[russmodel]

Is schutzhund training such as heeling necessary for symira if she isn't a show dog ? I know it comes in handy when off leash but her recall is pretty good off leash and she understands when I say "stop" to cease all movement...so my question is for a companions dog what are the basic commands my APBT should understand ?

[yahyynzer]

Is schutzhund training such as heeling necessary for symira if she isn't a show dog ? I know it comes in handy when off leash but her recall is pretty good off leash and she understands when I say "stop" to cease all movement...so my question is for a companions dog what are the basic commands my APBT should understand ?

The basics that I teach in class are:
- sit
- down
- come
- stay
- loose leash walking
- go to a crate/mat and settle
- mine/take it
- wait/let's go
- name recognition
- targeting
- how to capture and shape new behaviors

I don't think the average pet owner needs a formal heel, or a drop on the recall, or a retrieve, so I don't take time away from the basics to teach them in basic class.

[russmodel]

That sounds about right ..we cld work on the mines Nd targeting part tho ....and can u further xplain "how to capture and shaping new behaviors ?

[yahyynzer]

That sounds about right ..we cld work on the mines Nd targeting part tho ....and can u further xplain "how to capture and shaping new behaviors ?

I do clicker training and I don't use food lures, so capturing is used to catch complete behaviors, usually simple things like sit and down, or cute trick style behaviors like covering the face with a paw. Shaping is building towards a final behavior by increasing the criteria in small increments.

[tattcasetle]

one I love to train that helps a ton with training other things is to follow my fingers, I don't have a name for it, its a signal (thumb touching index and middle finger with my other 2 fingers tucked into my palm) they think you have a treat and they follow it, you have to actually learn it with treats but if you use clicker training which I do it really helps with shaping other skills like "front" and "swing"

I like to have my dogs know a basic heel, not where they are watching my face the entire time but right next to me, and if a dog is reactive a formal heel is wonderful because if you see a dog coming and you can get them into a formal heel you can get by the other dog (as long as its not like right next to you, say across the street) without the pulling whining and such, I use it with Goren and he is very leash reactive to leashed dogs

[Kuncher]

umm, you mentioned Schutzhund it is only necissary if you want to do that sport with your dog.

i personally beleive that all dogs should be trained well beyond the basics you never know when you are going to need more then the basics.

[celddiskend]

I dont think you need to do schutzhund but a nice heal is always fun. If shes justyour pet teach her what you want to once she has all her basics done. Kahne 2 and half and we just started to work on a nice heal about a month ago.

[dasneycomrov]

Training is a great idea even if training itself is the goal (as opposed to being a show dog) because it enhances communication between you and the dog and build's the dog's confidence. I am constantly teaching Amy new things because she likes the stimulation and it makes for a happier dog.

[BoomBully]

Hades is just a companion and he knows hundreds, maybe thousands of cues, signals, tricks and unnecessaries.

It all depends on how far you want to go. There will be some repeats from kayla's list, but our 8 week old kindergarten puppies will learn the following in an 8 week session:

Dogs do not generalize well so all position cues are taught from all positions ex) sit is taught from the stand and down. We use food lures for the first two or three classes, which doubles as teaching the hand signals as well. We do proof hand signals so puppies will respond to hand signals without verbal commands.

-bonding exercise (always start class with this, puppies in a down, get a massage and get touched ALL over, we go over nail clipping/dremeling)
-sit
-down
-stand
-leave it/take it
-watch me
-wait/stay
-come with hand signal
-front and heel position (only teach a swing finish, not around)


Near the end we'll start with "formal" heeling (not just loose lead, left side, sits when you stop etc). We do work on switching sides, from left to right, more of a real world thing for oncoming children, bikes other dogs whatever.

I agree with Peanut. Training is a lifelong endeavour. Dogs aren't robots and they truly crave mental stimulation. Continuing training only reinforces a bond that you can't get with your dog any other way.

[Goodwin]

You've only had her about a month, right? There's no way I would be doing anything off leash w/a young adult dog that was relatively new to me. Use a long line if you want to work a recall. She's just too new, and probably hasn't shown you her full range of behaviors yet. That's great that you enjoy training, and she enjoys learning.

[russmodel]

These are all great ideas and yes that's the thing I've only had for about a month Nd she is already a young adult her attention span seems as if she is a puppy she does listen to me tho