Now, as a first time family dog owner, no one ever really told me that training takes time...that training is not a two week, or two month or even a several month sort of thing. It is a LIFE TIME thing. We get frustrated at our dogs and misunderstand them assuming the dog is ignoring you or being stubborn when, really and truly the owner needs to be trained to train the dog. Dogs forget and labs may learn quickly but its short-term. One must persist to make it long-term. Tiger is getting better about going in the car. I play fetch with him in the patio and although its short distance, it is extremely hot so that alone tires him out more. I go back to the car and practice with treats (now its command first then treat). At the first of every training session it takes coaxing but then he goes in and out like its nothing...like its a game I did a few test runs, taking him to a public park and he really resisted ...any suggestions on something that can REALLY entice him? Smart cookie was telling me that staying at the park is a greater reward than anything I could offer him, lol.
Re: OMG Training takes time! Very true, Tigersmom, it is lifelong I think that dogs have good memories for what they learn, but it is fairly specific to situations. So, when we change something, it seems like they might have forgotten, but really it's just that to them it is all different because it is a new situation, so we have to go back a few steps. Once they're learned things in a few new situations they do start to generalise it though. What kind of treats or enticements have you been using to get him in the car, especially at the dog park? Can you take him before his dinner time and then use his dinner to get him in the car?
Re: OMG Training takes time! I might consider taking him when hes very, very hungry. He gets in but its not automatic, there is some resistance followed by my having to coax him. Its going to take a lot of effort.
Re: OMG Training takes time! My dog will refuse to get in the car unless we toss a treat in first. If I don't have a treat I have to lift him in. :
Re: OMG Training takes time! Yes, I did that yesterday when I took Tiger to the dog park for the first time in over two weeks. I just wasn't convinced he would go in after all that training so I did not bother to test it out. I simply picked him up off guard and put him in. It is a bit silly to pick up an over 1 year old lab, or at least, I felt like I was. After some coaxing though he did go in when I took him to a batting cage where it allowed him to focus on me and not run off (since its caged) and I would toss balls back and forth. Of course with coaxing, he went in the car (treat/new bone)...I do get tired and sometimes think I'm training him for the treat and making him picky for treats, too. I do get afraid that I am doing more harm than good for him since he is growing older. I have also noticed something different and hes been neutered at 2 months...he has started to lift up his leg a lot to pee ..we have to stop constantly for him to do this during walks, lol and he kicks the grass, too! Should I continue to allow him to make frequent stops like this during walks? Is this a dominant thing? Also, are there any other mental stimulation and unique games you have thought of to play with your lab? Do share! thanks!~
Re: OMG Training takes time! The cocking his leg thing is just a sign he is growing up (all male dogs do it, and some females, too!). The kicking thing is spreading his scent around, telling other dogs who he is. Personally, I wouldn't let him pee all the time on walks - I would encourage him to walk briskly with you to the area where you want him to do his business. Many gun dogs are trained to pee on command, but it depends whether it bothers you or not that you have to keep stopping, I suppose.
Re: OMG Training takes time! Charlie is allowed to cock his leg and sniff if I've said "go sniff", he can do what he wants but no pulling. If I say "close" I expect him to walk with his head up, at my side and not stop to pee or sniff. Extra cues are different leads (I switch to a limited slip lead for close) but this is a temporary thing as I'm doing a bit of work on making sure he really knows the two cues.
Re: OMG Training takes time! Yes and getting him to get in the car from a park - twice I have tried to test it out...I have had to pick him up both times and put him in the car...and this is increasing his stubbornness all over again. One lady was in her car laughing at me but I am now growing a thicker skin.
Re: OMG Training takes time! I really wouldn't worry about it. Just put him on his lead, take him to the car, and pick him up if he won't get in. Give him a treat for being in the car anyway, and he'll soon be jumping in rather than being lifted. make sure you put him on and off lead a few times in a sessions so lead doesn't always mean going home.
Re: OMG Training takes time! I think that training never stops , the minute you sit back and become apathetic , you can bet your life the monkeys will let you down Sam, coming up for four years old , was ( I thought ) really obedient , so sit back on laurels , yesterday on a long walk he defied me twice, refusing to listen , so today was Back to Recall Day
Re: OMG Training takes time! [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9704.msg141909#msg141909 date=1423155697] I really wouldn't worry about it. Just put him on his lead, take him to the car, and pick him up if he won't get in. Give him a treat for being in the car anyway, and he'll soon be jumping in rather than being lifted. make sure you put him on and off lead a few times in a sessions so lead doesn't always mean going home. [/quote] I second Julie. Just do it, as they say.
Re: OMG Training takes time! The problem is, Julie, is that as we are walking towards the car from my house, he gets stubborn - feet planted, looking the other way (ignoring), if forced a bit, he starts chewing on the leash, he gets incredibly stubborn the more you try to pick him up. If he does look my direction even if im sitting IN the car, he is sniffing at me to see if I have something enticing for him. If I do, he STILL gets reluctant, cries to see if I will just give him the treat directly rather than getting him to go in. I think I've ran out of all options now. He gets pretty feisty if you try to pick him up, by the way.
Re: OMG Training takes time! [quote author=TigersMom link=topic=9704.msg142329#msg142329 date=1423333353] The problem is, Julie, is that as we are walking towards the car from my house, he gets stubborn - feet planted, looking the other way (ignoring), if forced a bit, he starts chewing on the leash [/quote] This does not sound stubborn, to be honest, it sounds fearful. I don't think dogs are stubborn by the way, that's a very human emotion.
Re: OMG Training takes time! Does sound odd.... Can you feed him near the car and then with the bowl in the car and then with bowl at the back of the boot so he has to get in? I'd be tempted to make every meal about the car, starting from a distance he's comfortable with.
Re: OMG Training takes time! I can try but he just goes back out of the car again I just do not know what to do. Any more suggestions to try out?
Re: OMG Training takes time! Split the meal into 3 or 4 and feed him one section at a time. He may get to get back in but if he twigs there's more coming he might stay put. Or hand feed him in a continuous stream or put a quarter in and just add a handful as it gets low.......or even scatter it all round the floor of the boot. Gradually stretch out the timeframe...... Just thinking out loud here best of luck!
Re: OMG Training takes time! Might not be in the master plan but will he get into the back of the car and sit WITH someone?
Re: OMG Training takes time! How old is Tiger? I started with Mella (now 1y2m) when she was just 8 weeks, as soon as we had her. Took her out with me every time I went somewhere. Too late for you probably I know, but now she loves the car and just jumps in as soon as I open a door (chuffed) It takes TIME, a lot of it, all the time, every time your out. The only "treats" I carry are her dry food (Royal Canin Junior kibbles) which she obviously loves. The thing I'm working on now is "drop"! She fetches all right but WILL NOT DROP!!! She will - one day :
Re: OMG Training takes time! [quote author=cheddar-caveman link=topic=9704.msg143128#msg143128 date=1423681664] . The thing I'm working on now is "drop"! She fetches all right but WILL NOT DROP!!! She will - one day : [/quote] Try better treats?
Re: OMG Training takes time! Cheddar, I too, did the same. I took Tiger wherever I went. He has been exposed to a lot actually. Most of the time he enjoyed it. He was freaked if I left him for a minute to go get gas, etc. I think it is him aging and gaining more independence. I also see the sullen look in the back of the car - he just doesn't like going for the ride anymore but of course always enjoys getting out of the car to play outside.
