Turkey Necktie Training

I PERFORM FOR TURKEY

No, not training a turkey, and not about Thanksgiving.  No "Fifty Shades of Grey" necktie involved.  It is Liam and my attempts to train him to sit/stay and bark appropriately. Paul is puzzled that I have been unable to teach Liam to do the basics. He cites my management background and extra time in retirement as reasons why I should have been able to do it. Why does a loving licking blogging Liam need training?

I AM A GOOD DOG

He barks (too much) and greets by jumping. These are the two behaviors that we need to work
on.  I have been reinvigorated to try training by the just completed series "Dogs in the City" with Justin Silver see link
http://www.cbs.com/shows/dogs_in_the_city/
and Cesar Millan's final group of "Dog Whisperer" shows

http://www.cesarsway.com/dogwhisperer/about-the-show/
I have found techniques to try from both
.
Turkey-
that is from Justin. He rewards with turkey. We always have deli lite turkey in the fridge. I take out a piece (only 10 calories) break it into pieces, say sit/stay with a hand command.  Liam does as many sit/stays as I have turkey pieces. Paul points out that sometimes I say sit and other times I say stay. I counter that it is the hand motion that does it. However, most times when I do the hand motion without the turkey, Liam just stares at me and then heads to the fridge. A serendipitous by-product of turkey training is that Liam goes into some sort of turkey coma.

TURKEY COMA

That takes care of sitting/staying and barking.

Necktie-

NECKTIE STOPS BARKING FOR A BIT

This idea is from Cesar's episode last week with a barking British dog. This terrier mix has barked for 6 years, nonstop. Cesar even prayed over this one. Really. I have never seen him do that. He rubbed some scented oil on his hands and tied a dishtowel around the dog's neck. Both techniques were aimed at calming the dog. They worked. No barking. I try a variation- I spray Avon "Skin So Soft" bath oil on my hands and tie a necktie (scarf) around Liam's neck.

LIKE THAT OIL SMELL

Works for about a half hour.

Then come the violent, end of world storms of Wednesday, July 18, 2012.

BRING ON THAT THUNDER

On goes the thundershirt. Barking ceases. Liam does a lay not a sit/stay

THUNDERSHIRT DURING THUNDERSTORM

.Hear the thunder that Liam heard in this You Tube

What if Liam wears the thundershirt and bath oil soaked necktie during turkey training and I play recorded thunder sounds?

Maybe I have to pray.

READY FOR THE NEXT STORM

Woof, Woof