Dog Training Aids - Best Tips for Using Crates
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Get a book and try yourself, first! Dogs need guidance, they have no idea 'they are not supposed to'.
Read as much as you can first, or google dog training. There are some great ideas on line. Don't give up after the first day! Dog training requires lots of repetition and reinforcement.
If all else fails, try the PETSMART course. It may give you more confidence to train your dog.
Remember, be FIRM, don't shout! And be assertive. The dog takes its cue from you!
Know The Basics Of Dog Trainings
- The PetSmart training thing does not train your dog they show you how to train them
- I would say petsmart. That's where i took my dog. Works wounders
- I don't know about Sit Means Sit, but I know that I have heard nothing but negative about petsmart training. The trainers are amateur at best and often don't understand dog behavior well enough to really help you with some issues like the behavior issues your describing. Also, I believe petsmart just offers obedience, right? And your dog doesn't seem to need that---youre dealing more with behavioral issues. I would suggest you try to find a different trainer in your area, one who has a good ammount of experience and really understands dog behavior. In the meantime, I have a few suggestions that might help you.
My malamute used to jump too. For the dog, part of it is just being too excited but part of it can also be a dominance thing. When the dog jumps, it is invading your space and you are allowing it to do so. Most people will step back when the dog tries to jump on them, but that just shows the dog that he's in charge, not you, because he just succesfully pushed you back out of your space. Instead of stepping back, step forward, into the dogs jump and firmly tell him "no jumping". You might have to do this several times but when he does settle down, praise him and pet him or whatever. I understand that little kids probably aren't going to be able to do this as they're smaller and can easily get knocked over, but if you are consistent with the dog in doing this, he will learn that "no jumping" means no jumping. A professional trainer will probably have other ideas but this is what worked for me and my dog.
When he tries to bite you, immediately correct him with "no!" or a sharp "ouch!" and get up, turn away from him, and ignore him. Don't look at him, don't talk to him, just walk away. Eventually he will learn that biting means he loses his friend and playmate and he will stop.
I'm not sure what to tell you about destroying things on the counters when you're gone, but yes, it could be a sign of separation anxiety. Again, I would advise you to look for an experienced trainer who knows and understands dog behavior. Good luck. - Sit Means Sit uses some aversive training techniques. That rules them out in my books. ANY kind of positive punishment or negative reinforcement, including yelling, correcting, scolding or shock collars, have been shown to contribute to disobedience, aggressiveness, fear and separation anxiety. I know that Sit Means Sit is adament that the collars don't hurt the dog, that's not the point - it is still an aversive (it is not a positive experience).I'm not saying Sit Means Sit won't work, just that I wouldn't put my dog through that and risk a bad outcome.
Don't have any experience with petsmart but from what I've heard the are just your run of the mill puppy class that can teach you how to train basics like 'sit' but nothing about getting your dog to behave in the real world.
So, is there a different trainer in your area? One that only uses positive rewards? For an example of what you should be looking for, have a look at the website of the trainer I take my dog to: www.urbandogtraining.com.au
Once you find one, test them on their methods: ask them how they would appoach the problem of a dog that jumps. If they start talking about corrections, or how you have to be alpha or dominant, or knee the dog in the chest, or telling the dog NO, look elsewhere. Such corrections and harsh training methods are outdated and abusive.
Dogs can be trained using only positive rewards. My dog used to chase chickens, play bite, chew everything, jump on everybody, be fearful, not come when called, whine all the time, and pull on her lead. I never yelled at her, told her NO, scolded her, hit her, growled at her, or did anything 'dominant'. I followed the advice from my trainer, used only positive reinforcement, and now have a wonderfully behaved dog.
For an example of what sort of methods you should be looking for:
Jumping up on visitors/Playing roughly with kids:
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind…
(Summary: Ask visitors to to talk/pat/treat your dog ONLY if his bum is on the floor - IGNORE the dog if not. Try to give a treat EVERY time his bum is on the floor.Step two is the best method but if you don't want to make your visitors do this, or when it's your elderly neighbour/little children, or when you don't have time, or when the dog is being really crazy you can use Time Out. Please note, if you've never left your puppy alone in a room before, the first time you Time him Out he's going to make a lot of noise. It is important not to let him out until he's quiet otherwise he's just learnt to making a fuss gets him out. Instead, wait for 30 seconds of quiet, then reward by letting him out. He will learn that he has to be quiet to get out, as long as you are consistent.)
Biting:
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind…
(Summary: 1. Teach bite inhibition
When he bites you, he will bite with different strengths. You need to 'yelp' loudly (like a litter mate would) when he bites with the hardest strength, then immediately get up, walk away from him, and ignore him. 2. With some dogs, the yelp seems to make them more excited. With other dogs, even if you 'yelp' they don't care - they are off running to the next thing to explore. If your puppy is one of these, still use the above procedure, but when you 'yelp,' gently take your puppy by the collar and escort to a Time Out room.)
Tearing up stuff when left alone:
a. Puppy proof your home. The only things left on the floor should be essentials (eg. you can't move the couch up high)
b. Toys. Instead you want at least 2-3 chew toys down per day and rotate them so your puppy doesn't tire of the same ones. EVERY time you see your puppy playing with his own toys, go over and give him a treat.
c. Supervision. All puppies need ACTIVE, 100% supervision. While you are watching him, if he goes to chew something inappropriate (eg. the couch), clap your hands (not as a punishment, just to attempt to distract him), get a chew toy that's put up (eg. he hasn't played with it today) and go give it to him instead. You need to do this EVERY time, AS he goes to chew the inappropriate item. Remember, you are not punishing him chewing the couch, you are preventing him chewing the couch and as such, instilling the habit of chewing chew toys.
d. If he gets an item he can pick up do not chase him, never force an item out of a dog's mouth either. Instead, go get a favourite toy, or a really yummy treat and trade your puppy for the item.
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