[labradorjt]

Late start - training a buddy's lab

I've trained a couple of my dogs over the years with great success. No hunt test or field trials, but highly obedient hunters and great family animals. My wife and I are taking some time off between dogs.

My buddy recently got a lab pup. He is now six months old. He's asked me to help train him. I just took him out for the first time by myself to see what his current status is. Yikes! What a nightmare. Grabbing lead and pulling it backwards. Racing back and forth. Jumping like a madman. Finally just sat and wouldn't walk with me.

Normally when I trained on basic obedience, the pups where much younger and easier to handle. I'd love to get some feedback on where to start in this situation.

Historically I was a Smartworks/Evan Graham guy, but I don't suspect my buddy is going to permit an e-collar.

Any tidbits appreciated!

Thanks!

JT

 

[Bryan Parks]

Does he know any basic commands?

Does he like to play fetch?

Use a slip lead or choke chain and start with sit.

Find a reward, hopefully a bumper to reward compliance. If you have to use food.

If it were me this is what I'd do.

I'd teach "sit".

I'd physically make him sit or get him to sit using a rope, choke chain and my hands. . Reward with bumper (preferably) for compliance or treat until he knows it well.

I'd want him sitting for extended periods with distractions.

Then I'd move to here and heel.

Give the command once, make it happen and reward.

If I was using a collar and FFing I'd move in that direction but since you aren't I'd start with "hold" conditioning.

Teach "hold". Place bumper in mouth, say "hold" make him hold, reward compliance.

This is a start anyway.....

 

[labradorjt]

Thanks Bryan.

He will sit reasonably well on command, but it certainly needs reinforcing. He does seem to enjoy a good fetch.

I'll focus on "sit" for a couple of sessions and see how it goes.

 

[DarrinGreene]

Start from the beginning and focus on the process, not the result.

 

[Brokengunz]

Start from the beginning and focus on the process, not the result.

Like that, he will come around

 

[Colonel Blimp]

JT,

First off six months isn't anything like "late" don't worry about that. I've just kicked a friends off at five, and she's getting there.

If you have just taken Pup in, the behaviour he shows is just about what I'd expect from a young animal who doesn't know you from Adam and has no training, so it shouldn't faze you. Not knowing you is IMO the biggest part of the deal.

You've no doubt heard it all before, but he has to see you as the most wonderful thing in the world, the source of all that is good. In my experience a dog will learn to accept you in just a few days, but to earn his trust and respect can take up to six weeks. So take it steady, do the puppy play training stuff, get him focussed on you, and have some fun together. Then when you judge him to be ready do as Darrin suggests and train him in a style in which you have confidence, in the normal way.

If your mate doesn't want the e-collar used, and you haven't previously trained without one, well, it's going to a learning curve for you and Pup! ;-) You may perhaps find yourself out of your comfort zone, so you'll need to review beforehand how you can initially reward him for good behaviour and then reinforce it under temptation, and what (if any) punishments or aversives are appropriate.

Anyway, best of luck,

Eugene

 

[labradorjt]

Thanks for the feedback. After a couple of days, I can see the dog relax a bit, getting to know me. I'm definitely keeping things light at this point.

Like Eugene mentions, without an e-collar, I have to figure out what "school" I am going to follow. I'm vaguely familiar with some the operant conditioning work Milner is doing but haven't gone down that road before.

What recommendations can you make?

 

[Colonel Blimp]

JT, Check your PMs.

Eugene