Whether from a trainer or from your own dog, is there a specific instance that you can recall that changed something about the way you train for the better?
2007-02-02 06:26:40 · 15 answers · asked by Misa M 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
*WOW* - some great answers here! Very cool!
2007-02-02 06:39:38 · update #1
With my first dog I didn't really understand the mentality. So when she had an accident in the house I had scolded her for it and spanked her bottom. It was a complete opposite of how I usually treated her - I was very affectionate, and spoiled her unmercilessly.
For a few days after that incident she was very shy and timid, even overly submissive. I felt SO horrible. I talked to my vet and a trainer and they instructed me on the CORRECT way to handle potty problems.
With the positive reinforcement I've never gotten angry or had to raise my voice, lay a hand or anything negative to my girls and I still got amazing results - not only in potty training but with everything.
I hurt her and because of it, it broke my heart. I totally learned my lesson!
2007-02-02 06:34:28 · answer #1 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Crate Training: You can't use a crate on a dog less than 4 months old because before that age the pup does not have conscious control of its bowels or bladder.
(The Humane Society of the United States published a request that dog owners NOT follow the directions of the so-called "Dog Whisperer" Milan because some of his techniques are archaic and unsafe for the dogs. Example: he once showed viewers how he could subdue a dog by kneeling on its neck until blood loss to the brain made it pass out.)
2007-02-02 06:53:14 · answer #2 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
YES.
If you want to teach a dog anything...it must have instant communication.
If your dog does well-instantly (Nano seconds)give them praise after they do well...any delay ruins their connection.
That's why so many times miss-understanding comes between you and your dog. If you wait to punish or reward even a few seconds after the fact...the lesson is lost.
This is THE #1 problem in housebreaking-people punish the dog after they have found an accident-minutes or even hours after the fact, and the poor dog has no idea what the heck your talking about.
People expect dogs to understand English, but we're not expected to understand bark.
2007-02-02 06:37:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I learned that everything in a dog comes from their pack drive. When I learned and understood that concept, everything changed about my training. Communication between me and my dog became crystal clear and I learned to anticipate his next move before he even thought about it. Now, I am a much better trainer because of it. I am a fair leader and the dog knows EXACTLY what he will be corrected for and when. My dog works for me in a happier way, eager to please the pack leader and KNOWS in his head that no matter what, I will always be fair with him and never correct him for something that he does not know how to do. At the same time he knows and understands that the hammer WILL fall when he chooses to ignore a command that he already knows. Perfect harmony and balance.
2007-02-02 06:45:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it is 'train in the moment'. I found many times i was expecting a certain performance from my dogs based on what we had worked on in the past and where I expected my dog to be in his training now and in the future. By not training in the moment I was allowing myself to be frustrated and get emotional while training. It was damaging the training i was doing and not productive. Dogs live in the moment, we need to also train in the moment.
2007-02-02 06:32:52 · answer #5 · answered by SC 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Every dog is an individual and needs to be treated as such.
What works for one does not works for all. You must tailor your training routines and methods for each dogs individual personalities and tempermant.
I have a female Weim who is a hard hunter and very motivated to hunt. She is strong willed and edgy but very willing to work. Sometimes it takes a few times for her to understand what you want. Once she does she will do it until she drops.
My male is faster to get the idea of what you want. It takes less time to get him to learn something. But he hates to play fetch. A few tosses and he is bored and wanting to do something else.
Same breed but differnet attitudes.
2007-02-02 06:39:57 · answer #6 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My trainer recommended a Gentle Leader for my dog who pulls horribly on his leash. It worked in two days. Best tip I ever got.
2007-02-02 11:44:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing In Life is Free positive training method.
2007-02-02 06:37:07 · answer #8 · answered by W. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the best things I have learned and am still learning is to better understand my dogs behavior. Knowing WHY they do something is really beneficial when training my dog.
2007-02-02 06:35:19 · answer #9 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A friend told me that a good way to train a dog not to bark for nothing is.. Put a few pebbles in a tin can, and when he barks shake them. He will get the message.
2007-02-02 06:36:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋