Comments on: Training for a Relaxed and Calm Dog

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:11:48 +0000

My service dog-in-training is a social butterfly who thrives on getting attention, both human and canine, wherever we go – an undesirable trait for a service dog. I was in the process of training him to ignore two- and four-legged passers-by as best I could by putting him into a sit- or down-stay whenever anyone approached, and while he was obedient, he would often whine. I tried, sometimes unsuccessfully, to ignore the whining, which gradually became both worse and more general. He used to whine only when he needed to relieve himself, but that’s no longer a reliable predictor; he’s even had a couple of accidents in the halls of our (no-pets!) building. He whines when we’re waiting in lines, when he’s resting on a comfortable mat under the computer desk in the lobby, and even when my husband or I are holding and petting him (he’s a 16 lb., 2-yr.-old mini schnoodle). At one point I even abandoned service dog training and resigned myself to his only being a companion who provides emotional support, but he’s such a good dog otherwise that he was only retired for three days. PLEASE tell me what I can do to both lessen his compulsive friendliness and eliminate the whining – before my husband gets a German shepherd dog and instead of having a whiny little dog who pesters people and their dogs we have that AND a whiny BIG dog who pesters people!! : (

By: barbara

barbara — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:22:14 +0000

Thank you for these tips on focus. I have taken my dogs through training to focus, but not this far. Just a focus with the treat by the eyes. Never occurred to me to move the treat down to my side or my back and be able to simply state focus or watch me. Thanks so much for extending my boundaries on this command.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:20:20 +0000

I’ve been mostly successful with the barking problem by thanking my dogs. I let them bark at things going on outside 3 times, then check to see what it is and thank them (for protecting the house). I just say than you, that’s enough. Usually they quit barking. But I must check to see what’s happening to get them to quit. Then they are satisfied that they have done a good job.

By: Minette

Minette — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:34:27 +0000

refocus on an appropriate toy, you must teach your pup appropriate behavior and what is acceptable and unacceptable to play with or mouth.

By: norah

norah — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:42:38 +0000

How can I stop my 9week old pup from hanging on to my dressing gown

By: Janean Spees

Janean Spees — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:08:54 +0000

Hi, thank you very much for the post. You don’t know how this helped me.

By: Lilly

Lilly — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:05:14 +0000

O.K Thanx Anna!

By: Minette

Minette — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:29:42 +0000

Mike,
I have trained and work with police dogs and am familiar with IPO and the like and never used compulsion. I will undoubtedly use some more information on using drives to help with focus and obedience at some point, but wanted to give the novice owners a chance to begin teaching this important command!

Minette

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:01:44 +0000

Lilly he will do it eventually, it is only a matter of time, really, every dog will look in your eyes because he will try to know what you want from him, it is only about your patience.

By: C.Sethu

C.Sethu — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:34:45 +0000

Hi! Chet,
Your article on smeel trainbing is excellent. I have aquestion to you,if you may kindly advie me onthat.
i have a GermanShepperd male dog about 1.5 yrs of age. He is vry inteeligent and smart,but he is too much playful and does not obey the commands but keep playing. Another thing when any one other thatn the family members come ,he starts barking till they leave the house. Wahtever I try he is so excited and keep barking and tries evento jump his cage. he has a long place enclosed sothat he can run around. Also when i take him out he just cannot tolerate other pets or evenbirds ,thesight or smell of themhe takes off.Can you please let me know what canbe done to tame him down and obey the commabnds.
Sincerely Sethu.