Originally posted by 20202@Feb 18 2005, 04:47 PM
Abby sounds like a great little learner. Did you have a specific learning method?
Izzy has mastered the SIT command already.
She comes when called. The first week I had her we worked on coming when called. This past week we spent it on SIT. I don't think I should do too many commands at a time, and hopefully we have plenty of time to master the others. I would love to teach her to lay her head down while grooming. That's going to take a long time, I fear because #1, she doesn't like her face fussed with and #2, she's a total mass of wiggling worms. Because of all your advice, I went against my gut instinct and started her training this young and it paid off. Thanks.
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I'm glad to be of some assistance. And congratulations on SIT!!!!
Abby seems to catch on fairly quickly to what I want her to do, so I've been lucky in that respect, but I also put that down to starting early - she knows what I expect I guess you could say! I guess as far as training goes, I go with my instincts and what feels right to teach her. With sit, I used a combination of strategies. I helped her into sit positions, but also used the strategy with the treat where you put it above their nose and take it back until their bottom drops to the floor (I mainly used this, but helped her into sit when she needed it) - I guess being a hungry little puppy made her very eager for those 10 minute sessions!
For teaching her to put her head down, I started during grooming sessions saying "head down" and softly pushing her head down onto the rolled washer (never forcing it - she didn't really resist it). Then I'd tell her what a good girl she was and pat her while she kept her head down. I'd also put her in my lap and use either my fingers or her comb to play with her hair on her head while her head was down - this worked great when she was just about sleeping... If you wait until later at night or when Izzy is tired and sitting on your lap, almost asleep and you start to just stroke/pat her, she will realise that as such a nice feeling - you know, to be nearly asleep and someone playing with your hair type thing - and if you then eventually start to groom her in that time when she is very tired and use that same gentleness, she'll slowly start to calm down.... well, that's what worked for Abby anyway!! I can elaborate more if that didn't make sense!
I guess I was a little worried about it too at first, but then I figured that informal basic training wouldn't hurt her - if anything, it would keep her safe and happy. She has never chewed cords, tried to go down the stairs without my approval... none of that... and I have been so thankful for that! I also think that training early on reenforces the idea that you are the pack leader, not them. They respect having someone in charge.
It's not like you aren't letting Izzy be a puppy ... two 10 minutes sessions a day is NOTHING in her day of play and fun!

And using only positive reinforcement works wonders - and also give you and her a chance to get closer to each other!
I didn't really have a set method, I spoke to people here on sm and read a few books etc and made up my own mind. Play it by ear to what she responds best to! Oh, and one command at a time is definitely the way to go!