My "a-ha" moment!

[law1558]

I'm sure that some of us had "great expectations" for our dogs when we bought/rescued/adopted them, whether it be for show, sport, therapy or companionship.

But for this thread, I'm wondering, what are the expectations that you have of your dog everyday...sit on command? Play nicely with others? Stay off the furniture? Don't bark at the shadows? etc.

AND, if you have specific expectations, what are you doing on a consistent basis to make sure those behaviors are shaped?

Beau and I recently started training with a fantastic trainer associated with the GSD rescue organization Beau came from and as a result, I have "training" on my mind. I was thinking about setting aside training time to work on certain skills and it dawned on me that I am constantly monitoring/shaping/directing Beau's behavior when he's awake! For example, I expect him to behave a certain way when we run, then a different way when we walk, then again, when I have him in a "heel" command. Add to that, behaviors that I expect in the house, around other dogs, around the cats, in the backyard, when I walk out to the laundry room with my hands full, when it's bedtime and the list goes on and on and on!!

My "a-ha" moment was that every moment of every day when Beau and I are together, we're "training". I realized that there's probably no such thing as a trained (past tense) dog...it's an ongoing process that happens with each and every interaction we have with our companions!

[Veronica]

My boy is 19 months and for the most part, I'm "coasting" on the training from those crazy puppy days. Panzer doesn't jump on people, but has an appropriately enthusiastic greeting. He is allowed on the furniture and I love that he doesn't have to be crated at night. He has been a somewhat picky eater when it comes to his dry food, but I think we have that solved as we switched to TOTW and so far so good. I guess eating isn't much of a trainging issue though. He heels when told, though I also let him sniff and wander at other times.

The one thing I do want to improve is coming in the house when called. I need to up the ante with a higher value treat to reinforce recall.

I suppose the daily training depends greatly on your expectations and purpose for the dog, as well as his age and drive. Panzer went through basic obedience and CGC. I would like to do an intermediate ob class, but money is a factor.

I think it's awesome that your GSD rescue has an trainer associated. Keep up your good work with Beau and company. It's great to be able to enjoy a well trained dog!

[Anastasia]

Great thread. I have put a lot of thought into this as I don't pick up my puppy for 3 more days. Aside from basic obedience and manners I would like the dog to never go out the door without verbal permission. I have had dogs that bolt out the door the minute it opens and I would really like to avoid that behavior. Also I don't want him to scratch at the door. I have seen so many homes of large dogs where the door and door frames are scratched and destroyed and I would like to avoid that if possible. Those are the big ones for me, not really sure how I'm going to do that but those are my goals for my dog.