Can someone help with some pointers on how I should handle and train a senstive dog? I see all of these different training methods and I'm not really sure which ones work best. I have used the pinch collar in the past and had great success with it, but do you think this is too harsh for a dog that shudders if you look at it wrong?

we've just adopted two 8 month old Aussies 5 days ago and they appear to be quite nervous and sensitive to any type of commanding or unapproved tone of voice. This might just be because they are so new in our home, but in my oppinion, I think that this is a personality trait in the dogs. I can't explain why I think this, just a feeling that I get about them. I really want to try and work that out of them and make 'em more confident so that there arn't any problems in the future.

I've read in other posts that I should not allow or approve of shy or timid type behavior from the dog. How would you begin to correct it with a pup that is new in your home? I'm concerned because they are still trying to figure out if they can trust us and are safe. I'm currently still having problems with getting them to eat (my other post).

It might be too soon to begin their training since they've just arrived, but I'm trying to do my research now so that I can prepare. Any suggestions? thanks!

I would suggest clicker training - use Google to search and I'm sure you will get lots of info. Ja:)kie

I do agree with you in that the pinch collar would not suit a sensitive dog. More on this in a minute :)

Regarding the posts you have read where it is suggested shy and timid behavoiur should not be allowed or approved of. The idea is to not actually praise or pat the dog when it is acting in this way, as this will make the dog believe the nervous behaviour is the correct behaviour. I use a jolly hockey sticks voice if the situation warrants it, but never force the dog to do anything, just let it work it out for itself by following my cue. So if I am confident and happy, the dog usually learns to be the same, or at least to cope well. It may take a little time, though :) as you can't reallly change a dog's personality.

If you need to correct a pup, IMHO the best way is first of all to set the pup up for success and so there is not often a need for correction. eg keep all things out of the way they may chew, ignore housetraining errors, just teach what you DO want etc. So as to keep correction to an absolute minimum.

I personally very rarely use correction with any dog, and never physically, but if I do need to, just use my voice - a sharp "ah ah" works very well. If you get into clicker training (which by the way is ideal for a nervous dog as it encourages them to use their initiative) you can use the word "wrong" and as time goes by this can be used in just a normal voice so that the dog understands. Very useful :)

I can recommend a book that i feel will absolutely suit you, it is called "Purely Positive Training" by Sheila Booth. She originally co-wrote a book on Schutzhund training in which she recommended the correct use of a pinch collar.

She then had a young GSD who had so much potential but was very sensitive and she met a few people who had excellent results using purely positive training, so she started to change her ideas, ditched the pinch collar and got excellent results in Schutzhund with her sensitive bitch :) This is why i feel the book will suit you, because she did use the pinch collar herself on most of her dogs.

The book concentrates a lot on puppy manners, and the relationship in general, and then goes on to elaborate much more on training in Part 2. She links the varous exercises to trials, agility, or obedicience which is a great help :) It was voted training book of the year (not sure who by!) and is a thick paperback, with photos, and very nice to read :) I got my copy from www.crosskeysbooks.com.....I also got the Schutzhund one to compare and to sort of get the background.

On other suggestion I would make is to make the time to train your 2 dogs separately. I expect you know this, but it reallydoes help. Maybe start in the garden and then carry on from there. I had 2 BSDs and would take them out together, but tie one up whilst I practiced with the other, and so on. They also learned a bit from watching each other.

I'm not sure quite how far you want to go, but I use clicker training, you can do a search and come up with a few sites, or there are many good books. Karen Pryor has written one which is a nice hardback from Pets at Home, very useful to learn the basics. With this sort of training you don't ever punish the dog whilst training, or not in the accepted sense, once the dog latches on, you can remove the reward and that is akin to a "punishment". The dog can also be "shaped" to learn which again improves confidence and is great fun too. I love it :) and more importantly so does my dog. There are also very good clubs that are based on clicker training.

If you feel the relationship is going well, do consider taking up agility. Many owners of nerouvs dogs feel that, with an undeerstanding instructor, this sport has really helped their dogs become more confident. Aussies are quite good at it :)

BEst of luck
Lindsay

Peach My advice is to bond with them first take you time and get to know them .Do have a bit of fun and do recall training yourself .When you feel they are well and truly your dogs then do the training . The most important thing right now is getting to know them.
Mari

i agree with mari,,,---they dont even know who you are yet :rolleyes: --give them a few weeks, you maysee 2 different dogs, its obvious theyre still a touch strange as theyre not eating, --as for your pinch collar-put it on your xmas tree :D