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Puppy training ?

5387 Views 26 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Scully, 
Basset Momma
Frodo is having a hard time in obedience class… the trainer says he is just timid and bashful… but the little booger isn’t cooperating. We have mastered “sit” and “watch me” pretty consistently now… but I cannot get a down for the life of me! He’ll sit and dip his head down… but the rest of him won’t follow no matter how I maneuver the treat. He won’t take treats in class…. No matter what we try- spits on them… or worse rolls around on the treat like he is putting on perfume! The trainer laughs so hard saying she has never seen that and trying to video it… I’m afraid he is going to be the class clown! He will take the biljac PB and Nana treats at home sometimes but not in class. He has refused all offerings including a beef rawhide in school! He walks loose leash well so we are progressing… but I am stumped on finding a way to reward him enough for cooperation! Today for his homework I sliced up fresh baked ham into pieces… worked well for a “sit” but no go on “down”- Any ideas for treats or training? The pitbulls in his class get it on the first try… but not my boy! I’m going to have to get a bumper sticker that says my basset failed puppy obedience school:rolleyes:
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I find the "under the leg" trick works well. Bassets are usually difficult when teaching the "down" - surprising, since that seems to be their favorite position the rest of the time!:D

Have you tried cooked liver? My dogs will do backflips for that.
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My most recent picky eater was not overfed. Sailor was extremely lean, but at the best of times didn't care much about food and is stressed would stop eating altogether. The cure for him turned out to be to reduce his food further until he was cleaning his bowl at every meal. In his case the food had to be reduced to 1/4 cup, which is a very tiny amount for a dog his size. But with such a small amount he actually became hungry and would quickly clean his bowl for which I was able to praise him. During the time that I gradually increased his food he got into the habit of eating his food right away, reinforced by attention and praise and sometimes a special treat once the bowl was clean. Now he eats well and doesn't look like a poster dog for third world Bassets.

Stress is definitely another factor. Leila would get stressed in class and in the ring to the point that she was literally "not there" at which point she was totally incapable of even hearing what I was saying. She is gradually improving.
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