Basic manners

[oakash]

So my sister is Fostering-to-Adopt a nine month old lab X puppy. He needs to learn some basic manners, and I was wondering what I should tell her to start with. He already is house trained from what they say and what I saw, and he doesn't bite. He is horrible on a leash, so I suggested a front attached harness.

I also told her about the Be a Tree technique, but I that will take a long time for the dog to learn for some reason. He is treat oriented, and he likes toys, and honestly, I think he seems like a pretty chill dog once he gets his energy out from being cooped up all day in a rescue.

I also told her to work on his focus on her, because he seems pretty spazzy. What else would be good to instill basic manners in a young dog? I think I'll tell her about NILIF

[Renee750il]

Once you get a good SIT you can use it to stop him when he's spazzing, so that's always my start point.

Often we don't get any farther than that . . .

[Taqroy]

Sit to say please! This is the bestest thing about Greta ever. She came with it pre-installed (with no other house manners whatsoever weirdly). But I've reinforced it enough that she sits at the door, at the counter, when I have treats, when I might have treats...it's really nice.

[*blackrose]

With a young Lab, exercise, exercise, exercise. A Lab with pent up energy is a naughty Lab, no matter how good their manners are.

I think a good basic obedience class would be a good place to start. Asking him to perform commands to continue a game of fetch/tug also helps a lot, since most people don't just want to "train" their dog. This reinforces commands while playing and the reward is awesome for the dog.

As Renee said, a good sit is a lifesaver. LOL I don't know what I'd do with Chloe without her push button sit.

[MicksMom]

Originally Posted by *blackrose

With a young Lab, exercise, exercise, exercise. A Lab with pent up energy is a naughty Lab, no matter how good their manners are.

I think a good basic obedience class would be a good place to start. Asking him to perform commands to continue a game of fetch/tug also helps a lot, since most people don't just want to "train" their dog. This reinforces commands while playing and the reward is awesome for the dog.

As Renee said, a good sit is a lifesaver. LOL I don't know what I'd do with Chloe without her push button sit.

What she said. I also like having my dogs sit when I feed them & to have collars & leashes put on.

[ihartgonzo]

It would be a good idea to start clicker training! It makes communicating with crazy puppies soooo much simpler, especially if they love food. Tell her to keep the clicker & treats on her at all times and c/t him every time he sits, looks at her, lays down, waits, walks with a loose leash or next to her, etc on his own so he realizes what rewarding behaviors are & practices them naturally.

[oakash]

Thanks guys! I'm gonna be staying with the dog by myself for a afternoon, so I'll start him off right :P I think he may be mixed with a border collie, or something even smaller, because he's got button ears, and he's delicately sized for a lab. He is Suzie's size, and she's actually on the much smaller end of medium.

Suzie also has a default sit, which I love more then anything. He already was 'kinda' taught it, but it could use a LOT of work. I'm super excited to get to play with him, he's a love muffin. He'll grab his toy and come over to you and lay down in your lap chewing his toy.