Dog Training?

[jcw1503]

Has anyone else tried Don Sullivans Dog Training......I recently recieved this product a few weeks ago, but i have been busy with work, i have a lab,german shepherd mix and i tried training with treats for a while and i got him to sit when ever i had treats in my hand, if i had no treats then he wouldn't bother....i live on my grandparents land and they have a boxer and my sister on the same land has a puppy pitbull....everytime i let my dog out to play they would run over to my grandparents or sisters, chase cars, and not listen unless i had treats and sometimes not even then...so when i started the training i started off with the walking on the leash and it took a while but now there is no pull on the leash, and when he is off leash he follows near me and when i tell him i am turning he quickly reacts....so i went to the sit command and i figured it would not take that long because i had partially trained him....however, i was wrong i was out there for about 45 minutes and he would not consistantly do it, so we went and played and had fun after that like Don said...i will admit i was getting skeptical at this point, my dog is extrememly smart, but he would not perform, however, when i went out the next day he did it 15 straight times with no corrections and when i went to get my sisters pitbull and put him on a leash, they were playing at this point....by the way you could never get him to listen while he was playing with another dog especially this one dog.....they were playing and he was not even looking at me to see the signal i told him to sit from about 85 feet away and he blopped down and let me put the pitbull on the leash....i was impressed..and i can not wait until more training....


Just curious if anyone else has used this!!!!!

[MississippiBoy]

If he doesn't see you as the Alpha male of the "pack," he'll only respond if you've got something he wants, like a treat. If you are the leader in his mind, he'll do a much better job of obeying you.

And 45 minutes is too long for one session of training. Spend maybe 10 minutes, then play for a good long while, so he doesn't keep a bad mindset about the training thing, then another 10 minutes of training, etc...

[jcw1503]

oh i did..i miswrote it, i had little play breaks, but after about 45 minutes total training i stopped for the day!!!!

[cassidyta]

I have not used their training, but have utilized other training in the past. MB is dead on about your dog knowing who is the pack leader. One thing I will say about boxer breeds is that they are pretty smart, but also have some independence to them. You will find that there will be times that your dog will not listen just to prove he can ignore you.
I have a boxer-pit mix. I find that Boxers do need some play time before they can actually go into training mode. Boxers are also easily distracted so breaks are important to them.
Each dog is a little different in how you can teach them who is in charge. Mine was 18 months when I got him so I had to teach him by holding his neck and pushing him to the ground until he rolled to his back. I never rolled him, but that is how a dog submits. I need to stress that this was not done by slamming the dog down, it was simply immitating what another dog would do to him.

[MississippiBoy]

JCW, if your dog has a toy and is playing with it, assert your authority a few times by taking it away from him. Don't surprise him and snatch it before he can react, but just calmly reach over and get it. If he growls or tries to it pull away, grab him by the scruff and do what cassidy said about holding him to the ground till he submits. Don't hurt him, just be the boss and impose your will on him.

If he's lying on the floor and you need to get by, don't walk around. Make him get up and move out of your way. Once you put his food down, don't let him eat till you release him, and if he's a house dog, don't let him in te door till you ok it.

Basically, you're the chief, he's got to understand he's an Indian. Otherwise, he won't respect you, and obedience will not be forthcoming.

[Bassgrl81]

You might want to look into getting one of those clickers to get his attention when your walking him (or even a buck call or something...as crazy as that sounds).

As far as him not minding you when your walking him or if he's pulling you turn around and walk the other direction.He will have to listen. I did this with Triton b/c he was a puller.

Off leash. With my two pups, I bought a long rope and attached a snap (I do not recommend the flexible leash things...theu drive me NUTS and if you get wrapped up in it it's not pretty). I took them to the ball field and let them have free roam. Kota responds to the the buck call( I know it's kind of nuts sounding... and when she came I rewarded her with a cookie. If your pup does not come in when you call him reel him in and praise him. Then do this about 5-10 more times. Repitition is the best thing.

[bamabassman]

i trained mine. he is a great ol man. our child as lisa says. he barks alot, but i taught him that (a little mistake ). he is a great dog (tri colored collie) and we just LOVE him to death. 11 years old now. yes we have pics of him here. best dog i have EVER had. grat fishing partner too,lol.

[Jim80]

I've had a couple pit bulls over the last few years unfortunately we moved to a place that doesn't allow dogs and they reside at a friends house now , but like everyone else said make yourself the alpha male and not just they play mate . Labs are easy enough to train just stick with it .

Jim