I'll start us off with a training tragedy that ended up being a bit of a win!
So, I was trying to train my pup Percy to walk nicely on a leash - no easy feat in our rural community where there are lots of smells and critters to investigate.
I'd read about using a simple "Yes!" verbal cue when he walked at my side, and treating whenever he checked in with me. Well...Percy loved the praise and treats so much that he started walking right by my leg, almost like a heel. Too good to be true!
Until we hit the end of the sidewalk and I realized he'd been so focused on getting his treat that he'd practically been walking on my shoe. He nearly fell off the curb!
I had to laugh - he was so proud of himself for mastering this "new trick," totally clueless that it wasn't quite what I'd had in mind. It was adorable and hilarious, plus it showed me that he paid attention to my cues.
We took it as a win and I worked on actually teaching him the heel command, which he picked up quickly since he already had the idea down. The funny part is, he still walks right by my shoe sometimes, ready for his treat!
That's a cute story and a great start to this thread! It's lovely how observant dogs are and how they try so hard to please us even if they don't quite understand the nuances.
I have a similar tale of my own involving my overeager pup and some inadvertent, adorable mishaps that turned into a training success.
I've been trying to teach my labradoodle the important "wait" command, which is proving tricky as she's so enthusiastic about everything! Mealtimes are especially crazy - she barks and jumps like a mad thing if I so much as touch her food bowl, which doesn't exactly create a peaceful dining experience.
I tried using a simple "stay" command while I prepared her food, figuring this would be an easy way to keep her out of trouble. Well, it turns out "stay" is too ambiguous for my eager pup. She'd freeze in place, yes, but so excitedly that she'd practically vibrate with the effort of staying put! Food prep time would become a shaking, wiggling frenzy, which was more comical than calming.
I realized I needed to be clearer about what I wanted, so I started using the "sit" command instead, and slowly things improved. She'd still get excited but the vibration reduced, and she learned that sitting quietly meant good things were coming. It took a few weeks, but now she sits (most of the time) and waits calmly for her food, which has made mealtimes so much more enjoyable.
It's amazing how these little challenges can become triumphs with some creative tweaking! Who knew such a simple solution would solve our mealtime madness? It's encouraging to see how adaptable our furry friends can be when we figure out the right approach.
Anyone else have any cute tales of quirky training techniques that worked, or fun miscommunications with your dogs? I love hearing these stories!
