Puppy Training?

Question

My puppy is four months old and he doesn't listen!!

He doesn't like any toys but sticks (I've bought MANY different ones for him, including teething bones)

He is very dependent, and doesn't learn when I am gone for more than a day--he's just that much more anxious and excited when I get home.

He is also not training well. He knows how to sit and that's all. He won't consitently come and he won't lay or stay. What is the best way for me to teach him these other commands? I've tried leash and training with a second person, but he doesn't truly enjoy the treats I give him--I've even bought him gourmet liver treats and he still turns his head.

Help!

Okay first of all, my dog is not fat. I take him hiking and to the beach every day. and he's TURNING AWAY from the treats, not being gorged on them.

He is a lab/shepherd and possibly chow or newf (he's extra fluffy, has a curl in his tail, spotted tongue)

Also, thank you for walking and heel tips but he doesn't need training for that he sticks like glue--even when he wanders away he isn't naughty and doesn't stray more than two yards away from me unless playing with other dogs.

I'm trying to avoid trainers, since I've had dogs growing up that I've trained and am simply stuck on this little guy right now--I can't figure out how to get him to listen.

This is when he was three months old

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14497717@N06/1473774698/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14497717@N06/1473774688/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14497717@N06/1473774686/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14497717@N06/1473774680/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14497717@N06/1473774676/in/photostream/

Answer 1

Positive reinforcement is what works best-and believe it or not-does not mean you have to give your pet treats! Praise them when they do something right, and correct their bad habits immediately.

Admitting that your dog doesn't behave consistently is telling on yourself-you must not be consistent in your training with him. Enroll in an obedience class & learn how to train your dog for just about anything you need him to do. (In obedience class they may ask that you bring a food item at first, but you can always just bring food from his bowl instead of treats.)

Answer 2

You should try puppy classes, like the ones offered at PetSmart, or think about hiring a dog trainer that will come to your house and teach you how to train your dog.

It could also be in your voice. I tend to "ask" my dogs to sit, come, lay down... etc. instead of telling them to. And they rarely listen when i'm being nice. I now can tell when my tone is very sweet rather than commanding.

As for the anxious behavior when you get home: when you leave and get home don't pay a lot of attention to the dog. All you are doing is reinforcing the behavior. Instead when you leave don't make a big deal about it. You don't even have to say good bye and don't make eye contact. When you get home ignore him until he settles down. Then when he's calm, praise him profusely. He'll eventually understand not to be so anxious when you leave and return.

Keep in mind, he's still just a puppy, equate it to a human toddler. I may take him awhile to learn, but be consistent and he'll finally start to catch on.

Good luck! :)

Answer 3

What kind of puppy is he? Also, you being a female and him being a male does not help much as far as training goes. Dogs are pack animals and this leads them to have an alpha male...and he can tell that you aren't the alpha.

My current puppy did not like dog treats until recently. We used air popped popcorn for his treat and positive reinforcement for when he listened.

You'll have to be rather firm with your puppy, use a deep voice and sound commanding when you are training him. Then as soon as he does the trick well, use an extremely happy tone of voice. Also, just keep repeating the commands. It took three days of almost non-stop "lay down" to our puppy before he finally got it. A lot of dogs just hate to stay and come and require massive amounts of work.

I could offer a lot more suggestions, but they might not be helpful for your breed of dog. If you would like, post more information on the breed of your puppy and I will help you out further.

Good luck and don't give up!

Answer 4

Get into a class or find a trainer and work one on one with the trainer and your puppy.
It sounds like you need to learn how to teach the dog things.
The trainer can give you tips and tricks and teach you how to train the dog.
It takes firm and consistant work to get training accomplished.
Some dogs take longer than others and some learn faster than others.
As for you being female an the dog male and not accepting you as the leader that is just plain bull. I am female and I have had quite a few male dogs including several intact male dobermans who had no issues with me being in charge or being the alpha or leader. It is all about the energy you project to the dog. The dog knows who it can take advantage of and he knows you let him do things and get away with them.
GET HELP to learn how to put a stop to the misbehavior before things get worse. Working with a trainer can really help but you need to find one who you like and can work with.
Good luck.

Answer 5

Have you tried classes? I know that Petsmart offers an 8 week program for $100 which is not bad at all. It's not the best training, but it definitely teaches your dog socialization with other animals and they do give you some great tips.

We didn't learn too much in class, but the take-home sheets they gave us are great and we use them now to review. Either way, a think some sort of puppy training would be a good investment for you. You'll have this puppy for hopefully many many years, invest in his behavior.

Good luck to you! It is possible to train your puppy...I promise!

Answer 6

Get a bag of small dry dog food (treat) and give him one small treat when he does what you want. On the lead , hold the lead in your right hand and a treat in your left. get him to walk on your left . Walk along with his nose on the treat and reward him with a well done and the treat every 10 seconds.
It really works but you have to be 100% consistent. He only gets the treat when he does as you ask

Good luck, love him always

Answer 7

Every dog wants to be trained. It fits in with their instinct to follow the alfa dog in the pack. Your dog thinks he is the pack leader (alfa) in the home. You need to let him know ,you are the alfa in the house. This is confusing for the animal if you are letting him think he is the leader. When you give the command, reward when command is completed with praise.

Answer 8

Check out Cesar Millan's website where you can get his DVD on training. He is the best and is known as "The Dog Whisperer" Best of luck to you and your pup!

Answer 9

pay attention to what he likes... then try get his attention with those things...

maybe all he wants is praise for being good since dogs love our attention!

what breed is he?

and he's only 4 months..just keep trying and being patient with him he'll come around =)

Answer 10

girl, you had better go FAST to the library!

Your dog is going to be FAT from treats.
That is why it's NOT doing anything---you don't give them a TREAT ---TILL they do what you say---


LIBRARY----NOW!!!!!