And we are back on Thursdays! Sorry for the delay; Obie's neutering caused a few problems with actually getting things done. :)
This Thursday we'd like to talk about something that really works well with dogs that are demanding and tend to override your decisions. It's called "Nothing In Life Is Free" (NILIF) and though we had heard of the concept before, we had trainers with Obie that really encouraged us to use it extensively. Sometimes Bernese Mountain Dogs--and other dogs too!--can become somewhat demanding of what they want or don't want. At the least, this is annoying. At most, it can be dangerous, especially if you have a large, powerful dog.
The idea of Nothing in Life Is Free is just that--the dog needs to "work" for what he gets. If he wants petted, he has to sit and stay first. If he wants a drink, he needs to sit or stand and wait politely until you get the water on the floor and release him. If he wants outside, he needs to sit at the door. If he wants out of the crate, he has to wait quietly while you put on the leash--no mouthing or prancing wildly around. It also may include hand-feeding the dog at mealtimes (though we didn't involve that with Obie). Not all dogs need the NILIF protocol, but if you have a dog that tends to "run the show," ignore commands, or generally behave as if you don't exist, it might be helpful. It also helped Obie learn to be calmer and less demanding when he wanted something.
Obviously, your dog needs to know a few commands before you start practicing NILIF. You can teach these with lures or clicker training; a beginner obedience class at your local AKC club is a great place to start.
4 comments:
http://www.ddfl.org/education/dog-behavior-tips
I work at an animal shelter, Denver Dumb Friends League(not sure if the link above will work or not but it has some great behavior tips). NILIF is something we regularly prescribe to people who adopt our more difficult dogs. As a puppy raiser however, we do this naturally while training our dogs and I believe all dogs should have to work for what they get. Not only does it provide mental stimulation and helps lay down rules but creates a safer more polite dog. When our puppies sit and wait for an OKAY at the door, it teaches them manners, allows us to go through without getting bowled over, and prevents dear little puppy from running into traffic and/or becoming a door darter. Our puppies also wait to get our of the crate, wait for food, and sit politely when we put on their vest/leash, and are not rewarded when they beg for food or petting or while to get out of the crate. I believe NILIF is something all good trainers (and pet owners)should incorporate into their life.
sorry, that should say whining to get out of the crate
I agree with the other Erin, I use a version of NILF or Learning to Earn, or what have you, with all my dogs all the time. I don't think its really should be used only for difficult dogs, but to help keep all dogs mentally focused as well.
I am SO fortunate--I have a well trained dog that a puppy raiser spent lots of time getting her to BE that well trained.
I have zero dog training experience--but have to comment that this type of training sounds like very good training to me! Can also be applied to children! (Some learning better than others, of course!)
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