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Post by deboosh on Mar 12, 2013 17:32:53 GMT -5
I want to start obedience training with Bonnie, and it was recommended that I start by using a clicker. When I say her name and she gives me eye contact, I click and then give her a treat. Well, she's now got this down pat; I don't even need to say her name and she gives me her full attention. But now what?
I want to teach her the basics~~ come, sit, stay, down, drop it, but in a way that is appropriate for greys. I've read over and over about how sensitive these dogs are, and if going the professional route, it's best to only use a trainer who is very familiar and experienced with the breed. I would really appreciate some recommendations for competent trainers, if anyone has used them (I'm in the Toronto).
To be honest, I'd really prefer to train her on my own, but I don't know what resource to be using, whether it be website, book, or program. Are there any you rely on for your grey's training needs?
Thanks Everyone! Debbie
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OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
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Post by OwnedBySummer on Mar 12, 2013 17:54:58 GMT -5
I just do what feels right and what works for her. I don't use a clicker and never have on any dog -- personally, I prefer rewarding with something they like, be it lovings, food or a toy. Summer responds well to a reward of lovings and I could easily get her to do agility work with that reward (she wasn't interested in doing this work for a food reward). To teach her to sit and down, I used dehydrated liver and that worked best (she wasn't interested in a lovings reward for this). I believe in doing whatever works.
And you don't HAVE to go to an obedience class with an instructor experienced with greyhounds -- as long as the person realizes that they are different and are willing to work with you and listen to you. If the instructor asks you to do something at any point that you don't feel is right for you and your dog, just don't do it that way.
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Redhead
Grey Lover
Teague (Natural Red Head)
Posts: 823
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Post by Redhead on Mar 12, 2013 19:01:09 GMT -5
I do clicker training, mostly just for "fun" training. It did take a LOT of patience with a greyhound, I almost gave up at one point, but stuck to it and he is finally getting it. Have you ever read the Never Say Never Greyhound blog? It is always a fun read and has a lot of videos and resources for training, as well as clicker info (look at the menu along the left side). neversaynevergreyhounds.blogspot.ca/
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ythelongface
Grey Lover
Dingo aka Gable Ding Dong
Posts: 648
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Post by ythelongface on Mar 13, 2013 8:19:33 GMT -5
I took my Grey (Dingo) to a trainer in Niagara Falls. I had done some dog training in the early 80s with our first little dog but had not done any since then. Wow have things changed.....no more prong or chock collars....much better. Dingo did well and learned to sit, stay, and go into a down position. He already was great on his leash so that was a bonus. What he really did well at was the down and stay......it seemed as soon as he hit the ground he was sleeping and nothing could get him up. Some of the other breeds had trouble with this one but Dingo was an A student for sure.
The long and short of it is the trainer taught a positive reward system (with food treats) and continued with this until the behavior that you wanted was reached. Much like I did for my own kids.
Good luck with your training.
Bronwyn
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Post by deboosh on Mar 15, 2013 19:06:49 GMT -5
I think I am making this more difficult than it needs to be. After all, one can only teach one thing at a time, and it's not like there's a deadline to stress me out, lol. I'll read the forums, watch youtube videos, and I love "Never Say Never Greyhounds" as a resource as well. Most important of all, I'll fire up the dehydrator so I don't run out of that greyhound crack. Thanks everyone!
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ktel
Grey Puppy
Posts: 57
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Post by ktel on Mar 21, 2013 10:37:23 GMT -5
I found the clicker to be too complicated. I couldn't handle dealing with the dog, the clicker and the treats. I used the neversaynevergreyhounds site a lot when we first got Turbo and it has been extremely helpful. I managed to teach Turbo to lie down within a few days of getting him. Turbo also knows the command "Stop" and has a pretty good recall. We've had him for almost a year. I'm tempted to try sit but we'll see. My issue now is I know he can tell if I have treats with me on a walk or not and adjusts his listening skills accordingly, which I don't like.
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Post by rubylottie14 on Mar 21, 2013 11:05:54 GMT -5
My issue now is I know he can tell if I have treats with me on a walk or not and adjusts his listening skills accordingly, which I don't like. He's not daft is he?!
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Post by deboosh on Mar 23, 2013 17:27:14 GMT -5
he can tell if I have treats with me on a walk or not and adjusts his listening skills accordingly. That little monkey!
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Post by luvastorm on Apr 9, 2013 16:03:02 GMT -5
I'm going to try the "Never Say Never . . . ." tip on training for sit on a hill on Rain - if I can find a hill. Ha! Ha! I taught Sunny to sit by backing her up onto her bed - a foam mattress about 6" thick but so far no success with that technique with Rain.
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Post by ash1 on Apr 15, 2013 0:05:04 GMT -5
I see from the thread that "Never say Never Greyhounds Blog"has been recommended. Have found it to be by far the most inspiring information for greyhound training. Jennifer gets it, she has many, many years of experience with greyhounds. Her method of training the "SIT" was the ONLY one that worked for us. Good Luck, the feeling of pride when you accomplish obedience together is awesome.
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