Training my dog

wattsusieq

Hi Guys,

Im trying to train my dog, shes still young, Shell alwys be a puppy to me though.

anyway shes just not interested. She wont sit still, or listen, all shes interested in is chewing things and running around. Shes getting a bit better at the toilet training but things like ...obiedence...shes just in a little dog world of her own.

Any tips or ideas how to train her?

thanks

Discostuy

What age is she??
Are you using treats?. I found the best way was to use lots of treats...make it worth their while.
Also maybe tire her out a bit first, so she isnt hyper and easily distracted.

My two get bored of training very quick...a walk before hand and lots of treats usually gets a good 15 mins training out of them before they just walk off
Also maybe try one thing at a time...like try sit for a few days, instead of trying lots of different things that will just confuse her.

wattsusieq

Discostuy wrote: »

What age is she??
Are you using treats?. I found the best way was to use lots of treats...make it worth their while.
Also maybe tire her out a bit first, so she isnt hyper and easily distracted.

My two get bored of training very quick...a walk before hand and lots of treats usually gets a good 15 mins training out of them before they just walk off
Also maybe try one thing at a time...like try sit for a few days, instead of trying lots of different things that will just confuse her.

Shes maybe 12 weeks old now. No im not using treats yet, but will thanks, what are good treats?

Tireing her out sounds like a good idea. Ill give that ago, and Ill concentrate on one thing at a time. thanks for your help

mags16

It's good that you are trying to train her but I wouldn't be expecting too much of her at 12 weeks.

Discostuy

I would definetly use treats...its a great way to get them doing what you want. Nearly all dogs are food orientated, and will do almost anything for food.
I use all sorts of stuff...chopped up apple, carrot, chopped up hot dogs if you really want them paying attention.
You can buy all sorts of treats in most supermarkets...some are pretty filling and they usually recommend reducing their meals a bit, if you are using a lot of treats.
Dont be afraid to really praise and treat them, she is at a great age for training, so be sure to pile on the praise and treats and you'll find she will start learning fairly quick.
With my two before i give them any treats or bits of food, i always get them to earn it...even if its just "sit".

Eventually over time you can start holding back the treats. But in my opionion, at this stage, they are they only way to get her going.

peasant

With a 12 week old pup there is one thing that works far better than stuffing the little thing with treats and that is called patience.

When the pup isn't having one of its silly phases (or isn't sleeping) then its main aim will be to follow you around and gleam from you how things are done around this new place.

It's up to you to establish a routine and stick to it, so that the pup doesn't get confused by conflicting messages.

As far as training is concerned, the onus is on you to "learn" your dog first. Watch its behaviour and try to predict what it is going to do next.

Then you can introduce the commands you want to use later as a sort of running comment while the dog is performing the action all by itself.
Dogs will sit, lie down, stop, come,look,etc all on their own ...all you have to do is to name the procedure to the dog while it is doing it.
In a while it will associate the words with the action and your basic training is done ...this is when you can start asking them to do it.

But I'd say that time is about another month or so away.

Noopti

It's good that you are trying to train her but I wouldn't be expecting too much of her at 12 weeks.

I wouldn't say that. You could easily start training her to sit, which will lead onto other things. Our Cavalier is almost 13 weeks and she sits immediately on command, and won't move until i give her a call command.

Just use treats, limit the time spent training so she won't get bored and don't constantly repeat commands if she won't obey. Most puppies will go to your feet and sit anyway if you are standing and call her. When she does this, immediately say "SIT" and reward her with lots of praise and perhaps a treat. Then move away and call her to you again, when she sits at your feet, repeat the above. Eventually she will associate sitting with the word SIT and a possible reward.

At that age they will learn extremely quickly. Our little one learned the sit command in a few minutes. Just be patient when training, and also watch for when she does something herself without instigation, issue the command immediately and reward.

EDIT: PEASANT just got in there before me!

Amimad

Don't expect her to sit still for long, she's only a baby. Short sessions would be a good idea.

Why not try a puppy class?

It will give her the chance to socialise with other dogs & give you the chance to learn from a trainer what the best approach should be.

I'm based in Galway & run dog training classes, so if you're near me get in touch.

Good luck with your bundle of fun:D
Ami

Noopti

Why not try a puppy class?

Make sure your vaccinations are complete first, which at 12 weeks they may or may not be......

BlackCat2008

Try to get hold of The Dog Listener books or video's I swear by them for training older dogs. Don't forget that dogs and cats teed between three months and six so she will be in pain with her gums and ears just like a child, so no shouting as teeding affects the nervous system as well and you don't want a nervous adult dog.Teach her a game like I got your nose or your ears or belly etc. She will have fun trying to figure out what your going to get next and it's great for when your at the vets too, she see's the vets as a place for fun while the vet gets to see what he needs.(don't get hyper with her while your teaching this tho).Chose a time when you think she's ok take her for a sort walk and then some training. If you find you are getting upset or frustrated stop!!! try again later.

Remember little steps for little pets go a long way.