So you used treats and calming attention to let her know this is good dog behavior! This is what you expect of her. Good dog mamma!
It does take patience, but mine was about 6 mos old when I got her, and I think she certainly had the idea within a week or two; she looked forward to the settle game. I would even say, "let's play the settle game!" and she jumped in her bed herself and would lie down on her side with head down ("good head down!") with some
wag and wag as it was easy way to get treats. I am sure SHE thought she was training me to give treats for just doing this. Just keep saying, 'that's it, settle, settle, good dog, settle, show me settle settle." I can't wait to see how long it does take. It is tough for puppy as it is probably first time it is being made to control its wiggly body. Again; if she can learn it as a cue word; you can eventually use it if she is hyper in other situations.
Very useful. Example, mine was barking up a tree in my yard, I went to check and found cat up a tree. So I said these cues she knows: "settle" that calmed her some to stop running around tree and barking gave treat
Then next most important to learn "leave it" she knows that means move her attention away from whatever it is on ; gave treat; then said "follow" and we both headed to house. Gave her treat. Then once in lots of good dogs and hugs. So other night; opossum up a tree; did same and it went even faster! So it is very very useful cue to learn.
For mine, even though it was among first I taught her; she certainly caught on to a useful point less than a month. Then, secondarily, if you stick to same time same routine, she learns it is 'nite nite' time and goes to sleep. Of course plenty of chews available as reward and to get rid of excess mental energy.
I did not have to exercise to wear out. At first it was just little short things as I said and catching those with a treat and YES! Then part of the game was to try to do it a little longer, I would count 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds. I DO find if I spend a minimum of 15 minutes devoted to playing with her actively at any time of day; her over all behavior is just better. It is a treat in itself.
As far as patience, I believe more intelligent the dog; more patience in training as the dog has to figure it out in its mind's terms. They actually LEARN; not just react. Also; until they learn to learn; and look to learning as fun attention; that they please you; that this is what you want; it takes a little longer. After a bit; it seems they realize they are supposed to be doing SOME behavior to get a reward. They will try different things and soon they 'guess' better at what you want. All part of the game of learning. Fun, treats, fun, attention.
SO the more persistent and patient you are in first steps; the reward will pay off later. But you do have to wait for attention span to mature or they spaz out and get hyper and frustrated.
Also, as you know, at some point there is meeting of minds and understanding and communication between you and dog grows; you read them better; they read you; and everyone relaxes! And trust comes.
Also I have been told, if you give a cue dog should know but does not do when asked; do not just keep repeating it. Several reasons for this; but for mine; in MOST cases it is because she is distracted from me and not paying attention. So I lightly poke her with finger, jiggle leash, make funny sound etc. To get attention. Then more times than not, she does what I ask right then!
I NEED SUGGESTIONS TO SOLVE THIS ONE:
**NOW, if anyone has hints for decreasing MINE'S desire to 'talk' to me with whining sounds! (like Lassie when Timmy was down in the well". It is getting some better; it is how she talks to me not always because she wants something. It is just annoying sound, and if in public sounds pitiful to untrained ear. She is not unhappy either. I think it may be because person that had her from 3-6 mos was deaf and did not know so she learned it was ok.
