Dog Owner Chat v3 ~Open!~

[Cardinal]

Thats great! But the purpose of my post was to fight the stigma against treats, and believe me its in lot of circles.

Many people that use treats as a training reward experience problems because they do not phase out the reward correctly, they have poor timing with rewards, or they do not actually build duration on behaviors. The point is to phase out the reward, and this goes for most rewards (toy, food, praise). At first reward every single time, then every other time, then sometimes, then sparingly or to refresh... and not actually using the reward as a bribe in the first place. xP

[Jazi]

I actually really enjoy working a food motivated and toy motivated dog. I've worked praise motivated dogs before and while normal obedience is learned relatively quickly, I can't get as much enthusiasm from them because I can't make the praise any more valuable than it already is (unlike food or toy rewards, where you can step up the value immensely).

Creed is coming along nicely, ignoring other dogs while working and realizing that he's not actually on vacation right now. He's doing very well being allowed minimal free reign in my rooms, as well. Tomorrow we plan to start pivoting and working on enthusiasm again as well as taking him out to work offleash in high distraction areas. I was approached by a manager in a Walmart down here who had the following to say about him:

“I know I’m not supposed to acknowledge that he’s here, but I just wanted to tell you he’s beautiful and just so well trained, we see a lot of fakes in here so thank you for having a real one.”

Which while he was pretty distracted thanks to her hovering so close behind us and the other folks in the store talking to him, did make me feel a bit better as I was starting to have a lousy day.

[Cardinal]

I have discovered two new breeds of dog today!

The little known "HELP ME MOM I'M DROWNING"

And the rare and elusive German Rottien Sealpard

[Temper]

Thank you Silence and Dr. McDreamy. I'll start working with him right away.

[Joe Kerr]

Hey, baby girl. You're three years old today! Time sure does fly, doesn't it? It has been quite the journey so far, I am so blessed to be your momma.
You are such a happy girl - I don't think you've ever met someone you didn't like!
We've had quite a few adventures in your lifetime. I hope to create many more memories with you.
To my pal, my snuggle buddy, my best friend, my everything,
Happy birthday, Lola <3

[Haagen-Daagen]

Happy birthday pretty Lola! I love that puppy pic. <3

[{ℓєσραя∂}]

Oh! Lola is just the cutest thing!! Happy birthday Lola!!

[Fascai]

When he pulls on the leash, just calmly stop, tell him "no" in a firm voice or make a sound like "eheh" or something like that, and gently tug on the leash to let him know that it's wrong. But don't continue walking until he either gives slack on the lead or he responds to you in a positive way, then praise him and continue on. I don't like the treats rewards as a form of praise... I've experminted with my own dogs and the ones I've trained using just the praise as a reward, listen a lot better then the ones I've trained using treats as a reward.
As far as dog food goes, I personally would recommend Whole Earth Farms. My fiancé doesn't agree with me on the grain free diet for his little dog, but I've seen some amazing improvements in her coat and everything just from feeding her Whole Earth. But I have heard that Merrick is really good as well. I have never tried it with my dogs, plus it's not exactly in my budget.

I've tried these things. he plants himself to the ground. I've trained other dogs before but it's been a while. I guess I could say I'm wanting a nice refresher as well. on the treat thing- to each their own, really. I think it just depends on the dog and what gets their attention. I've found with Ope he's most motivated and willing when he gets treats. I start off with treats when he hits the command spot on. I slowly wean them off and just leave the clicker and heavy praise in their place. he responds pretty well to this.

& happy birthday Lola! what a cutie.
we don't know Opie's birthday so we've decided we'll be celebrating his adoption anniversary yearly instead.

[Joe Kerr]

Happy birthday pretty Lola! I love that puppy pic. <3

It's the first picture I ever took of her ^-^

Oh! Lola is just the cutest thing!! Happy birthday Lola!!

Thank you <3 I personally think she's the cutest
dog ever, but I might be a little bias :P

[Keriae]

As many of you might know, I looked after my auntie's two cockapoos a lot last year, but since September my free time changed and it hasn't happened. However, I am looking after them for two weeks in August! We're going to my auntie's caravan too during that time, apart from three days where we're at my brother's wedding and the dogs can't come, so one of my auntie's neighbours is looking after them.

In addition to this, my mum has a new job! She doesn't start until September, but she'll be earning twice as much and getting a dog of our own if definitely on the cards. We'll likely get a rescue dog, and I'm very guilty of looking on both the RSPCA and Dog's Trust websites in my area already.
and omg so many dogs that could suit us

Joe, go away with that adorableness xD