no new tricks

[nicole]

I have a Golden Retriever who is almost two years old. As a puppy he was very eager to learn tricks but wouldn't really listen well enough to associate words with the tricks. I was eventually able to get him to listen and now he loves showing me how well he can do the tricks he knows.

I've tried to teach him new tricks, but he refuses to cooperate. For example, I thought it would be neat for him to be able to turn on the light so I got a foot switch and showed him how to use it. He wouldn't try it himself the first day (and would resist my attempts to put his paw on the switch) so I stopped bugging him about it and about a week later I just casually said "turn on the light" and he actually tried to turn it on! He didn't hit it hard enough but I still praised him.

Unfortunately, that was the one and only time I have EVER got him to willingly touch the switch. He isn't afraid of it, he just doesn't want to cooperate. I've tried working with him on this more and I'm pretty sure he knows exactly what I want him to do but just has no interest in doing it. I tried bribing him with treats (that he LOVES), but he just fixates on the treat and won't do anything but stare at it and run through all the tricks he's known for ages.

Any suggestions?? Thanks.

[ March 06, 2004, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Nicole ]

[Dax]

Nicole, it seems no one has any advice for you but I think I do. Move on to something else. A cute trick is only a cute trick for a little while anyway. From what I remember, most professional dog trainers look for traits or behaviors that their animals already do and then expand on them. Think of something that will give your pup pleasure and work on it - then go back to the first trick. I bet your dog will surprise you by being more willing to try again.

[nicole]

I've tried starting him on a few other trick ideas, but I felt that he wasn't getting the idea. I've tried teaching him speak since he is natually a vocal dog, but it seems like cat's got his tongue whenever I give him the command. Maybe I confused him about it's meaning.

I think I need something straightforward for him to learn to get him back in the habit of learning. Do you have any suggestions? He knows basic obedience commands as well as sitting like he's begging, spinning around, and giving five.

Thanks for the help!