Dog issue-training

[dinsdale]

So here's the dog,her name is Inja,a pitbull mix;






And here's the problem;

I adopted her about 6 mos ago,she is now around 16 mos.She was a picked up stray,and I took her off my vets hands(he boards dogs for the local wardens).

She had some training at one point ;as she sat on command.She had no toilet training however but in about 2-3 weeks I had trained her to go out,and not have accidents inside.She has adapted quickly to most situations.She will get into the truck at command,into the fenced area to stay for the day(which is down stairs,and thru a gate),not sniff or go near any of my taxidermy,and she is good socially(with my brothers kids-no problems).

THE issue.....Unless I get her attention,and make eye contact;she will not come on command.She will continue to sniff what ever has her attention and ignore me.I always reward her with either a treat or lots of praise and attention when she does respond,and I think I'm about as consistant as it gets .But I notice she is nervous when returning,especially the last 10 yards(submissive lowered stance,ears back).

So I figure she had issues with a previous owner.And maybe some of the breed?

Keep after it? Better when she gets older(she still is a puppy)?Any tips/ideas?

This is the first of 3 dogs I've owned that I did not start as a 6-8 week puppy.So an already poorly trained,older dog is new to me.This is really the only struggle with her as she is very smart and fun to play with;but this is driving me crazy.She has not really doing any better with this in the last 2 months

Any advise /ideas are welcomed!

Dinsdale

[Corjack]

You must be consistant, however every dog is different. I am no expert as a dog trainer, I am more of a dog spoiler. I have discovered that different dogs have different buttons. My little Sophie pays little attention too me, however I am working to let her know I need her attention and need it now by counting to three. She responds well to this, usually by the time I say two she has stopped in her inattention and is wondering what the heck my problem is. You may just need to reinforce your dog with a treat every time you can get him to make eye contact and ask nothing other than that from him at all until you can count on his reaction every time.

[retrieverman]

Given the way you acquired her and her age, I really don't think there is a problem. My Lab, Annie, is 18 months old and still has a mind of her own at times. My advise is to make her your "buddy" and keep working with her, and I think she will come around. She sounds very intelligent, but you need to make want to please you and do what YOU want to do.

[deerhunter338mag]

Dinsdale I'm not a big fan of the pit bull or pit bull types at any time. The big problem with them is that they have so many different types of dogs in them to make the dog what it is. Always remember that the dog was bread to kill another dog as quickly possible. The big problem with them is they look ok until they get to the age of 2 years then all hell brakes lose. This is with some not all, but the skull starts to grow inwards and begins to press on the brain making the dog go nuts and in the end the dog will attack any body and anything. Over here in Oz they are band, some states have good legislation and some have manure. Queensland has the best if it is a pit bull type it's gone. You must have paper work to say it is American staffershire terrier.
Victoria has the worst. Must be a pure bread dog and as there is no such thing as it is a cross type dog, they run around attacking people and peoples pets.

In my experience the owners of these dog's get them not knowing what type of dogs they are, or they want them for the image of what the dog is. I have never seen a well trained Pitty. Most of them are lucky to make it until they are 3 years of age as the owners don't know how to control them and as they are very high with testosterone they always get the owners into trouble. There will be many people that say different and that there dog is great around kids, that's bullshit they are a time bomb just waiting to go off. From what you are saying in the info you posted have a good read out side the box she is doing all the things that are very characteristic of a pit bull. Now a days over here the pig hunters that use them run greyhound or wolfhound or bull mastiff in them to change the look of them.
But if you work with her show her lots of love socialize her around people and other animals she might be alright. But always remember that the dog was bread to kill another dog as quickly as possible.

All of this information is based on my professional experience with this type of dog that lives in Oz

Good luck

[dinsdale]

Thanks for the replies....

I have to say it's been a while,about 13 years since I've had to train a new dog.Not much after I picked up this gal,did I lose a wonderful dog of 14 unexpectedly.

I tend to remember the good times and not the problems of a young dog.LOL

I am fortunate that being self employed has ment she has been with me at work;and has been exposed to many people on the jobsite.So far she has made many friends!And some of the other guys also bring their dogs and she has done fine with them,including 2 other pitbull x's.Since I live alone,I do have extra time to put into her training ,most days.

I had to change the paperwork for her to mixed breed (from Pitbull mix),or my homeowners insurance could be dropped.All my dogs have been mixes,and all been excellent companions.

Sometimes they get a bum wrap,sometimes not.Time will tell.

Dinsdale

[Corjack]

Hopefully she will be of assistance watching your carpentry tools. Not everyone will be aware that she is friendly.

[dinsdale]

Hopefully she will be of assistance watching your carpentry tools. Not everyone will be aware that she is friendly.

Frankly;I always liked a dog around for the shop and the gun safe.They can have the tools,what about my BLASER

It wouldn't take them as long to steal my ammo supply as some who post on this forum,however....


Dinsdale

[Dave W.]

Dinsdale, I have trained a few dogs, You have a great looking dog there, her eyes remind me of a Rottweiler we used to have. You may be right about her being hit when she comes to you and is cowering down. No matter how mad you are, NEVER hit her if she comes to you. I have lost bird dogs during training and call for half hour when they come running up they get praised for coming when called if you need to discipline go get her, or go to her. I would put her on a 6' leash call her name and say come, back up a step or two and gently pull her toward you don't yank the leash just tug again nothing bad ever happens by coming to you. Later you may try this in the house. If you have a hall way shut all the doors so the dog can't go anywhere else then call her name and say come she can't help but do it right because the hall way leads to you.
Use her name and say come, and praise every time she comes.
If you are correcting her then do not use her name just use the command [ no, stop, stay,etc...]
I bet you two will get it worked out, and you will have a fine dog there. As far as getting her when she is a little older I wouldn't worry about that some of the best dogs in the world don't meet their masters until they are well out of the puppy stage ie.. police dogs and handicap service dogs. Best of luck. Dave W.

[Stinger]

I go along with Dave W. Add to that some retrieving with a favourite toy. If the dog won't bring it to you after a first request, walk away (or go into the house). Never lose it, don't shout. Just walk away, and praise when you get a retrieve.