Train Your Dog like a Pro?

I was struggling a bit with Prince - he wasn`t coming along as well as I would like so I bought Jean Donaldson`s new book and started working from that...
and I must say it`s working.
She emphasises the logical way of progressing your training and points out that dogs need time to process training and points out that we (ok, me) as owners tend to skip stuff or push on too fast.
So I`ve just done Chapter One (Sit and Watch) and Prince is a little star. Daisy is also benefitting by having a refresher course, and Shamus is enjoying the liberal use of Cheese.
I`ll let you know when we`ve done Step Two!
Anyone else finding it helpful?

Sounds great!!

No I haven't read it but I might do now! What sort of stuff did you find you were skipping/rushing without realising?

I was given the book (and the DVD) as a present last year.

Glad it is doing good - I might have to have a nosey

Sometimes its nice just to have a different way of looking at things

I was assuming he had learned stuff properly - that is, they had become almost automatic, when in fact as a clever boy, he was thinking about them first.
So he `knows` sit, down, come etc but tbh only the Come is foolproof. Someone has worked really hard on Come, but his other commands he does if the reward is adequate.
Because of this, his reactions when out were pretty hit and miss and depended on if he was feeling receptive or not.
Like Daisy`s `Watch` needed to be bomb-proof because of her reactivity, Prince`s needs to be as well because he is quite excitable.
So going back to basics means the behaviours are becoming ingrained and I can use them to defuse situations, rather than only when he is calm (which is a bit pointless )

Hmmm that's interesting and probably a trap that most of us fall into. Sounds like a good read, I've just ordered myself a copy

I have her entire library, I like JD cos she just talks plain old common sense in a language that most people can understand, I have recommended her books to clients (and on forums) more times than any other author.

Again, nothing new but in a way that some people can grasp more easily.

Sounds a good book, I may have to invest in one to help with training Grey.

Sounds a good book and one I may get myself. What is it called?

Doh! Just realised it is the title of the thread!