I am working with a 6 month old Black Lab Puppy. BB is a very high energy dog. I have been training her now for 6 weeks. My client wanted me to teach BB to be calm in the house. She is a nipper and also jumps up on people. She is very overly friendly.
Training BB was a challenge from the start. She gets distracted easily and her attention was very limited.
I recommended an 18 lesson course (over 6 weeks) where I would come to the house and teach BB formal obedience that will carry over to wanted behavior vs. unwanted behavior. I also would instruct the family members the proper techniques to teach BB her lessons.
Each dog is technically trained to the dogs size, mental strengths or weaknesses and temperament.
Developing eye contact and attention skills are important. Teaching these skills will be necessary for the dog to learn. That is why I do not treat train. I want the dog to focus on my eyes and be attentive rather than focusing on the treat. Also there are many dogs that are not treat motivated.
I do use treats for extra motivation once the dog learns the basic foundation exercises and when I am training more advanced exercises.
BB was not cooperating for the first several lessons. After that I saw the lightbulb flicker and she was progressing.
Teaching BB the formal obedience commands and getting a proper response is the key for good behavior in the house. The obedience training will carry over.
The formal commands are:
1. Stand Wait Sit -- This exercise teaches eye contact, cooperation, accepting hands on plus the Stand/Wait/Sit
2. Down Wait Sit -- This exercise teaches eye contact, attention and cooperation, accepting hands on plus laying when she hears the command DOWN.
3. Heeling -- No pulling, No lagging, No sniffing while walking in proper position. Teaching BB to walk on our left side with her head by the left leg. Accepting lead and verbal corrections for faulting and learning proper position when praised and petted.
4. Recalls or Come When Called -- Teaching BB to respond to her name when called, COME directly to you when she hears the command and sees the signal to come and sits in front to accept praise.
5. Sit/Stay and Down/Stay -- Stay in place and not move ever until properly released. She was taught to Stay incrementally increasing the time, incrementally increasing the distance, incrementally inserting distractions and finally out of sight.
BB has one more lesson and she is much better in the house regarding her behavior. Also she is progressing nicely with her lessons.
It is very important that her owner Valerie practice her lessons 20-30 daily. Just imagine how good BB will be in two more months.
Keep up the good work and have fun.