Collect Questions

When I try to train Bear, she just won't calm down. If I say sit, and show her a treat, sometimes she may sit, but usually she nips at me, and runs all over the place. What can I do to get her attention? I've tried the whole watch me thing, but she won't look at me.




ignore the bad behaviour and turn away...let her have her mad spell and carry on...she is probably excited at being given attention and treats!




Maybe she's not food oriented. Some dogs prefer a toy as a reward. Does she have a favorite toy yet? You could try getting her to sit, then throwing her fav ball, or playing tug with her fav tugger, etc.

Whenever shadow used to not pay attention, I would stop with the training and leave her along, give her no attention. Whenever shadow used to nip at me I'd tell her no in a firm voice and either put her down on the floor, (if she was on the sofa) or out the kitchen, she soon learnt that when she bit me she got no attention. Thats what its usually about. U must make sure that any undesirable behaviour is not praised (or given attention) only reward when she does what you want.

You have to try and make the training fun. What are u using as treats?




I would try clicker training.Ignore the bad behaviour and click and reward the good.Be patient...you'll get there




Mike you have had Bear just over a week?
She is what 9/10 weeks old?..and getting used to you still..everything is new and strange and she is doing well with the housetraining....
Give her a chance ...her attention span at that age is very short and any training should be short....to get her to sit bring the treat up and over her head and she will sit automatically, as she sits you say 'sit'...then treat/praise.
Do not make training boring or difficult for her when she is so tiny






Training sessions should be short and sweet - and end on a good one. Make sure the treat is something that will grab her attention - liver and garlic is good. As she is so young everything is exciting and she is new to all this. What are you feeding, incidentally, as some food with artificial colourings and additives can make some dogs very exciteable.




I know it is easy to be a little impatient with puppies
..and to expect them to understand everything right away,
..and for them to behave the same all the time..
But just like small children there are times when they learn better than others, I think when they are so very tiny it is best to make the training casual and part of the daily routine...so try things like 'look at me' and 'sit' just once at a time and if Bear does it right give lots of praise, if she doesn't do it ignore and try again later when she may be more receptive

The niping is 'mouthing' and what all puppies do, it is mainly play..they mouth their litter mate when playing and explore their world with their mouths as a child does with their hands ...if Bear nips you make an ouch noise and put your hands behind your back each time she does it signaling 'play is over'. If she contiues to do it or gets over excited at any time don't look at her and turn away until she is quiet

Training is a slow process, it can't be rushed and there will be setbacks.
Minis are very intelligent little dogs and eager to please, so take your time and you will get there...




I actually got to train her well just before. I'm gonna let her have her active moments, and ignore her when she nips at me, then train her when she has calmed down. I use Schmackos for treats by the way.




I would do the training after she has had maybe a run in the garden or been for a walk, just a couple of sits and thats it, get her a little tired out, and some of the energy burnt off, she will be able to concentrate more if she is not buzzing with energy. as the others have said ignor the bad reward the good. good luck

Mo




It's gone very quiet Mike - is everything ok? How's the training going?