Stupid owner, bored mutt - please help!

BlackForbes · 01-25-2011, 05:22 AM

I need to find an occupation for my dog to do that will keep him stimulated as he is really bored. I am quite a dull owner.

Anyway I read about people getting their dog to pick up socks, pull carts and do circus tricks. I have no idea how to teach him these things, please talk me through it. I do have a pile of logs in th yard and I thought I could get him to move them from one spot to another spot each day just to give him a task. But how do I teach him to do this?

I will post on another thread about his other bad habits but one thing at a time....

Good_Karma · 01-25-2011, 06:52 AM

For training specific behaviors that you are describing, I think clicker training is the way to go. Get some books by Karen Pryor to get you started. You can see lots of cool clicker training videos on YouTube.

Stosh · 01-25-2011, 09:22 AM

I agree--search on youtube. The clicker works really fast, you sit the dog down, click and immediately give him a treat. Do this about 20 times so he knows click=treat. Take him out to the pile of logs and let him mess around with them. If he puts his mouth on one, click and treat. Don't tell him to do anything just identify the behavior you want by clicking and treating when he puts his mouth on it. If he picks one up, click and treat big time with several treats. Once he catches on that you want him to pick up the log, call him to the other side of the yard and click and treat. Eventually you can give a command like 'timber' or 'carry' or whatever you want and he can do it on command. Clickers identify the desired behavior first, then reinforce the performance of the behavior after a command. But start with sit or down or something easy. That's my Reader's Digest version of how to teach him to move a log.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 01-25-2011, 10:26 AM

In general, I'd find some great dog trainers and sign up for classes. There are so many different kinds of training now (agility is the best, but of course other confused people would recommend rally, tracking, obedience, herding, dock dogs, flyball, ......)

In conjunction with that, I absolutely agree that YOU learning to use a clicker is a fantastic way to teach a clever dog anything you'd ever want it to learn. All fun, positive, tons of treats constantly coming at your pup....

Here's some great info to start up with:

Clicker Training: Marking Your Dog's Successful Behavior

YouTube - Intro & equipment for dog clicker training

YouTube - An Introduction to Clicker Training

YouTube - How To Teach Your Dog to Listen (leave it alone)

YouTube - Dog Training Tutorial: Building Eye Contact & Attention!

BlackForbes · 01-25-2011, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the advice. He does know his basics but that was about it. I taught him the word "find it" today and he slept for three hours solidly so that must have worked! Lol!

paulag1955 · 01-25-2011, 03:40 PM

Tab289's YouTube channel has lots of how-to training videos, I think there is one there that teaches picking things up and putting them in the wash, if I'm not mistaken. Also, back up, pick up their own toys, cover their eyes, etc.

YouTube - tab289's Channel

Shadow's mum · 01-25-2011, 04:05 PM

paula I love love love his video's and his dog is beautiful. We've used his video's in the past to teach Shadow some things.

BlackPuppy · 01-25-2011, 04:23 PM

I like this book. It teaches you clicker training.

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Amazon.com: 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (9781592533251): Kyra Sundance, Chalcy: Books

bianca · 01-25-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackPuppy

I like this book. It teaches you clicker training.

Amazon.com: 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (9781592533251): Kyra Sundance, Chalcy: Books

I have this book, it's great and is step by step! Molly and I only have about 99 more to learn from it

paulag1955 · 01-25-2011, 04:37 PM

Shadow's Mum, I love Solea, probably because she looks a bit like Shasta. Shasta is cuter, of course! I like to watch the videos for motivation!

01-25-2011, 05:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
BlackForbes New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 4	Stupid owner, bored mutt - please help! I need to find an occupation for my dog to do that will keep him stimulated as he is really bored. I am quite a dull owner. Anyway I read about people getting their dog to pick up socks, pull carts and do circus tricks. I have no idea how to teach him these things, please talk me through it. I do have a pile of logs in th yard and I thought I could get him to move them from one spot to another spot each day just to give him a task. But how do I teach him to do this? I will post on another thread about his other bad habits but one thing at a time....

01-25-2011, 06:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,103	For training specific behaviors that you are describing, I think clicker training is the way to go. Get some books by Karen Pryor to get you started. You can see lots of cool clicker training videos on YouTube. __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 2 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 3 years old

01-25-2011, 03:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
paulag1955 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 2,781	Tab289's YouTube channel has lots of how-to training videos, I think there is one there that teaches picking things up and putting them in the wash, if I'm not mistaken. Also, back up, pick up their own toys, cover their eyes, etc. YouTube - tab289's Channel __________________ Paula Shasta - GSD (4/30/10) RIP Duchess - Shetland Sheepdog (12/25/88 - 2/14/04)

01-25-2011, 04:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	I like this book. It teaches you clicker training. " target="_blank"> ">" /> "> Amazon.com: 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (9781592533251): Kyra Sundance, Chalcy: Books Amazon.com: 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (9781592533251): Kyra Sundance, Chalcy: Books

01-25-2011, 04:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
paulag1955 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 2,781	Shadow's Mum, I love Solea, probably because she looks a bit like Shasta. Shasta is cuter, of course! I like to watch the videos for motivation! __________________ Paula Shasta - GSD (4/30/10) RIP Duchess - Shetland Sheepdog (12/25/88 - 2/14/04)

01-25-2011, 09:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	I agree--search on youtube. The clicker works really fast, you sit the dog down, click and immediately give him a treat. Do this about 20 times so he knows click=treat. Take him out to the pile of logs and let him mess around with them. If he puts his mouth on one, click and treat. Don't tell him to do anything just identify the behavior you want by clicking and treating when he puts his mouth on it. If he picks one up, click and treat big time with several treats. Once he catches on that you want him to pick up the log, call him to the other side of the yard and click and treat. Eventually you can give a command like 'timber' or 'carry' or whatever you want and he can do it on command. Clickers identify the desired behavior first, then reinforce the performance of the behavior after a command. But start with sit or down or something easy. That's my Reader's Digest version of how to teach him to move a log.

01-25-2011, 02:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
BlackForbes New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 4	Thanks for the advice. He does know his basics but that was about it. I taught him the word "find it" today and he slept for three hours solidly so that must have worked! Lol!

01-25-2011, 04:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Shadow's mum Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Melbourne,Australia Posts: 475	paula I love love love his video's and his dog is beautiful. We've used his video's in the past to teach Shadow some things.

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