In Part 5, I laid out our goals for 2015. As I was working on one of those goals today, I was reminded of how easy it is to make mistakes! So it seemed like a good time to cover that subject.
Mistake #1: When we started Luke’s private training lessons, one of the first things we did with the trainer (after discussing our goals) was to give a demonstration of what Luke already knew how to do. It didn’t take long for Dave to point out one of our first mistakes! We were overusing Luke’s name “Luke, do this, Luke, do that, Luke…Luke….”…you get the idea. He felt it was to the point where he just wasn’t listening to us when we said his name. That can be made worse if you are following their name with “no” or something negative all the time, or with just nothing. Why look at you when you say their name, if nothing good is going to come of it?
Mistake #2: Repeating commands. It’s kind of on the same idea as overusing the name. It’s our tendency when Luke doesn’t do what we want him to, to keep repeating it, over and over. Sit, sit, sit. When you do that, the command starts to lose its meaning. Or they think they don’t have to listen until you’ve said it multiple times.
I have to tell you that these are two of the hardest habits to break, and we’re still guilty of doing it. Even my hubby, who I think is better at training than I am, does it a lot (and don’t I enjoy pointing it out to him….). I have to stop myself if I’m doing it, and then try to get Luke’s attention in a different way, like giving a sharp “hey” (raising my voice does work with him), or just getting his attention by moving right up to him.
When we started training with Luke, we had already overused “come” so we trained him to the word “here” instead. The girls are used to “come” so we still use that as well, and it does sometimes work with him, especially if he’s with his sisters and sees what they do. But if it’s just him, I’ll use “here”. But I’m sure it’s much better to stick with one word if you can. I have in my mind that I need to train the girls to the word “here”, but their training is coming much more slowly.
Mistake #3: Moving too fast. I had just started working on a new trick for Luke, and had decided on “roll over” for his first one that’s just for fun. I looked on the internet for instructions, but they really had me doing it all wrong. They had me doing everything at once. It didn’t go well (but I did remember to not get frustrated….we just practiced some of his other commands and ended on a high note). I went back on the internet and found a YouTube video that gave a much better demo doing it in steps, we had one more short session and he was starting to get the first part. Honestly, I just expected it to be easy and for him to catch on right off, and he didn’t. So we’re breaking it down into steps and he did well on the first step and we quit when he was just starting to get the second. It doesn’t pay to be impatient and just use the first instructions you find. If I’d looked further in the first place I could have saved myself some trouble!
Mistake #4: Letting them form bad habits. I have written about how we’re training Luke to go to his bed when I’m working in the kitchen. He’s the first dog we’ve done that with. Our beagle Kobi was constantly under my feet in the kitchen, and I let him do it. For some reason, the girls were never bad about it though…they will lie just outside my work area most of the time. When Luke started his counter surfing, I came to realize that I needed him out of the kitchen for his own safety (he licked a hot pan when he was a puppy, not that it phased him any).
I’d be guilty of giving everyone a piece of cheese when I was making a sandwich, and then wonder why they don’t stay out of the kitchen when I’m in there. So I no longer do that, and we also moved their treats to a cabinet on the edge of the kitchen, where we also keep their food. They can still get nibbles when I’m cooking, but they have to sit outside my work area to do so. Luke is getting really good about going to his bed without even being told now, though it’s still a work in progress.
Just today I screwed up. We got these yummy new treats to try, that are for both cats and dogs. They’re pure dried fish. I gave the dogs some, and then broke a few pieces to give to Samantha on the counter. Now, imagine my shock when Luke jumped up on the counter to steal her treats! Just kidding, I wasn’t shocked, I was just telling myself how stupid that was! I believe that’s what they call “management” when it comes to training. Dogs are going to be dogs, and you can’t expect miracles. Sometimes you just have to keep temptation out of their reach.
Training is an ongoing process, for both the dog and the trainer! I’ve discovered that bad habits are hard to break, but you have to just keep working at it. What mistakes have you made, or what bad habits do you find difficult to break when training your dogs? Also, can anyone recommend a good book on clicker training to save me from wasted internet research (or at least direct me towards one good website)?
Disclaimer: Any and all advice shared here is my own opinion based on our own experiences. I am not a professional trainer, and you should always consult one for serious behavioral issues.
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I like being in the kitchen when my bipeds are cooking, but if I get in the way they send me out. I’m really helpful, I keep the floor spotless for them!
It is nice to have someone on clean up duty! 🙂
I have never tried clicker training. I am showing your articles to my son since they have anew pup. Thanks!
That’s great, Melissa! I hope my articles help your son with his new pup. I think it would be great for them to try clicker training.
Trying to get caught up on my blog reading today so forgive me for being so behind….
Mistakes? I make them all the time. So does the hubby. And I can sooooooo relate to your glee when yours makes a mistake. 🙂
The one thing I have always hated is when ANY dog begs for food at the table (or during preparation). I have always made a point to NOT tolerate it and to proactively train my own dogs to stay away from the counter or table. In walk hubby and stepson 21 years ago and all my training went out the window. Can’t even count the number of arguments that have ensued over the years any more. But behind every dark cloud is a silver lining: Since Ducky continues to have “digestive issues” that are sparked by people food she should not have, hubby no longer intentionally gives her — or her sisters — any bits and pieces. So now all I need do is re-up their training to stay away from our trays, table, or counter.
As for the other mistakes? Heck, I’m a certified dog obedience training instructor and I still make the very mistakes — all of them — that you wrote about. And the older I get, the harder it is to break those old habits. So, all I can do is stop, take a break, and try again. As for clicker training — check out Karen Pryor’s website*…she had some excellent videos online as I recall. The clicker doesn’t work for me — I’m just too spastic to hold the clicker in one hand and the treats in the other and still get the timing right. So, I just use “YES!” or “GOOD!” My verbal timing is a helluva lot better than my clicker timing.
* http://clickertraining.com
Thank you for the link, Sue, I’ve just added it to my favorites.
Luckily begging at the table is the one thing my hubby and I have always agreed upon. I can happily say that none of our dogs have ever done it. They know that if they sit quietly when we’re done we’ll give them a nibble, let them lick our plates, or get a treat if our meal is something they shouldn’t have. The only time they might slack a little is if we eat in a different location, or have company. But they get reminded and then they are fine.
Clicker training can definitely be challenging, and I don’t think I’m the best at it, but I think I do OK. There are some situations where I forego it and just use treats and praise too.
I’m glad to know that even professionals like you can make mistakes! We’re all human! 🙂
Confession time… Clicker training has been a continuous failure because of ME! I have at least four of these things around the house. The problem is – I never use them. Oh I start out with great intentions, but that’s all they ever are. Harley would be great if I were more responsible, but for some reason a clicker isn’t in the cards for me…. #sosad
Trust me, Cathy, I know all about good intentions. I have a lot of stuff around my house for the dogs that hasn’t been used (I’ll say “yet” in the hopes that it still will). We really had to sign up for training lessons to get us motivated to do it. And my hubby has already slacked off and hasn’t worked with Luke at all for a while.
You do a lot of great things with Harley, so I’d say you’re pretty responsible.
Thanks for this post. Guilty on all those mistakes. It is so hard because Kilo was 2 when we started and already had lots of bad habits and issues. He is also very cute and very very greedy/food obsessed (food includes pens, tissues etc). He did not seem to like the clicker and I had trouble coordinating, but he will do anything for a treat. Much much harder to get him to come or go anywhere on a verbal command or hand signal.
I know what you mean, because we neglected to do much training with our two girls, and trying to start it now, with all the bad habits we let them develop, is far more difficult.
Ha, tissues are a favorite food of Luke’s too!
I think the clicker is a great tool, but it doesn’t work for all dogs, and it is difficult to get the coordination of it!
Luke I am sure with that face you could get away with anything! Love Dolly
It does pay to be cute, doesn’t it, Dolly?
Great stuff, guys! I’ve been making improvements with my training ever since Papa stopped repeating himself, too. It’s easier for me to focus on what is being said and understand what the command is, I guess. The only thing I hear is a “no” if I don’t do what I’m supposed to, and I think I’m getting it. Keep it up, Luke! *wags* – Gilligan from WagsAhoy.com
Thanks, Gilligan! It makes sense that a lot less words would keep the focus on what the important word is. Keep it simple is always good advice, we think!
I like “Click for Joy” and “Clicking with your Dog.” I’m actually going to a conference on clicker training this weekend. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll be writing about the conference, I’d love to hear all about it. What a great opportunity. Thanks for the recommendations, I will look for those too.
The counter mistake happened to me too…. I worked for months to avoid counter surfing and then I wrote a post and needed photos… and I placed a treat for Easy on the counter…. the same moment I did that I nearly kicked myself in the butt… I’m such a nut :o(
LOL…..I have to confess that I’ve done that too!!
Great post – I’m afraid I have to admit to being guilty to a number of those mistakes. Our dog trainer has been a godsend in training ME!
When our training sessions were over, I often felt like it was the hubby and me that had gone to school…Luke was just along for the fun of it. LOL
Indeed a on going process. Great post! Giggled when I read Luke was on the counter, that is a twenty times a day thing with Gambler, and now Glory started doing it. I know I’ve created these monsters with my mistakes.
I have a feeling it is going to be on ongoing battle with Luke and the counter! 🙂
We’ve been there with all those mistakes, too! Our agility trainer sometimes has us count the number of times our classmates say their dogs names–it’s amazing how often we all do it! Then she’ll have us run without using any words and just giving body language signals and usually the dogs do much better than when we’re all saying their names every .2 seconds 🙂 Slowly, but surely, she’s got us all learning to use our words sparingly! #2 is definitely the hardest for us, too! I’ve gotten much better about it over the years, though. I’m glad you’re finding things that work for you and Luke! (And I LOVE the picture of him on his bed–that face is too cute!)
Thanks, Beth! I’ve added hand signals to many of Luke’s basic commands too, and he responds to those just as well, if not even better than, the vocal commands.
I love that photo too. Often he looks very serious when training, so I really enjoyed his happy face here!
I find myself repeating commands FAR too often. I need to remember not to do that 🙁
Every pet parent and/or human child parent for that matter lives a life full of “training” mistakes. Live and learn I suppose! I think mistake should be my middle name though! hahahaha!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I can relate to that sentiment! How many times do I just shake my head at myself, wondering “what was I thinking?”. LOL. I think we all do it though!
It is easy to make mistakes. I think everyone does it. I had a good laugh about Luke jumping on the counter though. 🙂 When we went to the seminar with the big time field trial trainer he did repeat the “sit” command. Over and over. It was the only command he repeated and he would say it and walk away and circle the dog while saying it. Different positions while repeating “sit”. I wish we knew and had used his technique on Freighter. I think he would actually be steady to shot if we had.
So that is a certain technique that is used to train hunting dogs? It was meant to get them to stay in the sitting position, maybe instead of using “stay”?
Luke and the counter….that’s going to definitely be an ongoing battle, especially when Samantha is always up there!
We use clicker training and it really is a great training method.
I agree, and I wish we’d found out about it sooner! It will be our go to method from now on.
Repeating commands is the biggest violation around and Mom is totally guilty, but it is a human thing. Very hard not to do, especially if you have dogs that aren’t real obedient breeds. All very good points! Thanks for joining the hop!
That is so true, Emma. It’s really just automatic for us to repeat things when we don’t get the response we want at first. I imagine there are very few of us who aren’t guilty of it!