I'm trying to stay positive, but I certainly have mixed feelings about it. It's like anything else in this world - you can expect it all to change about every 20 years or so, including using different words. Twenty years ago when I took my lab Smoky to training, they used words such as sit, down, stay, come, etc. You used hand signals to emphasize what you wanted the dog to do, and Smoky was quick to learn it all and become a well-behaved (mostly) pooch!
Now I find I need to use new words that include "release". Now those of you who are within 15 years or so of my age, can you imagine saying "release" to your dog? The trainer went to a lot of trouble to explain the mentality of a dog and how they learn, but I would like the training to be more straightforward and not so much of the psychology of the dog. Sadly nothing ever stays the same, but with me the old saying is so true - "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." This may be a loooonnng 6 wks. I also don't like using a clicker - as many of you know, we slow down as we get older, and by the time I remember to use the clicker, the behavior I'm supposed to be approving of is long past. I'd get more reaction from saying "Good boy".
The trainer did tell me that 16 wks of age is the worst and most difficult week for a puppy - usually the juvenile delinquent stage. It seems to be true, but maybe that week is over with because this morning Rocky has been the sweetest, most cuddly puppy I've ever seen. I love it and will enjoy it while it lasts.
I just had a funny thought. I went to Catholic schools and I seem to remember a nun or two who had a clicker. Can't remember what they used it for, but if it worked for a bunch of bratty 2nd & 3rd graders, it might just work for bratty puppies!
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I was always told when I had animals to use one syllable commands. I think animal gurus are trying to make animals humanlike. JMHO
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right in that respect. Dogs are dogs from my point of view, and trying to turn them into humans is disrespectful to their nature; like saying they aren't good enough to begin with so let's try to turn them into miniature people. I never even liked giving my dogs human names, so my beloved pets have been Smoky, Lady, and Rocky, with a few in my childhood years such as Tippy, etc.
DeleteGypsy - I share your frustration in the changes command words! In fact, when I took my Sorcha to her training class, I told the instructor after the 1st 10min that I was going to use the commands that I knew: sit, down, come, OK (as the release command), etc. Too hard to learn a new vocabulary. I also gave up on the clicker at the same time and went back to the hand signals as part of the command with the instant reward of Good Girl and a teeny food tidbit. Hand signals become such an important part of a dog's vocabulary, especially as they age and lose hearing. I have to admit that back in the Dark Ages, when I was doing the training instruction and training my own dogs, we were using the old choke-collar-yank-and-pull method. So not doing that was hard for me to learn but so much nicer for the dogs. I almost gave up on the classes with my Sorcha, but having other dogs around as distractions and having someone there to offer some useful tips kept me going. My advice is to use the commands YOU are used to using. The instructor will just have to accept them! You're paying the bill! So, if you find the clicker a royal pain (like I did), just modify how you reward your dog. All they really want is praise from their owner and a treat! However, there are clicker training videos out there if you want to keep trying (I think Karen Pryor is the one with a bunch of training videos). So glad Rocky was snuggly this morning - he's bonding with you through the training! BTW - don't forget to keep working on his acceptance of having his toes handled...do it every day so he will be comfortable having his nails trimmed regularly. PS - Glad your stitches came out OK! Lynn - Kingston NY
ReplyDeleteThanks for your understanding and sharing experiences. It is doubtful that I will ever use the command "Release" to my dog, so I'm not going to confuse us both. I have some basic commands down pretty good, but forget how to train him to heel or to just stay on one side of me while walking, so I'll probably stick with the classes for what I can get out of them, but thank you for telling me that I can use the words I want to use and don't have to say and do things that are more foreign to me than the dog. They just don't feel right, and that's no way to try to convince a puppy, is it.
DeleteI really think that's a good plan for you! I too realized I needed to use what came naturally. Puppies are just balls of energy. When I think back to 7 yrs ago when our 2 came home with us, I don't know how we survived (and we were 7 yrs younger!). Our beautiful show girl, Ghillie, was killed by the stupid ER vet during the emergency C-section (probably the worst experience in my life!). I had asked Ghille to give me 3 little girl puppies, which she did. I forgot to ask her to "stay" with us. :( Luckily I had a great friend in Albany who had a week old litter on the ground and she and that litter's dam fostered my 3 puppies. Carol got 1 puppy and we brought 2 home when they were 10 wks. Breeders say to never adopt siblings -- and I can tell you that it is a crazy idea. Sometimes, they got so wound up playing that we had to give them time-outs in their separate crates! We still have baby gates to keep them out of the front door hallway and so I can corral them in the kitchen if necessary. A crate is also set up in the living room because Sorcha goes into most nights to sleep. I don't think I could really go through that puppy stage again, even though they're all so cute. And my dogs are little 20lb Cavalier Spaniels, not high-energy Labs! I'm so impressed that you are perservering in all this work and chaos!. I have a friend who has a big (90 lb) high energy Golden - she walks him using a harness that has the clip in the middle of the chest. It works wonderfully to keep him from pulling ahead. Anyhow, keep going to the class -- you'll get tips and Rocky will benefit from the socialization. Lynn - Kingston NY
DeleteWhat an awful experience to lose a beautiful pet in surgery, of all things. I'm glad you kept two of the puppies; I could cry at the thought of what you must have gone through. Rocky goes through that "wound up play" stage in late afternoon. I don't really have a lot of space and not too much furniture, plus the floor is laminate, so he loves to race around and slide all over. Tonight he may have hurt himself running into the front sliding door, but he's walking okay now.
DeleteThe breeder told me that this litter seemed to be smaller dogs than previous ones. I don't mind that because I have an idea how big he'll be eventually, and a smaller one might eat less?? His appetite is insatiable right now, but that's usual for a lab.
Yup, enjoy it while you can:)
ReplyDeleteThere is frustration as well as satisfaction enough to go around for a long time!
DeleteI don't think I would like that clicker business either. Good boy make such an impact I think. When I tell my little guy he is a good boy he gets so happy. And yes I was always told to use just one word as often as possible. But what do I know. I'm glad he is settled a little right now it could be from his shots.
ReplyDeleteI have decided to do what is comfortable and comes naturally to me.
DeleteI would never use a clicker. And I watch Lucky Dog on Saturday mornings and he uses just the basic commands like sit, stay, don't touch, etc. Nothing new. And I think you really need to stick with the program but do it your way. If you're comfortable giving the commands, Rocky will trust you enough to obey them. Don't know why I'm trying to give any advice since I was horrible at making our pups obey anything. LOL They are sooo spoiled.
ReplyDeleteI was hesitant because my daughter and two granddaughters were with me, and I enjoy them being able to participate. Jeannie is so open-minded and eager to try the system they recommend. I've done this before, so have something to compare it with. I think I prefer the older method I'm comfortable with. This newer way probably works well but you have to sign on to it and use it exclusively until the dog is trained. You don't have to say "Release" forever! I will continue with "Good boy".
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