference when you have some extra tasty treats to hold her attention.

fern only gets bits of sausage when training and she works extra hard for them!!!

practice getting her attention on you with a watch command (do a search on here for different methods) or just by calling her name when she looking away when she turns straight round giving lots of praise and a treat!

also if you spend a bit of time each day doing the exercises you were shown at home and learn the release command mick suggested i'm sure you'll see a massive difference in no time...especially if you make it fun and use lots and lots of praise! it must have been very exciting for her remember (i do think that sounds like a lot of dogs in one class! mine has about 10) and if you started to get frustrated or tense then that would have fed her distraction...remember to just stay calm and confident (i know it is easier said than done!!!!!)

stick with it and build up...the class is to teach you how to teach her puppies will obviously find it hard to concentrate that long.

i know that classes are something i really enjoy and i know fern does too and i'm sure you'll feel the same way soon too!!

good luck!

[TrinaJ]

Yes we also struggled with the 'watch' command, primarily because i had no treats for her. So she wouldn't sit and watch me to get the next command, the stay. I will be taking kabana sasuage with me next time, that should get her attention

With regard to the 40 odd dogs there for the training night, this was made up of groups, puppy (10weeks to 6 months) - that was the group i was in, with i think 10 dogs, could have been less maybe 8. The others (older dogs) were inside (its an indoor pavillion) at registration and went outside into their own groups later, so in effect the puppy group was the only one inside, i guess that was enough distraction for her. So Jett was excitable from the get-go.

I have been spending time with her practising the exercises and without the excitement of the other dogs she seems to be coping well, with lots of praises and yummy treats. I will keep working at it and eventually she will get there, all good things take time. I am sure it was just the excitement combined with the fact that i was unprepared treat wise.

She had her final puppy vaccination yesterday and the vet said she is very happy with the her weight, she's nearly 20kg (44lbs). She's put on nearly 7kg in 1 month. I cant believe how much she's grown since we've had her. The vet said to keep feeding whatever i was feeding her as her coat had a lovely shine to it and she looked very healthy.

Thank you all for your advice on the training, i was feeling a little frustrated the other night (not at her, at myself), it had been nearly 6 years since i had to train a puppy and you do forget the most simple things (like treats, in my defence i did have kibble but i couldn't feed it to her as it was dry and the trainer said no dry for training).

Will let you know how we are progressing, its going to be a long road, but she's worth it. Its something that we can both do and enjoy together.