Whew!

This forum is all about training and behavior. Everything from potty training to working titles!

Postby pitbullmamaliz » June 13th, 2006, 7:49 pm

So we did our first power down this evening! I put her in a down-stay at my feet while eating dinner. Of course she didn't want to stay, but I was stepping on the leash. My foot started cramping up from pressing down on it so much, so I wrapped it around my foot! Much easier! :wink: She tried to get up several times in the first 2 minutes, but then did much better. I kept her down for 20 minutes. Of course, at 19 minutes she began throwing a hellacious fit - trying to writhe out of her harness, back out of it, twist around, crawl away, etc. With only one freakin' minute to go!!! So after she settled down again I made her stay down for 2 good minutes, and then let her up. She bolted up, licked my hand, and wandered off to pout. :D
The only hard thing was not paying any attention to her at all. I felt like such a mean mom...I know it's for her own good though! I'm going to try to start doing this every night.
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

Postby mnp13 » June 13th, 2006, 7:54 pm

:clap:

good for you for sticking it out!!!

She will get better about it every time. You did the right thing on keeping her there for a few extra minutes after she had a fit.

I just call it a long down :wink:
Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.
User avatar
mnp13
Evil Overlord
 
Posts: 17234
Location: Rochester, NY

Postby pitbullmamaliz » June 13th, 2006, 8:21 pm

Michelle, should I stick with 20 minutes for a while, or bump it up a minute per day?
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

Postby mnp13 » June 13th, 2006, 9:32 pm

I'd stay stick with 20 for now. You learned her limit - 18 before she has a tantrum. I'd wait until she doesn't have a fit, and then up it 5 minutes. And I'd keep her there for a good 5 minutes after the fit as well. She's gonna give you hell but you just need to out wait her.
Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.
User avatar
mnp13
Evil Overlord
 
Posts: 17234
Location: Rochester, NY

Postby pitbullmamaliz » June 13th, 2006, 10:15 pm

You know, the rest of the evening she's been just looking at me with these baleful, guilt-inducing eyes, but not leaving my side. She's acting exhausted! Quite frankly, I think it was harder for me than for her!
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

Postby rockermom » June 14th, 2006, 7:05 pm

I discovered I have to practice down stays when my husband is not home. He cant take the whine just cant ignore it.
User avatar
rockermom
Supremely Bully
 
Posts: 1085

Postby mnp13 » June 14th, 2006, 7:09 pm

pitbullmamaliz wrote:You know, the rest of the evening she's been just looking at me with these baleful, guilt-inducing eyes, but not leaving my side. She's acting exhausted! Quite frankly, I think it was harder for me than for her!


She's mad, she'll get over it.
Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.
User avatar
mnp13
Evil Overlord
 
Posts: 17234
Location: Rochester, NY

Postby pitbullmamaliz » June 14th, 2006, 8:49 pm

It's sad - I've only done it once and I'm already dreading doing it tonight! But I'm going to, dammit!!! Results will be mine!!!

I hope.
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

Postby dogcrazyjen » June 15th, 2006, 9:57 am

I would set your timer and get a good book!

:clap:

Bravo for doing this!
dogcrazyjen
Devoutly Bully
 
Posts: 922
Location: FingerLakes NY

Postby SpiritFngrz » June 15th, 2006, 12:33 pm

Good luck! It is tiring and frustrating. Those little snots are like little whining kids :)
User avatar
SpiritFngrz
I live here
 
Posts: 2711
Location: Central Mass.

Postby pitbullmamaliz » June 15th, 2006, 5:52 pm

OMG she actually whined last night during her down. Not an annoying continual whine, but just a couple heart-breaking "mother I'm in pain" whines. That was tough. *shudder*
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

Postby mnp13 » June 15th, 2006, 6:00 pm

pitbullmamaliz wrote:OMG she actually whined last night during her down. Not an annoying continual whine, but just a couple heart-breaking "mother I'm in pain" whines. That was tough. *shudder*


Keep strong!

You train her, or she trains you! Your choice :wink:
Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.
User avatar
mnp13
Evil Overlord
 
Posts: 17234
Location: Rochester, NY

Postby pitbullmamaliz » June 15th, 2006, 6:04 pm

Thanks for the encouragement! I keep coming back here to remind myself that it's a good thing! :wink:
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

Postby cheekymunkee » June 15th, 2006, 8:49 pm

She won't die, no matter HOW much she tries to make you think she will. :wink:
There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.

Debby
User avatar
cheekymunkee
I Have Your Grass
 
Posts: 28540
Location: Dallas

Postby mnp13 » June 16th, 2006, 12:06 am

Oh...

and you should probably stop putting her in a down on hot coals, broken glass and tacks.
Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.
User avatar
mnp13
Evil Overlord
 
Posts: 17234
Location: Rochester, NY

Postby pitbullmamaliz » June 16th, 2006, 7:53 am

Oh geez, NOW you tell me that!!! :wink:

I only kept her down for 10 minutes last night. I know when you're training everything else, you set them up to succeed. 20 minutes was too long, so she did great with the 10. Threw her little 60 second tantrum at first, and then settled down nicely. When I said her release word she actually kept lying there for another minute. No whining. So I think I'm going to keep it at 10 for a couple more days, then maybe go up to 12, then 14, etc.

What kind of good results is this going to give me? I'm assuming a more solid stay, but will she be more responsive in general?

Thanks for the help!
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

Postby Maryellen » June 16th, 2006, 8:46 am

excellent work!! you are working her mind too, which is great mental exercise. you are also teaching her that YOU are in charge, not her., and giving her obedience skills too. if you ever need her to down for a while she can do it .. emergency situations, vet visits, etc.. you would be suprised at how many times the down will come in handy....
you are doing good, gradual times so that she never fails, and you are increasing her time slowly, which is great..
Maryellen
I live here
 
Posts: 5971

Postby 04100824 » June 16th, 2006, 9:12 am

What is this for again? Just another form of dominance training? How long is the final time? What''s the end all point?
User avatar
04100824
Confident Young Bully
 
Posts: 414
Location: Texas

Postby Maryellen » June 16th, 2006, 9:43 am

i personally feel that the down should be taught for all types of situations, whether regular or emergency.. not many dogs like to do down, as its a submissive position.. to hold the leash on your foot while the dog is down is just another way to teach the down position. some dogs just dont like doing it, so you help them with staying down while teaching it. i used this method on my gsd during obedience training as she was super stubborn. now, when we go to the vets with any of my dogs, i have them down at the vets office and put them in a down/stay.. except for rufus, he sit/stays inthe chair... i use the down for various situations at home, out, anywhere .. its not necessarily a dominance down, i just say its a down, and the foot on the leash just helps to teach the down to some dogs that dont understand the down yet..
Maryellen
I live here
 
Posts: 5971

Postby 04100824 » June 16th, 2006, 10:35 am

Maryellen wrote:i personally feel that the down should be taught for all types of situations, whether regular or emergency.. not many dogs like to do down, as its a submissive position.. to hold the leash on your foot while the dog is down is just another way to teach the down position. some dogs just dont like doing it, so you help them with staying down while teaching it. i used this method on my gsd during obedience training as she was super stubborn. now, when we go to the vets with any of my dogs, i have them down at the vets office and put them in a down/stay.. except for rufus, he sit/stays inthe chair... i use the down for various situations at home, out, anywhere .. its not necessarily a dominance down, i just say its a down, and the foot on the leash just helps to teach the down to some dogs that dont understand the down yet..


So, it sounds to me that this would be unnecessary if they already will obey a down, stay command?
User avatar
04100824
Confident Young Bully
 
Posts: 414
Location: Texas

Next

Return to Training & Behavior

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

cron