Training hijinks

Gempress

Walks into Mordor
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
11,955
Likes
0
Points
0
#1
Just a lighthearted thread here. What is the funniest/oddest training moment you've had? Did you get an unexpected outcome from your methods? Did your dogs outsmart you? Or was it just one of those days?

Here's mine:

With my old golden retreiver, Tigger, we always had her in front of us when we positioned her in a "sit". From then on, she always sat directly in front of us. She could be across the yard, but would come running to sit directly in front of us when we said "sit". Although it made our attempt at teaching her "heel" into a total disaster, we didn't bother teaching her a formal recall. ;)

My rott/husky mix Odin had a bad habit of chewing inapproriate items, like shoes, furniture, etc. Whenever we caught him with something in his mouth he shouldn't have, we'd tell him "drop it". When he dropped it, we would give him praise, a treat and an appropriate chew toy. Well...the little sneak started deliberately stealing items he wasn't allowed to chew! He'd prance right up to us with something in his mouth, wait for us to say "drop it" and expect his treat. Needless to say, we had to change our training methods on that one. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:

jess2416

Who woulda thought
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
22,560
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
45
Location
NC
#2
lol :D cute stories...

Chloe knows "down" all too well, we were in petsmart and I was talking on the phone to someone, and I said something blah blah blah DOWN, and she laid in the middle of the aisle and would NOT move lol
 

Brattina88

Active Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
12,958
Likes
6
Points
38
Location
OH
#3
lol... that's cute!

When I was in training class with Missy, we were all teaching "bed" - get on your bed and lay down as a group. I was struggling, because Missy wasn't understanding what I wanted the way we were teaching. The teacher came over, and we started to brainstorm different training ideas for "bed", I wasn't agreeing, and said so. She said something blah blah blah toss a treat on the bed and say bed, but I didn't like that too well so I said something about standing right next to the bed with her at my side, I pointed and said "on your bed" to demonstrate how I would guide her with hand signals, and then begin to increase distance like we were talking about.
Missy heard that part and went to her bed and laid down. We both stood there open mouthed. I called her off of the bed and did it again... she went to the bed and laid down :eek: we couldn't understand it :D it was great

Maddie always dips her head when I give the "stay" comand. She drops her head in a sort of a recognition that she understands she's not supposed to move. It's weird :p Her new agility trainer was demonstrating with Maddie in front of the class. She put her in a sit stay and walked toward the first jump, but as soon as she said it I muttered aloud "She's not listening" because she didn't dip her head. Sure enough, when she turned her back Maddie started to walk around. So she tried it again and again, and she looked at me because she couldn't understand why Maddie wasn't listening to her. I told the lady standing next to me to watch for the head bob. We were murmering and stiffling laughs that the trainer couldn't even get the dogs to listen. The teacher told her to sit, and gave the signal and command for "stay" , no head bob. I said "Maddie, you better Stay" she didn't look at me (her back was to me) or anything, but we all saw, and omitted a couple of giggles when she ducked her head and listened from there on out.
:D
 

tinksmama

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
268
Likes
0
Points
0
#4
Don't know if this qualifies...but I learned how to get TInkerbell to sing... I sat down to practice my inept piano playing,and she started off howling- now every time I hit the keys and say sing,she does! I guess if I can get her to recognize the 'sing' without the keys,it'll be a real trick!
 

Babyblue5290

Happy Meal. Yum.
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
16,079
Likes
0
Points
0
#5
When I tought Lucas to close doors with his nose and drawers and things like that. I was doing laundry and I bent down to take the clothes out of the dryer. As I was bent down the door slams shut on me! Hit me right in the face! :p lol I get up, a little shocked, and see Lucas sitting there looking at me like "Where is my treat?" lol He seemed so proud of himself :rolleyes:
 

silverpawz

No Sugar Added
Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
587
Likes
0
Points
0
#6
I always praised Bear a TON when he brought me things as a puppy. My thinking was that if I teach him it's super fun to bring me stuff he'll be less likely to end up with any resource guarding problems.

Well...it worked. A little too well. He brings me EVERYTHING. If I drop a pencil he's all over it in nanoseconds and brings it right back to me. Slippers, remote controls, pieces of paper, kleenex from the waste basket, and anything else he can fit in his mouth is fair game.

He never chews anything, just gently holds onto it and sits in front of me with a proud look on his face, so happy to show me his prize.

I swear, that dog is giving me something about twenty times a day. I've been trying to channel it into something useful now so I've taught to get certain items on command. I never have to worry about finding my remote anymore. Bear is on the job.
 

Roxy's CD

Active Member
Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
3,016
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Ontario, Canada
#7
The only thing I can really think of not working out like it was supposed to was teaching Hades "leave it".

It was so cute, because he picked it up so quick, and he would actually avoid the food by getting up and moving he understood so well.

Although at times we'd offer him treats and he would NEVER take a treat or crumb off the ground and for awhile it took some coaxing to even take treats from our hand :eek:! LOL

Silly poochie :)
 
Joined
Apr 19, 2006
Messages
7,402
Likes
0
Points
0
#8
I love this thread, reading all the stories is really giving me a chuckle:D
Here's one that comes to mind..

Sophie comes to class periodically to demo behaviors, she especially loves puppy school because she really gets to show off. We usually have the same routine. Mike brings Sophie to class for the last 1/2 hour and I run through a pretty standard routine. Her demo typically goes like this.

Sophie comes front and I show how to brush her, clean her eyes and ears, brush her teeth, clip and dremal her nails then I run her through about 40 (or so) behaviors. At the very end I finish with a few goofy tricks as we usually have children in class and finally I have her take a bow, go and get a reward and find her "place" to lay down.

This particular day, I had taken her through the grooming portion, she'd done her behaviors and then her tricks.....then someone asked a question... Sophie sat in front of me so patiently while I blabbed on and on trying to make sure I gave a thorough answer. Well, I must have been about 3-4 minutes into my "long winded" answer when Sophie got up, took a bow, helped herself to her reward and went to lie down.

I just about wet myself. She had gone through this "show" so many times...she knew how it ended..and apparently, most importantly when it should end. My apprentice and the Vet were there too and they could not believe their eyes.
 

Gempress

Walks into Mordor
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
11,955
Likes
0
Points
0
#9
Heh, these stories are great.

And I can't believe I forgot this one....

My sister and I taught Tigger to pick up our dirty socks and put them in the hamper. She learned a little too well. My dog became sock obsessed! When we folded the laundy, we were continually having to thwart Tigger's attempts to steal the clean socks and put them in the hamper. If you took too long in putting your shoes on, Tigger would grab the socks and run off with them. It was crazy! It took us much longer to break her of the habit than it did to teach it to her in the first place.

A brilliant idea gone awry...
 
Joined
Apr 19, 2006
Messages
7,402
Likes
0
Points
0
#10
Gempress said:
Heh, these stories are great.

And I can't believe I forgot this one....

My sister and I taught Tigger to pick up our dirty socks and put them in the hamper. She learned a little too well. My dog became sock obsessed! When we folded the laundy, we were continually having to thwart Tigger's attempts to steal the clean socks and put them in the hamper. If you took too long in putting your shoes on, Tigger would grab the socks and run off with them. It was crazy! It took us much longer to break her of the habit than it did to teach it to her in the first place.

A brilliant idea gone awry...
Hilarious! I can just picture it.:D :D LOL
 

Citrus007

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
742
Likes
0
Points
0
#11
Gempress said:
Just a lighthearted thread here. What is the funniest/oddest training moment you've had? Did you get an unexpected outcome from your methods? Did your dogs outsmart you? Or was it just one of those days?

Here's mine:

With my old golden retreiver, Tigger, we always had her in front of us when we positioned her in a "sit". From then on, she always sat directly in front of us. She could be across the yard, but would come running to sit directly in front of us when we said "sit". Although it made our attempt at teaching her "heel" into a total disaster, we didn't bother teaching her a formal recall. ;)
My dog does that too? She won't do it there but will ocme over. Its still early so I'm going to try to change it. Also when I say down she rolls right onto her back for a belly rub because she knows she gets praise for doing well.
 

RD

Are you dead yet?
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
15,572
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
34
Location
Ohio
#12
When Dakota was younger, we went to obedience class regularly to demonstrate. Dakota was usually really good, but this one time there was an ACD in class and that dog was doing his very best to outdo Dakota. When Dakota realized that someone was giving him competition, he went berserk. He would stop in the middle of everything to crouch and stare at that dog. He was soooo jealous that he was being outdone.

I had a quick chat with him and told him to shape up or that other dog was going to beat him... I don't think we've ever had a better night at OB class. He was absolutely perfect.

At the end of class, Dakota kept his eye on the other dog and as soon as he was released from his sit-stay, he went over and HIKED HIS LEG on the ACD.

It was so embarrassing and hilarious at the same time. Dakota really is convinced that he's the top dog.
 

StillandSilent

Active Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
2,550
Likes
0
Points
36
#13
RD- I'll give you one better. I trained spaniel mix for our shelter. He was very dominant. The first class, he hiked his leg on the trainer! I about died, but Perry just turned around an marched off. Evil little bugger
As far as my own dogs go, my Radar went to a group training class at petsmart. He weighs around 12lbs. There was a very large Rott in the class. Everytime the Rott so much as looked at Radar, Radar would scream like he was being killed. Then the entire store would look at us. The dog never so much as took a step toward Radar, but that didn't change things. Much as I love my little guy, I will admit that he is quite the weenie.
 
Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
94,266
Likes
3
Points
36
Location
Where the selas blooms
#14
Brattina, Missy was just trying to get you to understand that SHE doesn't need to be talked to like a dog - You ask your German Shepherd, please and thank you :D I got taught that one early :rolleyes:

When Purdue was five years old I got hit with myasthenia gravis and just did not have the strength to be pulled and tugged on by His Exuberance, so we went to obedience school.

It was an unmitigated balls-up. The instructor had a Belgian, HATED German Sheps with an unconcealed passion, and hated Purdue in particular. The dog we were next to in the little tiny room had lunged at me and Purdue got between us and snarled - like he should. Well, she marched up to me, waggled her finger right in my face and started yelling at me about what a horrible dog he was and how I should put him to sleep. So he snarled at her too. So did I, for that matter, lol!

For the rest of the six weeks, she wouldn't let us do any of the exercises that involved being around the other dogs. Not a single time. The other dog who started the ruckus bit the Sheltie and had the temerity to try to bully the Irish Wolfhound pup, but she never said a word about him.

The night of the final exam we had another trainer doing the final evaluations. Of course, Purdue and I had to go last :rolleyes: I made use of the time to sit down and talk to Poo, nose to snout (the first of many :D) and explain to him that he knew how to do all of this stuff and he should make a fool out of the snide bitch.

When his turn came to do all of those exercises that he'd never been allowed to practice even one time he did every single one of them letter perfect. He got the top marks in the class and I heard the evaluating trainer remark that he was more in sync with me than any other dog he'd ever witnessed.

Someone got a big ol' steak for dinner.

And someone else learned the value of talking to her dog
 

Brattina88

Active Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
12,958
Likes
6
Points
38
Location
OH
#15
Renee750il said:
Brattina, Missy was just trying to get you to understand that SHE doesn't need to be talked to like a dog - You ask your German Shepherd, please and thank you :D I got taught that one early :rolleyes:

...


And someone else learned the value of talking to her dog
No doubt! I only wish I would've realized it sooner! Instead of telling commands like everyone else was doing in class I realized that if I talked to her like I do at home, regardless of where we are, I'm going to get the best results.
For the longest time she would not sit when we were doing loose leash walking with sits at stops. She just stood still, I'm guessing she really didn't see a reason to sit - and I agreed with her! So, we were walking (and she does that so well :D ) and when I stopped I casually said "Sit, please" not even expecting her to sit (I know, I know, I wasn't being a very good trainer lol) and to everyones sureprise she sat. Without thinking I said "Thank you" and we went on our way :D
 
Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
94,266
Likes
3
Points
36
Location
Where the selas blooms
#18
The funniest one was little Bimmer. He was playing Hellspawn one day, pinching me on the butt, running amok, yanking clothes out of the hamper and "decorating," TPing the house, just creating general mayhem. It was the only time he ever acted like that and I couldn't take anymore as I was trying to work on a case. I finally just looked at him, exasperated, after telling him to sit, to lie down, to go to bed, etc. and asked him, "Just where are your manners?"

He plopped that little butt right down in front of me and looked at me with that smarty-grin of his as if to ask what took me so long :eek:

He has done that ever since, and he even taught Buffy, Shiva and Kharma to do the same thing :)
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top