"HAPPY TRAINING" FOR YOUR BUTT BITERS
This article will be dedicated to everybody out
there who has a little one who just lives for the
chance to "jump up and bite your butts"!!
Does that sound familiar to anyone? NO? Well I am
embarrassed to have to admit that I have one who has
"connected" a few times, and it does not make for
"happy training".
It started as part of our reward based training. I
have always believed a happy puppy will follow you
anywhere. I surely did not want to take away
his happiness at being by my side (or directly
behind me) so when the first "incident" occurred - I
am quite certain that he perceived my "OUCH" and
quick turn around as his "reward" for the behavior.
Did not take many "incidents" to instill this
behavior in him. He began to "jump" (I am sure he
has little springs built into the bottom of his feet
- can clear 24" with no problem) at every
opportunity that presented itself.
This is nothing to do with aggressive behavior or
his being upset or nasty!! I wish to get that point
across - that is not tolerated from any of our dogs
(another long training issue). This has everything
to do with his wanting to be "near me" and his happy
disposition. If I thought it had anything to do
with aggression, I would use an entirely different
approach. Still very positive though.
So, armed with lots of teeny treats, and my trusty
clicker, out we went. A few times round the patio,
did not take him long to start his "butt biting"!
Definitely fun for him! Well - I had different
ideas for him. I was not looking for perfect heel
position - just somewhere on my left. You will
remember that there is no cue at this point - he
would not know any word I could attach to the
behavior at this time.
Every time he was within my space, he got a click
and treat. That was all we worked on for about 30
minutes the first day. I will not attempt to tell
you that one training session had him cured - but I
think he had more of an idea of what is acceptable
heeling behavior. This little boy has 6 points so
he has not always done this. As this is just a new
behavior, we have only had 3 training sessions to
train it out - but have to say that he actually is
beginning to "think" about where he should be and
not thinking about jumping at every chance he gets.
This method of training actually helps the dogs
"think". And we all know how well they think.
They can learn almost anything!
*********TRICK FOR THIS EDITION**********
Do you have a skate board? Kids get lots of kicks
out of seeing puppies ride the skate board. Not
too hard to teach your dog to do. Put puppy and
skate board on the floor. Click and treat for the
initial look at the board, click and treat when he
looks at it again. Once he knows he will get a
click and treat for looking at it, he will walk
towards it. Click and treat. When he gets close to
it - click and treat. He gets a click and treat for
touching it.
He might have to go through each step many times -
click and treat each time. Remember - NEVER
CLICK WITHOUT THE TREAT!! You would not want to go
to work without the paycheck at the end of the week
would you? Click and treat for putting paws on it -
soon he will be riding! No cue until he is
reliably doing the behavior!!
Have fun with YOUR Poms - hugs to all!
Roberta Malott
Pondside Toys
