Conflicting training problem

[figmo]

Lady is 10.5 months old and she still won't jump on or off the furniture. This may seem like a feature to you; it would be if she were a large dog, but she's a Bichon Frise. They're small. She also has this nasty habit of clawing at my legs.

I've slowly been noticing Warren is giving her counter-training. He likes it when she stays on one of the chairs in the den when he eats and punishes her for getting off the chair, the very behavior I want her to do. He also thinks it's cute when she claws at his legs, which are mostly numbed due to the cyst in his brain.

He may be staying at his place for a few days. What can I do to either undo his training of her (he's home more than I am because I've got three jobs and he's got none), or (probably better) somehow get the dog to understand that "Master A wants X while Master B wants not-X?"

All suggestions are appreciated.

Comments

[unsee1ie.livejournal.com]

You're going to have to tell *him*. Conflicting input is the problem, so *that's* what needs to stop - dog's brain can't accept a filter, not enough MhZ or RAM. ^_^

And be sure explain it truthfully and honestly, and let him know how vitally important it is: training is tough, un-training is Much More Difficult, and the groundwork laid in the dog's mind will affect everything ever after. Might help to let him know it's not about judging his behavior {"you're too mischevious!" or "you're deliberately undermining me!" because he's probably not, right?}, it's about training the dog, making an imprint, etc etc. and the dog can only process so much, and will be disturbed by conflicting input.

Whee! It's such a relief to notice someone actively concerned with how *they* impact the training of a pet, rather than viewing them as "pretty thinking house thing on it's own". Yay for you!

[figmo.livejournal.com]

I've told Warren what not to do, but his short-term memory is worse than the dog's (and he's got the MRIs to prove it...sigh). I will continue to keep pointing out where he's giving the dog conflicting training, but I can't control his actions or his backsliding. I also can't make what he's already done not happen.

I also have to keep reminding myself that this dog isn't Fuzzball (the previous dog, who somehow could keep track of "this one likes this, and this one likes the opposite"). Fuzzball was very easy to train and spoiled me.

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

I have worked with both pets and working dogs (guide dogs, search dogs, attack dogs).

If you want results, you must be absolutely consistent in rewards and punishments. The "Master A // Master B" bit will not work. A dog's brain just isn't wired to handle conditionals, unless you want to train them to only behave when a particular person is around -- which is NOT a good idea.

Also, dogs recognize pack hierarchy. If Warren is around more, and you defer to Warren when he is present, THE DOG WILL KNOW THIS and will take Warren to be the boss. Thus the dog does what Warren says and ignores what you say. The only way to handle this is to take it up with Warren, and I second prior comments about doing so in a nonconfrontational manner.

Dogs are only "dangerous" when due to neglect and/or mistraining they believe that THEY are the dominant, and start trying to discipline those naughty humans. This is also why dogs and children should always be supervised until the dominance relationship is clearly established.

[tsjafo.livejournal.com]

Whack Warren on the nose with a rolled up newspaper and tell him to *sit!* Then explain to him what you are trying to do. *grin* I'm teasing, of course, but you really need to coordinate training with Warren.