Pet Training Advice
The ClubHouse: Archives: Pet Training Advice
Whoami | Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 01:25 am     Well, I debated putting this in the Dogs folder, but I thought this one could be for all critters who need a bit of a "behavioral change." I'll start off with mine. I have two dogs. They are approaching their 6th birthday (they are brothers from the same litter). When we give them treats, one is very much the gentleman and takes the treat with a very light and delicate touch (oddly, that is the only thing he is delicate about, any other time he is very exuberant and bouncy!). The other, who is very laid back about everything (except food) is a snatcher. We often have to count our fingers once we hand him a treat. All the other dogs we've had have always responded with us telling them, "take it nice." But this guy just hasn't figured it out yet. So, how does one break this snatching habit? I have to hand it to him in a different manner to keep from getting my fingers chomped (hand it to him in my palm). But all I'm doing there is "correcting" my own behavior! Suggestions? |
Tksoard | Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 07:32 am     I have 4 that take it nice and 1 that grabs. When I give them their bickies, for her, I put my finger around it and say take it nice. She grabs at my finger (just a nip) and that's all she gets is my finger, until she sits and does take it nice!! But I also have them trained to sit on their own rugs when they come in the house, too! It really impresses company.  |
Nightcrawler | Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 04:33 pm     We have 4 dogs and one is a snatcher. What I did was take the one off to the side and let him and me work alone. I would only let him have a little bit at a time if he snatched at it or bit my hand I would tell him NO and EASY. I also would bring in one of the other dogs to show him what 'easy' was. It took time but he's pretty good about it now. Not as easy as the others but that's not too bad. Good luck! How is it going with your snatcher? |
Whoami | Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 08:25 pm     My snatcher is doing better, but he has to be constantly reminded. I tried Tksoard's idea, and reinforce it with telling him "take it nice!" I've had a few chomped fingers, but no blood yet! I've learned to watch him. If he comes at the snack with his mouth wide open, I pull the treat back and tell him, "NO, I said take it NICE." He then goes at it a bit more gentle. I trained them from puppyhood to "sit" before they get something. This works for going out the door too, when they used to get so excited they'd nearly tear the door down before I opened it. Now, I put my hand on the doorknob until they sit. Then I let them out. They also have to sit before they get a treat. Bomba (the snatcher) took it a step further. When we are in the living room, and he wants us to get up and let them out, he woofs at us until we look at him, then he does a very pronounced "sit," along with a dashing doggie grin. Hard to resist that grin! |
Kstme | Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 07:53 am     For the first time in my life, I've hired a professional trainer! Thought, because it's been so long since I've done the puppy bit, it would be a good idea and it is great! Most of her ideas are tried and true, but she is also giving me some much needed guidance in curbing "bad behavior" before it gets out of hand. We don't use clickers and very little food as incentives. So far, I can "come" and "leave it"...Ollie, on the other hand, has his own ideas! It's definitely more costly than "classes" but worth every penny...for me! Whoami...I've always done the "sit" to get treats and it works so well. George can be a bit grabby if you don't tell him to take it nice. I think he thinks the command is part of getting the treat or meds.  |
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