I am not a dog trainer, only someone who likes a well trained dog. Far Guy said "You like to be in control of the dog." That is true...I like to be the leader of the pack.
We learned about targets and a target stick with Chance.
I had the equipment...a stick and a clicker....and some treats.
My target stick folds up nicely.
You can use just about anything as a target...a wooden spoon, a fly swatter...a target stick is just an extension of your arm...and a focus for your dog.
I say "Sadie Target" she is supposed to touch the tip of the stick with her nose. Then click the clicker when she does it right...and immediately reward with a treat.
Right now she touches the target stick...mostly.
Biting the stick after she touches it with her nose...equals no treat.
I put the target stick inside her kennel and say "Sadie kennel up" once she goes in I click the clicker and reward her with a treat.
I have her heel in the house off lead "Sadie heel" using the target stick in front of her to guide her along...I keep this session real short as she is just a puppy and is easily distracted...and I always want to end a session on a positive note.
Puppies are always a work in progress. Keep the sessions short. A well trained dog is a happy dog!
Sadie 17 weeks old.
Far Side
You sound like a good dog trainer. Glad Sadie has you around to teach her things.
ReplyDeleteShe sure is smart, and really a lovely dog. I am smitten, for sure.
ReplyDeleteAhhah! That would have been handy to use with Charlie in many aspects. I did something similar with my mules in teaching them to lead quietly by my shoulder and never lunge ahead of me. I used a cattle stick.
ReplyDeleteI can see how this could be applied for so many things!
Thanks for the explanation!
Thank you for the information on how you have trained Sadie. I had not heard of Target training but it is very, very smart! Dogs as well as children do appreciate direction and boundaries whether they consciously recognize it or not.
ReplyDeleteThey really want to please you and depend on you to give clear consistent direction. It makes for a happy dog as well as all those they meet.
ReplyDeleteI used to love dog training. Such a great hobby and you're right... good for the dogs too. Most dogs love to work and training, like school for children, is their work. ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteA well trained dog is a delight.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are doing a great job with her. She is so cute!
ReplyDeleteSadie is adorable! My daughter has two golden retrievers, one is only 10 months old but nearly as big as his brother. They are such cute puppies!
ReplyDeleteI've never owned a dog - it sounds like lots of work but rewarding in the end. On the other hand my cats have done a great job of training me. I'm down to just one now and he still rules the roost.
ReplyDeleteSadie is just beautiful, and will be so well behaved once this puppy phase is behind her. That is an interesting process with the stick.
ReplyDeleteI too appreciate a well trained dog. I walk daily in a park where a lot of people also walk with dogs who are supposed to be on a leash. About 75% of them are not on leash, and of those off leash about 90% are NOT trained. So on a walk I get accosted by untrained dogs running up to me and jumping at me. The owners always say, oh he won't hurt you. Someone needs to train those owners with a target stick!
ReplyDeleteOh I agree with you 100%. So many dogs are untrained or poorly trained. I would love to get a dog now that we have space, but Dave is dead-set against it. Mostly because he spends so much time with his family, and their dogs (a Sheltie and a Labradoodle) have almost no training and are an absolutely nightmare sometimes. I keep reminding him of my parents' dogs who are so polite (especially Chevy - he's a total gentleman), but it's going to take some time.
ReplyDeleteSadie is a true beauty!
What fun for you to while away the winter dog training!
ReplyDeleteClicker training, also used with horses. You are good with dogs!!
ReplyDeleteI have seen target sticks but didn't know how they were used. Zoey and I had our first training session this morning using the method you suggested to me. It worked! She was already showing improvement at the end of five minutes or so. We' try again in a few hours. Our one other big issue is barking. She has small dog syndrome and about 50% of the time she'll stop when I say, "Zoey, no bark!" Otherwise she ignores me. Oh but we love her!
ReplyDeleteSadie is beautiful. I love her sweet face. You can tell she really wants to please you.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I admit that the dog will train me!
ReplyDeleteLarry trained our dogs. He wanted them to do what he said. He loved them big, too. Phinnie is ruined. Just me and him and he tries to boss me.
ReplyDeleteWe had well-trained dogs way back when. Sure miss them. We started work with them when they were brought home at eight weeks old. Never had a bad incident with them ever. I see so many people who don't train their dogs, ending up with chewed on furniture, ruined carpets, etc. Just because the dog doesn't do anything in the beginning doesn't mean they'll never turn to bad habits later on. Not all dogs do, but the ones that do seem to never have had any type of training. We even trained my son's cat that ended up living with us (when landlords said no to pets)... which was an interesting thing in itself lol. Good for you doing the right thing with Sadie! Good human, Far Side! *wink* Blessings! // P.S. And I agree with MJM... dogs that are not on leashes are THE WORST. I do not appreciate an unknown dog coming up to me - especially a BIG one - and even jumping on me. There is a leash law in our city and people don't follow it. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI can see why there are so many untrained dogs. It takes a lot of work, time, and consistency. Most dog owners have no idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some of this process.
You are quite the dog trainer! I can't get over how grown up she is looking!
ReplyDeleteA Well trained dog makes for very happy people. Your daughter and family are loving having you there for Sadie!!!
ReplyDeleteI believe that well trained dogs result in happy people as well as happy dogs! I've been approached/attacked by too many unruly untrained dogs over the years, and really appreciate meeting a dog whose owner cares enough for it that they can control the animal's behaviour when necessary.
ReplyDeleteSadie is looking bigger and bigger. Hope she does well with her lessons. You're quite the teacher!
ReplyDeleteIt will be a big help to Jen that you are training Sadie.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of that method but glad it works. I agree with you about a well-trained dog. I've almost always had big dogs and like a big car you almost have to be more responsible as they can do more damage. My dogs were always trained to never jump on anyone first and foremost. They were all wonderful,,,after they were trained. It is well worth the effort for all involved! Good job..both of you!
ReplyDeleteSadie is a beautiful dog. She is growing quickly just like puppies do.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing good
ReplyDeleteLove a well trained dog. Or a princess.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of using the clicker, but not the target stick. Sounds like a good training method, and I'm glad it's working well for Sadie.
ReplyDelete