your clicker!’
she sternly demanded. In a sentence we were relegated to the bottom of the class. Ellie sat under the chair as the other star pupils performed.
Sit, click, treat
Down, click, treat
Stand, click, treat.
Okay for thicko’s we both thought, we’re a world apart from these bozos.
‘Get the flavour of the treat in your hand, work in well so the dog can smell the treat, then swop hands!’ Ellie needless to say wasn’t having any of this Magic Circle mysticism. She knew, just knew.
She looked at me with eyes that said
‘You’re having a larf, pull the other one! This game is for the mutts not for the aristo’s of the canine fraternity!’
Then went back under the seats feigning disinterest and complete and utter distain. Even when Boudicca tried to get her to stand she shuffled her bum along the floor in order to get the treat but to not actually do as requested... STAND.
‘Collie’s always do this!’ she said by way of her get out of jail free card. Walking away to the more dozy do as you’re told dogs... click!
All in all not a rip roaring success.
We came away feeling washed out and in need of a drink. I strongly suspect Boudicca is feeling the same; too pooped to even give the blades on her chariot a little light buff up with Brillo!?!
My darling sister in law used to call the tough ones "Mrs. Cavalchek." "You're a tough one Mrs. Cavalchek," she used to say. Just offhand, I think she'd say the same to Ellie.
ReplyDeleteTough nut to crack and an intelligent one too.
DeleteLX
I suggest that you find a good simple book or website re dog training and do it yourself! As for clickers.....I know ( and have known) many dog owners and no one uses them ! As someone commented on one of your posts.....what happens when you forget to take the clicker? Good luck !
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t agree more, as you say there aren’t many people you see using one. Love and patience I think is the way forward.
DeleteLX
You have to love a dog with a mind of its own! When we did training classes with our dog the trainer told us the most important command is wait. The dog has to stop on command of wait. Fortunately its about the only command our dog does obey. She told us to use it to make the dog stop instantly. For purposes of stopping a dog from running out on a road for example. Other than that he will sit and give us a paw and roll over (granddaughter taught him that one!) but all the others - not a chance! He comes when he's called, sometimes, and usually just meanders over in his own time hence he rarely gets off the lead unless we're in a really safe place. I think training is good to get things going but we only went for a few sessions as we weren't really getting on much further and he was doing enough to keep us happy and clearly we were doing enough to keep him happy too! I think you'll get there eventually one way or another! x
ReplyDeleteMarksgran has it exactly! My dog stops when I shout "stop" and comes back for a treat. He also comes back when I use the whistle or call ( mostly) and will sit, lie down, roll over and give a paw! He doesn't jump up at people and I think that is all that is required...coming back being the most important . I trained him to come back to the whistle in about 5 minutes......stood in the kitchen with some ham and cheese......blew the whistle and gave him a treat. He soon cottoned on! Just any old whistle will do. I bought 5 for about a £1 on Amazon...one for each coat pocket or wherever. ( cost 3 times as much for P & P !)
ReplyDelete