Doesn't Understand No

[joeandjamie]

Barret is 8 weeks old now. We have had him in our house for 2 weeks now. Some days he does very well and responds when we say no, only goes potty outside, but other days, its like we are speaking a different language. When we rep remand him he just jumps right up to do it again, Whether it be biting too hard, or jumping on furniture... Anything.

Is he just too little to understand? Are the good days just flukes?

[gmacleod]

You ARE speaking a different language. He does not understand English, and beyond a few words that are carefully taught, never will. You're the one with the big brain, and thus are the one who has to put things in terms he's capable of understanding. That does not include language.

Most dogs don't understand "no" They understand that you're not happy - that much is conveyed quite clearly. But just saying no to everything doesn't actually give the dog a clue as to what precisely is wrong, and critically, what you'd like him to do instead. It's probably the most overused word in dog training and one that, frankly, we'd probably all get along much better if we banned ourselves from using

The big problem with "no" is that we use when what we really mean is "don't chase the cat". AND when what we really mean is "don't pee on the floor". AND when we mean "don't chew the plant". AND "get off the couch". AND "don't chew the remote". And, and, and. It's a word with several hundred meanings. But we somehow expect an 8 week old puppy to decipher all that? LOL - an adult dog with several years experience of our wishy-washy commands won't have a clue, let alone a baby. Actually, most humans (even adults) would have trouble with just being told "no" and NOT given instructions on what the correct thing to do instead is (and we've got a heck of a lot more thinking and reasoning capacity than any dog, not to mention language ability...). Try it yourself one day - get someone to figure out a few things they'd like you to do, then stand there saying no everytime you make a move that's not on their list. Reckon you'd work it out? It's what you're asking of your pup

Sooo - how about giving him clear instructions instead of saying "no" to everything? When you mean "leave the remote alone", TELL him to leave it. Don't just say "no" which could mean just about anything. Then give another instruction that tells him what TO DO instead. Puppy goes for remote, you mark his move toward it with a loud "Uh uh" and a hand clap. He pauses and looks back at you - you tell him "leave it" (which you've taught him already). He stops his advance, and leaves the remote. GOOD DOG!!, you cry in a delighted tone, and reward him with praise and maybe even a treat. Puppy understands he did a good thing leaving that remote alone. You then follow that up with an instruction to get his toy and the two of you enjoy a game. Puppy is rewarded, and understands playing with his toy makes you happy with him as does leaving the remote. Chances are, next time he'll go for the toy (or at least, after a few times he will).

See how it can be more effective? Once the puppy understands "leave it" (which has to be taught, of course), then he can be told to "leave it". Which in turn means that he can be rewarded for leaving it (complying with your request). Have you ever seen anyone reward "no"? LOL - little wonder then, that dogs don't understand or obey it well, they just slink off knowing that for some reason they're "bad dog". Well, far more willing cooperation can be obtained when you forgo "no", but instead give a clear instruction for which the dog can be rewarded. And even more if you then follow that up with another instruction that lets the dog know what he SHOULD do instead, and that gives him the opportunity to be "good dog".

That's the general approach you need to take to all training with dogs. Just saying "no" really IS speaking a different language. You have to use commands that have an exact and specific meaning (not commands that mean several different things at once), and that give you the opportunity to reward him for complying. He'll learn a heck of a lot faster if you do.

As for biting - ditch "no" altogether. That's the wrong lesson to be teaching him. More information on what you should be teaching, how and why in this short article: http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

[rwteam]

It is funny this post came today. I just brought my little Rommel over to my Dad's house for a visit. He lives where there is an apple orchard and lots and LOTS of smells. Deer, turkey, etc are all over the place. Well, Rommel decided to run over the fence line and for the life of me I couldn't get him back with the "come" command.
My Dad proceeded to lecture me on the fact that Rommel should know the word "no" and that this word should superceed all others when used. "No" should be the ultimate word when showing disapproval. I know that's not how I have been training Rommel. I have been using the word come with a treat attached at the end. From GMac's post it sounds like I have been doing the right thing? Should I be concerned that he did not come at five months with all the distractions? Then again, he went right out on the road and could have been hit by a car. Does anyone have a thought on this?

[gmacleod]

What's needed in your case is an effective recall I doubt you'd get one by telling him "no" though (unless the pup manages to understand that "no" actually means come, of course).

And until that's properly trained (usually takes rather longer than 5 months), the pup shouldn't actually be off-leash in places where he's at risk if he decides to kick his heels and test his boundaries - which is very typical of adolescents.

I guess what you dad is meaning though, is that there should be some sort of 'master command' that means "STOP whatever it is you're doing, about to do, or even thinking about - and freeze in place". Unfortunately, dogs (or kids) don't really come with that sort of on/off switch. It takes time for a dog to learn that being off leash in a strange place means that he cannot go more than 2 metres from your side, especially when there are such tempting distractions such as deer that will have his chase instincts buzzing. Until you are satisfied that the dog really does understand that limit, he should be leashed in those situations.