Question:
>> — >I must apologize for the wrong choice of words when I used "cop-out". I >was trying to emphasize that I wanted advice on things that I would take >responsibility for as opposed to passing it onto a third party (imagine >this coming from someone who is a consultant by trade!). I appreciate the >comments I received, which are very helpful. This is our second Lab and >unfortunately for Kia (her name), her predecessor, Aza, was intelligent >and extremely well-behaved. I must confess, however, that I spent more >time training and playing with Aza than with Kia. Now that winter is >finally over and the days are longer, I hope to correct the situation.
I understand. Maybe you thought the dog would in fact be "sent away" for a period of time and be trained by a third party? As someone else said, training the dog yourself helps establish you as the "alpha" and you have better control of your dog in all aspects of its training. I agree, if it is trained by someone else, you lack that bonding between the dog and you that training creates. Each dog is different, as you now know! I started out knowing zero about training dogs and had to get info somewhere…..from training school, internet, friends… with the resources on the internet you can get all kinds of great info, but it’s also good to find a good local training club where a trainer can SEE your dog and teach you how to train your own dog! Good luck. — * Tammy Abernethy – NCSU Raleigh * CLEVELAND INDIANS !!!!!!! *
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >item. Any thoughts on addressing these problems (other than "Send her to > >training school"–that to me is a cop-out) > Oh yes, she was sent to training school, too, but I went along so > I could learn how to train her. It isn’t a cop-out, in fact is > probably very necessary. Look for a good one in your area and > attend some classes. > I’ll second the thought — training school isn’t a cop-out. The > training is as much for *you* as it is for your dog. Unless *you* learn > to be the boss, you will have problems with a chewing dog, and possibly > worse. > You’d be suprised how basic training has a positive impact on *all* of > the dog’s behaviors, not just the ones they’re trained for. It all goes > back to the fact that training asserts that YOU are the boss, and the > dog must do what you say. > At the very least, go by the library and check out a couple of books on > training and see what they have to say. > —
I must apologize for the wrong choice of words when I used "cop-out". I was trying to emphasize that I wanted advice on things that I would take responsibility for as opposed to passing it onto a third party (imagine this coming from someone who is a consultant by trade!). I appreciate the comments I received, which are very helpful. This is our second Lab and unfortunately for Kia (her name), her predecessor, Aza, was intelligent and extremely well-behaved. I must confess, however, that I spent more time training and playing with Aza than with Kia. Now that winter is finally over and the days are longer, I hope to correct the situation.
Response:
>. Any thoughts on addressing these problems (other than "Send her to >training school"–that to me is a cop-out)
Hi, First and foremost, you and her need to enroll in a good training program so she will act calm when visitors are present, inpublic, visiting relatives,etc. Self control is important in all areas of her life, one affects the other. Labs, as well as many other sporting dogs can a royal pain in the butt until they are mature(over two) and TRAINED. Not enrolling in some kind of training program, and seeking pointers online, I would say is a cop out. In the interim, stop painting yourself into a corner. Limit her responsibility. Don’t give her more than she is ready for at this age. Put all shoes and other favorite items away. If she does get ahold of something don’t yell or chase. (cut out all play chase games) Ecourage her to bring it to you and remove it from her mouth, substituting something she can chew on. The best way to deal with the "keepaway" is to have her drag a short line indoors, and long line outdoors(with supervision). When she does get something, you can step on the line to prevent her from running away. This dog, until she is better trained and more mature, needs to stay within your line of vision and grasp. Don’t let her wander all over the house. Very,very few labs at that age will be ready for such responsibility. How old is a human child before it can be out of your line of vision? Are you giving her quality time? Quality time would be seeing she is a house dog and not a mostly outdoor and garage/basement dog. Sleeping(crated) in the bedroom does tend to give one a calmer and more responsive dog. Lying down calmly when eating, reading, TV time, going for 2 to 3 30 minute leash walks followed by fetch sessions will all give you a calmer dog. Speak with your vet, lab people,shelters and get the names of trainers in your area. The sooner you do that, the happier, you and your dog will be. Bob Maida Manassas,Va
Response:
>I have a 10 month Lab who is quite bright but has some bad habits I am >trying to break: For one, she loves to chew on leather and rubber items >(shoes, galoshes, gloves, etc.) and it’s driving us crazy. She knows it’s >wrong, because she’ll hide or hang her head when she’s caught, but she >insists anyway. She also insists on playing "keepaway" where she’ll steal >an object that she knows she can’t and will then try and entice us into >getting it from her. Of course, chasing a young Lab around the yard is >fruitless, so we have to end up tricking her somehow into giving up the >item. Any thoughts on addressing these problems (other than "Send her to >training school"–that to me is a cop-out) >Thanks >Nestor
My lab stopped chewing on stuff she wasn’t supposed to have when I started putting the stuff away behind closed doors. Oh yes, she was sent to training school, too, but I went along so I could learn how to train her. It isn’t a cop-out, in fact is probably very necessary. Look for a good one in your area and attend some classes. Other than that you could try spraying the stuff with something unpleasant like bitter apple or hot pepper spray. Don’t chase her around the yard. Not only is it fruitless it creates bad habits. Exchange the stolen item for a favorite dog toy. — * Tammy Abernethy – NCSU Raleigh * CLEVELAND INDIANS !!!!!!! *
Response:
> >item. Any thoughts on addressing these problems (other than "Send her to >training school"–that to me is a cop-out) > Oh yes, she was sent to training school, too, but I went along so > I could learn how to train her. It isn’t a cop-out, in fact is > probably very necessary. Look for a good one in your area and > attend some classes.
I’ll second the thought — training school isn’t a cop-out. The training is as much for *you* as it is for your dog. Unless *you* learn to be the boss, you will have problems with a chewing dog, and possibly worse. You’d be suprised how basic training has a positive impact on *all* of the dog’s behaviors, not just the ones they’re trained for. It all goes back to the fact that training asserts that YOU are the boss, and the dog must do what you say. At the very least, go by the library and check out a couple of books on training and see what they have to say. — Hewlett Packard Co. Fort Collins, Colorado "Think! It ain’t illegal yet." – George Clinton
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