It's me again..

[Jules]

...the one with the stubborn, bossy pit. And that's not only my opinion, I talked with some dog trainers and they share my opinion. Plus, pits are famous for being stubborn right?

Anyway...T-Bone is a lovely sweet dog...but she does not listen. Well, she partially listens...She listens when she knows that I have a treat in my hand, but that's it. And that is in the house.
I take her out to the park or the beach pretty much every day and do some training with her there, too, with distractions around. So if we are there I could wave a steak in front of her nose, she could not care less. I tried all kinds of voices, she does not even give me a 2 second look. I tried to turn her head towards me by holding a treat in front of her nose and bringing it up to my face so she would turn around and look at me- nada. I literally hold a treat in front of her nose, but her eyes are locked on whatever she sees.

Any ideas how I can get her attention and I can get her to listen to her name in that situation?

Thank you all so much!

 

[Carolyn]

Hi there sorry to hear you're having probs with your pooch
I'm no expert believe me, but maybe try her in a small confined area at first with No distractions.

Teaching some dogs can be hard enough, then with distractions even harder.
Because she is being so stubborn, maybe really go back to basics and even start small commands in a quiet room of your home even? Or the backyard when its relatively quiet outside.

Try not to focus on too many of the regular obedience commands at the moment, but make the lesson at this stage on getting her to look at you, and pay attention.

Just keep working on that first till its established. What I did with mine is to find a cue word for watching me and paying attention. I used the word "looking" and worked on that, with a small treat reward. Use lots of praise when she looks at you, and try to keep the lessons short at first, so as her attention doesn't wane too quickly.

That is just from my own personal experience, and the other lovely wonderfully wise people on here will come by to help I'm sure

Good luck

Carolyn

 

[rocco&quiras mama]

carolyn is right.. you have moved too fast for her..
just slooow down and take babysteps.
ex: start at home (as carolyn has said) just you and her, sounds like you should start with getting her undivided attention.. one way is to hold a treat in your hand and not giving it to her untill she looks at you ( eye contact ) when she ´s gotten the idea, move on to putting it ( treat) on the floor and wait for her to look at you before giving her promision to take it.

when you feel that she understands what is expected of her, move on to doing this with other ppl in the room ( small distraction ) and eventually move out to the lawn ( or somewhere else with a bit more but not too much distraction)

you get the idea right.. just take it slow and it will go well

also remeber to keep "sessions" short enough to keep her from getting bored or tired.. start with a few min then let her rest for a few.

Good luck.

 

[Jules]

Hey there,

thank you for the answers. The thing though is, I did that. I started in the house and then went in the backyard with her. In the house or backyard we do not really have problems...unless she knows something is coming up that she does not want to do, for example calling her in the bathroom...she knows she'll get a bath.
She knows she needs to come...she more or less chooses when she wants to come or pay attention. I really take it slow with her. We're going to puppy classes, so I go by schedule and do not teach her more than they recommend. She is perfect at sit...if she wants to.

But it's hard to teach her when she's distracted and does not even look at me. I mean, should I turn her head around in a situation like that and make her lok at me (gently of course)?

 

[Doberluv]

I mean, should I turn her head around in a situation like that and make her lok at me (gently of course)?

Yes, or walk her around so she's facing away from the thing she's fixated on. Carolyn gave you good advice. If she tries to move with her body to see the thing she wants to see better, move into that space she's about to occupy with your own body. Keep practicing the "watch me" (or whatever word you choose) command in low or no distractions. Get it even better before trying in a higher distraction area. She may take extra practice. Good luck.

 

[Carolyn]

Thanks for that doberluv As I said I'm no expert, but it helps when we've all had personal experience doesn't it?


Any updates Jules? How's the progress? Don't you give up.Let her know you're more stubborn than her..As her leader should be

 

[Jules]

Hey guys,

thank you so much for your help! Yes, I tried a combination of all of the above (fitting the situation) and I really think she got better in just a couple of days!
I did little training sessions in the house and backyard and still applied it when I walked her. I went to Petsmart with her (that's the only bigger store dogs are allowed in around here and with a guaranteed high volume of people and dogs) and walked with her through the aisles for an hour- people must have thought I am weird. But whenever she turned her head to look at other dogs or people I would call her and she'd walk with me. After the first 10 crazy minutes of course...but she's a pup..how can I blame her?

She got a lot better...also, the last 2 weeks were rough on me with my hubby being deployed, so I honestly have to say that I spend a little less time with her, because now I have to get everything done here by myself and find my own rhythm. Plus, finals are coming up next week...so I had and still have some long computer/reading hours ahead of me. So I'm thinking she also probably noticed and reacted to that. Now, that everyhting is falling into place, I have my schedule organized and spend more quality time with her...I think that's a major aspect, too.

 

[Carolyn]

Jules that is fantastic news. Give yourself a huge pat on the back and for pooch too. (Sorry keep forgetting doggies name lol)

Wonderful progress, and with such alot on your plate
Sending good thoughts for you and your hubby in this stressful time, at being apart Just keep doing as much as you can, thats all anyone can do.

Good luck with your studies, and remember to take time out just for you too I agree, she has probably picked up on the fact that mum is very distracted, and she is probably saying to herself, fine I'm gonna demand some more attention. Aren't they just adorable? *sarcastic tones*

You will get there, but I'm very happy things are finally settling
Well done!!!!

Carolyn