Lesson of the Day

[figmo]

To quote ladysprite, "I'm the primate; you're the doggie."

I've got a rambunctious one-year-old dog who's trying to train me. I'm trying to train her.

She almost but not quite jumps onto the bed. It's as if she wants me to come down off the bed for her. Warren likes to bend down for her, whereas the act of bending makes me nauseous (that head-upside-down thing). I actually want her to jump onto the bed. I will cuddle her massively if she does. I don't know how to get through to her that I do not like her trying to turn what, to me, is an essential part of her survival in this house into a game.

Comments

[plaid-dragon.livejournal.com]

A suggestion from my own doggie-training: Doggie Chocolate Drops (can you get these in the US?) I have found that Misty will do almost anything for a chocolate drop. I would suggest starting by picking Lady up and putting her on the bed, then giving her cuddles and chocolate drops a-plenty. That way she will come to associate the bed with candy. The you can start enouraging her to stand up with her paws on the bed, and reward her for that. Once she has the hang of that, try showing her the chocolate drop, but placing it on the bed where she can't reach it without jumping up. You need to keep it as a game for her, but make sure she doesn't get any positive reinforcement when she tries to dictate her own rules. She is still young, she should learn quickly enough. Misty was 2 1/2 when I got her, so her training is harder. There are some things she refuses to learn, but generally chocolate is a great aid. If you can't get doggie chocolate drops, most dogs also go loopy for cheese.

[bardling.livejournal.com]

You've mentioned a few times before that there are several things where you & Warren disagree on desirable/undesirable behaviour on her part, or at least treat her differently. I think that's where the problem comes from - she's getting conflicting messages of what's off-limits and what's expected of her.

As for actual dog training, you probably know more about that than I do.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

They stopped selling doggie chocolate drops here a few years ago (I remember them well; I trained Fuzzball and even the family Yorkie, Djinn-Djinn, with them). In high enough quantities, chocolate is toxic to dogs, and there was a big anti-chocolate campaign re: dogs a few years ago.

I tried carob yogurt drops, but they just don't do it for her. (Hmmm...if you could send some over here with Alan Thiesen or Talis and Simon or Rika.... ;-) )

I will try it with cheese, meanwhile. I have a drawer full of it in my refrigerator.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

I know. :-(

Warren's been away all week, and Lady's behavior has been improving a lot. Right now she's cuddled up to me, being cute and quiet.

dog on bed

[(Anonymous)]

Margaret again.
Keep inviting the dog.
I don't know if you play chase-me games (or if this is a dog that will wind up large enough that you do NOT want her impacting on the mattress at speed) but that would be one way to encourage her too.

Re: dog on bed

[figmo.livejournal.com]

She's full grown at "puppy size." Bichon Frises only grow to be tiny dogs. If she stands on her hind legs her head pops up above the mattress.

At under 12 pounds this dog is not going to make a serious impact on my mattress.

[plaid-dragon.livejournal.com]

Went looking for choc drops before I went to Mike and Annes', to send back with the Suttons. My local superstore appears not to stock them any more. I will see what I can find but I will have to go further afield.