puppy training - what is the best way?

DON79

Hi

we are going to shortly be adopting a puppy from brother in law...

however, I am keen to try using the "clicker" to train the puppy but my husband has pretty much dismissed it as a novelty idea. I showed him a "how to" page for the clicker but he was not impressed or keen to even try it.

He is planning on just squirting the puppy with a spray bottle when it has done something wrong which I do not agree with! I would rather not have the puppy at all if there is not going to be any proper attempt at training. He seems to think it won't take much but I have three kids aged 5 and under and would like to have a dog that is well behaved around the kids.

And I would prefer positive reinforcement rather than punishment. So I am thinking I will buy a clicker myself to use and try it as well as taking the puppy for walks with me.

What methods have you used to train puppy? and how can I get hubby to see sense because at this rate, I am going to refuse to have the puppy if he will not make the proper effort. I said we could only have the puppy from his brother if he would take it for proper walks and training.

Beckyy

I'm afraid making a partner understand how you would prefer to train a dog isn't always easy. The only way that will work is squirting hm with water everytime he does something annoying!!

I have used a squirty water bottle, but only in situations where positive reinforcement were very difficult - humping the sofa arm. Using it willy nilly will just make the dog scared.

I used reward based training, manly with treats but also with toys and praise when appropriate. If you can, switch from always using treats just so that you're not reliant on them.

I also tried clicker training, and it was great, but I found it was better for the more 'difficult' commands. I used it to teach 'speak' and 'quiet'. It's great for commands where you can't always give your dog a treat and the exact moment they do something right.

Say firm with hubby and get him a couple of reward based training books to read for now. You are right that a puppy isn't easy, it takes ALOT of work and patience, but is very much worth it in the end. Good luck!

rising_from_the_ashes

I have to agree with Beckyy - why not start now and every time your OH does something wrong/annoying etc, squirt him in the face with a bottle of water and see how he likes it! I find it hard to believe (but know it does happen) that people still think this is the right way to train animals.:mad:

I think you're right to think hard about this - especially with 3 kids under 5!:eek: Puppies are hard work and require a huge amount of time invested in them to ensure they grow up to be happy, well adjusted and obedient.

Who's going to look after it during the day - I'm assuming you but how are you going to manage to train it and look after 3 young kids by yourself all day?

Clickers are excellent and treat rewarding for good behaviour is also a great tool. I also think some puppy classes can be a worthwhile investment (especially if you've not had much experience in training puppies) and are also great for getting the puppy socialised.

However, if you're going to use the clicker and teach positively and then OH squirts it in the face and punishes - you're going to end up with a very confused and unhappy pup.:(

I wish you luck, however, I do think another chat with OH is needed for him to fully appreciate the amount of time that's going to be required - if he wants a dog that he can just take for a walk a couple of times a day and already knows the basics, you'd be better adopting an older one.

lizzie157

I agree with everyone. My partner won't try to train our 3 yr old dog so despite my efforts to clicker/treat train I've only had limited results as when he's around she knows she can get away with things. When I walk her alone or with kids she sticks close ish and is fairly good but when we
walk with my partner she disappears and he just says she's ok she's just excited. Unless you both agree its very difficult and the dog will never be fully obedient. I did use the water spray but only for about aweek as she was taking food from the work top and all else had failed -it did work but I'd much rather use positive reinforcement. Ask him to watch it's me or the dog - she seems to get really goodresults using various forms of positive reinforcement. Good luck!

gratefulforhelp_2

DON79 wrote: »

however, I am keen to try using the "clicker" to train the puppy but my husband has pretty much dismissed it as a novelty idea. I showed him a "how to" page for the clicker but he was not impressed or keen to even try it.

Oh dear

Beckyy wrote: »

I'm afraid making a partner understand how you would prefer to train a dog isn't always easy. The only way that will work is squirting hm with water everytime he does something annoying!!

Yes!

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I have to agree with Beckyy - why not start now and every time your OH does something wrong/annoying etc, squirt him in the face with a bottle of water and see how he likes it!

Yes!

Our puppy is doing clicker training at home and at classes. We have 3 young children.

It is possible but jolly hard work.

Caroline_a

The first training you will need to do with your pup is house training. That takes time, patience, late nights, early morning and effort!! However, it has to be done with gentleness, squirting a pup with water is quite frankly cruel.

DON79

Beckyy wrote: »

I'm afraid making a partner understand how you would prefer to train a dog isn't always easy. The only way that will work is squirting hm with water everytime he does something annoying!!

Tempting!!

I have used a squirty water bottle, but only in situations where positive reinforcement were very difficult - humping the sofa arm. Using it willy nilly will just make the dog scared.

I used reward based training, manly with treats but also with toys and praise when appropriate. If you can, switch from always using treats just so that you're not reliant on them.

I also tried clicker training, and it was great, but I found it was better for the more 'difficult' commands. I used it to teach 'speak' and 'quiet'. It's great for commands where you can't always give your dog a treat and the exact moment they do something right.

Say firm with hubby and get him a couple of reward based training books to read for now. You are right that a puppy isn't easy, it takes ALOT of work and patience, but is very much worth it in the end. Good luck!

:cool:Hee hee! I won!

we had another discussion (argument! ) about it and I said he hadn't bothered to even read about it properly so how could he dismiss something he knew nothing about. I said how exactly does he propose to train the dog then and the answer I got was "traditional methods" whatever that means.... which he could not explain either :rotfl:

Anyway I went out to do my Avon and came back and he has changed his tune ha ha! He took my challenge and read about it and is now converted. He is more convinced now that he has read that professionals use it in training and that you do not need to give treats once training is established :j

DON79

Caroline_a wrote: »

The first training you will need to do with your pup is house training. That takes time, patience, late nights, early morning and effort!!

This is the next issue! he is of the opinion that our older dog will teach the puppy what to do... ha! Maybe to some extent the pup will copy her but I won't be holding my breath or cleaning up the "accidents" It will be his job!

gratefulforhelp_2

Um...the older dog will teach the puppy what to do???????????