Where to start?
- Thread starter windyhill
- Start date
Congrats on your rescue sheltie!
Sit, down, stay and come are the usual basics. Once you have him performing them reliably at home, move to different environments (e.g. on a walk, at the park, at a mall, etc.) to make sure he will reliably perform them elsewhere.
Personally, recall (come) is the most important one for me to perfect. If there is every an emergency, I want my dog to come immediately when called no matter what else is going on. For this reason, I only give him positive experiences when he comes (e.g. treats, praise, play); I never, for example, call him to come for nail trimming, something which he hates.
Loose leash walking is another basic training area.
Sit, down, stay and come are the usual basics. Once you have him performing them reliably at home, move to different environments (e.g. on a walk, at the park, at a mall, etc.) to make sure he will reliably perform them elsewhere.
Personally, recall (come) is the most important one for me to perfect. If there is every an emergency, I want my dog to come immediately when called no matter what else is going on. For this reason, I only give him positive experiences when he comes (e.g. treats, praise, play); I never, for example, call him to come for nail trimming, something which he hates.
Loose leash walking is another basic training area.
dawns2shelties
Forums Sage
I am so happy you rescued him. What idiot keeps a Sheltie on a chain for life. It makes me so mad. Bless you and him.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
Oh the poor dear!!!!!
First, teach him that he can trust you
Everything after that will be easy, I hope!
SO never call and do something what is unpleasant to him, I totally agree. Also go slow, the tricks will come but first foundation will be that he wants to be with you and thinks you're the most fun and greatest person ever...
What's his name?
First, teach him that he can trust you
Everything after that will be easy, I hope!
SO never call and do something what is unpleasant to him, I totally agree. Also go slow, the tricks will come but first foundation will be that he wants to be with you and thinks you're the most fun and greatest person ever...
What's his name?
I adopted my Bela (who is also 5) about a month ago. She's a puppy mill rescue and she's still anxious and fearful.
She fortunately came to me extremely well housetrained (thank you, folks at Sheltie Rescue of Georgia!), but other than that, she is completely untrained.
I haven't even begun to train her yet - we're still working on her anxiety and trust issues. These "do-over" dogs are a lot of work, but I'm determined Bela will have every chance at a normal life. Each day brings some little victory - even if it's only not leaving pee or poo on the carpet.
Good for you for adopting, and good luck. I know it will seem like it's a losing proposition some days, but just keep the faith!
She fortunately came to me extremely well housetrained (thank you, folks at Sheltie Rescue of Georgia!), but other than that, she is completely untrained.
I haven't even begun to train her yet - we're still working on her anxiety and trust issues. These "do-over" dogs are a lot of work, but I'm determined Bela will have every chance at a normal life. Each day brings some little victory - even if it's only not leaving pee or poo on the carpet.
Good for you for adopting, and good luck. I know it will seem like it's a losing proposition some days, but just keep the faith!
I just read a really good book "Catch your dog doing something right"
http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Your-Doing-Something-Right/dp/0452277558 It gives you a different insight into dogs and how to read them.
http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Your-Doing-Something-Right/dp/0452277558 It gives you a different insight into dogs and how to read them.
dawns2shelties
Forums Sage
I read the sample read it looks interesting. I just picked up the book Inside of a Dog what dogs see smell and know By Alexandra Horowitz. It's a NY times best seller. I am hoping to read it on vacation. Review to follow. 