Well, here's the problem. We have two older dogs that are not trained. They'll listen to us, but they don't do things on command. For example, they'll get out of the kitchen when we tell them to... and they'll wait for us to eat before they do and won't bolt through the front door, but they're lazy and do not "sit" when told or anything like that. The only times Kuma doesn't listen to me is when the other dogs are around. I'm afraid he is learning their bad behavior and finds that more interesting than listening to me.
He also refuses to listen after a little while. I do 15 minute trainingwith him daily and he does great... but I also incooperate that throughout the day. I make him sit before I feed him... or stay when I am getting the mail, etc. Sometimes, not always, he'll straight up ignore me! He'll sit there and just stare like he doesn't know what I'm saying.
At first, I thought this was because I suddenly stopped using treats for his training although he still listens sometimes. But even with the treats, he'll ignore me when it's convienient for him... and even smells the treats and acts as if he doesn't like them. He'll just leave them sitting on the floor sometimes!!! Just recently, he started peeing in my roomates bed. CONSTANLY. One pee after a
This has only happened a few times.... and overall, he's a great dog and listens. However, because he is a pit bull, I find it extremely important that he be trained to do as he's told exactly when he's told to do it.
A few proffesional trainers I've asked have just told me he is trying to find his place in the pack... but that that would require pro assistance. Money is an issue, but if that's the answer, I'll have to look into it. Please help! Thank you! Oh.. also, I have had him for about 2 weeks but he is aprox. 5 months old. Thanks!
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This has nothing to do with him finding his place in the pack. If you are going to speak with trainers find a certified one who knows what they are talking about (http://www.adpt.com).
First of all, the peeing on the roommates bed - when you wash the comforter, you need to throw a neutralizer in (Nature's Miracle) so that the scent comes out completely. Is he neutered? If not, have that done next week. He's a pit bull and we fix them for FREE all across this country because we don't want them bred (we're killing too many every week - entire litters of puppies - in the shelters). Close your roommates door so he doesn't have access to that room when you can't watch him.
When you take a well trained dog and put them in a kennel run with dogs who are ill behaved, they don't pick up on the good behavior. The well trained dog picks up on the bad behavior. It's not surprising that he is looking around and seeing the other dogs not having to work for their food and thinking "wait a minute, they don't have to sit, why should I? they get it anyways." You need to spend a few minutes a day training them separately. It's not too late for them to learn! As for his attention span, remember that he is still a puppy. It's like ADHD. They have trouble focusing for long periods of time and get distracted easily. Sitting at the mailbox may be hard if there is a squirrel across the street that catches his attention. Just be consistent. That really is the key especially with the attention lapses. Try not to get frustrated because they pick up on that, which then makes it harder for them. For us, it was easier to train the puppy when she was hungry and a bit of the energy was worn off (a game of fetch first or a quick, brisk half hour walk).
Your pup is very lucky to have you. I'm impressed with what you have accomplished already. I don't like the advice you've been given by the trainers you have spoken with so I don't think classes with them are necessary. You are doing well on your own. Consistency and patience are keys. Training needs to be fun, but it's hard for puppies to focus all the time. Keep at it and eventually you will get that sit at the mailbox every time despite the distractions. A few basic commands for other dogs will help your pup as well. He is going to learn by watching their behavior too.
Here is another link with more training commands if you are interested in continuing with your pups training:
http://www.ddfl.org/beh-commands.htm
There are two Training at Home links. We take our dogs to classes because we get a lot out of them, but they are expensive. My dad has always trained his dogs at home without a problem. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a responsible owner! Good dogs don't just happen. They have good owners like you who put the time and training into them. You rock!ETA: You don't need to put as much training into your older dogs as you are putting into him. That might overwhelm you and it sounds like they are well behaved. Just teach them both the "sit" command so that they are working for their dinner as well. This should be sufficient enough. He will see that they are sitting for food and will do the same when they are all together.
ETA: Ugh. You don't EVER train three dogs simultaneously. You ALWAYS train SEPERATELY. They aren't going to focus and listen to you if you have all three of them together. That is ridiculous. Training is done one on one. Just make an extra five to ten minutes a day for the other two. If you are only teaching them a command or two, they should pick it up by next week and be working for their food.
There is no reason to be punishing your dogs because they aren't doing anything wrong. You reward good behavior and ignore the bad behavior. Basic stuff, which you already have down.
Dog Training Fundamentals - 5 Key Dog Behaviour Factors That Affect Training
- You have to be the PACK leader. Seems you're have problems with all of them. CAll the Dog Whisperer, sounds like a great TV segment.
Good luck - You should try and work on the older dogs first, then work on the pit when the others aren't around.
- Professional assistance is the only thing that will make you sure he will obey your command and in the end - it will definitely be worth the money. You should really try to find the money. He is likely to find his place just like the other dogs.
- I'm no expert, but I would say he's ignoring you simply because he can't be bothered to listen. If he's obeying you, say, 90% of the time though, I would consider that normal.
And of course he's not going to listen when the other dogs are around...he wants to do what they do, and if they're not listening, neither will he. My dog always wants to do what her best friends do, even if it's naughty. Luckily, all five of them listen to me (mostly). I wouldn't ever walk them all by myself, but I'm comfortable with my authority at the house.
If he's not neutered, I would get him neutered right away. It could remedy the issue of him peeing (or marking) in your roommates bed.
Realize that you have gotten really far with him in such a short amount of time, but that he's still a baby and it'll take a while. Heck, he's still trying to get used to the routine at your house! - you have to show all your dogs that you are the pack leader...train all of them at the same time so if the older dogs listen the pit bull will follow on what they are doing...take control..discipline them(but not to mean or rough)...train all dogs at the same time like every other day or when you want to..hope this works out for you
- maybe he is bothered by the other dogs........ maybe u should start training him better with the peeing on ur roommates bed. [or u should start to train the other dogs......but other than that....that's i have in mind. just keep trying to make him stop or start maybe to find the lowest training school for ur dog also.
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