Hey guys,
Just thought I'd toss out a little update on Murphy... I've mentioned before that he is an extremely under socialized rescue, and its taken months to get him comfortable with myself and we are still working on a relationship with my husband.
He has learned a few basic commands since he's been with us, but the first real spark I saw in him was in the connection with the clicker. Once he understood the connection, he lit up like a Christmas tree he was so pleased with himself! In the first day alone, he learned three new commands that I have never even taught the other dogs. (The other dogs seemed to find it an insult to their intelligence, and just look at me like I've lost my mind if I try "that silly little clicky gimmick" on them) I have zero experience with this type of training (I bought the clicker as a passing whim at Petco) but the self confidence potential that I see in Murphy as a result is so remarkable I'm ready to jump in head first.
We have been practicing for a week or so now, and it seems we've run into the first hurdle. He gets so excited when he hears the click and praise, that he goes straight up on his hind legs to do the happy puppy victory dance. I was trying to just ignore this, as he wasn't actually touching me, and I hate to discourage enthusiasm at this point, but now he has started adding a little mid-air nip occasionally. I recently read the training book by Debbie Jacobs and her situation with a similar case (albeit, her case was far worse) and I really like the positive reinforcement only approach.
Any ideas on re-directing this enthusiasm without damaging the self confidence we have uncovered? Any good book suggestions?
BTW: we are also officially enrolled in our first obedience class! We've gotten to a level of trust where he looks to me in times of stress rather than bolting, so I think he might be ready. (Cross your fingers for him)
Oh yeah... one more small victory (but a huge one for him) We did our clicker lesson off leash today, and one of the more frisky yard cats did a fly by and Murph chased him out into the woods and straight for the creek (...and the mud... his favorite thing in all the world) I called out a stop and heel, and he dropped everything to come straight back an plop down at my ankle!
Thanks for listening guys, any ideas are greatly appreciated!
Just thought I'd toss out a little update on Murphy... I've mentioned before that he is an extremely under socialized rescue, and its taken months to get him comfortable with myself and we are still working on a relationship with my husband.
He has learned a few basic commands since he's been with us, but the first real spark I saw in him was in the connection with the clicker. Once he understood the connection, he lit up like a Christmas tree he was so pleased with himself! In the first day alone, he learned three new commands that I have never even taught the other dogs. (The other dogs seemed to find it an insult to their intelligence, and just look at me like I've lost my mind if I try "that silly little clicky gimmick" on them) I have zero experience with this type of training (I bought the clicker as a passing whim at Petco) but the self confidence potential that I see in Murphy as a result is so remarkable I'm ready to jump in head first.
We have been practicing for a week or so now, and it seems we've run into the first hurdle. He gets so excited when he hears the click and praise, that he goes straight up on his hind legs to do the happy puppy victory dance. I was trying to just ignore this, as he wasn't actually touching me, and I hate to discourage enthusiasm at this point, but now he has started adding a little mid-air nip occasionally. I recently read the training book by Debbie Jacobs and her situation with a similar case (albeit, her case was far worse) and I really like the positive reinforcement only approach.
Any ideas on re-directing this enthusiasm without damaging the self confidence we have uncovered? Any good book suggestions?
BTW: we are also officially enrolled in our first obedience class! We've gotten to a level of trust where he looks to me in times of stress rather than bolting, so I think he might be ready. (Cross your fingers for him)
Oh yeah... one more small victory (but a huge one for him) We did our clicker lesson off leash today, and one of the more frisky yard cats did a fly by and Murph chased him out into the woods and straight for the creek (...and the mud... his favorite thing in all the world) I called out a stop and heel, and he dropped everything to come straight back an plop down at my ankle!
Thanks for listening guys, any ideas are greatly appreciated!