1st Lesson-A MESS

[Sue J]

Sorry this a long post, but I want to describe the best I can. The weather was gorgeous this evening so I took Jett outside in the front yard for her first formal outside leash lesson. OMG, WHAT A MESS!!! I think she forgot everything she ever learned in the house (or at the vet or anywhere else for that matter). She had been playing in the back yard for about 2 hours before we started and had then come in the house and was calm. I had her treats ready, ball ready for play afterwards and expected things to go fairly well. NOT:eek: She lunged, she jumped straight in the air like a bungee, turned her back to me,ran in front, you name it I think she tried it. So I thought okay, settle her again and start over. I did, she didn't...this time when I said sit (which she does very well in the house even off leash) she laid down and belly crawled. I picked her body up and put in a sit at least 3 times. So I said okay settle her again and start over. At 10 min. I was wilted and she was still wanting to go full blast. At 15 min. I got a decent sit and 5 steps of heel. She got her treat on the 5th step, released and we played ball.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I suspect she sensed there was something more formal about this one from my body languange/presence and may have been testing me. At any rate, I'm pooped but we ended on a loving playful note. She's 5 mo. 1wk. old so we're gonna do this every day whether she believes it or not. PLEASE remind me that this will get better. My back is out and my husband just laughed at me about being wiped out, but he wasn't on the other end of that wild animal I used to think was Jett!!

I know everyone is gonna say take her to obedience class, which I would if there was one relatively close, but the closest I can find is 2 hrs. away one way. Which I'll do if we don't progress after some time. Oh! one thing she did really well was waited until I opened the gate on the porch, turned and latched it and walked really well down the steps with me to go to the yard :D. All advice is welcome and appreciated.

[violator]

only one thing to say...good things come to those who wait...keep it up, persistence pays off ! :D

[jelly8bean]

I'm with Violator, you betcha! You know that dogs don't generalize and the front yard was different and you were likely a bit tense/formal whatever. She is young and just fed off the vibe. Dobies are very sensitive and that is one of the things that makes them very good at training. I think you did it just right.. baby steps, and fun times!

[Big Dogs]

Your headed in the right direction and everyone is correct, it is about persistence and your dealing with a young dog with lot's of energy and a new environment that she isn't used to working in. To her outside at this point has been playtime. She will pick up on it quickly just make sure you are calm with her, jelly is right she will pick up on you being tense or apprehensive. I noticed you said she was fine at the gate and the stairs I think you will find that she goes into the what I like to call the fun mode when her feet hit the dirt. Try this the next time you take her out to work. When you reach the bottom of the stairs stop do not give her a command and just stay in your spot she will act up but wait her out when she calms down and this may take a bit if she sits down on her own praise her NO treat at this point. If she doesn't give her the command to sit and if she does praise her once again NO treat at this point. Oh one question did she see you getting treats and her ball? As this can lead to excitement before the session which can sometimes not work in your favor. At this point in the game go slow with her and You will actually see results come faster. Once she quits acting up upon initially going out side with the leash on you can start to give her treats if you want and leash corrections. Take her out 3 or 4 times a day and stop at the bottom of the steps when she automatically goes into the sit mode at the bottom of the steps with out being told she is now ready to work with. She will learn this really fast keep us updated and good luck.

[Sue J]

She didn't see me get the treats or ball yesterday. I had the ball already outside, but I did have the treats in my pocket. She smelled them I'm sure. WOW! What a difference this evening. I took bigdog's advice and did the stop at bottom of stairs. No lunging/bungee, wanted to sniff ground and pull leash. I stayed my ground quietly waiting. She didn't sit. On first command to sit, she laid down. I put her back in sit and she stayed. Finally she looked up me like, "what now?". I walked about 5 steps turned around and brought her back to steps. First command to sit, she did and waited. Looked at me again and I decided to take to the edge of the front yard,as she did seem ready to take on just a little more, stopping to sit quietly several times along the way. Lots of praise throughout the whole thing everytime she did something right. At the yard, she didn't carry on, but did want to pull. Well let me tell you I was I was SO happy with her behavior this evening. I'll deal with the pulling later. I took her to the back yard for the after treat & play time. When I l bent down to leash her to bring her back inside the house, she kissed me!! We've never had a dobe like Jett. Her name sure describes her personality, but my back isn't hurtin tonight. LOL My question now is should I have remained at the steps for the entire session? Thanks again everyone and keep the tips coming! :)

[Big Dogs]

No you do not have to remain at the steps that was just away of getting her to settle down so that you could begin to work with her. It's something you may have to repeat but she will most likely remember it quickly if she does act up. Good luck it sounds like you both are going to do great.

[Sue J]

Thanks Big Dogs. I will repeat the settle at the steps. It's pouring the rain today but if we get any break I'll repeat the exercise today. I want an automatic sit at the stairs like you recommended. She's an intelligent girl so I really think she will learn quickly.

[jelly8bean]

You can also train a "settle command". This might be helpful in the future. Once you have a nice "settle" at the steps, lable it and practice it. Then move it out into the yard, etc..etc... etc. You will be amazed at how quickly she will pick things up. But be aware that she is still a puppy and will have backsliding days. Don't let that worry you it is very normal. :)

[Sue J]

Thanks Jelly. We've worked on the settle command inside and she listens pretty well. Outside, not as well but we'll keep at it. Had a vet trip today and she did pretty well outside there despite dogs/people. Nubbin waggin when a new dog got in sight. We don't let her socialize with other dogs at the vet as we are never sure of their health even though she's had all her shots,etc. Home this evening on her obedience exercise she did fairly well. I got a sit before I finished the word so I think the automatic will arrive very soon. I'm encouraged! I also saw an obedience trainer posted on the vet board so I'm calling. Cross your fingers she's close and the right match for Jett and us.

[jelly8bean]

My paws are crossed for you here.. I'm getting my Indigo back to work next week. I am so looking forward to it. My rottie is way too laid back for all this "attention" stuff. She is obedient and focused, but rally will be her peak because she will not get that lovely stuff. But Indigo I have high hopes for her, of course first I have to get her CGC - before I get ahead of myself. LOL :)

[Sue J]

I have no doubt that Indigo will get her CGC, your commitment is wonderful. We will have a big ole graduation party for her!!!.

[Sue J]

I'm seeing progress:)! Last night at bottom of steps, she sat on command the first time. I still waited a little bit. Then she decided to get up and refused to sit again. I decided that we weren't going anywhere until she sat and was calm. I had to push her butt down and make her sit, but it got done. My she can be determined to have her own way!! Once she was listening & calm we started toward the yard. Still stops and sits along the way. Made it to edge on grass and sat her. She stayed in the sit despite being distracted by the mini horses in the field :cool:. 2 quick woofs and she got the "be nice" command, which she does pretty well ("Be nice" to us/her means be quiet and wait. We do it with her food bowl & greeting visitors). I took 3 steps, she started to pull so I turned her around and brought her back to sit before we left the yard. She's even improving on wait at doorway, gate, steps. Proud of her:::D

[Big Dogs]

It sounds like things are coming along give you and your girl big pats. Many of the commands you use out side you can incorporate to every day activities like you have already found out. Just imprints the command even faster. Great job you should be proud of your accomplishments!

[Dobs4ever]

Sue - at this age I don't try to settle the dog down or correct for the bouncing. I love the attitude so I just continue heeling with the ball, food whatever in my left hand and when the puppy settles into 2 steps with 4 feet on the ground I reward. It does not take them long to figure it out. Bouncing no reward. heeling reward. For the sit I start with food because I can direct it easier and I move my left hand back over their head which will encourage them to sit. No sit I step off with the dog and start again asking for the sit. This will get you a faster sit if you reward the sit very quickly.

I love to see a dog pop into the sit fast in the ring so want that excitement. Not the oh well I guess I will get around to sitting in a minute attitude which you see a lot of in the ring. This may start them rocking back but that is a quick fix once I have a solid sit.

Remember the picture outside is different so basically you have to start from ground zero and patience does help.

[Sue J]

Thanks everyone. She didn't bounce around the last time or carry on(except with the first sit refusal). Just wanted to pull is why I turned her around. I used food too. She's food motivated and I get a behavior a whole lot quicker than a ball or just verbal. Bless her big ole heart I think she will be a quick learner, but she also has a mind of her own.

[Dobs4ever]

Don't we all!!! Have fun, Train hard and don't take life too seriously!!!