Help, Adopted an OES but having some training issues...
Peaks is probably about one years old now and they are having issues training her. Just a little background, my father rescued an old english when he was a young adult and then as a family we rescued one, so we do have some experience with the breed. Peaks seems to be a little bit different. She really isnt responsive to humans. This may be because she was a stray at such a young age, but i dont know. Its kind of hard to explain, she likes attention but def isn't motivated to please. She jumps constantly and whenever I come to visit (a couple times a week) shell nip at me to herd me. She does heel when she goes on walks but she has yet to learn any other commands. Also, she NEVER stops. When shes inside she is constantly pacing and jumping even when all you do is sit down and pet her. When she is outside, her and boo will play for hours until Boo is all worn out and then Peaks will eventually lay down. I guess what im asking is how to train her? Myself and my parents have tried different forms of motivation such as food and praise and those sorts of things but nothing seems to take. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. There are a couple health issues that we are dealing with as well, but i will post that in the correct section... |
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| hmm an OES that isn't interested in pleasing people> Actually not that unusual - they are interested in being around people, but sometimes they seem to think its our job to please them
I would strongly recommend that either your parents or you take Peeks to an obedience class - sounds like a typical teenager who needs structure. I have two three year olds and they are beginning to slow down - in the house, they seem to be on overdrive outside lately. They really need a job to do as well - if they aren't working (at agility, herding, carting or one of the many other activities Chewie enjoys  sorry Dawn) obedience practice will help fill that void.
Welcome to the forum and we like pictures  |
Welcome to the forum! I agree with kerry that some professional obedience training may be in order, to wear Peaks out physically and mentally. You also mentioned that she paces in the house, which could be anxiety or just unused sheepie energy.  If she seems to be anxious, you don't want to pet her then, or tell her "good girl", etc., as you are positively reinforcing the behavior and her anxiety.
Laurie and Oscar |
| So no dog is too old for obedience classes right? We are finding mostly puppy classes... I guess Ill just start looking harder.
As far as the pacing goes, im almost positive its not anxiety. Its more like unused energry... More walks it is.. or doggie parks! Thanks for the help |
| many puppy classes accept dogs of all ages - or look for pet obedience. |
| Welcome to the forum She is still a pup, and even though she may need some refreshers on manners, everyone has a different method.
There is lots of info here on training, socilializing etc... enjoy |
| I'm going to agree that the pacing sounds like unused energy. My girls are about 14 months old now, and we do a walk and 2 hours at the dog park every day, and they can still be a bit wound up. The walks are also going to help your dog understand you are the boss, more than free time at the park will. So I'd suggest some more of that. Since she does a good "heel" why not start peppering in some "sit" and even "down" when you get to corners and such. Often training, which requires them to think , can tire them out as effectively as a good run at the park. |
Quote: hmm an OES that isn't interested in pleasing people> Actually not that unusual - they are interested in being around people, but sometimes they seem to think its our job to please them
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| At one year old you are also coming into the "Teenage" phase with them, so keeping up a regular training routine is all important at this stage, no longer the wee pupper adolescence has hit.
I have a sheepie girl who is nearly one and does not sit still for 1 second, found she needs more motivation & walks then her brother (the same age) to wear her out. 
I think your girl needs classes with other dogs, is there a local obedience class near your parents they can take her too?, that will give her the mental stimulation as well as the social aspect and also a help with learning her to focus on commands and help her a lot. Being a rescue even though a youngster it is hard to know what happened in her past in detail, so the best thing you can do is get her out and about every where. With the nipping and jumping up, try ignoring her, turn your back to her, cross your arms in front and no eye contact at all with her, totally ignoring her, when she settles then turn and praise her. I think she is smart but needs to learn her boundaries which will take routine and positive training. If that does not work then parents as you arrive has her on a lead in a controlled situation, then when relaxed she is left off the lead and rewarded for not jumping and nipping visitors. She is only young but they do need to work on her now before fully mature so she knows what is appropriate in the house. I find ignoring them when behaviour is not appropriate in the house or even a time out in another room works as they hate being away from us and click quickly if I behave like this then I am denied attention from humans.
Reward good behaviour, ignore and deny contact with inappropriate behaviour. There a smart breed and usually click quickly if your routine with them is regular. |
dasheepgobaa wrote: So no dog is too old for obedience classes right? We are finding mostly puppy classes... I guess Ill just start looking harder.
As far as the pacing goes, im almost positive its not anxiety. Its more like unused energry... More walks it is.. or doggie parks! Thanks for the help I've just started my dog in an attention class & he just turned 4 years old. All the other dogs are much younger (older puppies). My boy had some basic obedience classes as a younger pup but we didn't really pursue structured obedience until after he finished his CH. We are the oldest & biggest dog  in the class which can pose a problem at times with some of the exercises. But a good instructor should be able to work thru these things with you. Most likley you will have to "unlearn" already formed habits & teach new habits to replace them. Sort of like I have to retrain my dogs to sit in obedience for a treat rather than to stack & bait for a treat in conformation.  Just takes a bit longer. Remember most of the puppy people are working with "blank slates" (not having to break old habits.) |
Quote: She really isnt responsive to humans. She can hear, yes? Quote: Myself and my parents have tried different forms of motivation such as food and praise and those sorts of things but nothing seems to take.
Have you tried feeding only half her meal then using the rest of the food during training a few hours later? Start by using some super good treats... maybe cooked chicken, beef, etc. so you can get her attention. If she doesn't have full tummy when you train, she may be more eager to pay attention. Also, use training methods that incorporate the dog's basic nature. Here is an example of "sit"... http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-tea ... page1.aspx Train only one dog per training session... to start, select a quiet room with no distractions. You'll add distractions later. Use the command several times a day. You might want to wear a bait-bag so treats are always at hand. Don't add another command until she understands and readily complies with the one you're working on. I also agree about getting her into an obedience class. Good luck to you! |
| wow.. Thanks for all the response! It is all very helpful. I will see my parents tonight and share the information.
We will def find a training class to, make her daily walks twice as long, and then take her to dog parks to just let her run crazy! Thanks for all the help and i will keep you posted on everything oh yes, she can hear, but only when she wants to! |
Quote: oh yes, she can hear, but only when she wants to!
Dont you just love it when your perfectly healthy dog has a sudden health issue and turns deaf. Luckily its always been temporary with my two.  |
| You have a sheepie that HEELS?!?!?!
Not sure where you live, but some communities also have trainers that will work with you in your home. We did that and loved it. Of course, the trainer also taught us to provide socialization opportunities aside from the in-home training work. The pacing has to be unspent energy. Our puppy needs a pretty fair amount of exercise. But she also needs a pretty fair amount of sleep. We found she'll get nippy when she's tired. Our Winnie also thinks we're here to please her - so we're still working on motivating her to do what she should.
(She'll do almost anything for a bite(s) of turkey hot dogs - which is what our trainer used.) Good luck and let us know how it goes. |
| one to one exercise and lots of it
Something has happened to this pup that just needs to show that you as a human are a keeper. If possible try and encourage to envolve this pup in everything to make you seem special "hey this upright really cares" |
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