Dog Health Questions: Clicker training question?

We've started clicker training with the dogs and I'm loving it. Zoey, miss over eager, does extremely well because she will do whatever it takes to hear the click and get treated, so she is real easy to shape. Josie, used to me showing her what to do and then performing it for a treat, gets frustrated easily but more than makes up for it when she does get it (She's a mirror reflection of myself - I'm so used to understanding everything instantly, and hate when I don't get things right away. Such as dog training, I can teach kids how to solve algebraic equations all day but I'm still learning how to communicate with my dogs!). The cues Josie knew from our previous training she has down almost perfectly. But I'm worried about them becoming dependent on treats.

If you've used the clicker training method, was it hard to transition your dogs out of expecting treats, or after so much repetition did it stick with them? What can I start doing differently to make sure they don't get treat-dependent?

My boyfriend's the one mostly critical of training with treats, I'll carry treats around all day long if my dog behaves well for them. I know you're supposed to graduate from this, but hey, I wouldn't work if there wasn't a paycheck coming, either.

Dog Training Basics - Some Tips to Help You Start Training Your Dogs

Recommended Answer:
Change your reinforcement schedule from a fixed 1:1 ratio to a variable schedule.

First give one reinforcement every other time the behavior is offered. You should find your dogs slightly perplexed at first, but quickly figuring out that two offers are required and they'll probably start offering them in rapid succession. Don't stick with a fixed ratio for long. It dulls the game factor and slows training if continued too long.

Dogs are natural gamblers. Play on that. Don't use a pattern for when you reinforce and when you don't. Instead, generate random sequences of 1, 2, and 3 repeats before reinforcement. They never quite know how many times they'll need to "push the lever" before the "slot machine" pays off. But if you start slow enough (with few enough repeats needed at first), they will actually become more enthused than when you give a treat every time. Training becomes a game of chance, and that's addictive.

This is playing on a concept known as an "extinction burst." Consider what happens when your TV suddenly stops working. You push the on/off button several times because that has always worked in the past. You adjust connections or the antenna, then push the buttons again. You try harder and harder, convinced that if you do the right sequence it will work again. This is an extinction burst. You must be careful, however, not to push it too far, too fast. If you do, you risk them getting disappointed enough to dump that TV and find something else to entertain themselves.

Over time you can gradually increase the range of repeats needed to earn reinforcement. Say 1-5 repeats. Then 2-6. Then 3-7. And so on. They probably won't really notice the change since the schedule is random. This process is called "fading the treats." You still want to periodically reinforce a behavior, but can probably do it with genuine praise and affection instead of treats.

Dog Training Tips

• Sounds like you've got a great start! I do encourage you to join a clicker training list group such asClickersolutions (a yahoo group) and also to check out the clickersolutions.com and clickertraining.com websites- tons of information, and having others who love clicker training is helpful when you have family and friends who are critical.
  
  I've never found dependence on treats to be a problem. Yes, I use treats a lot when I'm first training something, then I start changing around what the reinforcement is. I still reinforce every (or almost every) correct response, but the reinforcement varies from a quiet "good girl", to being let out of a crate or through a door, or putting a leash on, or a quick game of chase me or tug...the list goes on. Treats are handy when first teaching something, but having a wide variety of reinforcers available is one of the keys to good dog training. I see no reason not to continue to pay my dogs- as you said, you keep getting paid!
  
  Some people do use a variable schedule of reinforcement, as the other poster mentioned, but I don't find it necessary, or desirable. Variable schedule reinforcement leads to variable behavior.

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Dog Health Questions: What are the important things a dog trainer can teach their students?

I will be instructor for a Petco dog training class soon. I want my students to be informed about their dog's behavior, but only have an hour a week to do the informing. In your opinion, what are the most important things a person can learn from a dog training class?

For example, a big one for me is bite control. I find that many of the dogs we get at the shelter I volunteer for are put down for nipping (a bite that breaks the skin, if unprovoked, will result in the dog being euthanized).

Any other things I should touch upon in class?

Therapy Dog Training, Helping the Infirm

Recommended Answer:
I have a few things.

First, make it very clear to them that training does not start when they come to your class, and end when they leave it. Too many people think that a trainer will train their dog and no work is required on their part... make it clear that you are training THEM to train their dogs, not training their dogs for them.

I think "leave it" is an incredibly important command for a dog to learn... a command that can possibly be the difference between life and death for them.

CONSISTENCY is key.... owners MUST be consistent in training their dogs, or else the dogs cannot be blamed for being unruly or behaving in a way the owner doesn't like.

Discourage using puppy pads... they might be more convenient for the owner while their dog is a puppy, but it encourages going in the house and it is a very tough habit to break.

I will add more if I think of it.

Good Luck!

ADDED: Touching on another poster's comment -- Exercise is key. A dog not having enough exercise can be the cause of a lot of behavioral problems... a lack of exercise is also commonly diagnosed as a dog with separation anxiety. A tired dog is a good dog!!!

Dog House Training - Complete Dog Training Tips and Tricks For Training Your Dog in Your Home

• how to read their dogs postures,,,, play bowing, aggression, etc. etc.


• Exercise, discipline then affection. Seriously, if your not watching or reading Caesar Milan you are missing out on how to train your dog 101. He touches on all of the things you mentioned and the key is the walk and the discipline.


• Teach the owners to do things with their dogs like look in their ears, mouth, play with their feet, etc. (Things they will have done at the vet office - this will make their yearly trips to the vet easier on the dog and the staff!) I don't know how often we hear at the office here - "He's a really good dog until we try to do something with him"!


• Chewing
  House Training
  Seperation Anxiety
  Walking on Leash
  Heel
  Sit
  Come
  Stay
  The importance of proper socialization


• Biggest thing:
  
  There is no one true way to train a dog. Just as all people are different and learn in different ways, so to are dogs different with different ways of learning.
  
  My personal favorite:
  
  A hungry dog is a dog who is looking for a way to earn some food.


• The biggest thing I teach in my classes is just being the leader - the alpha, and not letting the dog get what they want. Bite control can be a part of this, but so is crying, barking, pawing, or nudging the person - anything to gain their control.
  
  We also talk about the positive effects of daily walks, getting the dog in the real world and not confined to their back yard, and proper socialization, even of older dogs.
  
  In our puppy class we cover common issues such as chewing and housebreaking, and will also touch on these in our basic obedience class if asked.
  
  While I don't believe in treat training, we stress continuously the use of praise, both verbal and physical (hand petting, etc.) and how the dog needs to know when you are happy with them.
  
  Obviously these are not covered all in one night. We teach a basic obedience exercise, and talk in between working with the dogs. We'll work for 10-15 minutes, then teach the lesson, then work another 10-15 minutes, then talk for 5 or so minutes to give the people a break. I also make it a point to ask the students if they have any questions or topics they'd like to hear about.


• Is bite control something that will be relevant to the class you'll be running? Obviously it's an important issue, but most people who go to a family obedience class at Petco or Petsmart are just seeking the basics and many are novice dog owners. Novices would have a hard time dealing with an aggressive dog no matter what- unless they had a trainer help them out individually at home.
  
  I think the most important thing you can teach your students is a balance of persistence and patience. Too many people give up on training because they get frustrated when they think they're not making progress. The biggest deal breaker is when people get lazy. You have to (gently) hammer it into their heads that they actually have to take time out of their days to train their dogs! Just because they go to a one hour class every week doesn't mean their dogs will train themselves the rest of the time.
  
  On a lighter note, communicate how valuable learning the basics can be to future training and any potential behavioral problems that may arise. They may not mind if their recalls aren't so reliable when the dog is playing in the yard but what about when their dog gets loose and runs into the road? I'm sure they'd love to have a reliable recall before Spot turns into Splat.


• I just completed pet smart obediance classes with my dogs and the most important thing she did was remind us that the training was more for us than the dog. Dogs naturally want to learn and be led and if we are not good leaders they wont listen.


• Basic obedience meaning proper leash walking and sit and down and stay maybe leave it as well.
  These are great things for classes.
  You need to teach the person how to teach the dog.
  They need to learn that the dog will look to them for guidance when in situations where there are distractions.
  Teach them to be clam and firm and consistant.
  Bite control could be worked on in a class setting but many things need to be addressed one on one.
  
  Behavior issues sometimes are better worked one on one than in a class setting.
  I try to use classes for basic stuff and when I do behavior work I prefer not to do it in a class setting. I want to see first hand one one one with the dog in the home what is going on. And work on those things there in the home. These are areas where you are going to need to tweak what you do to and for the dog to each individuals tempermant.


• I think the biggest thing is that dogs need exercise (not a big back yard). They need time with constructive work either walking or doing 'work' or doing something that employs their mind and body (like flyball, agility, etc). One of the biggest pitfalls with ownership is behavior problems and dogs who are tired are generally not causing problems! Also, remind owners that their dogs need a constructive environment that includes rules! I also like to remind people that if their dog is unsupervised (such as outside) it's more likely to be up to something destructive or disruptive (like barking) so keeping the dog inside and under control is a better choice if it's possible with their lifestyle.


• Speaking from experience - I wish someone had taught me the valuable lesson of "even if your dog doesn't really like other animals or people it is really important to socialize him so he learns to" I rescued my dog and love him pieces - but he hates other animals and is not a friendly dog to other people (not biting just growling and snotty). He was very abused before I got him so I thought he would just outgrow it with love. Now I now I should have taught him better. Taught him everything else - sit, stay, tell me (speak), stay...all that good stuff. But that one thing I left out means no vacations with out him because I cant leave him with anyone, no doggie play dates, extra careful when walking and my FAVORITE is the stares like I am horrible from people when I tell them my lab isn't nice.


• The first thing I teach my students is that the dog is not wrong, just not trained. I don't want them to think that there dog's are doing some thing "wrong" when in fact they dogs are just being normal, untrained dogs. It is the owners responsibility to train the behavior they want.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog sweaters, necessity or accessory?

I have a tiny 2-3 lb chihuahua. Does she actually need a sweater for when we go somewhere that's cold (like at her dog training classes where the a/c is low?) Or is it just to make her look cute?

Dog Training Advice - Top 5 Important Dog Training Advice And Tips For Your Dog Obedience Training

Recommended Answer:
The dog should be able to handle the AC just fine.

Dog sweaters and coats are for winter when it's really cold outside.

I don't recommend having the dog wear a sweater to training class, it's just going to be a distraction.
.

Guard Dog Training Tips & Tricks Revealed

• For outdoor trips during cold weather, it probably would be a necessity for your dog. For air conditioning, probably not. Small, extremely short-haired dogs do get cold, but I don't think they really NEED a sweater unless it is below 60 degrees...and I'm willing to bet that your dog trainer doesn't keep her building that cold.


• Some dogs NEED sweaters in the cold. Chi's i would say yes in most cases, Chinese Crested dog's, and other hairless breeds definitely. Would yours need one in a store? Probably not - i would bring her in to see how she does before committing to buying one. Unless you like her in them.
  
  Be warned that it IS easy for most dogs (yes, even the little ones) to overheat, so if she wears one check on her often to see how warm she is.


• It's just to look cute.
  Fact is, most dogs -hate- sweaters, no matter how much people like to pretend that they don't. (I do say most, not all)
  However, if you own a "desert breed" like that, and live in a very cold area, then you might ask your vet, although I am pretty sure that it's still unnecessary.
  My mother had a chihuahua who lived outside, and he never got sick on us, despite the fact that our winters were often really bad.


• I was told just because they have a fur coat, doesn't mean their warm. I have two beagles and our winters are getting colder now , so I have a jacket for each of them. Sure there are breeds that can survive the winter, but most of us dont have them. If your cold, their cold, if your hot their hot.


• it's an accessory. YOur trying to apply human traits to a dog (wich is actually classified as a dissorder). It's jus mean to the dog and unnesesary. YOu should keep a dog like that inside not out when its cold.


• i think it depends on the weather, like if its super cold, then do it. but if u think yur dog is ok, then its not neccecary. sometimes when people put clothes on dogs, they feel restricted, cuz they need to move.


• For a dog that size I would say a necessity. Small dogs don't have as much muscle mass, fat, or hair to keep them warm. However, if you see a poodle with a sweater and a tutu, that's going overboard.


• for my dog, its a necessity. I have a hairless Crested tho.
  
  Just depends on your dog, and how cold it gets. Your dog should be just as comfortable in her fur coat as you are in a tshirt tho.


• For a tiny dog with not much fur you should put a sweater on it in the
  winter or just when its cold out. Or you can put it on for an acsesory
  if you want.
  To me necessity


• Some of the shorter haired dogs need a sweater or coat in the winter when they go out to help keep them warm, but I wouldn't think in the summer that it would be necessary.


• It depends where you live if its an extremely cold area its a necessity if it isnt it is a accessory


• if you live where it snows and its below freezing then yes if you live where it dose not snow and stays above freezing then i don't think you need one


• accessory .. Dogs survived well before ppl decided this woudl be a good way to make money


• I put a sweater on Tiger when it is snowing outside.


• I don't know what she need, because chihuahuas aren't dogs. When you are thinking that dogs are from wolves and you are seeing a chihuahua...
  They could be sweets but aren't dogs.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training? pulling on lead help please?

I have a 3 year old staffie, i use an extendable lead that extends to 5 metres. When he is allowed to use it on the extend setting he is no problem, but when i set it so its about 1metre he pulls continuously how can i make him walk nicley when on a short lead??

Is My Jack Russell Suitable For Schutzhund Dog Training?

Recommended Answer:
First get a proper leash. Flexi's are okay except that many dogs learn to pull on them. So get a nice 4 to 6 foot fabric or leather leash. I do right turns, left turns, and about turns. Anytime I feel the leash start to get tight, I change direction very quickly. The dog then learns that he is attached to a human that might do something weird if he's not paying attention. Anytime the dog catches me, I praise and give the dog a high value treat. This exercise teaches the dog the importance of a loose leash and loose leash walking. If you want to teach heel you do this the same way only with a shorter leash and guide the dog to the left side. I also use this exercise to teach the come command only I let the dog get further out. Make sure that you make this a fun game with lots of praise, especially at first. Enrolling your dog in a good training class will also help.

A Beginner's Guide to Dog Training

• get a gentle leader and training.


• Two ideas my trainer told me to do for my dog. One, when he pulls you STOP and plant yourself where you are. Let him figure out that pulling gets him nowhere, and when he turns back to you, give him a treat and walk on. Stop every time he pulls. Two, turn on your heel and quickly walk in the other direction when he starts to pull. Once he realized that pulling gets him tugged in the other direction (the direction he doesn't want to go) he'll learn to stop.
  
  Both concepts worked with my dog, in combination with a Halti (Gentle Leader) head collar.


• If I were you, I'd look up the man Cesar Millan. I'll explain a few of his techniques, but it's much easier to see him in action on his show The Dog Whisperer.
  
  It sounds like your dog thinks that he/she is the leader of the pack. What you need to let them know is that YOU are the leader of the pack and not them. Whenever your dog pulls on the leash, simply stop walking and make a SSS sound. It's like what a dominant dog would do in the wild; whenever someone disobeys in the back, the pack leader simply nips them. Making a small SSS sound or tapping them on the neck is a gentle way of saying "Hey, don't do that."
  
  During all of this, you have to make sure that you are the image of a pack leader. Walk upright and confidently. Your dog will sense this and will see you as the pack leader, therefore obeying you and not pulling when the lead is short.
  
  It takes awhile to sometimes get your dog to listen to you completely, but in my experiences, these techniques from Cesar Millan work wonders!


• Both "Singleworker" and "Schnoodle" said it.
  Be consistently "non-predictable" so that your dog has to pay attention to you, which means he has to be right there with you, where you want him. Best done with a proper working lead (fabric, nylon or leather 6'). What you choose for a collar will factor in to the responsiveness of the dog. A buckle collar won't have as much "startle" impact (when you suddenly change direction) as a head halter of some kind...... or a nylon martingale.....which won't have as much impact as a nylon choke collar..... as a pinch collar. You get the idea.
  
  Praise, praise, praise when the dog does well.
  
  Flexi leads are okay for allowing a sense of "freedom" (occasionally) while on an outing. Best used in a sparsely populated area to avoid disaster associated with the Flexi (the dog can quickly get it entangled with something nearby: human, tree, bushes...etc. & they can cause terrible rope burns).


• I agree with the first answer. I have a 1/2 Lab 1/2 GSD. She is pretty hiper and pulls like you wouldn't believe (strong). I used the Easy walk and this eliminated the pull. She walks at my side and it is gentle. Talk to your pet store about them. Petsmart has some good trainers and they were the ones that turned me into a believer with this one. Good luck.


• i know exactly how you feel, i had an 8 stone german shepard who actually once dislocated my shoulder!!!
  first thing i did was a bought one of those harnesses that pulls him back from his shoulders as opposed to his neck. this worked great until i put him back in collars, when he started pulling again.
  so what worked best for me was that for every time he pulled on the lead, i would make it shorter and shorted, until eventually i was holding him by the collar, which he hated!!! and eventually he learnt that he isnt allowed to pull.
  the other thing i will ask though is do you let him off the lead at any point? if you are walking him solely on a lead then he will have lots of pent up energy that he really needs to release! make sure he has a reasonable amount of time running around without a lead.
  Good luck!

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Dog Health Questions: What are some good dog training tips?

Ok so i have a male chihuahua and a female pug puppy who i have been trying to train and its not going so well

the chihuahua gets pretty mean at times, and the pug puppy has been spoiled and now she is acting like a brat. I am trying to teach them not to bark at everyone they see and i want to teachthem boundarie (bad spelling) lines as well as the basic sit and stay commands

what are some good tips for training them, i have treats and a clicker, how would i go about training them

Clicker Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Hi!

You need a full and proven dog training program.

"SitStayFetch" is one of the most popular dog training products on the market written by Daniel Stevens, an experienced dog trainer, for every dog owners who know that the experience of training their dog has or will continue to establish a better relationship with their four legs friend.

First when I read SitStayFetch ebook, I was surprised at lots of information has been covered. The 186 page book is broken down into different sections step-by-step, each one dealing with a different aspect of dog ownership. SitStayFetch starts from a basic that dog owner should know. For instance, things to consider before adopting a dog, choosing the right breed, dealing with breeders, the secrets of dog training; and then moves on at common dog problems including biting and nipping, aggression, jealousy, digging holes, disobedience, separation anxiety, fights with other dogs, destructive behavior and even understanding how your dog thinks.

The core of SitStayFetch system is the communication between dog and owner. Daniel Stevens understands that most of common dog problems are from the lack of communication. Your dog simply doesn't understand what you want. SitStayFetch demonstrates how dogs communicate, what are they thinking, how you can communicate with them effectively.

This simple technique helps in improving the relationship between you and your dog. And it also doesn't just focus on one or two aspects of dog ownership. SitStayFetch deals with all common problem behaviors, step-by-step approach tells you exactly what to do and when to do it.

SitStayFetch works because of the tips and advice come directly from the author's real-life experience. You also can sign up for free 6 days mini course which covers selected training methods and behavior fixing methods that are used in SitStayFetch ebook.

So if you want to have a good relationship with your dog and get rid of dog problems, I think SitStayFetch will definitely help you reach your goals.

Check my source, hope it helps. Good luck!

5 Levels of Dog Training

• hi,
  
  No dog is born with good manners. Pooping on the carpet, leaping enthusiastically onto guests, pulling so hard he practically yanks your arm out of the socket when on walks--that's all perfectly acceptable in the canine world. It's up to you to teach your dog to behave the way we humans want him to. Not training your dog and expecting him to be pleasant to live with is like never sending your child to school and expecting him to ace the SATs.
  here are some guidelines:
  http://tinyurl.com/6kqgca
  
  hope this helps.


• be repetitive. when you try to teach tricks just make sure you constantly practice. if you are working on a punishment, be repetitive. always do the same things so they wont forget.always reward when something is done right. weather it is a treat or pat on the head.


• have you used clicker training before? have you done the association part of clicker training? click-give treat click-give treat, so they know the clicker sounds mean its a reward.
  Have you tried different treats? some times different ones work better, (took a while to find one that made my dog listen)
  Some times its actually good to have a dog bark, its usually them warning you something is going on, so teaching them not to bark at some things, wont work... letting them bark say 3 times then giving them the "shhh" "hush" "quiet" "thats enough" command to let them no you acknowledge whats going on and there is no need to bark any more, to do this you need to get something that sets them off, whats guaranteed to make them bark? door bell? if so get a family member or friend to ring the door bell, let them bark a little then use the command, if they do not stop dont open the, when they stop give a treat and open the door, they key is to repeat until it works instantly.


• what i do is disipline them when they are bad and praise them when they are good. They sell collars that will spray your dgo when they bark, they can be costly but they work, or to disipline your dogs when they do something bad spray them with water. when you train your dogs you want their full undivided attention, so i would reccomend going into a quiet room with just you and the dog. teaching your dog to sit is probably the easyest, to teach your dog to sit hold a treat in front of him/ her and raise it over their head and backwards making them automatically go into the sit position , then give them the command and the treat, do this repeatedley maybe 2 or 3 times then come back to it later and do the same thing.


• dog training tips well when your dog does somthing wrong don't correct them with there name say something like no or stop just not there name. Also be strong and assertive and your dog wil lbe under your control i mean i have learn al lthese tips from some one i know who got some info check out the website that have awsome information.


• Hi, I do understand your dilemma as I had to bite the bullet and get my Lab signed up for class. My suggestion is to check local dog clubs sometimes if you are a member you can get training fairly cheap, also as I am attendinng classes at an animal rescue league I would suggest them too, they are fairly reasonable s to cost. At some point you will be able to do your own trainingbut it is always best to get a foundation from a qualified instructor. Now as for training tips, my suggestion from my experience, is practice practice practice and PLENTY of patience. I would also suggest training them each 1 on 1 so you can focus on each of their problems seperately, and you can base the training on their positive attributes as opposed to the negative, as we sometimes do, as humans. My puppy is a yellow lab 5 mts, and I work with him several times a day. Whenever I have a few moments we work, and when done we PLAY, as it is important to have downtime. I hope this has helped, and GOOD LUCK!

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Dog Health Questions: Can I get my dog into Police type training?

Ok, i'm getting a Caucasian Mountain Dog, and I would like to get him into obedience training and socialization for sure, but I also wanted to get him into police dog training. With the commands you can teach them to attack, protect, and various other techniques. I was wondering if this was even possible? or possibly how much would the first training along with the police training cost? Just an average for the two separately would be great. Thanks for reading/answering my question.

Effective Communication in Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
I live in Denmark and I don't know how it works where you live, but I trained my first dog (a Belgian Shepherd Dog Tervueren) with the police dog club and they only took in certain breeds - as in many breeds were excluded from protection training, based on breed alone and a breed like yours would most likely be excluded.

The Caucasian Mountain Dog is not a breed for every one and requires not only a handler that knows exactly what he's doing, but also a handler that is extremely experienced with dogs. I got my first dog in the early 90s, I have an extensive knowledge about dogs and am a good dog handler, plus the breed of dog I have is not an easy breed and I would not take on a Caucasian Mountain Dog.

I hope you have done your homework regarding the breed and what it requires. This is in my opinion not a dog that many people can handle, it doesn't belong in cities, suburbs or even villages and, sorry, it's not a dog you should train attack- and protection dog techniques. That you are even inquiring about this is somewhat worrying, so I would urge you to read up some more on the breed and maybe reconsider if this is the right dog for you. There are other breeds that are less likely to turn into a liability and which are much more suited for police dog training.

Dog Training - Dog Training Techniques

• It's possible, however you should go for the socialization and obedience training first. Only dogs that achieve the highest level of obedience should be considered for defense training. Otherwise you are likely to end up with an uncontrollable, aggressive dog that's more likely to injure friends or family than defend you against an armed robber.
  
  If you and your dog do well in classes you'll then be on the grapevine for good trainers in your area. Try and cut corners and you could end up with some idiot who thinks training your dog to be aggressive is the way to go. It isn't. Police dogs are not genuinely aggressive when working: they are trained to bark etc on command AND to let go and be calm in an instant.


• you really dont have any need for a dog that is trained to attack. That would be a good way to get your @$$ sued and have your dog taken away and destroyed.
  
  If you feel extra need for protection, get a security system, a gun, carry mace and take a self defence class.
  
  Police dog training is for police dogs, which will be handled by experienced police dog handlers.


• With the proper Training you can do a lot but you need to continue the training at home too
  there are may training schools that specialize in these types of training but they are a bit pricey.
  You can start the basic training process at home.
  
  http://www.lotsofpets.com/dogs-dog-train…


• Yes, it's possible with about $10,000. If you want to train him yourself, not for personal protection, but for ultimate obedience, look into schutzhund training. A couple friends of mine work their dogs this way and it's great for them and for the dogs.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training specifically for retrievers?

I have a one year old black lab that I am training to be my hunting partner. We are working the basic commands right now, but I have noticed that when I throw his ball he will chase it but not retrieve it. I haven't come across a lab yet that will not retrieve. How can I correct this behavior to train my pup to be an outstanding gun dog?

Find Out About Purchasing Yourself Some Dog Training Books, They Could Really Be Quite Helpful

Recommended Answer:
find a professional trainer for hunting dogs

How to Identify Good Dog Training Schools

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Dog Health Questions: Are there any Cattle Dog training facilities in Indianapolis, IN?

I have an Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler and I really need to take her to training. I was wondering if there were any training facilities just for training cattle dogs in or around Indianapolis. I would like to train her to do obedience and hopefully agility, if that helps.

Guard Dog Training Tips & Tricks Revealed

Recommended Answer:
If you're calling it "blue heeler"...STOP IT!
& stop imagining breed makes any difference.
You sound like a dopey kid.

Contact the local/county kennel club.YES,there's a BIG one. They'll point you REAL classes,run by REAL dog-people.

Training Your Dog - Dog Training Tips and Advice

• i did not know you could train dogs to do that! isnt it just basic instinct for them or something?


• I doubt you'll find an obedience club or agility club that is specifically devoted to ACDs, but that's fine, you can learn either (agility is more fun!) in a class of many breeds, and mixes. Go to www.googility.com and enter your zip code to find agility resources near you (and some will also have obedience) and then visit some to see how and what they teach, get a feeling for where you would fit in the best.


• There is a lady in Grand Rapids Michigan who does herding training for ACDs. There is also a woman in Genoa City Wisconsin who does agility and herding training, but from what I have heard, she is rather heavy-handed with the dogs, to put it very mildly.
  
  http://www.blueboniff.com/midwestherding…
  
  You could also try contacting one of the ACD rescue groups and ask them for referrals.
  
  http://australiancattledog.rescueme.org/…
  
  If you want basic obedience, the NILIF training method is very effective with this breed. You could search trainers in your area who use this method, or ask the rescue groups.
  
  Have fun!
  
  ETA: Owners and breeders of heelers call them heelers all the time. I guess it's a cult thing. :o)

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