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Posted by Topic subject:   Finding a Trainer
Jamiya
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Posts: 501
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Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-16-2003 06:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
How do you go about finding a good trainer? I know of puppy classes and other obedience classes, but how do you find a knowledgable trainer who works one-on-one with you?


Jamiya

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honeybear
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Posts: 373
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Registered: May 2003

posted 10-16-2003 08:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
Jimiya, do you have friends you can ask, also I would ask around at the local pet stores and even vets are a good source for recommending a trainer. Once you a find a few, I would interview them and explain what youare going thru and how they would train for this and what you have tried that isnt working. YOu have had great advice here, that works for most dogs but it does not seem to be working for you and have consistently used it. you need a different training method. I think you someone that specializes in behavior modification and not just the run of the mill puppy schools. I think she is just being a puppy and she is stubborn and knows how to press your hot buttons. My neighbor has a lab the same age as yours and does the same thing, I know what you are going thru, I am just a friend and when the dog jumps and bites it is irritating.

Again as for trainers, I took my lab when he was 6 months to basic training - his problems just excited around other dogs and kids, couldnt control him, well I went for 2 4 weeks sessions with no improvement. I friend recommened their trainer - which at first I didnt like, because she used the pinching the toes and the bonking on the nose it has been so long ago, so I did one session with her and she used a few of these techniques, (which I didnt agree with) boy it got Jakes attention. Basicly she showed me how to use a prong collarfor my problems which was a godsend. Many people dont like her method of training, because she uses more forceful methods

So all I am trying to say, is since you are at your wits end - and the training you are doing is not working, and you are doing it a lot - look to someone who has different methods. Again, I think vets are great sources. if all else fails, look in the phone book, make some calls If need be - ask to talk to owners they have worked with, that their dogs had similar problems.

I think she is taking advantage of you and that it is just puppy behavior, but she is not willing to learn right now. I think once you find the rigjt trainer, she will be cured of all this.
Honybear

Honeybear

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honeybear
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Posts: 373
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-16-2003 08:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
here are few web sites you might want to look at too
http://www.k9events.com/puppies.htm
http://www.doggiedoor.com/nobite.shtml


and here is an article, but I think you already know this
THE AGGRESSIVE ACTING, BITING PUPPY

A puppy who is biting you or someone else in the family is doing so because he has not yet learned the rules of playing with humans. Your puppy has not accepted his subordinate position in your family. He may be acting aggressively but, in fact, he is not considered an aggressive, dangerous dog. At this point, he is just an obnoxious pup who desperately needs to be trained.
The first thing to realize is that a puppy will put everything and anything into his mouth. He expresses himself with his mouth. During teething time at age four to six months, he has a great need to mouth everything. There are ways to change this behavior.

Please understand that your puppy is not bad if he is mouthing you quite vigorously. If you administer any kind of physical punishment when he bites too hard, he will eventually respond in kind. He will learn to defend himself whenever anyone raises a hand to him and will become a dangerous adult dog.

During teething time provide things for him to chew on. For example, soak old wash rags in water, ring them out, and put them in the freezer. Whenever he has a need to chew on you or the furniture, give him one of these wash rags to work over. Provide a box filled with chew toys such as nylon bones or hard rubber balls.

It is best not to play games where your hand is near his mouth. If you do, however, train him not to bite when you are playing. As soon as he begins to apply any pressure to your hand, scream as loudly as you can. Startled, he will release and, as soon as he does, say, "Good Dog!" Continue to do this until you see him noticeably inhibit his bite. He will learn that skin is tender and that he can only press down very lightly during play. Be sure each member of your family follows this same procedure. Never play with gloves on your hand. He may bit down harder without your knowing it, and the next time you play with bare hands, you may get hurt.

It is not a good idea to have tug-of-war games with old socks because he will have to bite down very hard to hold on which retards the previous bite inhibition learning. This advice pertains also to any kind of stuffed animal. The reason for this is that a small child may walk in one day dragging a teddy bear, and your pup, seeing a stuffed animal, may grab it for his own and inadvertently grab fingers as well.

If your puppy is biting and pulling at your jeans, tell him in a loud, firm voice, "NO!" Then, give the command, "Sit," followed by, "Good Dog!" He will soon learn to approach you and immediately go into a sitting position. Of course, teaching him to sit is part of his training program.

Honeybear

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jeminn
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Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-16-2003 11:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeminn     Edit/Delete Message
Jamiya, in addition to what others have suggested--if you live in a metropolitan area there should be several options in finding trainers. It is always best if you can get recommendations from other experienced dog owners, but if you do not have that, maybe a specialty petshop (where they sell all those good foods) would have business cards posted there for training, petsitting etc. Usually a specialty petshop will know someone around who they can recommend. I live in Evergreen, Colorado- a small community and have an excellent small petshop here that can answer just about any question I have. Maybe the local humane society would be a good contact too, as it is in their best interest to help people with training and behavior problems before those dogs end up in their hands. A good boarding facility might also have some recommendations, or possibly do one on one training as well. I would check out any and every pet related business for business cards, then proceed as others suggested, interviewing with the trainer to make sure they are a good match for your goals. And, once you get a few names, get references from them and call those owners to see what they thought of working with the individual.
Also, you might want to look at finding a club or organization that has experience with the breeds of your dog..if I recall you have an Aussie X..is that right? You might be able to find a recommendation through a club, or breeder.

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Jamiya
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Posts: 501
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Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-16-2003 01:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
We don't really know what she is, Jeminn.

I will look at some specialty shops for trainers. I don't know of people I can ask for help - they all just seem to get a dog and do whatever and it all works out. Or they have a brat of a dog and complain about him but do nothing to fix it.

I am going to start training her in agility (the things puppies can do) after I give her foot some time to rest and heal. Not that she will actually rest, LOL. But hopefully she will think it is fun and do well at it.

I also got the Leerburg training video Basic Dog Obedience and I am working through that. I wish it was on DVD so I could review it more easily.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am more stubborn than she is and she WILL be a good dog!!


Jamiya

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jeminn
Member

Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-16-2003 04:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeminn     Edit/Delete Message
Well, whatever kind of mix she is she is active, likes to chase and needs to expend a lot of energy- which falls into herding breeds (border collie/aussie is what I remember from the picture) and probably a little terrier mixed in. So, you could search clubs and breeders with those breeds in mind. They might have some good advice to offer. I found many organizations in the Denver area for Australian Shepherds, and herding opportunities online, as well as agility training even in Evergreen. So, they are out there, and if you don't have one in your town, find the closest one online and contact them via email. They may have some good books to suggest or someone they know you could take your dog to for an evaluation and training session, even if it is a bit of a drive, it might be worth it. When I saw my Aussies reserved territorial behavior coming out I got online and found that breeders were very helpful in talking with me about the situation via emails, and they were as far away as Washington as well as the east coast. And, they put me in touch with a local club in Boulder that I knew nothing about- so just do some digging, you will find someone.

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Jas

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Posts: 262
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-16-2003 07:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jas     Edit/Delete Message
Talk to the local dog clubs or performance clubs like agility, flyball etc, the members usually have participated in obedience and can probably recommend places to go. Also look in the phone book contact some instructors and ask if you can observe one of their classes to get a feel for their techniques. Many places offer private & group classes

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