NILF - Nothing In Life is Free
Ive just read a few articles on nothing in life is free... I can understand the theory behind it, and it seems good, but i have a few questions: - * If alfie is trying to get my attention, by barking for example, and i am ignoring him. If he jumps up on me, do i continue to ignore him, or do i lift him down to the floor? i assume, unless ive read these articles wrong, that complete silence is the key? * I have observed that while alfie is getting to grips with me being the master, depending on what it is he wants to do he will goto my girlfriend because she is a bit softer with him. Again, i understand this because of course he will goto the one he gets away with more, i used to do this with my mother when i was a kid.... Anyway, if she uses the NILF technique also, which again reading the article, it suggests that everyone should be consistant in whichever technique is employed... will this work with more than one person? i always heard the adage about " a man and his dog" meaning that dogs, and sheepdogs in particular are one master animals. Or is this a myth? * This technique is to be used alongside other behavioural training such as puppy classes... will i have to choose the puppy classes which adopt this technique? i dont want to choose a class which could have an "undoing" effect on the work i do with alfie thanks in advance for replies |
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| When George used to jump up at me I used to fold my arms over my head and look up at the ceiling. Once he was calm again I would play with him or acknowledge him but only in my own time!
This very quickly stopped him from jumping up especially when you first walk through the door! So my advice would be to ignore him as best you can. If he jumping onto your knee or the sofa lift him down and say "off" or similar command. (try to avoid using down if he use this as a command for Alfie to lie down!!) You and your girlfriend both have to be consistant with his training otherwise it is confusing for Alfie and he will be unclear on what is acceptable! I have found that puppy classes have allowed george to mix with other pups which has been good for him and although we have both learnt many things at classes it is essential that you continue to train at home. Training at home and in class run alongside each other. Some things you have to train at home as they don't work in class I was advised to train George twice a day for about 5 minutes each session ensuring your finish each sessions with something that he does well and right! He is 6 months now and is pretty good at doing what we ask him to do! Consistancy is the key to training!! Good Luck! |
| well alfie certainly knows the word "no", and he knows that voice, a certain tone i adopt without shouting, but he knows i mean business...
i sometimes feel though that im constantly telling him no, and using that voice, so i kind of give him extra attention at other times to compensate. i can always be assured of his love when i see that his tail is always wagging when i call him "my boy" |
| How old is Alfie now?
I think george thought the only word I ever said was no! You will get past it!! |
| he's only 10 weeks, so every now and then i have to remind myself that he's just a baby |
Richy wrote: * This technique is to be used alongside other behavioural training such as puppy classes... will i have to choose the puppy classes which adopt this technique? i dont want to choose a class which could have an "undoing" effect on the work i do with alfie
Don't think of it as a technique - just get used to it as a way of life. It's more about training you than it is about training Alfie. Don't give him a treat unless he earns one, and try to make it a different command every time - sit, down, paw. Don't let him be the first one out the door - make him sit and wait. If you're walking him on the leash, stop when he starts pulling and make him come back to your side before you start again. They all sound like little things but they'll make a huge difference. Good luck! |
| I don't use the word no. I would giv ehim somethign else to do. No is just a noise to him. It may starle him, and interupt him, but it doesn't mean much more.
He may get to learn that "no" means "off", though, but he needs direction in what he is allowed to do. You will have much better success if you don't use the master/slave mentality. Alfie is dependant on you right now, like a child would be dependant on his parents. Hopefully he will develope into being your best friend. Neither of these relationships have a master or boss in them. A dog is not a robot that must do as we tell them. A dog is a living, breathing being that has needs and desires, and instincts. I remember the first training class I ever took. The trainier asked "who here believes that dogs live to please their owners?". We all raised our hands. He laughed and said, "If that were true you wouldn't be here"... 
So I would apprioach it more like: What do I want my dog to do? How can I teach him what I want him to do? How can I motivate him to do it when I ask him to? The term "ask" is softer and much more pleasant than "commands"....for both of you. All of the advise you are getting is so that you have a dog that is confident and curious and not fearful of people...A fearful dog is unpredictable, unhappy and not fun. You are doing well, Ritchie. Keep upi the good work....  |
| ok this is confusing....
an example: right now alfie and i are sitting on the couch, alfie just started biting me, and so according to the rules of NILF i sat away from him, crossed my arms and then ignored him.. he barked a few times, and then just decided to chew the throw instead. do i then move him away from the throw, thus giving the attention he is looking for, and being "defeated" in terms of the NILF rules, or do i allow him to chew the throw? the same question applies to when he chews electrical cables, when he might kill himself if his teeth get through into the wires. |
| Nicole (who is a very experienced trainer) may have a different solution for you on this, but in this kind of case, what we would do is CALMLY and with minimal interaction, take the thing he is chewing away from him, put it out of reach/sight, and continue as if nothing happened. Later, you can start working on a "leave it" command....but for now, since he's so young, just remove temptation. You might also keep an acceptable chew-toy handy to swap out with the inappropriate ones. Its NO USE teaching him not to chew at this stage....he needs to chew, since he's teething. |
| Take it away and give him something else to do. He has to do something.
-Bosley's mom |
Anonymous wrote: Take it away and give him something else to do. He has to do something.
-Bosley's mom Right. If he's chewing on the throw, remove it calmly and replace it with a "good" toy. As soon as you notice he is chewing on the appropriate toy - attention!!! |
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