NILF Training

[Mitchell]

have any of u tried this was wondering how u all feel about it thx

[eternalstudent]

I think to a greater or lesser extent any trained dog has been through this.

It is a good way to make your pup / dog realise that you are the be all in life and if they want anything they have to do it through you.

I started it in ernest when my pup started to exhibit growling and snapping when being handled. (basic nervousness from a puppy at handling rather than phsyco dog :-)). We then did not allow her to have any food unless she was being handled at the time. 3 days later anyone could pick her up.

So I think it works, but like all types of training it can be taken too far!!!

[magicre]

i think, as humans, we are part of NILIF training....so why not dogs? :)

it's not cruel to challenge your dog and teach commands..

my dogs sit and then have to look at me before they eat.....

they have to not pull on a leash....

nothing in life IS free, so it seems to me it's something children and dogs need....

plus, it's mental exercise for them and us....

we use it often with our dogs....except for the couch....but if we say excuse me, they know to get off.

[DaneMama]

We use the basic principles but not the hard core NILF techniques.

[magicre]

We use the basic principles but not the hard core NILF techniques.

can you give me an example of what you would consider hard core?

'cause i don't think we're hard core....too soft and lazy....LOL...but everyone's definitions are different.

[DaneMama]

Well I know some people won't even pet their dog without them working for affection. That seems a bit much to me. We do however require them to work for couch privileges.

[magicre]

Well I know some people won't even pet their dog without them working for affection. That seems a bit much to me. We do however require them to work for couch privileges.

you have danes. how much work does that require LOL.....one foot and they're on the couch....

i know what you mean, though...i think, for us, at least....there are some important commands they absolutely need to have.....taking a walk is fun for them...that means no running away, returning upon command and no pulling...or it becomes a tedious exercise for them.

i don't want them jumping all over the poor ups person.....so they have an invisible line between them and the door....although the pug has not done very well as of yet....

we probably wouldn't even be doing NILIF had it not been for dances with food....he's incorrigible....the corgi mix has always been very polite...

[stajbs]

We've used the NILF philosophy with respect to sitting before getting a treat or before the food bowl is placed in front of them We probably use it in other ways but it tends to carry over to other behaviors for the dog once they learn. Oh, they also have learned to sit to be hooked up with the leash before going outside. All of our dogs have been rescued so from the beginning we have always wanted to control these situations and to have them recognize that we control what the dog wants. Affection for us is a whole other story, no need to sit or perform some trick in order to receive affection. For us I think we have gained their respect from being fair, consistent and loving leaders.

I've had two siberians who dipped their heads sadly and walked away even if you raised your voice to say no firmly. With them we had to be even more careful with any correction. Not sure if they had previously been treated harshly in some way but we adjusted how we spoke with them when a correction was needed. The other five just accepted the corrective word no, learned from it and moved on with their usual zest for life.

I like a siberian with a lot of zest, playfulness, and happiness about life, the last thing I have ever wanted to do was see a siberian looking downtrodden. A positive approach to NILF has worked really well for us.

[RawFedDogs]

I've had two siberians who dipped their heads sadly and walked away even if you raised your voice to say no firmly. With them we had to be even more careful with any correction.

My Thor is like that. We have to be very careful on correcting him. Even when we are asking him to do something if its in a stern voice he gets upset and confused. You have to stay very positive with him all the time.

[DaneMama]

Both of our Danes are like that too. We don't really correct them much at all because it only takes a few times for them to get something right. Danes are sensitive souls, how I wish Emmy and Shiloh learned as quickly! They are total knuckleheads!