I have a five year old jack russell terrier.. :) And im having a bit of trouble training him? We didnt train him well when he was little but he knows some basics like lie down, sit, shake, and speak. He always listens to my dad when he says go home, go to the garage, go to the patio... but he doesnt listen to anyone else. I think its because my dad is a little be more tough on the dog then we are? Like he can yell at him and not feel bad but if i yell at the dog i end up feeling sooo guilty... :( Also when i try to teach him with food, all he does is sit and stare at the food in my hand, and if he cant see the food then he doesnt listen. Im trying to make him stop barking and to come when called but he only listens when i have a treat and he knows it, and half the time when i have a treat thats the only thing he pays attention to.. How can i train him to listen?!
Dog Training Books - Why You Need One to Obedience Train Your Dog Correctly
Recommended Answer:You do not need to yell and holler to successfully train a dog. In fact, since what you want to be is firm and unwavering, randomly screaming at the dog may simply make you appear unstable and erratic in your behavior. So, just be calm. Speak clearly and firmly. Hold yourself up straight and tall, but don't be stiff; your body should be totally relaxed. A true leader exudes confidence, he's not tense, nervous, a bully, etc. He's just cool, calm and collected -- and, most importantly, in control of the resources. Make it clear to the dog that he has to work for what he wants, because you, the leader, are in control of those resources. Start using the "Say Please Protocol," which is more commonly known as "Nothing in Life is Free:"
http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/say-pl…
http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm
Again, note the difference between being threatening and bully-like and forcing him to obey out of fear, and being confident and calm and giving him proper motivation to obey. If the dog shows any calming signals, then chances are you're being more like a bully:
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.ph…
It sounds like he's quite dependent on food, but at the same time, he's clearly motivated by food, so it's helpful that you know what motivates him. So, here's what to do: have several short (five or ten minutes long), fun training sessions with him every day. Do not let him know that you have any treats on you! Have him leashed so that he can't ignore you and leave. Be patient, lighthearted. Make training enjoyable! Calmly give a command for a trick that he knows. If he doesn't obey, then just wait. And wait. And wait. And wait. If, for example, you told him "down," chances are that he'll eventually lay down out of sheer boredom while he's ignoring you. That's when you magically produce a handful of super-delicious treats (chicken, hot dog, cheese, steak, liver, etc.) and reward him handsomely. Then, have him do something else -- with your hands empty again, no treats visible. Again, just wait. He's got nowhere to go, so he's bound to eventually obey. When he does, reward him. He'll soon figure out that even though he doesn't see any treats, he should obey anyway because you actually do have rewards, and so he'll respond a lot faster to get that reward. When he's got the hang of it, start varying the rewards. Sometimes give him one, sometimes four, sometimes just praise, sometimes play with him. You want to be unpredictable so that he's always willing to perform on the chance that he'll get the really good reward. You want to be like a slot machine or lottery ticket -- most of the time the reward is lacking, but he stills "plays" because of the chance of getting the jackpot. And, because he's leashed to you, he'll also be learning that he can't just ignore you. Combine these training sessions with making him work for everything he wants (going outside, getting dinner, going for a walk, etc.) and he should certainly be more responsive.
As for the specific problem happening now, what's he barking at? That makes a difference in your response. If he's barking at something, then teach him to associate that thing with good things so that he doesn't feel compelled to bark at it:
http://www.mastiffonlinecommunity.net/vi…
If he's barking at people outside, then get up and block him from the window. Don't bother talking, just stand in front of the window with your arms about a foot or so from your body (palms facing the dog). If he tries to go around you, then move with him. Stay there until he's quiet for a couple seconds, then give him back his view. If he starts barking again, then repeat. With patience and consistency, he'll learn that the only way to keep his view is to be quiet and that barking results in the loss of what he wants.
If he's barking because he wants something, then ignore him. Never give him what he wants while he's misbehaving.
If he's barking just to hear himself bark, then give him something more constructive to do. A stuffed Kong, a Buster-Cube, a Nylabone, another sort of puzzle toy, etc. Not only will such an object reward him for being quiet and focused, but it will help to mentally stimulate him.
As for teaching him to come:
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/come.ht…
http://www.mastiffonlinecommunity.net/vi…
Good luck! Remember, be firm, patient, consistent, benevolent, confident and in control of the resources.
Some Tips To Help You Through All Types Of Dog Training
- That dog doesn't need to know more. he is fine the way he is. Some dogs just cant learn more or don't want to.
The reason he takes to your dad and listens to him is because he thinks of your dad as the top dog or the alpha. That is usually how it is to the dogs, they listen to the most dominant person they can find.
- If you want him to stop doing something, a good old spritz with a spray bottle always works. We had a similar problem with my dog; he would listen to my boyfriend but no one else, but if one of us grabs the spray bottle he always listens.
As for your other problem, I have no idea. I taught my dog to come early on so it isn't really a problem. Try calling a trainer or going to a training website.
- Jack Russel's are know for there stubbornness. Its either there way or no way. Call in a expert trainer quick if he gets too old it will be even harder to train him. Good luck.
- Nobody should have to yell at a dog at all to get it to do something. To teach him to stop barking, when he is barking, take your treat and put your hand down to him as if you're going to give him the treat. In order to eat the treat, he has to stop barking, so you'll get that split second of silence. Click the silence and reward with the treat. (Sorry, I clicker train, you can say "Quiet" or whatever word you want and then reward. For training other things, lure him with the reward and get what you want that way. Eventually he will do it before you get the treat out. With a five year old dog, it will take patience and persistence. But, believe me, dogs view people who supply them with food as their god. After all, everyone goes on about the pack leader supplying the food, and that's what you're doing. Do a google on clicker training, too. It's a fabulous way to train a dog.
ETA:- From the site Maxi gave......"Some dogs see their ability to demand attention as confirmation that they are the "alpha", then become difficult to handle when told to "sit" or "down" or some other demand is placed on them."
This is complete and utter rubbish. My dogs "demand" attention all the time......yet they will down, sit, stay, jump, twizzle, you name it, whenever I ask. It's called training.
ETA:- Moof......you said...."Then, have him do something else -- with your hands empty again, no treats visible. Again, just wait. He's got nowhere to go, so he's bound to eventually obey." Really? So you ask him to Sit, and he lies down and goes to sleep. What do you do then? It sounds to me as if you have NILIF and clicker training mixed up. I would stick to clicker training myself. :-))
- HI =)
Start with your tone of voice. Women/Girls have the easiest time with what I call the "Good Dog" tone of voice - the one that is most often high pitched, soft, sweet, and generally in a falsetto.
Men have the easiest time with the "Bad Dog" tone - the one that is deep (but doesn't have to be!), stern, and sometimes gravelly. Men also have the easiest time with the "Command" tone - the one that is neither good nor bad, but has a firm (usually lower) tone.
Remember, commands must be firm, short, and to the point, with the tone going down at the end, never letting the word drag on.Teach other words the same way. Simple one word commands work best. Say the dog's name (to get his attention - remember that communication link!), follow with a command, and then SHOW him what you want. PRAISE IMMEDIATELY when the action is completed - even if you MADE him do it! Eventually you dog will learn to respond to the command without needing to be shown - but you should never forget to praise!
I find a gravelly, growly "EGH!" (hard to spell a sound but it's like you are vocalizing while pushing air out of your lungs) can be used to halt activity. Or try "Angh, Angh!" - our sound for no, without saying the word - only say it with a growl, and sharply.
- To get him to stop barking, DON'T yell at him. The louder your voice,the more the dog will think you're barking too,and he'll get excited&keep barking. Once he starts barking, simply and firmly, not yelling, say "Quiet." or "Enough.". Once he stops barking and listens to you, have him sit&give him the treat&a pat. That way,He will associate the word with being quiet&getting love& a treat. Also, remember he might not get it the first time,so keep trying. it will eventually pay off,and JRT's are very smart,so he should learn quickly. :) hope this helps!!
- Learn from your dad.............
Your guilt, your treats just 'tells' te dog that you are 'weak' as it gives off weak energy to your dog, your dads energy is strong, your dog knows exactly where it is in the pack and knows he is the pack leader, feel confortable and confident that your dad as leader will look after him, the dog respects him, so listens...............you on the other hand he thinks as below in the pack order...........read this, stop feeling guilty and stop feeding him treats to make him do things and learn how to become a better leader for your dog so he feel safe and secure with you http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm
- Your Dad has shown you how to train a dog.
It's not being mean. The natural state of a dog is to have a leader that they listen because the life of the pack depends on it. The pack will even kill a dog that is endangering the pack.
So, using a strong firm voice and letting that dog know that you mean business is a NORMAL part of a dog's way of thinking. It's not mean- having a dog come when it is called can save their life. It is mean to raise a dog that has not been provided with clear direction.
