Too Busy to Train

[adas]

OK, don't flame me for being too busy to train. But I actually am. I usually repeat and name the good behavior and Rasa did and Nimai picks up on it FAST. It took 3 repeats of "treat" and 5 repeat sessions of "elevator" or "lets go" to get what I want.

So Nimai is a fairly fast learner, WHEN HE WANTS TO BE. He has not learned (rather applied) "Stay" nor "Come back" "leash", etc, especially when he has something better to do, such as sniffing new territory, chasing, acting stupid on walks. (after all he is 12 months old).

I need to teach these things to save his life from cars and other dangers, quickly. There are almost no cars around here, but my track record shows that there are just enough.

So, do electronic collars work? Or should I start clicker? Again don't chastise me too hard as I really need to get these commands down and fast, with little effort.
He is with me 24/7 so I have a lot of undedicated time with him. Walks 3-5 times a day, up and down around the shop 10+ times a day, etc.

Suggestions?

francis

[Rerun]

I'm confused as to why you have time for up to 5 walks a day, going to a shop 10 plus times a day, and lots of undedicated time (by this I take it to mean time that isn't devoted to something in particular) but you don't have "time" to train.

Keep your dog on a leash until you find time to train him, so he doesn't get hit by a car (which seems to be your concern, as would be mine with an untrained dog in an unfenced area).

[Mac's Mom]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I'm confused as to why you have time for up to 5 walks a day, going to a shop 10 plus times a day, and lots of undedicated time (by this I take it to mean time that isn't devoted to something in particular) but you don't have "time" to train.

Keep your dog on a leash until you find time to train him, so he doesn't get hit by a car (which seems to be your concern, as would be mine with an untrained dog in an unfenced area).

I'm confused too. Maybe you mean that you do not have the desire to train. And if thats true, then I suggest hiring a trainer. Many will argue that effects the bond, but its certainly a better alternative to ...

[adas]

The 5 walks a day are not dedicated to Nimai. It is time that i need to go and do business so I combine walks/exercise. (walk to post office 2 blocks away, Supervise activities in the shop a few times a day.) These may not be quality times, but he is not locked in a crate all day.

He is on a leash every time we go down the street, cars or no cars and there is no opportunity to run out on the road as he is always with me.

My question is more, "what is the fastest and most effective way to train".

Francis

[Mac's Mom]

also in my experience, electronic collars do work. But you will have to be out there with your dog.

[Lilie]

I think your post is a little confusing. Did you just adopt Nimai, and because he is with you 24/7 you need him trained quickly for his safety within the environment you work in?

[cta]

if your dog is with you that much, you definitely have time to train. training sessions don't need to be "formal" you can use any time to teach things to your dog. if you walk him a lot he shouldn't act "stupid" use that time to teach him leash manners. when i walk with my dog, we work on the "look" command or when i stop walking, he stops walking and sits. before we cross the street, i tell him "wait" and he waits until i say it's ok to go. that's huge for keeping a dog out of the street! all these things can be taught while out for walks. and even if you dedicate 10 minutes to working with him in your home (surely you can spare that) he will learn. you have already said he's smart, the fastest and easiest way to train him is to actually DO it!

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by adas

He is with me 24/7 so I have a lot of undedicated time with him. Walks 3-5 times a day, up and down around the shop 10+ times a day, etc.

Is there any reason you can't train him during this "undedicated" time? Or is the issue that you don't have a place to train?

[Lucy Dog]

Electronics collars are a tool for training, not a quick fix. You still need to train and reinforce with an e-collar. You're not going to be able to just put it on and expect your dog to be "fixed".

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by adas

My question is more, "what is the fastest and most effective way to train".

Train WHAT? What are the specific behaviors you want? Coming when called and walking nicely on the leash?

The clicker is excellent for teaching and reinforcing good behaviors in young pups. Once they figure out the system, it's very effective and they can learn quickly with this method.

Since your pup is 12 weeks old, don't even starting thinking about e-collars yet. The fastest and most effective way is not always the best way, IMO. For example, if you put an e-collar on a 12 week old pup and shock him when he runs toward the street, he'll learn to avoid the street right quick, but he'll also learn to avoid other things... like the sidewalk, or going for walks at all.