Dog Training

[cassa333]

If you had a puppy, say a labrador type, how long would it generaly take to professionaly train or self train them out of chewing footballs that they happen to see being kicked around the park?

Thank you

[FredPuli43]

"If"? Have you got one? I'm guessing that you have.How old is the pup? Does he (or she) come when called? If not, you'll get nowhere. Does he play fetch? If not , you'll get almost nowhere. A simple book on puppy training will show you how to achieve both quickly.

Basic rule is that the dog will do whatever it finds attractive. So, if, for example, it won't come when called from some delightful sniffing you have to make what you offer more attractive than the sniff! Same applies to footballs . With puppies this is easier than with older dogs.All are born with something of their chase and hunt instinct and moving footballs arouse both.

Go equipped with favourite toy(s). Always make a big fuss of the pup when he comes and always call in excited tones for good things, so he associates the tone of voice with happy rewards. Now for the footballs. Have him on a lead, As soon as he sees, and just as he starts to look interested in, one, say NO! in a firm voice,reinforcing that with a slight tug on the lead so he has your attention. Repeat No! Then pause briefly, distract him, with the toy and praise when he is distracted, and lead him away a bit. You are trying to build the image in his mind that you are more attractive than the unwanted behaviour, it is better and more rewarding not to do it. He should lose interest given time and repetition. He wants to please you, too, though that may not be obvious ! The gruff No! is less pleasant than the distracted praise and toy,and he knows which option pleases you

Off the lead the tactics are the same, but you can distract him as soon as he shows interest by showing the toy and throwing it some short distance, so he comes to that , he remembering the established preference, Then hold him and praise.

How long does it take? If you stop it when it starts, almost no time. Once he has the behaviour established, it takes longer, but with a pup it still shouldn't take long; you have to be persistent and consistent.

[cassa333]

Hi,

No I don't have a dog.

The reason I ask is because a labrador puppy (that we didn't know) came bounding up and punctured our football. The person who owns the dog that did it did a bit of a runner but later realised it was my sons ball (I wasn't with them my husband was) and has basicly said it's a puppy, it's in training.

All I would like to know is how long would you expect it to take to train?

[woofgang]

that's a piece of string question...how good is the owner? how much time are they putting into the training? how smart and willing is the pup? what are they trying to train it to do. For many dogs a moving football, especially if accompanied by moving shouting humans is going to be a pretty irresistible temptation...I probably wouldn't have my dog off the lead around that situation.

[FredPuli43]

In training for what? Chelsea FC ? The owner ought to be carrying out what the trainer, if there is one,has said, not just standing and watching. The pup should be on a lead until it has got it into its head that it's not to chase any football. It's a Lab, which is bred to be obedient to commands and to learn quite quickly. Labrador retrievers were bred as gundogs;are still used as such; which means that they should soon learn only to run and retrieve on command. Still, that does explain why this one is chasing and picking up!

[RATTER15]

If I had a puppy! It would never do that as the opportunity would not arise. I would not let the dog in an area where people are playing ball until it was trained to re-call.

[RATTER15]

Some people would train the dog in just a couple of hours, others would take months, many would fail and give up.

How long is a piece of string?

[lankeela]

My first GSD used to do that. Cost me a small fortune in fivers given to the lads to buy a new ball. Subsequent dogs were trained to recall so no more problems.

[firewatch]

still trying ad hes 7 months old, and only listens to my hubby.