He's trying to train me, while I'm training him!

I had to laugh tonight - I've been working on "sit" with Freddie. I use fresh roast chicken or cheese to train (the only times he gets these yummy items for the most part). Well, Freddie loves the rewards. He's not quite sure how this whole thing works, however.

So now, he follows me wherever I go and when he sees me looking at him, he sits - whether or not I've given the "sit" sign and cue. And then he waits. He waits so hopefully, with those enormous eyes that it is really hard not to just give him a reward anyway. But I want him to do it when I ask him to, so I just tell him "good sitting, Freddie" and give him some cuddles. I can see him trying to figure out where his chicken is!

On the bright side, he's gotten good at "back" when we want him to not be lunging at a gate or doorway and we are working on "stay" - that's a harder one for him, because it is really, really, really hard for him to "stay" when there's something delicious a foot or so from his nose. Slowly, slowly we'll get it. I always enjoy trying to figure out what motivates any particular dog and how to get them to think that what you are asking them to do is what they want to do. Each of the dogs I've worked with has had different traits and affinities - but they've all eventually gotten trained (or, as they've thought, they've trained us!)

Haha, worst thing I ever did was teach my girl pug 'speak'. Now, I don't even say speak, and she won't shut up. Trying to unteach it is proving much harder!!

These pugs! LOL

What a funny boy! When I was house training Pearl she got so focused on the fact I had a treat she couldn't focus on going to the loo! They learn TOO damn quickly sometimes.

Awww, what a smart boy.

Hey a default front sit gets big praise here. Good for you and him. Sophia Yin has a whole routine called Learn to Earn that teaches a default sit as an impulse control technique.

Renee: there is a way to make "speak" work for you--but involves a fair bit of work on stimulus control. I can try to find an article/explanation on it for you.

Smart pug!!