Confessions and Lessons of a Novice Trainer

[deadlywarbler]

I have posted quite a few times throughout my pups early months. I received so much guidance from people here. Somewhere after about 6 months of age, I began to sit back and admire my mostly well behaved, well socialized and generally adorable BC pup. In looking back I realized how much work I had done with her, how many early mornings and late evenings I committed to her. People would even praise me on how happy, well behaved and wonderful she is. I suppose that means my job is done, right? Time to sit back and reap the rewards.

 

Wrong.

 

I will say that my puppy continues to be a well behaved, socialized and generally adorable little dog with one caveat...she is changing. She is 8 months old now and while I enjoy every minute with her, her behavior has begun to evolve. Around 6 months she discovered that the ball is the only thing worth living for and I discovered that the ball was an almost automatic means of having a wonderful experience with my dog. With the ball I taught her to lay down reliably, then to lay down immediately when she is 50-100yard away from me. I taught her to wait reliably untill my "ok" before sprinting off to retrieve the ball. I joyfully observed her speed and grace in a huge open field. I was completely in love.

 

But, recently things have been getting a bit more difficult. In a bit, I will rant about how thankful I am for a few specific resources that manage to highlight these times and give me guidance on how to work with them. The pup has discovered that she loves the ball so much that she's now not as willing to wait in the car while I gather her things and instead feels the need to push against me trying to get out. On leash, as I walk her through the city streets en route to the field she tugs relentlessly. Even though I try the "red light, green light" method, she manages to just tug and tug. This leads me to get frustrated and even lose my temper. Not good. I pride myself on being sensitive to my dog, so I can immediately see how my mood change affects her.

 

Today was the final straw, a highly frustrating walk to and from the ball session in which she seemed to only want to go where I didn't want her to go. Tug, tug, tug despite all my stop and go until I was literally pissed off. I failed her.

 

Luckily I have these few resources that I refer to and in coming home to find them after feel very bad about how I worked with the pup today I realized how long it had been since I referred to them:

 

First, The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell Ph.D. This book was my invaluable education into the mindset of dogs before getting my pup. What a savior as I had always subscribed to the dominate and control method of raising dogs simply because it was all I ever saw around me. This book changed EVERYTHING about what I knew and taught me 1. that dogs are always seeking and growing into positivity and 2. that I as a human with all my non-canine behaviors was a veritable liability to her well being. This book taught me to think like a dog and alway use positive reinforcement even if it is the more difficult option.

 

Second, After You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar. This book is an invaluable insight into dog training by a true master. When you read what Dr. Dunbar says, it all becomes so painfully obvious that you wonder why you didn't figure that out yourself. His insight into bringing up a well behaved dog is amazing.

 

Third, and this is a bit unrelated, I feel really grateful to have watched the movie Buck about the horseman Buck Brannaman prior to owning my pup. While this movie is about horses, it highlights some of the exact struggles I am going through with the pup, namely my own human element. Watching this movie gives me inspiration and hope in working with my dog.

 

So, the lesson learned today is that I got lazy, but luckily I realized in time to keep up working with my dog so that I can actually maybe sit back when she's...oh...6-7 years old and enjoy her. Puppyhood was difficult, but the time invested has paid back in spades. I intend to navigate adolescence with the same determination. Thanks for listening!

[chene]

As someone who will be getting my first border collie puppy in the near future, this is really interesting and enlightening to read. You sound like a fantastic owner for being able to react and change and not blame the dog. Well done. I will be checking out the books you mentioned, as well. I have nothing to add as far as your dog's behaviour other than good luck in the future and have fun!

[deadlywarbler]

As someone who will be getting my first border collie puppy in the near future, this is really interesting and enlightening to read. You sound like a fantastic owner for being able to react and change and not blame the dog. Well done. I will be checking out the books you mentioned, as well. I have nothing to add as far as your dog's behaviour other than good luck in the future and have fun!

Chene, thank you! Enjoy your puppy! He/she will drive you bonkers, but they are so much fun. There is nothing like the sight of a dog looking at you like you are the bee's knees. Enjoy those books and movies, they are invaluable resources.

[GentleLake]

The Other End of the Leash by Marcia McConnell Ph.D.

 

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D

 

Great that you've found some awesome resources, and that you've learned a very valuable lesson . . . that you're never really done training.

[deadlywarbler]

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D

 

Great that you've found some awesome resources, and that you've learned a very valuable lesson . . . that you're never really done training.

Oh my gosh...that is embarrassing. Thanks for catching that, I have already edited it.

[Oko]

Ah, adolescence. Fun times for sure! My girl just turned ten months old, I can relate. Well, minus the ball thing, she doesn't get to play with balls very much because it's more trouble than it's worth for me trying to convince her not to obsess. But there are plenty of things to work on. Always good to go back to basics, come up with a plan on how to tackle the issues, breathe, and most importantly for me, find a way to enjoy your dog without having to stress over training. For us, that's me taking her to an offleash safe place with no one around and just letting her run wild, watching her have fun and having fun watching her, remembering that I don't want to kill her.

[deadlywarbler]

Ah, adolescence. Fun times for sure! My girl just turned ten months old, I can relate. Well, minus the ball thing, she doesn't get to play with balls very much because it's more trouble than it's worth for me trying to convince her not to obsess. But there are plenty of things to work on. Always good to go back to basics, come up with a plan on how to tackle the issues, breathe, and most importantly for me, find a way to enjoy your dog without having to stress over training. For us, that's me taking her to an offleash safe place with no one around and just letting her run wild, watching her have fun and having fun watching her, remembering that I don't want to kill her.

My pup obsesses over the ball only if it is in sight. I trained her to recognize "last one" and "all done" and now by the time she runs down the "last one" she just heads to the water bowl and drops the ball for me. I put it up and out of sight and that way the ball session doesn't go on indefinitely. =)

 

I agree, the off-lease time is so amazing. I love watching her run! Have fun!

[Sue R]

Teenagers. The reason that dogs are born as pups (and humans as babies) and not in the teenage stage is that we would strangle them in their sleep if they were.

 

As fun as a pup can be, a teenager can be trying, and the dog that results from your working your way through the trying times is a dog you can love and live with.

 

Best wishes and thanks for a good post!

[KJT]

Reading your post made me smile...I can totally relate as my 7month old pup is going through a similar phase. I too have spent countless early mornings and late evenings working on manners, tricks, obedience, games, fun etc and also marvelled at how "good" my puppy was. Now at 7months, the "real" bc is coming out!!!! However, I went back to my trainer last night and he reminded me of a few basics that I had to re-enforce and remind pup since I had slacked off a little on these basics. I also have to keep reminding myself that he is still such a baby and will be for a very long time to come. I also need to remind myself that I work a 40hour week and am not superwoman, therefore cannot expect a fully trained pup at 7months!!!

Good luck and look forward to hearing the future trials, tribulations and of course all the great bits in between!!!

[deadlywarbler]

Reading your post made me smile...I can totally relate as my 7month old pup is going through a similar phase. I too have spent countless early mornings and late evenings working on manners, tricks, obedience, games, fun etc and also marvelled at how "good" my puppy was. Now at 7months, the "real" bc is coming out!!!! However, I went back to my trainer last night and he reminded me of a few basics that I had to re-enforce and remind pup since I had slacked off a little on these basics. I also have to keep reminding myself that he is still such a baby and will be for a very long time to come. I also need to remind myself that I work a 40hour week and am not superwoman, therefore cannot expect a fully trained pup at 7months!!!

Good luck and look forward to hearing the future trials, tribulations and of course all the great bits in between!!!

Yeah, I'm still sitting back and watching as my "real" BC comes out. This past week she has become a lot more serious and less of a goofy puppy, her "eye" is developing during ball sessions and I can see why livestock are intimidated by them!