dog training tips and questions

[ponytug]

Closed-risers on both front/rear stairs. Front steps are concrete and rear are wood (both are only 3 risers).

Tried toys, no workie. Also, see my other post about how he WILL climb the steps so he can come over and sit on the bench with me. I actually do this to get him to come up sometimes, but I don't want to have to go through this ritual all the time, obviously.

We haven't really done any leash training. He will semi-walk on the leash, but after a while, he will just stop and sit. In other words, very typical puppy behavior. Won't move, even if you drag him. So, the drill is, when he stops, go back and stand beside him, then start walking again, and he will follow. Rinse and repeat. Because this method seems to work, I think he would probably do well on a leash if we ever really practiced it with him.

As mentioned we haven't really done any leash training because he never leaves the property except to go to other family homes where he is inside. In the rare occasion we are outside and away from our home, he is on a leash for safety.

I have tried the stairs with a leash and he will just sit down and not move when he gets to the top/bottom step. If you try to move, you will just have to drag him, which obviously won't work.

I would be inclined to give it time. We have had animals that that grew up not around steps, or hills, or inclines, and had a hard time until they got used to them. For some, it was as if a switch flipped. They wouldn't do it, and then suddenly they were tearing up and down. The fact that he will come up a couple of steps is great. Perhaps he is worried about grip or heights, or... Looking at a flight of stairs from his perspective, how would you feel about a single 120' flight of stairs with no railing? I've been up and down a couple of those, and it certainly gets my adrenaline running.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Rockbadchild]

wow. Lots to think about in these posts. My thoughts?
1. E-collar is ok as a deterrent zap if necessary. But not to use as punishment.
I found the vibrate mode is all that's needed to get the dogs attention once she's
had a zap. I take the collar on and off randomly since I rarely carry the controller.
I'm getting good results either way.
2. Dog peeing. Sometimes not looking at the dog or trying to handle them, especially
if they are nervous or seems scared (of whatever). Might help. As stated in another post, put
their food at the bottom of the stairs. Go back inside and let the dog figure it out.
3. Don't sweat your GP or Shepherd barking etc at a strange person coming onto her
turf. As long as you can tell her to knock it off, she's doing what she is supposed to
be doing. I never scold my dog for doing her job. At least that's the way I look at my dog.
I want her to be "on guard" when at home. Inside and outside. At 11 months old, I'm not
disappointed in my dog in any way. She's a 70#+ pup and still learning

The thing someone here could help me with is....my dog doesn't warm up to other folks.
We live rural so she doesn't get to see a lot of people on a regular basis. When we take her to town
she's on lease and behaves really well. No charging or barking at people or other dogs.
But it took almost 2 days before she'd let my DIL's, G-kids or sons get close to her at
Christmas. She would shy away. UNLESS you squirt Cheese Whiz on your finger ......
is my dog a junk food junkie? Omg, what have I raised? I need her to be more relaxed
when it's obvious this is family or friends. Be more chill. Without resorting to Cheese Whiz etc

That's a tough one, not a quick one to fix by any means... I would say lots of positive exposure, some dogs are not people person, ask your guess to not crowd her or even pet her until she is ready, make the introduction outside, trying to force it (trying too hard) might just make things worse. Baby step reward the right thing. Good luck!!

 

[Rockbadchild]

One trick I do is when my dogs are on the hyper side because of lack stimulation (it happens on a busy or rainy day) we play search with their food portion, so instead of feeding them I take what I am suppose to give them and hide it inside the house all over at different spots a few gribble at a time, I have them searching for it and I keep putting some around behind them.


When playing/training, stop when the energy is high (before they are tired) that way you keep them interested for the next session.

 

[drssg]

He's a 2 year old Shih Tzu and he's only lived with us (since 3 months old). He's never been mistreated in any way we are always gentle with him. Not even harsh words.

We have no idea where this submissive/timidness comes from. No kids in the house, just wife and me. For some reason, the kitchen where his food dish is located, is scary to him. He will go in to eat/drink, but as soon as he's done, scurries out.

He LOVES treats, but he won't work for them. If you stand at the top of the stairs with a treat, he will just stand there and look at you.

Here's another weird thing: there is an alcove on the front porch with a bench. If you go over and sit on the bench, he will climb the 3 steps, run over and jump up on the bench to sit with you. But otherwise, he won't go up/down the stairs consistently.

If you hold him at the bottom step and put his front paws on the step, he will then go on up the steps. Same thing going down.

This is so strange. We've had four other Shih Tzu's and none of them had this problem with steps. Our other ones even went all the way up and down the basement stairs all the time, no problem.

Other than this bizarre issue, he is a wonderful little dog. Very sweet disposition, loves to play and be close. Is very good with other people (not timid at all). Never has "accidents" in the house (other than the little squirts when you pick him up). Doesn't bark a lot or have any other "bad" habits.

That's bizarre. I would have sworn this was a new dog. I got nothin'. Good luck!

 

[grsthegreat]

Can you get a friend to bring a similar sized dog over, let the dogs play. When the other dog goes down the steps, yours may follow.

I had some golden retrievers. The male loved swimming, but the female didnt like to get near the water. After several trips to lake the female kept watching the male swim, and she finally decided to try it. Afterwards she was a water hound.

 

[Runner]

Can you get a friend to bring a similar sized dog over, let the dogs play. When the other dog goes down the steps, yours may follow.

I had some golden retrievers. The male loved swimming, but the female didnt like to get near the water. After several trips to lake the female kept watching the male swim, and she finally decided to try it. Afterwards she was a water hound.

We have my Mother-in-law's Shih Tzu here for stayovers quite often. We take them out at the same time. So far, hasn't helped.

 

[grsthegreat]

That is very strange

 

[Rockbadchild]

He's a 2 year old Shih Tzu and he's only lived with us (since 3 months old). He's never been mistreated in any way we are always gentle with him. Not even harsh words.

We have no idea where this submissive/timidness comes from. No kids in the house, just wife and me. For some reason, the kitchen where his food dish is located, is scary to him. He will go in to eat/drink, but as soon as he's done, scurries out.

He LOVES treats, but he won't work for them. If you stand at the top of the stairs with a treat, he will just stand there and look at you.

Here's another weird thing: there is an alcove on the front porch with a bench. If you go over and sit on the bench, he will climb the 3 steps, run over and jump up on the bench to sit with you. But otherwise, he won't go up/down the stairs consistently.

If you hold him at the bottom step and put his front paws on the step, he will then go on up the steps. Same thing going down.

This is so strange. We've had four other Shih Tzu's and none of them had this problem with steps. Our other ones even went all the way up and down the basement stairs all the time, no problem.

Other than this bizarre issue, he is a wonderful little dog. Very sweet disposition, loves to play and be close. Is very good with other people (not timid at all). Never has "accidents" in the house (other than the little squirts when you pick him up). Doesn't bark a lot or have any other "bad" habits.

I am wondering if he is just playing dumb and/or lazy .... what happen if you leave him and ignore him at the bottom of the stairs for a while (10/15 minutes) ? I had a dachshund that was afraid of open stairs (no risers) we practices him on easier stairs then we let him down there until he figured it out... it didn't take him too long, we just ignored him and last thing I notice he was up, after that we had to coax him a bit.

 

[gstrom99]

I have a dog that won't climb/descend steps (even just three steps). Offers of food/treats don't seem to have any effect.

Any ideas?

One possability for stair issues is pain. Have a talk/exam with the vet.

 

[Runner]

I am wondering if he is just playing dumb and/or lazy .... what happen if you leave him and ignore him at the bottom of the stairs for a while (10/15 minutes) ?

I think that's pretty much it because, as mentioned, he can and does go up the stairs when he wants to (i.e., to sit on the bench with me).

If we just leave him down there, he will stand there and bark. I'm afraid to leave him out there too long because a cayote might decide to have him for lunch...