Dog training suggestions

There is lots of good clicker information on the internet or in books. The most popular ones are by Karen Pryor, the clicker training maven. In general I would turn my back on her when she jumps and click and treat immediately when she gets off. When she mouths (a habit I HATE) you can withdraw your hand or arm with a stern "NO", or withdraw and walk away. A lot of people advocate the NILF practice...Nothing In Life is Free, making sure that your dog earns everything she gets. There are a variety of websites with info, but they have left my brain temporarily. I find that most dogs really respond well to consistency and clear communication. Congratulations on your new Junebug and thanks for adopting from a shelter!

Stupid clicker story- I was in a big box pet store one time and they had those clicker things by the counter. Well like a little kid I started playing with one. Well needless to say the great dane in front of me was clicker trained, I had that poor dog so confused. i felt like a idiot!

HA HA! What a great image, Jack!

Thanks! What I'm doing is pretty similar to what you've suggested, which is nice for a little affirmation!! :)

My only concern with clicker training is what happens if you don't have the clicker on you? Is this addressed in most clicker training info? I've always been a little hesitant of relying on something to keep my dog trained... What happens if I go somewhere and don't bring my clicker with me? Guess I ought to do a little research on that!

I do turn my back to her when she jumps, make a sharp "ah ah" noise, and ignore her until she gets down. It's possible it's working, but it might take more time. :)

As for the mouthing, I withdraw my hand and give a firm "NO BITE". I usually turn away from her and ignore her until she calms down. The problem is she will sometimes snap one more time, almost like the way a kid has to do something one more time even after you say no. In cases like that, I sometimes grab her muzzle and say "NO BITE" again. Not sure if she's catching on to that or not... She acts like she thinks I'm playing!

L: here's some sites for you:

Nothing in Life is free:
http://www.sspca.org/Dogs/TANSTAAFL.html

Canines in Action training:
http://www.caninesinaction.com/

Bark Tutor training:
http://barktutor.com/

Karen Pryor clicker training:
http://www.clickertraining.com/

It sounds like you have very good dog instincts, especially to be doing so well in such a short period of time. Re:clicker and not having one when you might want one.
The clicker simply marks the correct behavior. It does it a little more quickly than even a quickly delivered "good dog" or whatever, so the learning process is faster. I usually don't "train" in a session without my clicker, but since all experiences are potential training experiences, I just don't mark the behavior with the click. I still reward it with a treat or affection, so it still gets reinforced, but the dog doesn't get the instantaneous affirmation, so it might not know exactly what you were rewarding. Clicker is not the only training method I use, but I find it by far the most effective in positive training.

I would definately add Dr. Ian Dunbar's website http://www.training-dogs.com/ian-dunbar.html and Sue Ailsberry's web site http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/%20Dog1/levels.html . Sue's site takes you from puppy kindergarden through doggie college. As far what to do when you don't have a clicker. The noise doesn't have to be loud. Even a ballpoint pen (the ones with the tiny click sound) will work. Also, I do use a verbal marker "x" when I don't have a clicker. Just remember to NEVER click or mark without a reward the dog wants. PM me if you'd be interested in chatting more. I can hook you up with some in-home lessons as no cost.

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'll pick up a clicker at work and give it a shot. It sure can't hurt, anyway.

Clicker training is a great way to teach a dog a new trick. Many times i've comed accross when i needed a clicker but either lost it or forgot it at home. Now i have 3 in the car, 1 in my key chain and 3 at home.
Canines In Action does wonders with clicker training. Never had a problem with them... a few months ago i had gone to see one of their training classes, everything looked great and all. When i had signed up they had moved the training facility to the country. NO AC, tons of mosquitos, very humid....didnt like it at all. I'm moving to the north side of indy and have heard great things about First Friends K9. I've see some of their training and it's amazing....NO CLICKER!

Thanks, I'll look into First Friends K9 also!

Doggone Connection is absolutely the BEST!! Check out www.doggoneconnection.com for class schedules and information. This is all about positive reinforcement and understanding how we dogs think. You can't go wrong!

Thanks. I've contacted a couple different trainers now so hopefully I can find something that works. I'm getting overwhelmed with all this, and she's getting worse and worse. I've been trying everything that's been suggested, but none of it works. And to make matters worse, she's started barking. I live in an apartment and have neighbors on both sides, and she's getting very loud. I don't know what to do...

I live in Fountaintown and do dog training with Doggone Connection. Remember the jumping up has always worked before so she will keep trying. Stick with it and she will learn that it only gets her ignored. She will start doing what is called Extinction Burst. Think about when you get a drink out of a pop machine. Put money in and push the button and the drink always comes out. Then when you try and push the button and the drink doesn't fall, you try pushing the button several more times and then finally give up. Therefore, her jumping up may get worse right before it gets better because it has always worked. This is a learned behavior. You can also let her drag a lead and step on it to prevent the jumping. Then totally ignore her until she calms down, then mark and reward. Also train her to do an alternative behavior like sit. She will get it as long as you are consistent with paws up equals back turned and zero attention. Don't even yell or anything because that is still attention. Keep in mind how long this has worked for her and give her time to get better.

As for the mouthing, you may want to try and say OUCH really loud anytime she touches your skin. Then ignore her for a few minutes. Therefore, teeth on the skin equals being ignored. Also, play with her using a toy and not your hands.

As for the barking, this is another behavior that is should be ignored. You can even use timeouts each time she barks put her in another room for a few minutes. Therefore, barking equals being ignored.

Remember in doing all this to be sure and reward the wanted behaviors!!!

Thanks
Christina

I still use Laura at Canines in Action. I like her country place despite the weather and bugs. It is so laid back and easy to work there. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago Laura and I cracked up as Condor became fascinated by an ant walking across the training floor. It provided great distraction training.

And I want my shepherds to work out in the heat as well as inside since they often have to work outside in warm weather and sometimes I think dogs that are inside too much and then have to work outside get too bothered by the heat.

Canines in Action is awesome!!

Thanks, Christina. I'll give DC a call!

Rachel, remind me at work tomorrow and I will tell you about my experience with DC.

Doggone Connection is amazing. We've used them with some fosters and Chase the problem child. Everyone there is awesome and can provide exactly the help you need. Their classes have more than one trainer so everyone can get their issues addressed. I wasn't sure it was working on Chase but when I take him out now I realize it did work. He was on the other side of a fence from 2 large dogs and barely barked and walked away when I told him to leave it. The old Chase would have rushed the fence and been going crazy trying to get to them. They're also great for giving shy dogs their confidence. I would highly recommend them.