What should we all be aiming for?

dusuwho · 07-02-2008, 07:12 AM

Hi again,

Is there a recognised point in a puppies/dogs life when they should act trained?

At 6 months old for example (or another age) what should be expected.

Should they be recalled easily by this time etc?

At what age should you expect your dobe to walk well on the lead.

What target do I have as an owner? At what point should I see some strong command responses consistently.

In other words 'How much more of this hell do I have to take?!?!?!?!?!?!?' jk....lol

RedDobieCHAMP · 07-02-2008, 09:57 AM

IMO, dobes are smart enough to walk perfect on a lead after about 30-60 minutes of training, with a choke collar if needed, or with pinch collar if choker doesnt work.

My Champ needed a pinch collar because he wouldnt respond to choke collar. It then took about 1/2 hour for him to completely understand what is expected of him, and what happens if he doesnt do as expected.

That was when he was 3 months old. And since then, we practice everyday on his walks. He's now 6.5 months old.

Keep in mind, the pinch collar is not be pulled on constantly, in fact, I rarely have to correct Champ with it. But he knows when he has it on, we're all business, so he does what he is told (sit, stay, heel, down), and if he doesnt, he gets corrected.

But again, Dobes are so smart they don't need much correcting after the initial training session when they learn what the collar is for and what it means

dusuwho · 07-02-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDobieCHAMP

IMO, dobes are smart enough to walk perfect on a lead after about 30-60 minutes of training, with a choke collar if needed, or with pinch collar if choker doesnt work.

My Champ needed a pinch collar because he wouldnt respond to choke collar. It then took about 1/2 hour for him to completely understand what is expected of him, and what happens if he doesnt do as expected.

That was when he was 3 months old. And since then, we practice everyday on his walks. He's now 6.5 months old.

Keep in mind, the pinch collar is not be pulled on constantly, in fact, I rarely have to correct Champ with it. But he knows when he has it on, we're all business, so he does what he is told (sit, stay, heel, down), and if he doesnt, he gets corrected.

But again, Dobes are so smart they don't need much correcting after the initial training session when they learn what the collar is for and what it means

So maybe I need to try a choke collar as at the moment he still doesn't get it on his standard collar... I haven't found them available off the shelf in the uk yet.

Does he walk well on his standard collar or do you use the pinch every time?

**Incredibledobe** · 07-02-2008, 10:14 AM

I'm pretty sure you won't be able to get a choke or a pinch in the UK. Maybe chokes are still allowed. At the recent ADI conference over there even assistance dogs were not allowed to wear the pinch, even though these handlers really needed them due to their disabilities.
Remember, he is still a puppy and is starting his "teenage" stage when all of his training goes right out the little window in his brain.

But training is an ongoing thing and he will respond consistently as long as you are consistent in your expectations.

**ellenm** · 07-02-2008, 01:23 PM

dusuwho-
Your guy is too young for a pinch collar. Just keep training sessions short and fun. Reward and play with him when he does stuff right. He has not even started Doberteens yet where he will forget EVERYTHING you have just taught him and be wild with energy, and about 30# heavier too!

I would not expect to have a very well-trained partner until he is 18 months to 2 yrs old....that is reliably responding and understanding your commands with distractions around. I have found with most of my Dobes, that it really isn't a realistic goal for me to expect them to perform really well in a venue like competitive obedience before they are around 2 yrys old. Even the CD level involves a lot of off leash work and I prefer to have a very trained partner before taking that leash off!

You guys have a long way to go! Good luck!

**voodoolizard** · 07-02-2008, 03:24 PM

woo hoo.. you have a long way to go !!

zeus is 18 months and now only becoming a lovely dog to take out, one that does not jump up any more, one that can finally walk on a normal collar after traing for what seems like forever, one that will sit quietly while i chat to someone while out on a walk...

and one i can take down the local on a friday for a cider LOL !!!

you need to keep on it.. even now we work on sit down leave it etc every day.. just so they dont forget LOL !!

you can not get a pinch in the uk they are illegal.

you can get a choak collar from most pet shops and thats what worked for us in the end.. after tlking to the local dobe rescue bloke (40 years of dobes ) in the pet shop for ages and getting advice !!

good luck.. keep strong and remain ALPHA !!

dusuwho · 07-03-2008, 02:24 AM

Wow thanks all for your great advice. Actually thats clered up any confusion I had.

Thanks Voodoo I will remain ALPHA as best I can..........

**berkshire** · 07-03-2008, 06:32 AM

I think it depends on the dog and the handler. I know some people that compete in obedience have dogs who act like old pros by 6 months - they have the correct 'heel' with eye contact, and a lovely 'front and finish'.

I'm a first time dog trainer, and I put in really long hours at school, so I don't get as much time as I'd like to train. Tucker's current level of education is not dog-dependent, it's owner-dependent. He's about 6.5 months old and he can sit, down, leave it, working on stand, and walks beautifully on a leash. It's not a heel, but he's very good in crowds. He knows the rules but occasionally gets distracted. Usually we can walk him on a flat collar unless we know there will be other dogs around - then all he wants to do is play. With the pinch collar, he remembers his job.

Ideally, I would like to have the following accomplished by the time he's a year old:
- better 'heel'
- straight sits and downs
- 100% recall
- sit/down as a 'drop on recall'

I want to start competing him in Rally Obedience when he's around 18 months - the ultimate goal is Obedience trials, rather than Rally, but that looks like a fun way to start.

I think any puppy can accomplish a lot. But training is a skill that has to be developed, and I'm a novice. It's all about making sure you have good resources to help develop your skills.

dusuwho · 07-03-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berkshire

I think it depends on the dog and the handler. I know some people that compete in obedience have dogs who act like old pros by 6 months - they have the correct 'heel' with eye contact, and a lovely 'front and finish'.

I'm a first time dog trainer, and I put in really long hours at school, so I don't get as much time as I'd like to train. Tucker's current level of education is not dog-dependent, it's owner-dependent. He's about 6.5 months old and he can sit, down, leave it, working on stand, and walks beautifully on a leash. It's not a heel, but he's very good in crowds. He knows the rules but occasionally gets distracted. Usually we can walk him on a flat collar unless we know there will be other dogs around - then all he wants to do is play. With the pinch collar, he remembers his job.

Ideally, I would like to have the following accomplished by the time he's a year old:
- better 'heel'
- straight sits and downs
- 100% recall
- sit/down as a 'drop on recall'

I want to start competing him in Rally Obedience when he's around 18 months - the ultimate goal is Obedience trials, rather than Rally, but that looks like a fun way to start.

I think any puppy can accomplish a lot. But training is a skill that has to be developed, and I'm a novice. It's all about making sure you have good resources to help develop your skills.

Well that sounds reasonable to me. I'll try and aim for the same thing (did I say that out loud?) You're right about training being a skill. I'm learning as he is and I'm hoping we are both going to get better together.

In my opinion he's doing very well. However because of his crazy puppy brain he quite simply cannot be relied upon to respond, which I expect to a certain degree. I think as you say, 1 year old is a reasonable target to work towards for the time being. Although I may be pleasantly surprised!

RedDobieCHAMP · 07-03-2008, 08:18 AM

I use the pincher every time. Then I take it off when we get to the park so he can run and do his thing.

This way he knows, when the collar is on he is expected to behave.