Here's...Wally!
April 17th 2009 17:53
Since Wally is my first dog ever, I've been trying to absorb a lot with dog training. Actually, he's not my dog, technically speaking (he's my mother's) but I watch him and spend time with him and train him.
We've made progress, but I'm sure there are things I'm doing wrong, could do better, and opportunities I'm missing in helping him develop.
About Wally
He's a nearly 2 year old Coton de Tulear. He'll be two in late May. He's been here nine months now and, based on what I've been told from my mother and her friend (who brought Wally to her), his life up to that point wasn't the best.
He has some fearful tendencies, but they are much less than they were. Mostly it's dogs and new objects that make him either anxious to scared. He's not aggressive - he'd rather run away to live another day!
My Training Method
I'm trying my best to be a Positive Reinforcement trainer using a clicker as the bridge in communication between us. He understands the clicker and that it means he's done something I like and to expect his reward. He's learned some tricks and behaviors so it seems this is the way to go with him. Helps that he's HIGHLY food motivated. Highly.
Although I use the clicker - not always. My voice gets paired with a reward also - so it's like I always have it with me (unless I lose my voice!). Also, it's mainly for teaching a new behavior. Once learned and reliable - the clicker goes away, though he still gets some reward for the performance.
Any corrections are Negative Punishment where he just loses whatever he could have had. An example, if he jumps on me uninvited - I walk away. He loses the interaction with me. I don't use any physical punishments. The most physical I'll get is sometimes resetting him into position, but even then since he know targeting, I use that instead.
So enjoy my (mis)adventures and feel free to comment (tastefully) and discuss (civilly)
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