I’m not confident.
With humans, that is.
Training a Great Pyrenees or other Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) is not an easy task. You have to be confident. You have to be ready to be challenged.
I’m confident in my ability to handle an independent-minded Great Pyrenees.
I’m not confident in my ability to handle other people.
One of the biggest challenges many people face is ensuring their dog greets other people properly. The definition of “properly” varies from person to person, but it involves all paws on the floor. Because I have such big dogs, I prefer them to be in a sit or down when being greeted.
Mauja and Atka don’t jump on people, but they tend to be a bit wiggly since they’re still puppies. Not to mention Atka likes to lean on people – he could knock you over if you’re not prepared!
I know the most effective way to work on this skill. Ask the individual wanting to pet them to wait until both of my dogs are in a sit. Once they are seated and calm, the individual can pet them.
It is so easy, but I never do it.
Instead, as people approach Mauja and Atka with outstretched hands asking if they can pet them (as they are already petting them), I go with it. It isn’t the best decision. Not only does it reinforce the wigglebutts, it means I have to try to get the fluffies into a sit or down while they are being gawked over. This makes their training very inconsistent. Mauja and Atka don’t have a clear understanding of my expectations of them. Can they stand or do they have to sit when people approach them? They don’t know because I’m not confident enough to provide them with consistency.
Do you ask people to wait before interacting with your dog? Any recommendations on how to improve my confidence?
Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week is hosted by Cascadian Nomads,Rubicon Days & Tenacious Little Terrier. This month we are sharing stories of our flaws as trainers. Like every month, any and all posts or comments about positive reinforcement pet training are welcome. The blog hop is open all week, so if you are a blogger, add a post and if you are a positive pet training enthusiast, hop around by clicking the thumbnails below, learn and share. Next months Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week begins August 3rd and the theme is improving our pet training skills.
or 
. Mauja will knock the ball around to get the treats and Atka will follow behind to gobble up the treats she misses. Teamwork. Adding peanut butter, yogurt, wet food, or your dog’s favorite treat to a 
and popping it in the freezer is also a great time-consuming activity.
or head to your local hardware store to create your own!
