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Puppy training, sound okay?

17 replies

Celestria · 24/10/2014 08:19

I have had my puppy three days now. I downloaded a book about respect training. Teach your dog 100 words.

The book suggests teaching a dog 'No' and 'good' first. When saying No he says to lower your voice, frown and purse your lips and say no. If puppy runs off it says never chase him. Just walk purposely after him firmly and repeat. It also says that if he still won't listen, to crouch down and hold his chin, stare into his eyes and say again, a firm low No.

Amazingly this seems to be working. My puppy now goes back down the stairs and leaves things when I say No.

I was a bit worried as it all sounded very intimidating and I didn't want my puppy to be scared of me, but he seems very happy.

He is a staffy cross and I am very aware this breed can be quite wilful without correct training and lots of walking/play to burn off energy.

Does this sound okay?

Finally the book recommends for a pup that is flat out refusing to listen, to use a shock tactic, such as shaking pennies in a jar or a squirt of water on the rump. Thoughts?

OP posts:
muttynutty · 24/10/2014 08:27

No rubbish book throw it away and never do anything is says. You know it is cruel that is why you are asking.

Get Life Skills for Puppies Daniel Mills and use that instead.

Sign up for a decent puppy class one that uses positive methods no dominance, or aversive style training asap.

If you want to say roughly where you are I can recommend an appropriate class

Celestria · 24/10/2014 08:44

I've already looked into classes, sadly the one near me is full until after the new year, hence why I went on a book search.

I have to say, I'm not quite sure how it's cruel. It just seems like common sense really. I haven't posted because I know it's cruel but because I don't have experience training a pup and am not certain of what's 'right' or wrong.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 24/10/2014 08:47

Unless you live in the back of beyond there will be more classes . If you want to do positive training have a look at the Victoria Stillwell website and use her ideas ,her programmes are probably on you tube somewhere. Throw away the book !

livelablove · 24/10/2014 08:51

I do think a dog can sort of understand no as in they know you want them to stop whatever they are doing, but I wouldn't train that way. I think it is a waste of time to do all that and if you get it wrong maybe you could scare the pup. I would stick with more positive methods.

needastrongone · 24/10/2014 09:05

I personally wouldn't teach a dog with such negative techniques. The dog isn't 'refusing to listen', it just doesn't understand what it is you are asking it Smile

Dogs live in a human world. They spend their lives trying to figure it/you out and adapt/please you. You dog doesn't understand 'no', but it understands the tone of your voice and body language. It therefore learns not to display certain behaviours for fear of the consequences.

How about using positive methods for your dog to offer behaviours that you like and get the dog reward in the form of praise and treats. You win, the dog wins Smile

Dogs are amoral, they will do what works. if sitting calmly gets a tasty piece of liver, they will sit calmly.

Try Kikopup on Youtube too.

feelingold42 · 24/10/2014 09:21

muttynutty I am in Dorset and I am bringing home our lovely cocker spaniel pup sandy next week at 10 weeks, I am very aware that we need to start training asap could you recommend any in dorset ?

Thank you

Celestria · 24/10/2014 09:35

Sadly I do live in the highlands and the two classes are both full until after the new year.

I do train with treats and praise for housebreaking and sit, pulling on lead etc. He gets little squares of cheese or chicken breast cut into squares. Smile

OP posts:
Lilcamper · 24/10/2014 09:42

feelingold I am also in Dorset and can recommend force free classes for you. Where abouts are you?

Lilcamper · 24/10/2014 09:45

OP chuck that book in the bin, stop with the lowered voice and chin grabs now, unless you want to seriously damage any fledgling bond you have with your puppy. Search for 'Dog Training Advice and Support' on Facebook. Have a read of their files. Plenty of up to date and kind advice on training will be found there.

needastrongone · 24/10/2014 09:57

There's also a brilliant Australian article about why saying 'no!' to dogs doesn't work, which I can't bloomin' find now Smile

Celestria · 24/10/2014 10:11

It's very confusing this puppy training Smile I really wanted to get him straight into a class but just isn't possible.

OP posts:
SpicyBear · 24/10/2014 10:42

Oh gosh. Step away from that book right now! It is working because you are scaring and intimidating him into surpressing the behaviour you don't. For a happy well adjusted dog and good relationship, it's much much better to work on encouraging good behaviour with positive rewards and teaching what you do want him to be doing.

Please please download and read this instead:

www.amazon.co.uk/Life-skills-puppies-foundation-relationship-ebook/dp/B009YXTUU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414143733&sr=8-1&keywords=life%20skills%20for%20puppies&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Lilcamper · 24/10/2014 11:29
needastrongone · 24/10/2014 16:23

Yep, that one Smile

beagleofdoom · 24/10/2014 22:48

I'm in the Highlands Celestria - obviously it's a big place but if you want to pm me I can possibly help you locate a good trainer or class.

I agree that holding your dog's muzzle and staring at them is unhelpful. It's threatening and challenging. Much better to distract and teach alternative behaviours.

Life Skills for Puppies is a brilliant brilliant book. I also really rate Pamela Dennison's fab "Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training" - terrible name but really useful little book.

Good luck :)

mychellek · 24/12/2014 23:31

I think that positive reinforcement works best for dog training. Make your training fun and when your dog does the command correctly give him a treat, if he does it wrong just ignore it. If your dog knows that he will be rewarded he will quickly learn his commands.

MostAmused · 24/12/2014 23:45

We said a sharp Ah-Ah from the start whenever he was doing something he shouldn't such as about to put his mouth on the furniture or something. As soon as he stops (literally to the second) tell him good boy! and distract him with something.
You have to manage his environment and watch him all the time so you can always pre-emptively use the ah-ah.
If you find yourself saying it a lot you need to manage his environment and watch him more closely.

I would second the Dog training advice and support page. VERY useful!

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