Alright, now that Chimi gets older and is growing into his hormones... the training inquiries will begin to roll!! LOL.
I have a problem with getting Chimi to come when called outiside of the training ring at PetSmart. He does everything he is supposed to do in that little ring at the store, but when we get home he has some nightmare-ish tendencies! He doesnt listen to me at all! He has very selective hearing, and if he his doing something he is not supposed to be doing (tearing up the rug in front of the bf's door, bothering poor old man Gringo, trying to dig the roach traps out from underneath the entertainment stand, etc.) I will try and call him, and he completely ignores me. But when I jiggle that darn treat bag, he's running to me like there's a fire on his tail! Should I treat him everytime he comes over to me? I also think I need to practice his training commands a lot more at home and on the street...
Well Mia, you're already half way there from just attending those classes! Good on ya girl!
As for the training, I would definitely treat him every time he comes until you feel confident he knows what it means and is doing the command perfectly. You can slowly decrease the number of treats you give him as he gets good at it. Think of yourself as a vending macchine to start off with (giving out treats every time), and then end up being a Fruit macchine (only give out intermittantly, but big when you do). Once you get to the Fruit macchine bit Chimi should be following your command straight away just incase you deliver the goods! If you feel you cant control him off the lead in the park then dont let him off it for the moment. Practise, practise, practise your commands at home as much as you can. Then, if possible let him off the lead in a smaller area outside, and work up until you think he's good enough for the big park.
I hope that made sense? Good luck, and let us know how yuo get on in a week or so!
Mia, I agree with Jess - give him those treats everytime he responds. At first he will respond for the treats - later you can phase them out.
Rufus just graduated from Pet Smart Puppy class too. He did great, except for "Down" - he looks at me as if to say, "What, I'm already 1 inch from the floor!" And yes, I struggle with "Come" when there are lots of distractions around. Like you, all I have to do is reach for the treats and boom, he's there! As far as I'm concerned, that's not a problem at this point.
Training is such fun - I try to have a few short sessions with Rufus every day, just to keep things in his little brain.
Thanks guys! I've been treating him every time he comes over to me when I call him, and it's working great... my new one that he refuses to do is Heel... he HATES to walk, and only walks for a maximum of about 5 minutes before he demands to be picked up or placed within his baby pouch or bag. Little lazy turd...
You are supposed to sort of get him up against a wall between your legs and make him sit... but the little prince wont even sit on a hard surface... the only way that the trainer and I got him to sit was on one of those little crate pads... so I just am supposed to treat him when he stands directly at my heels... LOL. Toy dogs are DEFINITELY not easy on this training ordeal!!
Yeah, we don't have heel yet either. I figure that will come with the more advanced class
Rufus loves to go for walks, but he is fascinated by everything and doesn't really want to stay close.
Other than that, he's doing great - I hate to jinx myself, but he's had six days so far without an accident - he's gone to the litter box every time! YEAH!
Hang in there, Mia - I think this training is half the fun.
I would try getting a new irrisistable treat, don't give it to him, keep it in your pocket, start out slow, the first time you go to leave walk up to him, let him smell it, even if he follows you, go to the exit and say come! when he does give him 3 seperate peices one after the other, the next time two, then 1 each time for a week, then use praise instead of the treat. This worked on my guys even my crazy supersocial golden retriever.
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Another thing that is worth a go is to pick a type of treat (I use baked chopped liver) and use it only in training. This way it becomes a really special treat and the dog is more likely to do as you ask!
Mia, I really dont know what to suggest for the heal work, but unless you're ok with having a Chi boss you around I think you need to put him in his place. I mean, I dont know, maybe you dont mind this behaviour, but if you do (and you meantioned hormones earlier so I suspect you do mind) you must, must just reassert yourself as the alpha. Dont take any nonsence from him; make him walk, dont let him call the shots.
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Little lazy turd...
