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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
When not coordinating trainers for MAGDRL (Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League), Tressa Everts has been saving dog owners from their dogs for thirteen years.
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[Edit]
6/1/2004
I have an eight year old German Shephard I got from rescue.
I took her to training class not to long ago and she did great!
Once we were home though, forget about it. She went right back to ignoring
every command I give her. Why is it that she is stellar is class, and a jerk at home? (julia, Maryland)
What you need to remember is that dogs are conditional learners. Your pet has learned that
it's in her best interest to listen in class and in class only. It is not uncommon for
dogs to be great in class and then act like a jerk at home.
Start by "working" your dog at home during every commercial. Do very basic exercises
to start and then work up to more difficult commands. Once she has mastered the "sit"
command in your home, then start working her outside in an area with little or no
distractions. If you are not all ready doing so I would begin her on the Nothing in Life
is Free (NILIF) Program. Also - keep her in classes at least once or twice a year, as
it will help you to maintain a positive outlook on training.
Remember that training
is supposed to be fun for both you and your dog, so don't train when you're in a bad mood,
and if you start to get frustrated stop.
My dog is approaching 2 years old and acting out in ways that is driving me crazy.
She used to be well trained
, but now I feel like she doesn't remember my voice!
Is there something I'm doing wrong at this point in her life to make her feel this way??
Or is this something dogs just go through? (JayRu, California)
At two years of age your dog is probably just reaching her mental maturity.
In the wild, this is when wolves begin to fight to gain pack status or leave.
This is your pets way of trying to raise her status in your home. You're not alone in this,
it's a very common behavior.
As I don't know what breed of dog she is, I can't
give you specific advise, but a general guideline would be to get her back into a
class ASAP, and start the NILIF program to establish yourself as pack leader.
Remember "Unless you're the lead dog, the view never changes". She's trying to become
the lead dog in your household.
How can I teach my dog to let me know when he needs to go out? (jordan, Maryland)
This is actually easier than one might assume. Buy some sort of bell and hang it from a
ribbon on your door knob. Every time you take the dog outside to relieve himself -
take his paw and have him nudge the bell until it rings. As soon as he rings the bell
open the door and take him outside. It will take some time, but he'll get it.
The added bonus is that you won't have claw marks on your door
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