Alvin (The Terrible) SEZ:
As in the two previous posts* about "Pigs Fly" dogs (When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs), this post describes the application of a "Pigs Fly" technique.
Name Recognition is particularly difficult for a "Pigs Fly" dog because they're so intent on doing whatever they want to do versus what YOU want them to do. For example, when Alvin the Terrible is guarding his goughnuts, he would not recognize ANY command nor respond to his name.
What's An Owner To Do When Even The Dog Ignores YOU??
Buy the When Pigs Fly! book.
Read It.
Use it.
If this reads like a See Dick and Jane kid's book- then you got the message - it's really that simple.
Alvin needed to learn name recognition.
Got to get a dogs attention before training starts. So, according to the technique presented in the book, we did the Name - Click - Treat routine several times a day for three days.
Same thing for bro Simon - but out of Alvin's hearing range.
Now both dogs respond to their names - their heads jerk toward the sound - and they come running. Even better - each dog knows his own name. When I request both dogs to stay and say "Simon, Okay" to release him from the stay, Alvin stays. Amazing what a few training sessions will produce.
Obviously, name recognition is very important when you have more than one animal.
No More Complaining About The Dog Ignoring You!
Buy When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs
At Barnes & Noble's LOW price!
* Previous posts about When Pigs Fly! (How To Train A Dog):
http://designerpuppys.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-train-dog-when-pigs-fly-training.html
http://designerpuppys.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-train-dog-part-ii-starting.html
