"off" days?

• 10-20-2009 2:07 PM

  mileysfurlessmom Joined on 10-19-2009 Posts 21 Points 15

  "off" days? Reply Contact Do your dogs have "off" days when they seem just a little more rebellious or don't want to listen when you are training or working with them?What is the best way to overcome it? I just continued asking Miley to do what I wanted her to do and gave her praise/treats when she *finally* did it, but she just was soooo rambunctious today! Next time, should I continue to be consistent and ask her to do what I want, or do I give her a break? For example: I ask Miley to sit when I put on or take off her leash and when we're going in or out of the house. Granted, she is still "learning" sit, but she knows what I'm asking of her because she's been doing this the whole time that I've had her...but today she decided that she just didn't want to listen at all. Do I continue to make her wait until she does what I command? How long and how often do I continue to command her to "sit"? Knowing that she is having an "off" day, do I continue to ask her to do things or is that setting her up to fail? I'm such a rookie....and thanks in advance for all your help!

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• 10-20-2009 2:27 PM

  In reply to mileysfurlessmom

  kle1986 Joined on 10-22-2007 KY Posts 3,488 Points 915

  Re: "off" days? Reply Contact  Exercise her someway. Play with her or take her for walk. Then resume training lessons. My Vizsla is a blast to teach stuff but sometimes he has a little too much energy to focus. So I let him burn it off and then he's good to go. mileysfurlessmom: For example: I ask Miley to sit when I put on or take off her leash and when we're going in or out of the house. Do I continue to make her wait until she does what I command? Yes that is what I did with my Vizsla. I have him "sit" and "wait" before I let him go out the door. I open the door and he has to wait till I say "ok" before he can go out the door. I have a 4 year daughter that kept getting knocked down with him bolting for the door so he needed to learn door manners. Just one thing. Dont stand there and say "sit, sit, sit, sit......." until she does it. Because then she'll learn she doesnt have to do it the first time you say. Labs are smart! I have a Dalmation/Lab mix so I know how smart and stubborn they can be! Sounds like your on the right path though! Kimberly

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• 10-20-2009 3:10 PM

  In reply to mileysfurlessmom

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 5,927 Points 710

  Re: "off" days? Reply Contact Young dogs often get bored when training or the excitement of a walk overcomes their "sit" training.  I'll put a link to some clicker training info, if you aren't familiar with it.   I don't have time to type much more right now.  I'll check back later and if you haven't gotten some more ideas, I'll throw some more suggestions at you. I agree that repeating commands is counterproductive.  Many people "think" a dog knows sit but if they aren't sitting every time, with the three "d's", distance, duration and distraction (in this case excitement about the walk), they really haven't been thorougly trained to understand "sit".   Do you have any training books? http://www.clickertraining.com/

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• 10-21-2009 11:51 AM

  In reply to JackieG

  griffinej5 Joined on 09-10-2007 Pa Posts 2,777 Points 60

  Re: "off" days? Reply Contact I often just walk off from my dog if he doesn't listen. I might try saying it one more time, but after that, I walk off. The opportunity for reinforcement is lost. However, I don't allow him to go get his own reinforcement. If we're waiting to go out the door, I will usually still hold his leash, just turn my back and step away. I come back a few seconds later, and then he'll usually do what I ask of him. Sometimes, another thing that can help is to ask for something that has a high probability of being correct first, just to get them started. Dogs I have had, once we have a high 5, that usually will get them started. The last thing, If things break down, I go to something I have a good chance of getting a correct response, then stop. But really, try to stop before you get to them deciding to be finished on their own, and always finish with something correct. Emperor of the Markie Fan Club

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• 10-22-2009 2:10 PM

  In reply to griffinej5

  mileysfurlessmom Joined on 10-19-2009 Posts 21 Points 15

  Re: "off" days? Reply Contact  Thanks so much for the replies! Yesterday and today have been going wonderfully! I don't work with Miley until after I've taken her for her walk and burnt off some of her energy. Also, I\ stopped with the "sit. sit. sit." and took your advice, griffinej5. I now say "sit" and if she doesn't listen, I turn away from her. I only had to do that a couple of times, and she sits beautifully for me now (on the first command)! Thank you all, again, for the replies. I have so much to learn. I told my fiance that for christmas I wanted obedience training classes for MIley! He told me "but that's more for Miley, not you" and I told him "wanna bet! It'll save my sanity!" lol.

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• 10-22-2009 3:05 PM

  In reply to mileysfurlessmom

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 5,927 Points 710

  Re: "off" days? Reply Contact Tell your fiance you want your Christmas present early.  lol  The sooner you get a good solid foundation for training the better.  Check out dogwise.com for training books.  Look for Patricia McConnell and Jean Donaldson.  There are some very inexpensive little training books that are a gold mine of info using positive methods.  Try clicker training too, it's so much fun for you and the dog.  Good luck and I love your siggy.  I didn't coin the phrase "pocket rocket".  We used it all the time to describe small Labs that were fast as lightning. lol

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• 10-22-2009 5:38 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  CoBuHe Joined on 08-03-2007 Southeast Texas Posts 2,538 Points 85

  Re: "off" days? Reply Contact You'll have "off" days; and the dog will have their own "off" days.  Stuff happens.  For those off days, do try to get some OB training in even if it is just 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there.  If your pocket rocket is not wanting to listen or whatever, change the command to something that you KNOW she will do.  No frustruation, no negative energy, do something really simple so that the lessen ends in success.  Walk backwards holding out a treat and have her come to you.  Treat and praise, the end...walk away happy. Completely agree that you and pup needs an OB class.  And, remember the class IS just as much for you as it is for the dog.....if not a bit more.  The trainer is training you so that you can train your dog. Also, a lot of times we think the dog knows the simple command "sit", but unless they have proven to stay in a sit while you can walk around and away, likely she doesn't quite "get it" yet.  But, you keep working on it, and she will.....best of luck! "No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich." Louis Sabin ________________________ Barbara, Proudly owned by

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• 10-22-2009 5:59 PM

  In reply to mileysfurlessmom

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,729 Points 1,020

  Re: "off" days? Reply Contact  Sometimes, with a young dog, it isn't that they are having an "off" day by being rebellious, it's that they seem to just have a developmental brain fart period;-)  Seemingly, they knew the command before, but suddenly don't remember squat.  Usually, it passes with just a bit more maturity:-))  The solution is to continue training, don't take it as stubbornness, but do set her up for success by backtracking a bit.  If you have progressed beyond using treats every repetition or every five repetitions, go back to your previous training step for a few reps to remind her.  Also, with young, adolescent or hyper dogs, I suggest training *after* you exercise them a bit with a fetch game or something, just to take the edge off and make them a bit more receptive. Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 10-22-2009 9:04 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  tiffy Joined on 09-10-2007 Tacoma, Wa. Posts 2,489 Points 235	Re: "off" days? Reply Contact  Tootsie, is 5 and has "off" days. Last week, she didn't listen to anything I asked. She was off in her own world I guess.
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