tokipoke

Is mine the exception? He seems so lazy and just bored with training. I've tried using new stinky treats. He seems interested but gives up so quickly. He sits, melts into the floor, flings his arms and stamps his feet, lies on his side and flails around. I guess this is him venting his frustration. Maybe I'm just not a great dog trainer, but it's hard to get him motivated and in the right direction.

I've been trying to teach him how to hold an object and eventually drop it in a basket. I understand this must be broken down into steps so just focusing on him taking an object and holding it in his mouth, if only briefly. I know he understands this command because he will do it with empty water bottles, a hat, and new, random objects, but when I introduce this one rubber ball that has holes in it, he refuses to even mouth it. I don't understand this. I've been watching some videos on training dogs to hold objects and they seem so focused and intent on pleasing - Leroy... not so much. When he seems frustrated I just go back to what he knows - taking the objects in his mouth that he likes. Then ending with his sit, high fives, down, stay, play dead. He does all those commands well. Now I need to work on him actually holding the object for a certain length of time.

I feel like I've got the only poodle that doesn't live up to the poodle intelligence! I envy those border collies with their focus. Anyone else feel this way?

tokipoke

I felt the first training session to teach "hold" was somewhat long. I think I was beating a dead horse and was making Leroy frustrated, in turn making myself frustrated and then he felt this and made his focus worse.

So I re-grouped and tried a second session with a wooden spoon. I remained upbeat and used his usual treats (freeze dried salmon). He responded even better to these treats (which is weird because I thought new treats would make him more interested), and he reliably picked up the spoon each time I pointed to it and told him "hold." The session was no longer than 10 minutes and we ended the training with his favorite command, "high five." My next session will be to ask him to hold his toys, because I've tried this previously and it didn't go anywhere. He was confused and thought I was wanting to play with him with the toys, and did not understand I just wanted him to hold it. Of course this made him frustrated and he ended up flailing around the floor again. Maybe I'm just expecting too much of him at once but I guess because he's a poodle I feel he can handle it - but I'll keep in mind the complexity of the commands I'm asking him and I will continue to take baby steps.

Rowan

Look at it this way: he's smart enough to know how to get out of training.

How old is Leroy? I know one of mine was easier to train once he grew out of that puppy phase.

They're just like kids in that they all seem to learn differently. Alex trained himself. He'd sit naturally and I'd just say "sit." Then I'd say "sit" and he'd sit down. It was the same with stay, down, up, come, etc.

Now Pippin is very high energy and has trouble focusing, so I tried a different approach. Plus, I kept the training sessions short and sweet or he'd really lose interest and get even more wired.

Maybe you just haven't found Leroy's 'wavelength' yet! Hopefully some actual trainers will weigh in.

Fluffyspoos

Maybe he's upset you thought he was a doodle? ;D

Kidding!

Vienna is the same way where she doesn't follow clues, but I see her do other things that tells me she can be smart. Though, most dogs I've met next to Vegas have a hard time proving themselves.

I think it's because I caught Vegas's age of training and really used it, letting him know when we're leaning something new. Vienna I got as an adult, and only kind knew sit when I got her. I've taught her some things, but I think I passed that window.

__________________

tokipoke

Haha can't believe I ever thought he was a doodle. I look at him and he's poodle all the way! I was trying to watch TV and he kept coming up to me and staring, so thought he wanted to continue with the training. The third session involved me pointing to an object some distance away from it, and him picking it up and holding it with his mouth. He did great. Then I threw the object even further, asked him to hold it and bring it to me and drop it in my hand (eventually I'll add a basket underneath my hand and slowly faze my hand away). He did this excellently. I was so thrilled and squealed excitedly. After that though, Leroy lost complete focus. He was done. I tried to get him to do the last command again but he got distracted by a black speck on the ground. I brushed the speck under a blanket, and then he started rooting under the blanket. I couldn't regain his attention after that. Teenagers!! *rolls eyes* He will be one at the end of this month but he still acts like a baby.

outwest

Poodle personalities vary a lot, just like humans do. It sounds like you need to get higher value treats. Mine will do just about anything for a snibble of steak, for example. I also bought some expensive freezdried beef (Stella's). I use those for when I really want her to focus. Try again with some chopped up chicken. I have also had good luck with the Natural Balance food rolls that I cut in little chunks. You can buy mini rolls for around a dollar at Pet Co. They aren't as high value as a piece of steak or the freexdried beef, but they're pretty good. The treat I use with the least value is little round cheese crackers. Those work when she is hungry. I use them at the dog park for calling her to Come. They aren't as smelly in my pocket.

Carley's Mom

I know that the border collie is #1. My sister has one and can teach it anything... but he will also drive you crazy wanting to do something all the time. If you are walking he is moving from side to side like he is herding. If you are sitting he is bring you something ect. I much prefer the #2 breed, hands down.

outwest

A border collie is not for the average person. I have met some really neurotic ones! I felt so sorry for them. They need almost constant mental stimulation to stay mentally healthy. Most people should not own a border collie.

tokipoke

I personally couldn't own a border collie. Too much energy and a go-go-go attitude! Just wished Leroy would meet me in the middle. Sometimes he's too content lounging and sleeping all day.

Carley's Mom

My sister shows dogs, trains dogs for other people for a living and lives on a huge farm... but even she would tell you , never would she own another border collie. I think they need to work full time and that's hard to find in today's world. But her dog is beautiful, prettiest one I have ever seen, looks like a panda bear.