Our family recently acquired a very friendly dog from an animal shelter. She's about 2 years old and have no idea as to the history of the animal.
Ever since I first met her when I got back from the college for the weekend, I've been trying to teach her basic tricks like sit, but the problem is that she gets too excited. When I have a treat in my hand, she only looks at the treat and is too distracted to listen. When I try to push her rear end down gently, she just ends up lying down and rolling over trying to look cute and hopefully get that tasty award. It's as if my words go in one ear and out the other. In her attempt to impress me, she's crawled, rolled over, and done lot's of different tricks, but what good is it if she can't do it on command?
Because I'm in college and she's staying at home with my parents, I only get to see her once or twice a week, not to mention that she's barely gotten into the house and still seems to be settling in. After all, it hasn't even been a week since we adopted her. Am I being too ambitious in trying to teach her tricks when I've barely just met her? Should I wait a certain period before I can start to teach her? If not, what can I do to get her attention?
Sorry to bring up so many new questions, but I really want what's best for the dog. Any suggestions as to how we can make her feel at home? Will it take time before she will realize that she will be staying with us for good? I just can't stop thinking that she might have trust issues if some family decided to abandon her- Any thoughts would be appericiated- thanks
Ever since I first met her when I got back from the college for the weekend, I've been trying to teach her basic tricks like sit, but the problem is that she gets too excited. When I have a treat in my hand, she only looks at the treat and is too distracted to listen. When I try to push her rear end down gently, she just ends up lying down and rolling over trying to look cute and hopefully get that tasty award. It's as if my words go in one ear and out the other. In her attempt to impress me, she's crawled, rolled over, and done lot's of different tricks, but what good is it if she can't do it on command?
Because I'm in college and she's staying at home with my parents, I only get to see her once or twice a week, not to mention that she's barely gotten into the house and still seems to be settling in. After all, it hasn't even been a week since we adopted her. Am I being too ambitious in trying to teach her tricks when I've barely just met her? Should I wait a certain period before I can start to teach her? If not, what can I do to get her attention?
Sorry to bring up so many new questions, but I really want what's best for the dog. Any suggestions as to how we can make her feel at home? Will it take time before she will realize that she will be staying with us for good? I just can't stop thinking that she might have trust issues if some family decided to abandon her- Any thoughts would be appericiated- thanks