Ding Ding Ding! We Did it!
Aaaaaaaand.... nada. She saw the bells. She heard the bells. But because I was trying to train her by ringing them every time we went out - she figured it was MY job to ring the bells when she wanted out.  Such a literal sheepdog. Jeeze.Well, I did some more research, and found a method that worked better for us - I didn't know about teaching dogs to target various things. So we started out teaching her to "target" the bells. I used peanut butter. Smeared some on there, and as she licked and nudged and they jingled, just kept telling her that was the target. Over and over. Did that for about two days. Immediately, I would get happy, open the door, and say "Outside!!" And out we would go. She did try to get stubborn on me a couple of times and act like she didn't have ears, but eventually, over this last week she realized she needed to ring them for me to get happy. Last night - she rang them without being told to - I got happy, we went out, she did her thing, and voila. Again this morning. And here was me thinking I had the worlds most stubborn sheepie  |
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It is wonderful when they finally get it  Jack is our bell boy, he rings them and turns around watching to see if we heard them. More often than not, when I come towards the door I see his head peeking around, "Are you coming?" |
Congratulations!  But I'd be afraid, do they know to only ring it when they need to go to the bathroom? Wont they ring it every time they just want to go out? I already have to deal with this constantly when I'm watching tv or eating dinner:  Not sure I'd want her to be ringing a bell obsessively!!  |
Baba wrote: Congratulations! But I'd be afraid, do they know to only ring it when they need to go to the bathroom? Wont they ring it every time they just want to go out? I already have to deal with this constantly when I'm watching tv or eating dinner: Not sure I'd want her to be ringing a bell obsessively!! Good for you!! Haha yah I had to retire the bell, losing my mind. Once you teach target you can transition that into many tricks now. I use a word like touch then progress from that. Langley learned how to close doors from such knowledge  The best training I have to say is "go to the blanket" more than anything. Great for guests coming over, trying to cook in the kitchen or I need a break from the hot breath and sad eye while I watch my stories  |
| Congratulations! You are a good dog trainer! You have demonstrated a very important part of training dogs. If one approach doesn't seem to be working, switch gears and try another. Our OES are as smart as, or smarter than, the average breed. Please do not attribute it to their being "stubborn" if they do not immediately get something we are trying to train them. It sounds to me as if you and Ava are on the road to a very successful relationship! You might want to investigate doing some clicker training with Ava. I think both of you would enjoy it. I think if you google "clicker training" and/or Karen Pryor Clicker Training you'll find a wealth of books and DVD's about this method of training. I particularly like using clickers to train totally new behaviors like ringing the bell to ask to go outside. Linda Zimmerman & Hudson, Chloe & Kristy |
| I'm a great fan of bell training. It takes some time but once they get "it" you're good to go. Simon was taught on the bell and I "tried" to teach Gar but it never took. He just goes out with Simon and during the summer, when I'm home they come and go as they please. Good job Ava and Roz. When you have time...we need some updated pictures of the little fuzzy. |
| Tiggy does ring the bell to go outside for whatever reason she thinks is valid. ie she's too hot in the house. I have glass across the back so I can watch her so it's not a big deal I just let her out. She knows she gets a treat if she goes out and goes potty so there is a difference for her. The only time she abused the bell was when she was wearing knickers because she had stitches and she mostly did it to DH as he's much easier to train than I am. She'd ring the bell and DH would go and take her knickers off so she could go out to pee. She'd go out and not pee but try to chew the stitches out. Sigh it was a frustrating week all round. |
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