DUCK NEEDS PREPARING!!

[eggrolyn1223]

There's gonna be a local dog trick show here.I think it's AMAZING they actually have that stuff here.My dad says we can bring Duck, and I think she'll do really well if she doesn't pay attention to all the other dogs.She listens to me when there's only me, but when more people are around, she's too busy jumping on them.I need to train her a bit more these days.The contest is on Sunday, November 2.The last contest's winner was a dog who knew sit, shake hands, and beg.ONLY.Duck knows more, but I need to be positive that she'll listen to me.Then if people ask me questions, I'll tell them about all the mehtods I used(like the ones you guys use), and then they'll do it, and I'll tell them about breeding and all that stuff!!The main thing I wanna do is make Duck well-behaved so the people will think of her as an example of a dog trained by positive methods.Think of how much that would help all these issues about breeding and training!!So can you guys please give me all the tips you can give about training?STuff like how to train a dog to act calm around A LOT of people, and listen to me when there's so much commotion and other dogs as well.If Duck messes everything up, she'll be known for the result of positive training!!And I need for her to know she can't bite and jump on other people.And do you guys think there is enough time between now and then for me to train her to be REALLY super well behaved?She needs to be EXCEPTIONAL!!Please help!!!!Put ANY tips you know, or any problems and/or solutions you have been through with your dog, experiences..etc...only about 3 weeks away..

[eggrolyn1223]

I'm going to start teaching Duck to do everything after I take her for a super long walk tommorrow.It would be much easier.She's not so big that she walks in front of me yet, but when she is, it will be hard.So how do I train her to heel?

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm sorry Egg, I thought she already knew these things. I was under the impression she could use some practice with distractions-not actual training. If you are starting from scratch, I don't believe there is any chance of her (or ANY dog) being "polished" in three weeks. Maybe you could get her ready for next year??? She WILL get there, don't think it won't happen. It just won't happen overnight! :fadein:

Connie
(For some reason I can't remember to sign in! :-? )

PS The idea w/heeling is for her to be on your left side, walk at YOUR pace (be it slow, normal, or fast), sit (promptly, straight) when you stop...are you familar with what is expected? Before you begin with her, it may help to get an idea of everything yourself first. A dog taught heeling is a pleasure to walk-they don't lag behind, pull you, take off if you stop to chat with a friend. It's about safety and manners.)

[Guest Anonymous]

What exact age is Duck now? What exactly does she know?

[mouseatthebusstop]

:) would you beable to take her out on a lead where she would see lots of people hold the lead shorter so she walks by your side
enjoy the day and good luck. :) :)

[eggrolyn1223]

Ok, sorry I didn'y answer all your posts, I was sleeping.It's 9 AM now.Well, DUck is 3 months old.She knows sit, down, beg(two feet on the sloor in sitting position with fron feet up),jump(thats like agility, jumping over a little bar), and stay, but those only work when nobody else is around.The thing that works SOMETIMES is come.If there's somethin REALLY interesting, or food, she won't come.But if there's lots of people she doesn't care about in one room, and I'm in the another room, I say come, and she hears my voice and runs into the room I'm in. :) I just hope she does it everytime.Maybe I shouldn't try weaning her off treats anymore.I tell her to come and she somes and sits right in front of me and gets praise.But she likes food better :wink: .Somebody suggested using pennies in a can, and I tried it, but she only acts good if she sees it.Then she starts biting and grabbing treats from my hand(it HURTS!!).I'm gonna take her out now for a long walk, then review all her little sit and come stuff.I know those don't count as tricks, but thats all she knows and the people her think they are.To me, it's just a basic thing most dogs should know.I hope some of you are still on.I want to talk!!

[bk_blue]

Hi Egg, obedience classes will work wonders with Duck when she gets old enough (6 mths I think for the first real classes?). Try practising the recall "come" on the lead, that can work (but might be too much concentration for a little puppy- heck, it's too much for my 7 yr old dog! :D ). You just have to make sure that YOU are more interesting and exciting than anything else!!! For the comp, I'd just go over everything she already knows, and regardless of how she goes, it'll be great practice for you both. :wink:

[eggrolyn1223]

Well, I already went to see the only obdedience place here, and I'm never going to take her there.They used negative training, with discipline more than rewards.She'll do better here than with those people

[bk_blue]

I'm sorry to hear that... positive reinforcement is definitely the way to go with training dogs. :o Not to say that you shouldn't be afraid to scold your dog when he does something wrong (eg. jumping up, dominance mating (hehe I know all about that one)), but having a dog obey you because he fears you instead of wanting to please you because he gets praised for it is just wrong IMO. Good luck! :)

[eggrolyn1223]

Thanks, just wanted to ask another Q.Does the quick ina dog's nail grow if the nail isn't cut too often?And should I cut the hair around her nails so it won't cover it up when I'm cutting?If I had to, I'd take her to a professional groomer's place for the hair-cutting thing.

[eggrolyn1223]

Well, I've read a lot from the library in Texas when I was there, and I know all about training, it's just that there are so many different methods and I just wanted everyone's opinion on it, and maybe there's something i haven't read about that one of you guys know.I just had a 10 mintue training session with DUck.It was just going over all the stuff I had taught her already.Yes, she's pretty young, but she learns pretty fast.Once she gets the point what I want her to do, she does it.She learned sit, stay, come, and beg the first time I showed her, but down took a little longer cuz she doesn't usually lie down.