Dog training: The Basics

[ShoulderIn]

I’m trying to train my adopted 4 year old dog the basics, but it seems that everyone has different methods, etc. I do use the clicker as I found that it is way more effective than just my voice, but my dog has some quirks.

He knows down pretty well. I’m working on getting him to down anywhere and with any distraction. Sit has been difficult to teach as he sits as soon as he sees any type of food. I try to make him stand, then say sit, but he just automatically sits back down. I also want to have his full attention. He knows “look at me”, but I feel like he can look, but not be tuned into what I’m asking.

An issue that I see in the future is asking for a hold/stay. He starts to talk (a non threatening growl, just a sound to show his displeasure) if I put him in a down and ask him to hold, but don’t give the treat when he wants it. That’s when he tends to get frustrated because since the “negative” reinforcement is not getting the treat, he equates me just waiting as him not doing something right.

Although he is a lap dog by breeding, I want to make sure he is as well trained and respectful as any working dog out there. Are there any tricks you used for your dog teaching sit, down, recall, heel, etc?

[Bluey]

Are you working in a class setting?

That is a very good way for the dog to learn to listen to you and get to do it with all kinds of distractions around.
Also you may be doing something that gets your dog to break it’s stay, or not stand there, that an instructor can help you with.

Once a week basic obedience classes help tremendously, then you have something to work to practice what you are learning.

Also, there is a rational progressing of what is taught, that builds on each other, so your dog goes on to the next behavior with a base from the previous one.

If you skip from one to another haphazardly, your dog may not have the foundation of the more basic one yet to understand the next one, why it could get frustrated.

Working with an instructor is great, if you are not, try that next and see how far that takes you both.

Our dog club gives every adopted dog from the animal control shelter the first set of basic lessons free and for some reason, many adopters just never come take those classes and it would help them so much, even just a few of those, so the dog can learn to work with them.

[Bicoastal]

I have a lapdog with obedience, agility, and rally titles. Several posters here do. Go Toys!

[QUOTE=ShoulderIn;8775142]
He knows down pretty well. I’m working on getting him to down anywhere and with any distraction. Sit has been difficult to teach as he sits as soon as he sees any type of food. I try to make him stand, then say sit, but he just automatically sits back down. [/QUOTE]

That sounds like a great response! He’s learned to “ask to say please.” :yes: What happens if you say “sit” while he’s sitting? Have you taught the stand? How? What reinforcement are you using?

@ShoulderIn;8775142

I also want to have his full attention. He knows “look at me”, but I feel like he can look, but not be tuned into what I’m asking.

When? For how long? Do you know the three Ds? Distance, Duration, Distraction? Each is worked separately and variably (it isn’t always harder, harder, harder).

@ShoulderIn;8775142

He starts to talk (a non threatening growl, just a sound to show his displeasure) if I put him in a down and ask him to hold, but don’t give the treat when he wants it. That’s when he tends to get frustrated because since the “negative” reinforcement is not getting the treat, he equates me just waiting as him not doing something right.

You might be going too fast. Having an instructor’s eye on you would be really helpful. He might be cleverly training you ;). Do you have a “keep doing what you’re doing” verbal marker such as “good boy”? Just curious, is your goal a relaxed, settled down or active, ready-to-spring down?

A formal class will help and provide fun, socialization, and motivation.

[Murphy_s_Mom]

You are confusing your dog. If you want a sit, wait until dog sits, click, toss treat somewhere so he has to get up, wait for a sit (doesn’t matter where he does it), repeat the cycle about 10 times (goal is about 10 times a minute), take a break. Don’t add a verbal or hand signal for a while. Teach other commands the same way, just don’t mix them up in the same training session (at least for a while).