haiku

I had similar troubles with my girl when I first brought her home. She would bound after the ball, frisbee, squeaky-whatevers, she might mouth it or pick it up, but if I called her to come to me she would promptly drop it and bound to me. What I found worked for me was a different command for 'come' vs 'fetch'. I changed my command to bring me the ball or whatever I through to 'bring me,' which you can't help but have a cheery voice for and it worked like a charm. The other thing I did to start was only tossing the object at very short distances when transitioning from inside to outside, because she would happily bring me stuff inside no problem. I would treat her for picking it up and stepping even one step to me. To be honest after having done this for four years I would treat this like teaching him something new, change the command and reforge in his mind that fetch means bringing the ball to your hand.

So I have been evaluating my sitation that past few days, and doing a little work on some things. I am inclined to believe preventing access is the best method for now, I have gone back to crating her for the past week and have noticed when I get ready to leave she promptly walks over to her crate and lays down in it. I am hoping to interprit this voluntary and calm reaction to be that she does not mind her crate and is content to be there while I am gone. Do ya'll think this is the case? Even if I ask her 'go to your crate' she will calmly walk or jog to her crate and settle down promptly. This takes care of prevention while I am not there, for while I am in the house she is polite and does not follow me into the kitchen. However since she has taken to keeping me in her sights I have placed her pillow in a new location that can be seen from the kitchen and have insisted on her being there everytime I enter the kitchen. Is this teaching her that only while I am in the kitchen she isn't allowed, but when I am not she has free roam, or would her brain even work like that? About these x-pens I assume they range in sizes, but from the picture Betsy posted that looks flimsy, could they not knock it over or flat out jump it? I do have a dog gate, more like a puppy or baby gate that stands wedge between the door jam, but she has learned she can easily jump that. I understand some work must be done to help her understand she needs to stay one the side I put her on of whatever gate or pen I use, just wondering how to go about doing that.

Well as shown in this video the mat captured the behavior of sniffing at the trash can with clear intent to go further had it not shocked him. So to me I see that as ideal because it captured the intent to trash dig but stopped him while that was in his head. Because of that consequence he associated the zap with that thought this steered clear after a few attempts. I do see your point that if not set up properly of if the dog grazed it in passing through the doorway how he may be frightened of that area afterwards.

So I looked into one of the products mentioned earlier more. The sssscat thing. Turns out this may be a good idea as long as the shock isn't horrible. That's one I found in action guarding the trash. By the third day the dog didn't even touch the trash. Has any one had experience with this? Know someone who does? There was also on their website a line of product that attaches to the dogs collar and a smaller wireless transmitter is placed where you don't want you dog like a couch of chair and if the dog gets to close it delivers a small shock. I mainly wish to know if this would have any adverse effects such as this thread discussed earlier with the baking sheet crashing down may scare her of that sound. Does anyone see any possibility of something similar happening here with the mat or collar transmitter?

So there is no way to eliminate these behaviors? I really would rather not have to have a giant gate around or through my kitchen for the next 15 years. I understand that the baking sheets and pop cans could scare here, thats why I have not attempted them as I figured she would become reactive to any noise similar to that in the future. Does anyone have any knowledge of products like the 'sssscat' which sprays a puff of air when triggered through motion detector? Or the snappy trainer, which produces a pop type noise to scare off the dog?

Ya I figured that wasn't the correct way to phrase it, but I just was to tired to think of something else. Yes I could confine her to my bedroom, but this would defeat the purpose of having moved out of an apartment into a house, I want her to have more space. As far as the excercise pen expanded across that area, yes I suppose I could, but at the moment I do not have one, nor the money readily available to go get one. I have a crate for her as well, but again leaving her in this all day I frown on, once in a while yes, but every day? Is that was some people do, crate their dogs for 9 hours a day? For me it would be 4 hours and 4 hours as I can come home for lunch and we go play a little fetch or get a short walk, but still. The dishwasher latches when it is in wash mode, but I am not sure if I can manually latch it.

Hello again! I had a quick question on how to discourage a few behaviors I have noticed my girl is developing. Counter Surfing and Trash Digging. A little background. Since the day I got her I have had a strict policy about the kitchen being off limits. I included proofing this in play time as well as while we leisurely sit around the apartment. She knows she is not allowed off the carpet onto the tile that is the kitchen. I have 'accidentally' thrown her toys over this threshold to proof this idea once in a while when playing and each time she has stopped dead in her tracks instead of going to get the toy. I praise her, fetch the toy myself and reward her with more play. So she knows well and good she is not allowed in there, however she has recently discovered that while I am at work she has free pickings. I have long since moved the trash can to a closet during the day to avoid unwanted digging, but just recently I had come home to dishes drug out of the dishwasher! I am usually quit good about cleaning, scrubbing food bits off so the wash cycle has an easier time cleaning the dishes. How this would interest a dog, I do not understand. My point to this is I am not wanting to wait for the day she decides the counters might hold tastier items and go climbing or jumping up there next. Online I have read about various noise triggering devices, or using motion detected canned air all the way to home remedies like baking sheets and soda cans that get knocked off if bumped by the unsuspecting dog. My worry is, with regards to the baking sheets and pop cans, that she is already a slightly skidish dog, and is noise sensative. If I use either of those options any time she saw or hear the noise one of them makes she would head for the hills. Are there any other alternatives to training her not to do these things while I'm not home? I do not have the option of blocking off the kitchen, as the entry is to large and leaving her cooped in a bedroom I rather dislike the thought of as well.... Help?

I came across the DogPacer after I built this carpet mill. It does look nice and sleek, but I can not afford it right now, I would rather attempt to better the one I have.

@talksalot: I can not use it due to the weight is not meant for human support. There is also the harness rig in the center making it awdward for someone taller to use the mill. As far as it being stiff, no my engineer friend went over and beyond with the bearings, I can hand turn it and it will freely spin. However I am wondering about how well she can grip it to push against it and run. She is only about 43 pounds, so that does add some friction to the smooth turning, I had attempted to find the smoothest backing that I could on a carpet, as well as a slick surface for it to turn over, a white bord like material, the ones you use dry erase markers on. I don't know how well she grips the carpet, I do not trim her nails, since she doesn't jump and we go outside alot it never really bothered. @Jescano: Yes there is a stand to hook her harness into. And I did take into consideration the over all length to fit her stride. The belt length is a good 60'' equaling 5ft of tread for her to walk on. So I do not think this is the issue. Due to the bearings and design used, I also have a good incline, but not a 'super steep' one. @Liz P: Yes this was my first thought for her, as I remember going to a Dairy Queen as a kid and they had one of these, though it was more log shaped so multiple people could fit in it and run. However I do not have the room for this so that idea very quickly faded. Does anyone have any idea how I can tell if she can adequately grip the carpet I am using so she can push against it to get the mill to turn? It is a fairly short carpet, but still grippy like any carpet I know of.

I too had thought about walking on it myself to show her how fun it could be, but it is to small for a human, even someone as short as I am. My friend and I designed this specifically for her height, length and weight. Though I will try to involve fun times around it, fetch, hide and seek etc. Maybe if I leave it alone for a few weeks instead of days?

Hello again. So after seeing all the rain I have been getting lately I decided to do a bit of research on an inexpensive way to keep my dog exercised when running outside, fetch and other activities outdoors were not an option. I came across a treadmill idea. Perfect, I thought, though looking at the prices of them were a bit daunting. So I contacted a friend of mine who happens to be an engineer and he and I brained stormed a bit till we came up with the materials to build a manual power carpet mill. I have had this fore a few weeks now, and have been trying to slowly get my girl to become comfortable with it. She has no problem jumping on and off, walking over it etc, but when it comes to trying to get her to actually use it when hooked in is another story. I have patiently used my hand to get her to take a few halting steps, giving her treats all the while and encouragement. But that is it, she will not even attempt to begin walking on her own, after three weeks, I have tried lures of all sorts, her favorite high value treats, and even toys. Now when I go to push it she shuts down completely and trys to squat/laydown as much as the harness will allow. After seeing this the first time I had stopped immediately and when to finish just on walking on and off the mill again to 'end on a good note' and called it quits for two days and did not push the issue further. After a respite she seemed to do alright again when I worked up to pushing it, but again we are at a few halting steps, while I push it and she refuses to even attempt to try. Does anyone have any advice or words of encouragement? I do not understand why she is doing this. All the videos I have looked up for this, when researching the idea till now have showed dogs eager to work on a mill once they found out they can run on it. But my dog does not seem in the least interested in even trying. Sighs, I just hope I didn't do all this for nothing, there was a good deal of money put into the idea as well as time, I would hate to see that all wasted.

I stood and watched a 'training' class for intermidiate at Pets Mart, I was not impressed at all. From what the brouchure said, all dogs from beginners class should know how to sit, lay down and come when called. Half the dogs in this intermediate class couldn't sit or lay down on command let alone hold the position. I would look for a dog training school, not a pet store. I found three in my local area that are run by volunteers that have either judged or actually shown dogs, so they have a fairly knowledable array of minds that can help just about anyone. Most classes run about 10 weeks long and cost $75, something I was much more willing to pay than some of the other border and train places that want upwards of $400-$900 for a month or two. The classes at the dog training club I go to are fairly small, no more than 5-9 dogs depending on the instructors preference, and their length of time gives you enough time to learn everything they have crammed into the course. It has so far been a great foundation for my girl with sit, down, stays on both, stand from both the sit and the down, heel work, focused attention, recalls, stay with distance and socialization in general. Its amazing how much my girl goes from sweet angel to distracted butterfly while we are at school, she wants to just go greet everyone. Good learning experiences at an affordable cost.

Lol I understand that, I suppose in my mind the music would be set to a reasonable volume, which means fairly low, because I agree being able to hear someone behind you are an engine roaring toward you from behind would be nice. I always walk against traffic so I can see what is going to hit me if someone decides to come at me. But anyways with the headphones that is why I suggested having no music in them at all, this way you can still hear the environment around you.

You need to find a way to discipline without creating a negative association when that dog comes to visit. In this case I would not use a crate, as I think that would create a negative atmosphere, but perhaps if you could leave your dog leashed while in the house and if something happens, calmly take her to another room and shut the door. Even if she is barking, or scratching at the door I would wait till the noise stops and she calms herself down. Once she does reward her for the calm behavior by opening the door and walking her out via her leash, do not let her just burst out or she will no longer be in that calm state. Repeat this as often as necessary, and yes the first several times the friends dog is in the house she will be constantly brought to this room, just do not forget about her and leave her in there even after she has become calm or this excersie will be a mute point because she will not understand why she is in this room for so long while others are out having fun.

Headphones would definately work too if as Waffles said, or at the very least it gives you the excuse to ignore people even if you don't have any music playing.

I know the feeling when you are in the middle of working with your dog and someone tries to come up and pet the dog, especially on walks. I normally pull off to the side and put my dog into a sit stay and work on attention control, as that is just what I have decided to work on till she can reliably look to me rather than trying to go greet the stranger. However I would like to get to the point that unless I go to greet the passerby then my dog will ignore them and keep on walking. Usually if I do not look up at the people passing by then they do not stop to talk or try to pet my dog, as I am focused on her and she is focused on me. I have however had to use the excuse of 'sorry she is working at the moment and can't be pet' excuse when they try to say 'its ok I am good with dogs.' I find it is a good way to work on recall away from the stranger, and not hurt someones feelings by flat out telling them no you can not pet my dog. 9 times out of 10 if I pull that excuse out it works. Kids on the other hand.. I'm not sure as results vary from kid to kid. Lately I have had some very nice kids approach and actually ask before going in to pet the dog, but there are also those that just try to run up to the dog, in which case I usually walk off.

Riika you are amazing and described my situation to a T! Now that you pointed out the shutting down before I even realize I am annoyed I see it plain as day! I can not thank you enough. Though now that I see this I must work to help her gain confidence have you found anything that works well with Duke? I have been making some progress with her tug. A very short burst of tugging and then letting her keep it so she 'wins' and perhaps doesn't think I am trying to take it from her. She seems to be getting this now and that I only want her to give up the toy if I ask her to drop it. I have also started a daily routine of feeding the majority of her kibble to her through free shaping. She still does not really understand what she is doing but she is getting a clear picture that by interacting with the box in some way she will be rewarded with food. It's really slow but I am seeing hope. With this in mind I would like to turn the direction of this conversation toward confidence building. Does anyone have a good suggestion that I could begin working with her to gain confidence? A friend of mine suggested I get another dog, I am not sure on this idea as I would like more time with just her as of right now. Thoughts anyone?

Great answers everyone, I believe there is a reason most people are suggesting similar things, so I will try to sum up my answers to everyone to avoid repitition. Please keep in mind I do not spend 30+ minutes at a time expecting her to 'train' on various aspects, like the tricks I mentioned, fetching etc. I do these in spurts, few minutes here after lunch, couple minutes there after dinner, nothing long or serious. Most of ya'll have mentioned playing, this is kinda a curve ball because, as I know, the way most dogs love to play, which many of you mentioned, tug, frisbee, balls and the like she is not overly into with me at this time. She will participate with great gusto maybe two throws, all the way to 10 throws, or some number in between, but every time is not the same and there is no visable pattern to follow. I mainly just want concistancy or something to go on so I can 'quit on that good note' kinda thing. Many you also mentioned food motivation, feeding her regular meals to her by hand and using food as a lure. Well this is a great and good, and both I have tried multiple times. Feeding her by hand started when I was hoping to teach her to catch objects in her mouth, so I started tossing her kibble for her and she has progressed very well in that regards, but unlike many other dogs I know [well all other dogs I know for that matter] if she misses the catch and the kibble bounces off her nose, she does not dive after it. o.O She will stand and stare at it, no I have not told her to leave it alone, and yes she is hungry, as I feed her once a day, but each time she misses I pause for her to have a chance to get it, and every time end up encouraging her with a 'go get it.' Is this still more adjustment on her part, uncertainty that she didn't catch the kibble so she won't go get it? As for food luring, yes I have attempted this with many different things, real ham, training treats, hot dogs, bits of cheese, and even that canned spray cheese. Of course she enjoys the actual ham best, so I reserve that for momentus occasions. Through luring this is how I taught her 'sit pretty' which she has down both the hand signal and verbal command. However I still run into that barrier where she knows what I want, even with simple commands like sit or down, but she shuts down and does not move at all. I do not hit animals either, but another oddity I saw, which I wonder if thats just her being a lower drive dog, and slightly timid personality so far, is any repremand, raised voice, she will go into a cowering submissive position. Mind you this is AFTER I have given the command like down twice in a reasonable asking tone. Thank you so much Riika, she is wonderful, usually about posing for me in various situations. That poor cherry blossom tree had one of its branches knocked over from a recent storm, but it gave us a lovely photo shoot opportunity!

I really do hope so, she seemed very playful with her owner, fetch was a lot more fluid, something I have always wanted a dog for. I just took her out for her last romp of the night, she did amazingly well! Do you have any suggestion that I could try for helping her adjust or keeping her interested in me/playing? Sometimes I do not feel like I am doing my part for her when she just wants to lay down while we are outside instead of investigating and enjoying herself like most dogs do.

Wow such fantasticly quick replies! Yes I was also wondering about that as well, her adjustment period. I got her back in February, so this would be about my second month with her. I got her from a breeder, small time, nothing big, she was going to be used for breeding, but she had complications which required them to fix her. I chose her out of all the ones I had looked at, everything from rescue organizations, foster dogs, breeders and the like because of her calm nature. I guess I did not realize how calm. But she has a very sharp understanding of the basic commands, sit, down, stay, stand, back up and can reliably do those with some distance, except the stand she often creeps forward on when I am not close by. I have also taught her, sit pretty, and am working on bow, and shaking paws. Mind you very slowly because I am knew to this dog as she is to me, and new to dogs in general. Is there anything in specific I should mention for her background? She has been crate trained, the breeder kept her dogs in crates at night, kennels, or with her in the field as she worked horses, or cattle. As far as I know though Miya has no specific training/work with livestock, I would definitely love to try at some point, but have yet to find anyone in my area that gives lessons or classes on this. We are currently taking obedience 101, to strengthen our bond as well as help me catch up on handling her/polish her. So far we seem to be doing terrific.

Hello all I am fairly new here, though I have been reading topics for several weeks now I just finally decided to join and get a few ideas bouncing around. A little about me first, and my lovely girl. I have always wanted a dog, but of course my parents only allowed cats as pets since they were 'easy keepers' and needed little care while the family took trips for vacation. So this day has been long in coming, but I am super excited to finally have a dog of my own! Her name is Miya, lovely black and white 2 and a half year old BC. She is very gentle and laid back to the point of lazy, which has struck me odd since everything I had read up on the breed suggested they were completely different. I can not complain as I do not have a big place, so walks, and toy time is a must. However I have been watching videos, reading blogs, articles and anything else I could find to help me on my way to learning, bonding and teaching her. On to the meat of this discussion. I have been looking for ways to get her to interactive with me more as well as her environment, she just has showed little to no interest in many things, toys included, unless I am directly there to play and encourage her. All of which I mean heaps of encouragement, I really wonder if she knows how to play with toys at all!? Anyways I found several videos on youtube along this subject, "101 things to do with a box." Sounded very inciteful and a simple place to start. However Miya had far different ideas than I did. I started with rewarding just simple movements toward the box, to show her that any interaction with the box is what I wanted. So head turned to the box, I clicked and treated; she sniffed the box, I clicked and treated.... Ok so that wasn't bad, however after she had looked the box over and sniffed it a few times she looses all interest in the game, regardless of the treats I have been showering her with. [side trail real quick: while watching the videos of asking your dog for these creative behaviors I noticed none of the owners were talking or encouraging their dog to interact, they just naturally would try something and through trial and error figured this out.] I attempted to encourage my dog with a simple 'go on' usually to indicate I was waiting for something anything. She still showed so little interest in working on this I finally got a half hearted pawing motion at the box and left it at that. Should I not be expecting so much of her from a new game? Even just expecting her own curiousity to have her investigate this new object on the floor? Part two: Targeting Long story short this '101 things to do with a box' was my result from attempting to work on targeting. Touch = touching her nose to the tip of a pole and target = placing her two front paws on a square of cardboard. I began with saying nothing, only presenting the obects to her and clicking for any interaction with them. Touching her nose to the pole was not difficult at all, and soon she learned that touching the end with the duct tape was the best way to get a tasty treat. Targting with her paws to the cardboard square on the other hand....was far more difficult to say the least. I would show her the cardboard, wave it around toss it a little, just to make it look interesting, they put it on the floor and wait. I clicked for any interaction with it, sniff, paw, circling etc.. After about a minute of this essentially sat there and stared at me. I picked up the square, showed it to her again and placed it down, she looked at it... the end. Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can encourage her to interact with various objects or me in more creative ways to encourage her to think and stimilate her mental capacity? Any and all suggestions would be great. Please keep in mind Miya is a very low energy dog and I have seen very little toy drive or food drive in her. I have had a really difficult time with this because I have not come across a dog so mellow, all my friends had those crazy hyper dogs that no one worked with and everyone just ignored the barking jumping and all around roudy behaviour, so this is a copmletely strange territory for me.