Training Questions

[courtneyrose]

Spooky is 9 weeks old today and I'm eager to delve deeper into training. He already knows "sit" and has learned a lot as far as basic manners and obedience, but I want to take it further. My end goal is to have the sort of dog who can pass the CGC test with flying colors, accompany us family vacations without any stress or problems, be commended for his manners by strangers at dog parks, and really set an example in a variety of environments.

I've looked into SIRIUS puppy classes, but $200 per class seems a little steep when other high-ranking local group puppy classes and socials start at $25. Has anyone done SIRIUS? I noticed on the map there were a lot of Northern Californian Eskie owners, so if anyone has any local recommendations, I'd appreciate it.

My biggest fear and obstacle with training is the two French Bulldogs we live with. While they respond well to their alpha, my fiance's father, they don't consistently respond to anyone else. They're well trained for him but have bad habits with everyone else. Problems including barking, excessive play fighting, begging, and stealing and chewing what isn't theirs (for example, today they ate Spooky's puppy food, which was a huge problem because they have food sensitivities and the grass in the yard was not happy about the ensuing icky mess). They were not socialized and have some bad habits, but they do know some things I want Spooky to learn from them and are well behaved in certain situations. Don't get me wrong, they are sweethearts, but they just aren't up to the standards I want Spooky to meet. Is it possible to raise a well-behaved puppy when the Frenchies are setting a bad example? Will socializing him and training/classes away from home remedy this situation or does one bad apple spoil the bunch when it comes to dogs?

Also, I'm curious as to what commands you all have taught your Eskies. I'm trying to decide now what I'd like to teach him, what verbal and visual commands I'd like to use, and when to do it. If anyone has advice as far as what should be taught, at what age, and how I would love the info 

[Geno]

I think for safety reasons, a solid sit and come are important.

I tether Chester with a 25' lead to the porch post, I sit in my chair and when he's out in the yard and not paying attention I have him come, then give him a small treat. I repeat this a dozen times a day for several days at the beginning of spring.

Any work you do training him is a bonding experience for him.

Good luck with the Frenchies. They are a breed that is very stubourn. Any classes you and Spooky attend will require exercises at home. Maybe you can get the Frenchies involved as well?

Geno

[Whytepine]

Just like little kids, it's easy for them to pick up the bad habits more than the good ones.  Barking comes easy for Eskies so when the Frenchies start barking, try to distract Spooky with play or treats, whatever will work to make sure he doesn't join in the 'pack' noise making. 

Even though Spooky is learning many things at a young age, just remember that trying to teach too many things at once to have the 'perfect dog' can also burn them out at an early age.  Think of it as being in first grade in school and being handed everything from an easy reading book to calculus and having the teacher expect you to learn some out of each book within 6 weeks!  It's not going to happen.  You remember how much stress it was to cram for exams and it seemed like you couldn't remember anything when the time came to take the exam?  Kind of like your brain was fried.  Same thing can happen with dogs.

I know quite a few people who over did it with dog training and wanting the top titles.  The dog's got so sick of training that they shut down.  That's always my biggest concern when training.  So just take things slow enough so Spooky can understand what's expected of him before you move on to tougher lessons.  Always end your training session on a positive lesson, even if it's something real simple.

I can't say a certain method is better than another.  I think the most important thing is for the owner to learn the training method along with the dog.  If your future FIL didn't go to the training classes with the dogs, then there's no consistency in the training method the dogs were taught.  That's why it's so important to learn how to train the dog rather than having someone train it for you.

Sounds like you're on the right path.  Just make the training fun for Spooky.  Training is an on going, every day thing, not just something that's done once and they're done, which it sound like the Frenchies went through. 

Good luck!

[BanaerEskies]

Great advice so far...three things came to mind when reading others posts:
1.   teaching games teaches that learning is FUN and then you have a life long thirst for knowledge and a fast learner for life.  worry less about the formal stuff right now.  I teach puppies things like spin, twist, touch, fetch, tug (gently on a baby mouth!) and watch.  just 10 second training sessions multiple times a day will go far.

2.  as for methods, every dog is different!  I rarely get to use the same method twice as each dog seems to have different learning styles and likes/dislikes.  Building a relationship helps to find the right connection.   Heres how it goes at my house:
Jesse like to tug.  Tanzy likes to play a little "im going to pinch you" game.  Edge "requires" that I get down on all 4s and play bow with him before we work...Geez I hope we out grow this!

3.  Build TRUST.  NEVER LIE to your dog.  He will know.  A common one is luring with an invisible  cookie you do not have to give once it has been earned. 

[courtneyrose]

I want him to learn at a steady pace with time, and I don't expect a super puppy. The biggest reason I'm looking in to puppy socials and classes isn't because I need help training, but because I was thinking building a foundation where the Frenchies aren't harassing us might be a good thing. They're definitely stubborn, but I am "not the boss of them." It's true as I don't really have a whole lot of authority with them because they aren't my dogs, and they know it. They do pick and choose when they'll listen to me though.

Spooky so far seems to be learning and acting entirely independently of them outside of play time. We can't keep them out of Spooky's food when we feed him. The Frenchies are free fed, but Spooky knows the accessible food isn't his and only shares their water. When they get to barking, he walks away from them. He only barks when playing and they do something he doesn't like. So far so good, so I am hoping that I will be able to get him to a place where they can learn from him and he won't develop their bad habits.

[KelliePup]

One thing that I like to do with my kids, aside from commercial break training, is to take a brief pause in whatever game we're playing and go through a couple of commands. Just one to start and then more as they become better and better. That way, the play becomes the reward and I can keep my dogs' attention for longer and longer periods.

Good luck!