We are experiencing some trouble with our 1yr old rescue staffie X. How can you stick to your rules in and out the house and train a dog that is fairly nerveous? We are trying to build our dogs confidence at the same time. Commands must be firm and fair, but never the less he would try the paitents of a saint sometimes. How can we keep on with the same command, ie "Bed and stay", roughly 12 times in the course of an hour. Ending up physically getting up and putting him there, so there is know doulbts as to what he should be doing and not destroy the little bit of confidence he has built up or add to his nervousness. We are trying treats as way of rewards but this is falling flat as well. We would love advice on how to deal with this sort of problem. Our other rescue dog is know problem at all. In fact we have tried to use him to show the other one what to do but this also does not work.

Hi

Are you expecting your dog to stay in his bed for an hour? :)
One thing that happens with dogs, even well trained ones, is that they lose concentration and just think it is OK to move. Theydont really have our concentration span. Not saying that a dog can't Stay for one hour, but i've never needed to do it or know anyone else who has. Maybe i am getting the wrong end of the stick?

When you say you are using treats as rewards but that is falling flat as well, can you give an example of what happens?

Lindsay

You have to have rules but they must be easy for the dog to understand and comply with.  They must also be flexible and take into consideration the nature of the dog.   If you are telling him to go to his bed and stay that many times then maybe he just wants to be with you or maybe there is something about where his bed is placed that he is uncomfortable with?  He may crave attention and getting out of his bed is a way to get it or perhaps he simply doesn't understand.  Does he have to go to his bed?  If he is nervous and lacks confidence then you need to help him to get things right to boost his confidence and avoid nagging him and "physically putting him in his bed".  IMO
Sally

Lindsay thank you for your reply. No I do not ecpect my dog to stay in his bed for an hour! Just to go there in the first place would be good. All I am really after is how to train a nerveous un-confident dog.
Sally thankyou for your comment about trying not to nag him. It is proving very difficult for us to remain consistent in our commands and at the same time not be appearing to nag him. We are always quick to treat him with food and with praise when he is correct, but unfortunatley he is not very often correct.

"but unfortunatley he is not very often correct"

Then that is a clear indication that he doesn't understand what you want.  Why don't you lower your expectations slightly?  As he is nervous he will worry about getting it wrong and that will make it more difficult for him to learn.  Be very patient - take everything in small steps - success breeds success.   Ever time he does something wrong he is practising doing it wrong.  If you want him to go to his bed, then make it really worth his while, maybe drop a succession of yummy treats in there for him to eat just for standing in it then let him get out.  In stages you can leave longer between treats, ask for sit or down. Reward him for going there of his own accord and make sure that he doesn't think he's been sent there as punishment.  If you want him in his bed because you don't want him under your feet would it be easier to put him out of the room but behind a stair gate maybe?
Sally

Sally, Thank you for your advice. Our other older rescue dog, has got heeps of confidence and always has had and so was very easy to train. But our nerveous little fellow is quite a different story. He has got such a sweet nature and is very much a people dog. We will try to ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good things he does. I have had several dogs through my life but have never had one like this. I guess that that is not helping the situation. Dogs are simular to children though, I have got 3 of them!, and each child is a total individual with their own personalities. Thank you once again for your help.
Nicolinena

Glad to help.  I have several rescue dogs and I have to make allowances for their individual personalities and needs.  As you say, like children, dogs can be very different too.  One of my dogs in particular is extremely nervous.  We have had him for just over a year and he still won't go to anyone except me.  In a year he has learnt to sit and lie down on command, to play with a ball, and to go to his crate for his meals and to bed.  I don't expect anything else of him.  :)
Sally