Questions from Sheltie Newbie

[OntarioSheltie]

1. She absolutely hates being brushed. Any suggestions? In addition, do I still brush her even if she hates it?

Slow slow introduction to the brush. Give lots of cookies for even 2 brush strokes. If she relaxes even for second, huge reward! Give her time to get used to it, and don't push her so that she is super uncomfortable or panicky. Don't give up just because she doesn't like it.

2. What do I do if I give her a command and she ignores me? Do I simply offer positive reinforcement when she complies or do I punish when she ignores me?

I think the answer to this depends on what you're asking and what she knows. For instance, if she knows sit (100% knows what she should do) and you tell her "sit" and she ignores you, you should mark her mistake. What that means is to let her know that she got it wrong. No yelling, or anger, or even the word "No". We use a specific marker word, "unh-unh". Once you let her know that she got it wrong, correct her behavior and make her sit (push her butt down gently) and then give her some neutral praise "yes" or "that's it" but no treat. Try again, and try to end on a positive note. If she gets it the second time, HUGE praise and cookies!

Excellent advice, and I have two things to add to it.

When brushing, you may find it easier if you really wear her out first. My two have never loved to be brushed because it means they have to be still. But if they're tired when I brush them, they'll usually sleep right through it.

About correcting behaviors, the trainer I'm with now doesn't believe in marking mistakes, which is what I'd been taught. I'm not saying marking mistakes is wrong, because its not, this trainer just has a different way of training and it seems to work equally well.

Instead of marking mistakes, we ignore them. If I say sit and Ginny sits immediately, she gets praise and a treat. If she doesn't sit, I take her by the collar or slide my hand down the leash to the collar, and gently pull her into a sit. I say sit as her bum meets the floor and praise her for sitting, but don't give a treat. This way she learns that sitting is always good, but sitting right away produces food. Once sit was mastered I stopped giving her treats when she sat but still gave her praise.