Speak to me of the difference

Taqroy · #1 07-02-2012, 10:22 AM

Between training a terrier and a herding breed. Specifically, how to stop a terrier from continually repeating the same behavior even after redirection (such as chewing on stuff that does not belong in their mouth). I swear I have not had this problem with Mu or Tipper or any herding mix foster - at most they'll do the behavior twice and then stop. Help me understand the twists and turns of the terrier mindset.

Greenmagick · #2 07-02-2012, 10:23 AM

Have you read When Pigs Fly?

Taqroy · #3 07-02-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenmagick

Have you read When Pigs Fly?

I haven't! I only expect to be dealing with this behavior for the next 2-3 weeks but I'll look into that book for future dogs! Are there any quick tips you can share from it? I know I need to change up what I'm doing (since it isn't working and just frustrates me) but I'm not sure how?

Greenmagick · #4 07-02-2012, 10:31 AM

I am having a really brain fuzzy morning lol....but from what I remember, she free shapes almost everything. Really gets the dog wanting to work since they are not biddable by nature (she breeds and raises bull terriers, competes in agility and obedience with them).

She does have a couple articles on her website
http://www.whenpigsflydogtraining.com/#/Articles/

MericoX · #5 07-02-2012, 10:38 AM

Bwahahaha are you watching Max?

Taqroy · #6 07-02-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenmagick

I am having a really brain fuzzy morning lol....but from what I remember, she free shapes almost everything. Really gets the dog wanting to work since they are not biddable by nature (she breeds and raises bull terriers, competes in agility and obedience with them).

She does have a couple articles on her website
http://www.whenpigsflydogtraining.com/#/Articles/

Ok well I'm on the right track then - we started work with the clicker yesterday and I was planning on some shaping today. Thanks for the link!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MericoX

Bwahahaha are you watching Max?

LOL. No, thank goodness! He's actually MORE obnoxious than the terror at my house. The girl we have is a short term foster - trying to get our feet wet and see how the girls do with a foster around. I'll get pictures up later today!

Maxy24 · #7 07-02-2012, 10:58 AM

Generally you want to make what you want, what they want. So make what you want the most awesome thing in the world. They pick up their own toy and you make it come to life! Or he's chewing on his own toy and you come by and smear some yogurt or peanut butter on it to make it a little better. Buy antlers/bully sticks/hooves...chews that keep on giving. They are persistent, so if they think they can get any enjoyment out of what they are doing they will keep trying. More supervision, interrupt the instant you notice him showing interest in an inappropriate object (before he gets the reward of chewing it) and don't give up. Every time the dog gets to successfully chew the wrong thing, even for a minute, that behavior gets stronger. Make sure you have a lot of toys for him to chew, and I'd have a few in every single room he has tried to chew in so that whenever he gets the urge he can easily find an appropriate item. When he's not looking (out in the yard or something) put a treat dispensing ball (or a few) in the toy box so he gets rewarded for investigating appropriate toys. I wouldn't fill it to the brim with treats, a few each time is fine, that way you can fill them up and put them in more often.

Those would be my suggestions, though I do not own a terrier.