Ok all, I have a new baby. Her name is Sadie, and she's a 4 month old Lab.

Pictures & other info here.

She's a smart pup, but I am not the best dog trainer in the world.

I have a couple of questions for the LAB experts.

1. I know Labs are social dogs and need to be with people. She is going to be an outside dog (most of the time). I will bring her in during bad weather of course. Is it a bad idea to bring her in at night to sleep? She does REALLY good. No messes in the morning, and she lays at the foot of the bed all night, and goes out in the morning to potty, no problem, but I don't want her used to coming in the house. When the back door opens, I don't want her darting in the house. Any tips on training her to know when she can come in, and when she cant? I am sure she will learn in time. I just don't want her to get discouraged...know what I mean? This whole weekend she didn't try to dart in the house, and just stayed at the door. But, I brought her in last night to sleep, and now she wants in, and will knock you down trying to get in.

~ALSO~

2. Is "NO" a bad word to use when training. For example, if she goes to fetch a ball, but doesn't bring it back (she sometimes runs to the ball, but doesn't pick the ball up, and comes back without it)...I don't want her to confuse "no" with doing something incorrect and something wrong ("bad girl"). No means she is in trouble...what is a good word for "No, Sadie, that's not right"?


She is a WONDERFUL pup. I want her to be as happy as possible, but at the same time, I don't want her to be a lil heathen like my wife's Shih Tzu. The little A-Hole.

I am searching GooGle for tips, but I cant find anything on these 2 specific topics.

Thanks a Million in advance.

 

Get something for it to chew on... They love to chew... Nice dog...

 

My sister had a dog they trained to not go out (inside dog) unless otherwise instructed too. He would sit there at the open door untill you told him it was ok. Even if there was a chasable critter in the yard. So, it can be done. I'm not sure how she trains her dogs though. I would suggest training her to sit and stay first, then work on leaving the door open and training her not to come in.

 

The absolute key to training dogs is to use praise verses punishment to train. If you are serious about it you might want to talk to a pro trainer or at least get a book.

 

Thanks all.

Like I mentioned, she is VERY smart, and I have a feeling it will not be too hard to train her. She is already learning a few simple things. It will all come in time.

I think I have a few ideas, just wondering what tools you all have used to train your dogs. I have a basic idea on the simple stuff (sit, stay, heel, etc), but the inside/outside is gonna be the TUFF ( ) part. I want her to know that she can only come inside when invited. She was doing wonderful all weekend long. I brought her in to sleep with us last night, and she did great. When I went out to tell her bye before leaving for work.....she almost ran me down trying to get back in the house. SO, I think I might have confused her.

Do I need to let her stay outside for awhile and get used to yard before bringing her in to sleep? It's tough, because, believe it or not, I have a big heart, and I dont like to see her sad. At night when we go to bed, she wants to be with me, and barks all night. So, I let her in, and she was fine. I think I am just as confused as Sadie.

 

Repetition and time will get things straight. My lab is an inside dog unless we are at the lake (then he is a water dog). When he has to go out he simply goes to the door and waits for someone to let him out. If we dont he barks.
He learned that as soon as he was big enough to walk around the house. He was more comfortable going outside.
In your case she will eventually learn that at night she comes in and during the day she is out. Just dont confuse her by letting her in during the day if she barks or anything like that. Thats how you create those dogs that bark all damn day.

 

I know that dog. That's my neighbors dog.



thnx Eddy.

 

I think that he already has something...."like my wife's Shih Tzu. The little A-Hole."

Be consistant. Always be Consistant. Biggest thing is to be Consistant. They will learn. Have fun.
Jesse

 

I have some pictures of those two together....Miaghe (the A-Hole Shih Tzu) seems to be "boss". But Sadie is 5 times his size. Cracks me up.


I seem to have heard consistancy is the key, and it is a lot of work to train a dog....but I am having soooo much fun with her.

thnx rocketir (aka Jesse).

 

#2: You are going to confuse her with that tactic. She has no way to know why you said "No".

You should get a 6' leather(no, not a chain although a wide nylon one is OK) leash that is at least 1" wide and a training(no, don't call it a "choke" collar as you should never choke your dog; just a quick 'snap' of the leash/collar is all that is needed) collar(there is a 'right' and a 'wrong' way to put it on) and lead/encourage her back to the ball and try with excitement in your voice to get her to pick it up. You could pick up the ball and roll it around in front of her and then drop it in front of her to see if she get's the idea.

I can't emphasize enough getting that lead and collar. They are the main training pieces of equipment and she will learn that when you pick it up to put it on her, good things are about to happen....if you do it right; excitement, praise, petting, etc.

I obedience trained three dogs(Dalmatian-he and I went on to earn his CDX title and he was way on his way to getting his Utility title, a Rhodesian Ridgeback--CD title, and a Pitbull--no titles but she behaved like the 'lady' she was)) but I had to first learn how to teach them what they needed to do and to obey me.

Judge, our Dalmatian learned to obey hand signals--no voice from me allowed in the ring. One of his CDX exercises was to heel at my side around the ring, stop and sit, and then I'd give the signal to "stay" and I'd walk away from him for about 60' and turn and face him. Then when the CDX judge signalled me, I'd give the hand signal to "come". He would take off like a bullet, straight towards me, his eyes only on me. Then at some distance from me, the judge would signal(he/she wouldn't say a word either) me to "drop" my dog. I'd throw up my right arm and Judge would drop flat on the floor as though he had been shot, laying there(for up to a minute) watching me. Then the judge would give the signal to "call" your dog and he would race to me, sitting directly in front of me and then after a few seconds, I would signal him to go to the "heel" position beside me. The spectators would yell and clap at him because they could tell he loved what he was doing---Dalmatians have a "grin" when working at least the good ones do.

Here's some info to get you started.

Dan

 

Awesome .... thanks for the link,Dan.

 

My gf is a trainer i will ask her when she gets home for some tips.

 

I have a Lab names Harley that is 7 months old. The main thing we are working on is not jumping on people. He doesn't do it to my fiancee or myself, but does with new people. I'm not sure what to do with that. I kennel trained Harley so that's where he sleeps. That comes in real handy if you ever need to take him with you somewhere. He pretty much goes everywhere with us. Just be patient with the ball retrieving. It will come. Harley fetches/swims like a madman. Good luck with your dog!

 

try putting him on a leash when people come in the door... and teach him to sit when people enter... worked great for our 2

 

Hey Jamz, take a look at www.loveyourdog.com. Mainly for kids but some neat stuff.