I have no idea how to train my dog

[puginamug]

It sounds ridiculous I know.

We had a dog who is 16 months old. I took him to puppy classes where we learnt sit/stay/recall. He's not great at them though.

He's off lead quite a lot and his recall is OK but not bullet proof and I would like it to be more so. His sit and stay has also gone off the boil and now is a bit more when he feels like it.

The issue I seem to have is that he knows exactly when it is 'training' and when it's not. Basically, if I have a treat in my hand he's as good as gold and does exactly what I want him to do but I'm incapable of getting him to apply this across the board.

I worry I should be playing with him more/training him more, but no idea how to go about it. I've tried videos but I can't seem to find any that work for either me or him.

I watch some and attempt them but neither of them can really get the hang of it or work out how to embed it into everyday life.

He can do
Sit and paw (for a treat)
Down (but doesn't always stay down)
In your basket (but doesn't always stay)
Waiting at gates/doors before we go through them sometimes but not always.
Recall, but not bullet proof.

I admit he's not really training at all.

These are the things I would like him to do.

Drop - he's a bugger for stealing and running off
Recall every time (especially when distracted)
Be off lead but stay close by
Not go out of the front door or upstairs (we currently have to keep the living room door shut at all times).

And some more 'tricky; type things to keep him entertained.

Despite my username, he is a cocker spaniel.

Then you have no issues if your training is working for you. Not sure of the purpose of your negative posts - if everything is ok with your training.

Train the dog in front of you!

Not sure of the purpose of your negative posts

Because people like you posting on forums as you did above saying honestly drop it is just so simple was really demoralising. Just reiterating that not all methods work for all dogs. And if something's not working it's not necessarily that you're doing anything wrong, but it's the wrong method for your dog.

A solution was given to show how the drop method could work with your dog.

As a dog owner who was struggling I would find that encouraging.

Also the advice to use a 121 trainer who can show you the minor tweaks needed to make your training successful was suggested.

Teaching drop is extremely simple - there is no disputing that

say drop give your dog a treat.

But your training is successful you have level 3 gundog after all

This has all been useful. I think maybe I've been going too quickly, not been consistent enough.

He's definitely a clever bugger but I'll try to go back to basics and stick with it.

I’d look at gundog training for fun. You don’t have to ever want to go to a shoot or deal with game.Things like hunting for tennis balls and retrieving wil really help channel those instincts but also teach manners that will help with the other things. I.e with a retrieve you want them to bring the item back to hand and give it up so this will help you with the dropping.

look up the ladies working dog group for advice on where to start

I’d also keep a pocket full of biscuits at home and reward when you see a good behaviour. The stealing sounds like attention dealing behaviour, what you often find is when a dog is “good” settled in their bed, playing with a toy we ignore them, but when they do something like steal they get attention and then a treat. Challenge yourself to find 10 things a day that you can reward your dog for-start looking for things they are doing right and try to encourage them so the are offered up more

Very very important to train the drop command to start with the dog not having anything to drop.

How on earth do you teach a dog drop when they have nothing to drop? Model it yourself?

started stealing things deliberately so I would give him a treat in exchange!
This made me laugh, I used to have a dog who thought like this!

Please don't waste your money on a trainer. He sounds just like a normal teenager. They grow up and be more sensible with time. Treats are your best friend. Put them in a tin and shake so he can hear the rattle when you need the recall. Also drop. He will drop for a treat and then he will grow out of it !!! All perfectly normal behaviour and sounds like his doing great to be honest.

As explained above!

Say drop
give the dog a treat

The dog learns that drop means treat and will open their mouth to get the treat - the item is dropped.

Oh I seeee!
Thank you :)

I think it’s also useful to point out that the value of treats is decided by your dog.

Dogs have preferences and they don’t always align with what people think should be of higher value to them.

Sign up to Southend Dog Training and do some daily!

Re the whole treat debate, some dogs are just not very treat motivated, indoors or out. I've had to work massively hard with one of mine to build it up in her mind that a treat = praise, which now lets me use food to lure her, which I couldn't before.

And OP, for a cocker, a walk isn't really enough. They are programmed to hunt, so losing tennis balls in long grass and so on will be much more satisfying for your dog, and hopefully lead to better behaviour at home.

I think my spaniel's a bit rubbish. We do keep actually losing the balls!

Last night he couldn't work out that he had to go around the sofa to get something behind it - and just looked after over the back of it longingly!

Often I throw a ball and he just runs off with it and lies down.

Success today.

Two separate games of fetch. One in the park with a ball, one in the garden with a soft toy.

Both times he brings it back and gets a treat when he drops it at my feet. He seems pleased with himself and has caught on quickly.

Did lose the ball a couple of times in the grass. His 'scent work' needs some attention!