Training Books

[Bounty]

Can anyone recommend me a good training book (or books!) to help me overhaul my Sprollie's behaviour?

It MUST be a training system that works on respect/trust and not dominance though, as Trooper is the most ridiculously scared dog that ever lived, which is where I've come unstuck with him. I never trained our others by being particularly stern with them, but the methods that have worked with them really aren't working with him!

All help gratefully received!

 

[CAYLA]

Down load sit, stay, fetch, is pretty basic, but covers alot.

 

[Goya]

can you find a training class near you. ask at your vets, they usually can reccomend a good one.

 

[Bounty]

Thanks - I should elaborate. He can do sit, down, stay, fetch, come, paw etc as long as the situation is calm and free of pressure; it's just that it all goes out the window when he finds a situation stressful.
Seeing as he is scared of strangers, other dogs, going for walks, travelling........ (you get the picture!) it makes for a lot of occasions where I lack control

If you speak sternly to him he either p*sses off at high speed or crawls to me, shaking, as though he has just had a hiding

I have never hit him, let alone beat him, so I don't know where this behaviour comes from. He doesn't get tirades of verbal abuse either, BTW!

Our other dogs have all been really well behaved, but with him it is so hard. When teaching him something new, even if he thinks he has got it wrong he will go into the ultra-submissive behaviour.

I just don't know where to start with helping him become a 'normal' dog?

 

[CAYLA]

LOL, it's noting to do with the teaching of sit, stay and fetch,, it's just the name of the book, but u can down load, it has a lot of case studies for deifferent scenarios, it's covers basically everything, from fear to aggression e,t,c

 

[Bounty]

LOL! It was the title followed by you saying that it was 'pretty basic' that confuzzled me!

You haven't said that you think Trooper is a lost cause after me confessing his quirks, so maybe there is hope!

 

[CAYLA]

A few of the case studies may help, he sounds like he has some nervous issues, it's always best to ignore and not make the situation, a huge deal, u can be assertive without being harsh or getting angry.

I have a nervous little rescue in, he freaks out, when passing dogs, as im not a distract with treats e,t,c, I ignore his attempts to cling to my leg, and pull him straight on, he now knows, I will not stop, and pander to him, he just stays close to my leg, looking to me for guidance, I simply say HEEL, and give him a quick check to keep him close with the leash, then praise him, once we have passed.

 

[Bossdog]

A top tip is not to be very affectionate when he appears scared or nervous, it just reinforces to him that something is wrong... just act like nothing is wrong, and he will believe you. I have just finsihed Cesar Millams "Be the pack leader" and he has some great tips for nervous dogs that don't involve "dominance", it's just about being a calm assertive leader, someone that the dog can trust. God, I sound like a totally hippy, it's really not that bad... I was sceptical when I first started reading it (I'm not into the whole dominanace thing either

) but I was surprised at how simple the whole calm-assertive thing is. Plus you don't need any special equipment, treats, clickers or anything. Sorry I'm waffling but I've been converted!

 

[LynneB]

Jan Fennel is another who does not work by using forceful measures either. She was on tv as the Dog Listener. I worked with one of her associates when dealing with Bailey's issues. Not sure if she has a book though I assume she must have.

 

[Bounty]

Thanks Breeze_mum, will investigate Jan Fennel

Jules - just as well you recommended that book as I would NEVER have picked it up otherwise - the title is really offputting to me for some reason! Will have a look though, seeing as it has managed to convert you

Cala - I don't tend to gush over him while he is panicking anyway, if anything because he panics about EVERYTHING! Even giving him his 'spot on' flea stuff is a battle as he sees the packet and panics