Hi Folks
Just found this forum - seems really helpful! We have a new 8-1/2 week old English Bull Terrier (we got him a week ago). He's very cute and sweet but quite a handful. In particular he mouths ALOT and barks and growls at our two cats (though it seems like he wants to play, not an agressive bark or growl). We've read up on puppy training and there are quite a few solutions to this problem...However, we've come across a couple of things I don't really know alot about - the Clicker and Ultrasounic Trainers (see http://www.petsmart.com/dog/shopping/training_aids/chewing___digging_solutions/psearch.shtml). Are there any other bully owners out there who have been successful with either of these solutions? We're also doing a more comprehensive search for information specific to bull terriers but are still trying to assess all the different kinds of training methods. Any thoughts? Bad or good comments on the above devices?
Thanks very much

Hiya,
To be honest cant say ive heard of either! my small experience with both of my labs is that when they are pups they tend to bark or growl at most things they are not familiar with or scared of, it might not neccessarily be a bad thing. Many people including myself take their dogs to familiarisation classes to help and speed up puppies perception of many different things that they are still learning at such age.
I am currently training both my dogs on the std dog whistle as well as voice and hand commands of which i am finding very good.

mark

Hi Mark
Thanks for the tips! Our bully Spike seems to be not scared of anything :)...we live in the city and have taken him outside every day to familiarize him with sights and sounds. He has been introduced to many many people, fire engines, construction, traffic, the vet, the park with ducks and geese, other dogs (only in our house and who we know are healthy - we know he can't be on the ground just yet, he stays in our jackets while outside). He does not seem skittish at all (which is a good thing)! I was more worried about reigning in bad behaviour on this stubborn breed :)

SL,
I have seen a couple of threads started on puppy behaviour towards established cats on here. Im sorry but cant remember where they are! I think what ppl were saying is that pups will do this with the cats to establish a pecking order, once this has been found it should stop.
My older lab disagreed with our new lap pub for about a week in terms of barking growling etc and even making him sleep outside the kennel in the rain! But the order has now been established and they are both happy dogs!

Mark

Hi Mark
I think Spike will be ok with the cats, I'm more concerned with his mouthing and nipping behaviour...which to me seems more than it should be. That's the behaviour I want to discourage. We've tried a few things and so far they haven't worked...

ummm... see thread " nipping puppys" after that im out of ideas!

Mark

hi mark
yes i'm looking through them now...however, my original post was to see if anyone had any experience with the clicker or ultrasonic devices...i am still curious about their effectiveness :)

I have no experience of clicker training bullies, but now use the clicker regularly in agility and WT's training and previously in general pet obedience. I started off hating it, ended up loving it and would never now give it up.

The thing I really love about clicker training is that the dog learns to really think for itself and to offer its "ideas" - I love this so much :) I would say that from my experience the clicker is very useful and I would highly recommend it.

If you are interested, I would recommend a book by Karen Pryor, (who was one of the trainers who instigated its use with dogs) called "Cllicker Training" :p :) It gives very good examples of basics, and also has photos of trainers i know with their dogs! It's about £7.99 I think so not too bad to start anyway.

Just to add - in my view clicker can be used for any dog - part of its beauty as a communication aid - and have seen it used effectively in mixed dog classes of very different breeds. JMHO :)

Lindsay

I have a 13 wk Miniature Schnautzer and I have recently started usuing a clicker.
In the past two weeks it has helped a lot, she will come and sit in front of whoever is holding the clicker when she hears it. She will do this even when we are out and she is on a long lead, she has progressed a lot with toilet training as, whenever she does her business outside I use the clicker and she is rewarded with a doggy treat. So far, I think the clicker is beneficial and I am sure it will help with training in the future.
As far as cats and pups go, I have a 2yr cat and at first he was terrified of the pup so we always made sure there was somthing high he could sit on when he was in the same room as the pup, but now the tables have turned.. he now sits and looks at the pup in amusement as she is dancing round and leaping in and out to try and nip him. The cat has on a couple of occasions hissed at the pup but surprisingly he has never once scratched or hurt her, I am sure the pup knows instinctively the cat would seriously hurt her if she went too far and so she does not make contact with her teeth. And also believe the cat is actualy enjoying the play element of their encounters.
I previously had a lurcher and 3 other cats, ( all now sadly died of old age.) and they all lived happily together.
Just something amusing to end with...... I have a dog that is scared of a cat, and a cat and dog that are both scared of my two ducks. This "pecking order" is not really as nature dictates is it?

Although I haven't got a bull terrier, I have clicker trained our Aussie pup (who is nearly 9 months now), and found it really good. He seemed to understand what I wanted him to do much quicker and will offer behaviours himself now - eg. when out walking, he will suddenly start walking to heel without me having done anything. Or he will be in front of me and then start walking backwards (something he was learning a few weeks ago), without me prompting him. I don't see why clicker training can't work for any breed of dog, although some dogs can be afraid of the 'clicking' sound to start with. Basically, the clicker is a special sound that tells your dog he has done something right. You can use your voice of course, but it's easier to get the timing right with a clicker, and also your voice can be monotonous, as it is something the dog hears a lot of the day. It's the same principle as training dolphins with a whistle.

If a "proper" clicker is too loud for your dog, try a Parker style biro, with the button on top. Or you can get little "fun" clickers which aren't quite as loud.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. We've been using the clicker for a couple of days and have already noticed a difference! Can't wait to carry on with it.