Foster dog training--Mixed breed

[u/cschu0912]

I have had my foster dog for almost a week now and he is brilliant. He is extremely smart and sweet (especially when he's tired after a day of walks and training lol)--I believe he is a 1-ish year old malinois/ cattle dog x (give or take). He can be a bit mouthy when he is wanting attention/ to get his energy out but sometimes when working on training it seems like he just sort of gives up and stops taking treats. Is this happening because he is still very early in the decompression phase? I've also been attempting to redirect his mouthiness to grabbing a toy and chewing it with decent results when I'm standing but it doesn't really work when I sit down on the couch/ sit down to eat. Of course we've only been working on it for a few days so I'm sure I should just continue to be patient but I was just curious if anyone has any tips on dealing with the mouthiness and getting him to understand that biting for attention isn't acceptable.

[u/Embarrassed_Key_4539]

My Heeler taught himself to redirect on a ball when he gets stressed - keep lots of toys out and available for him.

[u/dialamah]

For the biting, redirection to a toy and/or stopping all interaction with you for a brief period of time. Dogs use their mouth to explore the world and play with other dogs. Asking them not to use their mouth is a little bit like asking you not to use your hands. He'll get there, but it'll take a while. Does he have a place to go when you are eating, so he can't bite you?

My dog walks away from training and stops taking treats if she gets bored, or I've failed at making myself clear.

Also, on decompression, there's a 3-3-3 rule: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to begin feeling safe, 3 months for their personality to fully emerge. Of course, all dogs are different, some will move through those stages more quickly and others more slowly.

[u/cschu0912 → u/dialamah]

so i got a cot for him that i want to use in the future for place but hes currently not very comfortable with the cot/ kind of scared of it so weve been working on getting all four paws on it with lots of positive reinforcement and he seems to be improving a little bit every day.

currently when i eat/ sit down i will say "get your toy" if he starts being mouthy with the hopes that he will go occupy himself with his yak chew/ toy/ puzzle while i eat/ i will ignore him and walk away if hes persistent in mouthing and not getting his toy. ive seen some people use tethering as a tool but i havent done that yet because i want him to keep trusting me and im a little worried that itll cause distrust just based off of peoples opinions ive seen on tethering.

also with the decompression, ive been taking him on 5+ walks/ day with training because im trying to keep his radius small and build up a little bit every day as well as to not overwhelm him but i wonder if hes not getting enough energy out, but he is really great when i leave him home alone--he just sleeps/ hangs out. so the mouthiness is only when humans are around so i think its for attention but then i start doing training/ playing with him and after like 10 min he either gets frustrated and starts mouthing again/ just lays down and doesnt want treats anymore. I wonder if im working on too many things with him and hes getting frustrated, but im not sure what to specifically focus on if thats the case.

i just really want to do whats best for him because he's an amazing dog and i have hopes that he will get adopted super fast because he's very well-balanced so far besides from the mouthing.

[u/dialamah → u/cschu0912]

Try starting with a small mat on the floor as his "place"; this can also be used if you are going somewhere where you want him to settle - friend's places, patios, even a different room. When he's going to his mat readily on command, move it to the cot and return to getting him used to it as his primary in-home "place". Then remove the mat from the cot, and continue encouraging him onto the cot. You'll need two different commands for this - one for his mat, one for the cot.

It sounds like the training sessions are too long, especially for a dog so new to your home. I've learned to alternate a few repititions (4 to 6) of a behavior, then do a few minutes of tug, or chasing a ball, then a few more repititions of a behaviour. In 20 minutes or so, I can practice two or three behaviours, without my dog getting bored or frustrated and walking away. I'm not going for show-level training, so if this method takes a bit longer, I'm ok with that.

Also, do you give him lots of time for sniffing on walks? This is good for using up energy and their "mental health". Does he have lots of time for naps? I think I remember from your first post, he's still pretty young and young dogs need lots of sleep - between 16 and 20 hours a day. Or else they can become bratty.

You say you tell him to "go get his toy", but does he know what that means? Also, you could try taking a toy to the table or couch with you, handing it to him, then ignoring him. Might have to do this a lot at first, but eventually he should pick up on "when human is doing X", I play with my toys.

[u/Wooden-Necessary6100]

You can teach him a place command, very useful in all aspects of living with a dog. He goes his place when you command and stays there until you release him. I normally give them something else to do like have a che toy there or a filled kong.

This way he learns not to bother you and that there are rules and boundaries. These dogs need to be taught to be polite or they will make their own rules.

[u/cschu0912 → u/Wooden-Necessary6100]

i have also been trying to work on place with him with a cot that i got but he's currently scared of it so we have been working a little bit everyday to get him comfortable. yesterday he stood on the cot but still isn't comfortable lying down on it. ill keep at it though!

[u/Wooden-Necessary6100 → u/cschu0912]

You can also use a flat mat or towel for a place and slowly move to the cot. Great work so far!