Terrible 2's? Plus Clicker Dependence?

R

ryanelguiri

Forums Regular
I was reading somewhere that around 9 months dogs start to try to test their owners limits, see how much they can get away with everything, etc?

Anyone else have experience with this. Now Ella appears to be running a muck, opening the apartment door, last night she completely destroyed a wicker basket that we have her toys in, and that was the first time shes ever chewed any sort of furniture, or something that was not hers.

I'm just worried that we are doing something wrong. Does anyone have ideas on how to combat it? She still is super attentive.

Also, I had a question along the same lines. After I've started to use the clicker, she is super keyed into it. She still does sit, down, etc all of those commands without it, but I was just too worried about becoming dependent on it.

Anyone have any ideas with that? Is it always going to be a necessity to use the clicker?(I have no problem with that)
 
Our 9 month old Rookie first responded wonderfully to the clicker. Now, he ignores it. He just won't "come" inside when asked. We've tried everything! He's surely testing the waters, but I have to admit...he's so darn CUTE as he does it! lol doesn't help matters at all though. This morning, he wouldn't come inside and I just closed the door and left him out by himself for a minute. He quickly came a-knock'n..lol My experience is that there does come a time in puppyhood (right about now) where it is necessary to start over again in training..but it only lasts a very short time because they really do already know this stuff. Just the terrible 2s!
 
Ella does the same thing, she just sits outside the door then bolts down the stairs of our apartment complex.

If I get the clicker though and just give it a click, she comes sprinting into me.
 
Just like with using treats, once she knows the commands well and obeys 90% of the time, you can start fading the use of the clicker out.
 
My boys are both almost 11 months and definitely terrible two's!

So I find myself being alot firmer with them then I used to be. Good ol' days was a happy voice and a treat was enough to get them to do the behaviour I wanted. I seem to be using the "growly" voice more often that I used to - but it's working. :razz:
 
As suggested by other posters, fade the clicker then fade the treats. I personally click and/or treat randomly for things Romeo already knows just to reinforce it now and then. I do it only because he's well into his adolescence (he's 11mths) and yes, they do test the boundaries to see what they can get away with (so it's important that you let them know they can't get away with anything!!).

Just yesterday in fact, Romeo was on the sofa doing his cute digging thing (I dont' have a problem with that) and I was on the floor with my camera wanting to take a short video, when he looked up, STRAIGHT INTO MY EYES and LIFTED HIS LEG and peed on the sofa pillow and on the sofa itself! I was SHOCKED. This coming from the boy who had no accidents since he was 4 months old! My jaw dropped and I just stared at him until my brain kicked into motion again and I said Bad boy! Too bad!, picked him up and put him away for a very looooonnggg timeout. I think he fell asleep in there so I don't know how effective that was! hahaha!
 
ryanelguiri said:
Ella does the same thing, she just sits outside the door then bolts down the stairs of our apartment complex.

If I get the clicker though and just give it a click, she comes sprinting into me.
Click to expand...


If she understands clicker training at all, then by doing this you are reinforcing her to stay outside. Remember the click means that the dog did something good at that precise time. It DOES NOT act as a signal to get the dog's attention or to call them. It DOES NOT act as a remote control. So if you are clicking when she is sitting outside the door ignoring you, you are telling her that she is doing a good thing and rewarding for it.

As for the terrible two's ... I've never had a dog that has experienced those before. Maybe it is because, by 2 years old, I have them so involved in training and competing that they just forget about the bad behaviours. By the time Romeo was 2 he had already earned his CD, RNMCL, RACL, HIC, FD, and FDX titles. Based on that, I can only suggest to keep them more busy. Do more formal training, keep their mind and their body occupied, and foster that desire to learn.
 
Last edited:
She is just insanely hyper, ever since she was a puppy. Sure, everyone says 'my dog has boundless energy' but Ella truly does.

I take her to 2 puppy play sessions a week, plus obedience class and work at least 3 times a day 20 minutes on commands, tricks, touches (for agility starting in a few weeks).

I take her for 2 walks a day as well. She just struggles to relax.

And I was wrong with the clicker training, once she sees me grab my bag of treats and i yell Come, she comes running.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top