I am quite new to Labs and have just taken on a 20 month old chocolate hooligan boy :-\. The only commands he seems to get these days is No!!, Off!! and OMG when are you ever going to behave!!. He has been to clicker training classes, but he has to learn; Sit, Click, Down, Click, Leave, Click, etc etc. If I now try to redirect the jumping on furniture with all four paws on the floor, Click, stealing anything with leave, Click and tearing around with clicking when he eventually lays down in the living room, will the clicker loose its meaning or can he learn all this at once? If he can, do I now have to sleep with the clicker and carry treats 24/7 in order to catch behaviour I like or shall I consentrate on one thing at a time and hopefully the rest may fall into place? Michael
Re: How much can my Lab learn at once? Oh my goodness Michael...I'm on my first dog a yellow lab and your post has made my head spin! ;D More experienced advice will come but I don't think as long as you have 'charged 'your clicker...which I am sure you have if you have attended clicker classes? And you reward everytime you click...your clicker won't lose its value.Pippa only said yesterday though be careful because you get what you click for and it sounds a bit hectic for you at the moment. If it was me and he really is quite 'busy' to stop it being so overwhelming I think I would be working on sit ,leave and off( off if you don't want him on the furniture).....lie down and stay ( a lot of people don't train a stay...can be worked on later.if you've got a good reliable sit,you can ask him to do that and reward him when he is doing something you don't want him to be doing like swiping your lunch off the counter ;D rather than having a grump at him and him not really knowing why you are having a grump! In response to you comment...a clicker was round my neck for a long time ......and then a whistle joined it....not to mention most outfits are chosen due to the inclusion of pockets in their design for a handy supply of doggie treats ;D If you get a min,tell us a bit about how he's come to you and what's his name? Good luck you'll get help on here don't worry ;D Best wishes Angela
Re: How much can my Lab learn at once? Hi Michael, I think Angela has hit the nail on the head You are taking on a lot of different tasks at one time. The first thing I would do is exclude him from certain rooms whilst you work on some basic manners. That way, you get a bit of peace every now and then, and he is not having to learn a million new things at once. I think 4 on the floor is a very important rule for a large bouncy dog, and I would definitely focus on that - followed by a default 'sit' (i.e., he has to sit for anything he wants - going out through the door, being stroked, dinner, lead on, etc. ) That should keep you busy for a while. You might also like to check out these articles The Three Rs - aimed at puppies, but relevant when a dog is rampaging around the house. Teach your Labrador to Relax Taking on an older dog with no manners can be quite a challenge, so don't hesistate to ask any questions you may have. He will be a different dog in a few month's time, so hang on in there. Pippa
Re: How much can my Lab learn at once? Hey Michael! Welcome to you and your choccie hooligan. Good luck with that clicker1 Jac and Lilly (3&1/2 black girl)
Re: How much can my Lab learn at once? Hi Michael, I have a hooligan too, well not so much a hooligan any more . Welcome from me Helen, Hattie 6 years and rescue Charlie 2 3/4 years. Charlie is not a hooligan any more really thanks to the excellent help and support from everyone on here. You will get there, ask as many questions as you like we are all here to help. Helen x
Re: How much can my Lab learn at once? Ladies, Thank you for your encouragement and well wishes. If I could continue on this subject, Finley has a pal; a working Lab x Collie (bred to be an efficient gun dog??? Thought Labs were very good in their own right!!). She is nearly 3 and is your designer dog; walks great, comes first shout and will play, but doesn't bother other dogs etc. If I am to limit Finley's access to rooms etc, should I limit hers too, or allow her in? I have noticed Fin's latest game, which is I'm bored and want to eat so lets play "4 on the floor". He walks up to the table or sides and looks straight at me and makes for a hop then firmly places his feet on the floor and waits for the C&T. When HE has had enough, he runs / tears away and leaps all over Ruby for a play, then its back to the "4 on the floor" game. : We are due to graduate from our training class tonight, ;D so we wont have any "homework" anymore so I can concentrate on your suggestions of perfecting the "Sit" and continue with the "4 on the floor" game. : His recall is fine for outside with very limited distractions, but not with other people or dogs around yet so he remains trailing his 30ft lead for now. I have "Total recall" and "how to win at dog training" now, but due to my life as an active Serviceman, my time for training is limited. I also find it hard to train him when Ruby is around as I feel she is loosing out on my time. Any advice would be gratefully received on how to split the training sessions. Michael
Re: How much can my Lab learn at once? Hello from me, Julie, and Charlie - nearly 8 months choc boy. (Can't help with the training Qs, sorry, just wanted to say hi).
Re: How much can my Lab learn at once? Hi Michael I have just started clicker training with my 2 Scott and Scout. I'm concentrating on a couple of things at a time to make sure I've got my head around it never mind them. On the clicker training section Pippa has recommended a book by Karen Pryor. It's for beginners. I've found it very useful although if your going to clicker training classes you might have already done the things she covers. She suggests you condition a negative reinforcement signal that the dog learns means 'your not getting a treat for that' . Mine is folding my arms and taking a step back. If I do this when they've jumped up at something they look at me then carefully lower themselves down as if trying to pretend they didn't do it I then C&T. It's funny but I manage to keep a serious face. ;D Good luck Jen
