Inadvertent double commands. - Page 1

I'm having a problem, and not quite sure how to stop it.

My 4 year old, consistently needs a second command for the jump and wall.  Usually body language by way of a bump of my knee, a slight dip of my body, or else he needs to me staring into my eyes for the 'hup' command to work.  An 'ok' also will get him to go.

I now have noticed my younger boy starting to do the same.

I can't  for the life of me, see what I am doing wrong.  I realize I started this behavior, but don't know how it began, or how to stop it.  Same for the retrieve.  He'll at times make a move like he's going to start, then settle back down awaiting my 'knee bump'.

How can I change my behavior to make him understand only the 'hup/bring command' is needed?

Becky,

Your right about you creating this behavior.   Try not even looking at the dog when giving command's, control yourself and make no movement's only voice.  Wait it out and don't be impatient.   Praise a correct responce but don't over do it.   Corrrect the dog if it refuse's to obey but again don't over do it, remember your correcting your mistake.   It just sound's like your not being patient and not consistant in your command's.

I'm sure a better trainer than myself could give you better advice but my best advice is no emotion, patience, and consistancy.

Good luck with it.

Brent.

I had a similar thing happen with my female, and couldn't figure out why it was happening. Why wouldn't she move out on the hup command or on the bring command for the flat retrieve. Took a while to figure it out, but I finally did. Have you had trouble with your dog leaving for the retrieve before or as you are throwing the dumbell? Did you spend a lot of time reinforcing SIT SIT SIT while you were preparing to throw? That was my problem. The dog was so programmed to sit while I throw the dumbbell out, and I had corrected her for leaving too soon too often, that she decided to avoid the whole correction and not go. It was actually a very easy fix, once I figured out why she needed an extra command, and a whole bunch of body language from me. I changed to command to OKAY! with a happy voice, lots of ball reward! then over the next week or so, I began lowering the volume of Okay, and began swapping the correct command, hup or bring. It worked like a charm. I was so glad that was an easy fix for us.

Thanks to the both of you. Deeswolf, he does go on an ok, so I'll try your exchange for awhile. The hup command has most likely been mis-trained by me, and leaving off of it for awhile, just might do the trick.

Twomoons, yes, I can get impatient. I try very hard not too, but fail at times. I'll 'wait it out' longer.  He has a good sit, and I've never realy had to reinforce to strenuously, so I doubt that's his problem.

When he doesn't go, should I walk away, resit him, then try again? Or should I remain in the same place and repeat the command? I was also wandering if not sitting him first, just allowing him to jump would also help. He has begun to dislike this excersize because of the confusion. Would upping his drive first, bring back the joy he once had in jumping?

Thanks

I have one dog who is very strong willed and I've noticed lately giving another command because she hesitate's and is telling me she's gonna do it just on her term's..    What really kills me is if I have a treat she will move so fast she's almost a blur.   She's spoiled and has such a personality I let her get away with it.  I think she's training me..LOL