Is it possible??? - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**KissesBacci** · 02-08-2013, 04:02 AM

To teach a young dog *2 year old* new tricks, without the help of a trainer? And if so, how long do you guys think it would take? Is it even worth trying on my own, or should I hire a trainer?

Bacci already knew "sit" when I got him, but that is all he knows. I want him to know how to give a high five and cute tricks like that.

Also, when we play fetch, he fetches the object but never brings it back. How do I get him to bring it to me???

**maggieh** · 02-08-2013, 06:20 AM

With lots of positive reinforcement and treats, it's not too difficult depending on what you're trying to get them to do. Every once in a while I try to teach them something new - Tessa gets it right away while Sweetness says "mom, you know I get by on my looks!"

**luvsmalts** · 02-08-2013, 08:44 AM

If you google dog tricks online you should find some good videos. I found this one guy I really enjoyed watching Tab 289 he makes it look so easy. If Bacci is treat driven it will make it a lot easier.

**lydiatug** · 02-08-2013, 12:40 PM

Of course! Just be patient and persistent for short periods of time. If you teach them tricks that go along with things they already like to do, it helps too. Good luck : )

**KissesBacci** · 02-09-2013, 07:43 AM

Thanks for the tips guys! But here is the problem... Bacci eats dry dog food mixed in with boiled chicken breast. I had to start doing that because without adding the chicken, he would go for 3-4 days without eating. He just REFUSES to eat plain dog food. I know usually a healthy dog will not starve himself, but here we have a stubborn case hehe...

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that he already eats chicken for dinner, and anything else he's really not crazy about. For the most part, he'll smell whatever it is I'm trying to give him and nibble on it a little and drop it. He's not one of those dogs that goes crazy for food. I brought him to my mom's house yesterday and she tried to give him little pieces of a hot dog (my mom just LOVES feeding animals) and he smelled it, put it in his mouth and then dropped it and walked away!!!

So all in all, no- he is not treat driven. What can I do in that case?

**cyndrae** · 02-09-2013, 10:01 AM

Try saving some of his dinner for tricks. My dogs have to work for their food by playing ball. You can do it there is lots of ideas on the Internet.

**luvsmalts** · 02-09-2013, 10:03 AM

Before Boomer would go to obedience class they told us to bring him hungry. Maybe you could use the chicken for treats on the days you do training and not add it to his kibble. I've heard some dogs are more play driven so you could offer a special toy.
Have you tried cheese, steak, bacon, only offer a teeny tiny piece for treats. Try a beginner obedience class they may have more suggestions.

**Sparkle'sMom** · 02-09-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KissesBacci

To teach a young dog *2 year old* new tricks, without the help of a trainer? And if so, how long do you guys think it would take? Is it even worth trying on my own, or should I hire a trainer?

Bacci already knew "sit" when I got him, but that is all he knows. I want him to know how to give a high five and cute tricks like that.

Also, when we play fetch, he fetches the object but never brings it back. How do I get him to bring it to me???

I don't know, but what a cutie patootie! And your post was a great hook. I had to read it.

**Yogi's Mom** · 02-09-2013, 04:21 PM

Well Iam sure going to watch this post--iam just getting to the trick trainng part. so i hope to learn lots on this good post. nickee*

I Just Caught Yogi with a stink bug-trying to get it--see it on the floor?

**KissesBacci** · 02-09-2013, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the suggestions you guys! That might actually be a good idea, to keep him hungry before training. I will try that!

As far as cheese, bacon, steak etc... Nope, if hes not hungry, he wont even chew it. He'll smell it, put it in his mouth and then drop it and walk away. What a weird dog!!!! lol... My experience with dogs was always that it didnt matter whether or not they were hungry, if human food was there they would eat it no questions asked! But thats a good point, I really didnt think of keeping him hungry before training.

I'll also look up some videos on youtube. Besides the ones that were already mentioned, do you guys have any personal favorites?

Again thank you all for your responses!

02-08-2013, 04:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
KissesBacci Newbie Name: Briyanna Dog's Name: Bacci Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 25	Is it possible??? *To teach a young dog 2 year old* new tricks, without the help of a trainer? And if so, how long do you guys think it would take? Is it even worth trying on my own, or should I hire a trainer? Bacci already knew "sit" when I got him, but that is all he knows. I want him to know how to give a high five and cute tricks like that. Also, when we play fetch, he fetches the object but never brings it back. How do I get him to bring it to me??? __________________ Be the person your dog thinks you are...**

02-08-2013, 06:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
maggieh Super Moderator Name: Maggie Dog's Name: Sweetness and Tessa Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago - Western Suburbs Posts: 5,727	With lots of positive reinforcement and treats, it's not too difficult depending on what you're trying to get them to do. Every once in a while I try to teach them something new - Tessa gets it right away while Sweetness says "mom, you know I get by on my looks!" __________________ Sweetness and Tessa

02-08-2013, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
lydiatug Maltese Guru Name: Lydia Dog's Name: Lexie, Bayleigh (yorkie) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 270	Of course! Just be patient and persistent for short periods of time. If you teach them tricks that go along with things they already like to do, it helps too. Good luck : ) __________________

02-09-2013, 07:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
KissesBacci Newbie Name: Briyanna Dog's Name: Bacci Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 25	Thanks for the tips guys! But here is the problem... Bacci eats dry dog food mixed in with boiled chicken breast. I had to start doing that because without adding the chicken, he would go for 3-4 days without eating. He just REFUSES to eat plain dog food. I know usually a healthy dog will not starve himself, but here we have a stubborn case hehe... Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that he already eats chicken for dinner, and anything else he's really not crazy about. For the most part, he'll smell whatever it is I'm trying to give him and nibble on it a little and drop it. He's not one of those dogs that goes crazy for food. I brought him to my mom's house yesterday and she tried to give him little pieces of a hot dog (my mom just LOVES feeding animals) and he smelled it, put it in his mouth and then dropped it and walked away!!! So all in all, no- he is not treat driven. What can I do in that case? __________________ *Be the person your dog thinks you are...*

02-09-2013, 10:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
cyndrae Maltese Guru Name: Cindy Dog's Name: Lilly and Daisy Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,853	Try saving some of his dinner for tricks. My dogs have to work for their food by playing ball. You can do it there is lots of ideas on the Internet. __________________ Cindy Lilly & Daisy

02-08-2013, 08:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
luvsmalts Maltese Guru Name: Pat Dog's Name: Boomer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 250	If you google dog tricks online you should find some good videos. I found this one guy I really enjoyed watching Tab 289 he makes it look so easy. If Bacci is treat driven it will make it a lot easier.

02-09-2013, 10:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
luvsmalts Maltese Guru Name: Pat Dog's Name: Boomer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 250	Before Boomer would go to obedience class they told us to bring him hungry. Maybe you could use the chicken for treats on the days you do training and not add it to his kibble. I've heard some dogs are more play driven so you could offer a special toy. Have you tried cheese, steak, bacon, only offer a teeny tiny piece for treats. Try a beginner obedience class they may have more suggestions.

02-09-2013, 04:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Yogi's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Nickee Dog's Name: Yogi Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Uniontown,pa Posts: 2,628	Well Iam sure going to watch this post--iam just getting to the trick trainng part. so i hope to learn lots on this good post. nickee* I Just Caught Yogi with a stink bug-trying to get it--see it on the floor? __________________ The Love of My Life,Yogi* Last edited by Yogi's Mom; 03-08-2013 at 03:24 PM.

02-09-2013, 10:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
KissesBacci Newbie Name: Briyanna Dog's Name: Bacci Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 25	Thanks for the suggestions you guys! That might actually be a good idea, to keep him hungry before training. I will try that! As far as cheese, bacon, steak etc... Nope, if hes not hungry, he wont even chew it. He'll smell it, put it in his mouth and then drop it and walk away. What a weird dog!!!! lol... My experience with dogs was always that it didnt matter whether or not they were hungry, if human food was there they would eat it no questions asked! But thats a good point, I really didnt think of keeping him hungry before training. I'll also look up some videos on youtube. Besides the ones that were already mentioned, do you guys have any personal favorites? Again thank you all for your responses! __________________ *Be the person your dog thinks you are...*

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