Cassidy Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Ladybug is trained to an extent. She knows the basics but she only does them when she wants to. Is it too late now that she is 14 months, since she has been used to mostly getting her own way? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Cassidy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura L Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Cassidy, At 14 months she's just a teenager. She's probably testing her boundaries yet. Be consistent in your training and that will help a lot. It's not too late at all. I got a rescue dog who was 10 years old about 6 months ago and he's learning things just fine. They just need to know what your expectations are. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Too late? Not at all! My 2 came to me at 3 y/o and 1.5 y/o each with no training and some habits that needed to be changed. Dogs are very adaptable. Are you having some issues with your dog that makes you wonder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanillalove Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 She can definitely still be trained. You will need to find a way to train her so that she still thinks that she is getting what she wants but secretly she is doing what you want! I think the best way to do this is through clicker training, or any other way of positive reinforcement. If you want to go ahead with clicker training, I can give some basic information about that. To start, you would need to load the clicker, or whichever marker you're going to use (like saying "yes!" or "right!"). To do this, sit with her and click (or "yes!") and treat her. Keep doing this until she looks like she is waiting for the treat anytime you click, or use your marker word. The click or marker word, is going to be her way of knowing that what she is doing is good, and for being good, a treat is coming. Do short sessions with this until you find her anticipating the treat after your marker. Once the clicker or marker word is associated with a treat, you can begin all kinds of training and you can use your marker to your advantage. You simply click or say your marker word whenever she is doing something you want and treat. Since you didn't specify on exactly what behaviours you would like stopped or trained, I can really only speak generally and very simply. For example, if you want her to sit and she already sort of knows the sit command, ask her to sit and immediately when she puts her butt on the floor, click and treat. She sits? Click and treat. She sits again? Click and treat! Do this until she is offering sit for more treats! She'll think that she is sitting and being treated for what she wants, but she's actually being a good dog in your eyes as well. If you explain some behaviour you wish to be trained, you can specify and we can all help you train her to do this. I don't think there is any age where a dog cannot be trained. Be patient and have fun with her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Definitely! It's never too late and there are always improvements to be made! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassidy Posted July 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Thanks guys! I am sooo relieved to hear that. She doesnt have any major issues (anymore, that is) but I am just kind of interested in training her to do tricks and games and stuff, but to teach her any of that, she needs to have her basics down pat. She does know what basic words mean, like sit, stay, off, that'll do, etc. but I guess just like a teenager, just b/c she is given a command, doesnt mean she is going to do it? For example, I like to play the find it game with her, but I cant hide the ball or toy except for behind my back b/c she will not stay for me to hide anythinig. I can say sit, and stay, but the second i back up or move she is coming. She is sooo totally focused on the ball or toy that it doesnt matter what i say or do, i cant even get a good hug or snuggle if there is a toy around that she wants. Although there are times she does get her hugs and snuggles in. Cassidy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4ever Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Every day is training day! Kind of like us humans, we keep learning new things, adapting, relearning things we'd forgotten... Scooter went through the "teenage stage" too, but we got through it with no major incidents! Good luck and remember to have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Read about Bailey- I got her from the humane society and she is now working for my hearing impaired friend. Bailey was between 4-5, couldn't walk on a leash. YES!!!!! There is hope!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnbound Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Consistence.....patience........consistence......patience.......rinse...........repeat...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.DaisyDuke Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 You just need to build up her stay so that you can hide a toy or what ever. She probly won't stay yet because the temptation of the toy is too much for her. It's over her head right now. Work on her obedience every day and build her up to being able to stay when there is a toy in the room, then 5ft from her and so on. She'll get it! Daisy is almost 4 and we are just getting into some really fun stuff with her right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 I would much rather take an older dog. Puppies are cute, that's why they end up in shelters. OMG- BC's are too hyper- do you take them for exercise or train them? People are stupid!!! Training is better than exercise!! 14 months is still a "baby". oooooh I need a new one, to feel that blank spot. I'll take them ALL!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 I am just kind of interested in training her to do tricks and games and stuff, but to teach her any of that, she needs to have her basics down pat. I totally disagree! You do NOT need to have the "basics" down in order to teach tricks. Teaching tricks is way less stressful for you and the dog, because it doesn't much matter how well you do, whereas both you (and everyone around you) very much cares how well the dog does on her "basics". Because teaching tricks does not have this serious aspect, it's an excellent way to build your relationship with your dog, and it will get both of you into the proper learning mode for working on "basics". She does know what basic words mean, like sit, stay, off, that'll do, etc. but I guess just like a teenager, just b/c she is given a command, doesnt mean she is going to do it? It's a fallacy to think that a dog "knows what a word means" if the word does not produce a consistent response each time you say it. It sounds like you've only just begun to teach the meaning of those words, but your dog only knows what they mean in certain circumstances. It's up to you to teach the dog to generalize, which you do by slowly upping the challenge one tiny step at a time, like DaisyDuke described. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.