Powered by Click2.com Dogs Cats Horses Birds Fish Other pets


Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page

  Auspet - Message Boards
  Dogs - all types
  Board and Train

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Posted by Topic subject:   Board and Train
Jamiya
Member

Posts: 501
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-24-2003 07:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
Okay, here's more of the scoop on the board and train. The dogs in training live in the house with the other dogs. She has 8 personal dogs and up to 3 in training. They are crated or she is working with them throughout the day. They sit before they can do anything. They do down-stays while she works on the computer. They get to play with the other doggies when it's play time. They learn to not chase cats or other distractions, and redirect their energy to more appropriate outlets.

I know, these are all things I should be doing with her at home. But obviously I suck at it. I am a softie and I hate having her tied to me. She gets bored and I have enough guilt from her being crated all day. And what's more, she is going to have to be boarded for almost 2 weeks over the holidays anyway. Even though the place I have reservations to board her is a nice place and she will get to play with other dogs, the board and train would allow her to be in a real house AND learning stuff at the same time.

I think I really need to consider this. Nala would actually be there for 4 weeks, because of the way our vacations fall and the times she has available. She would work her for the extra week. I wonder if I should make it 5 weeks and have her do the off-leash stuff as well.

I sort of feel like a failure, but I also think this might be better in the long run for my relationship with Nala. I know Nala can read my emotions and if I am ripping myself up feeling bad for keeping her tethered, she will know it and react accordingly. I second guess everything I do with her and she knows it.

When you pick up from the board and train, you have a private lesson and the trainer teaches you how to handle the dog with the new training and what to do when Nala tests us at home.

You can visit once a week. She assures us that dogs do not forget that quickly. I know she is right, but still...

I have an appointment for a lesson with her on Wednesday. I wish I had found her when we first got Nala. She said she will be able to tell from the way we interact what is going on (read: what I am doing wrong).

Anyone have any ideas on this? If I were home full time and didn't have kids, maybe I would have a better shot at doing what is necessary without having someone else train her. I just don't know.


Jamiya

IP: Logged

Jamiya
Member

Posts: 501
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-24-2003 08:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
Arrrrgh! I just found an e-mail in my work e-mail from Friday after I had already left. The shelter mailed with the name of a behaviorist and trainer that is fairly close to me. She does an in-home assessment, 1.5 hours for $85. Not bad compared to some. I wish I had known about her sooner!

I called the shelter's behavior line months ago and she gave me some info, but no names of trainers. I talked to the same person this time and asked for names and got this referral. I wish she had given me the name the first time I called. I would have done it by now. I have been wanting someone to come to the house so they can see Nala in action.

I already have an appointment with the other trainer, though, and I am considering her board and train option, so I guess I will go that way for now.


Jamiya

IP: Logged

honeybear
Member

Posts: 373
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 11-24-2003 09:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
Jimiya I think you should go the board and train route - AS long as you like the way she trains which sound like you do. it will also work real well with your schedule - since it fits in your time where she will be boarded anyway. I think if after Nayla has been back home and you still have issues to see the behaviorist, but hopefully it wont get to that. I also think it will beeasier on you mentally to do the board/training over the holidays since you are going to be half the time vs is you were to do it at a time when are are home and know she is not there with you

A friend of mine has a 6 month old lab that her husband just sent away last week for 3 months to learn how to hunt (or whatever it is called) so she is upset right now. But she said it will go so fast, she is like you - what if she forgets me. But they wont.
Honeybear

IP: Logged

Jamiya
Member

Posts: 501
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-24-2003 09:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
She won't forget us. But what if she likes it better there than at home?

But she does need to be boarded anyway. It may as well be constructive time.

I am learning more about tethering her to me on another board. I had planned to do that from the start but it never worked out like I thought it would so I quit. I think it's the only way I will get control over her. I am going shopping for a chain lead over lunch. I hope I can find a safe one.

I will probably do the board and train. It still makes me feel like a failure, though. I guess I shouldn't consider fostering after all.

Part of the problem is my husband. I know he thinks confining her to one room and crating her and tethering her is all martian stuff. He gets a dog, tosses it in the house (or backyard is what he prefers) and then it magically turns into a good dog. I turn every endeavor into a science and he just wants to go with the flow. And I suppose my way rarely works so maybe he has something. He does everything "wrong" but it works for him. I guess maybe he goes with his instinct, but I don't have instinct I have books and research.


Jamiya

IP: Logged

honeybear
Member

Posts: 373
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 11-24-2003 10:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
Jimiya - did you see the post below from Susan - she talks about the lead thing you are talking about - I would really give the board train thing a try since she is going to be boarded anyway. As for your other posts about loving your dog too much I am the same way. Like in the summer here, we have tremendous fire danger and I live out in the country so I have my radio on at work listening to the fire status. My neighbors and I have an agreement if we are around when a fire breaks out we do whatever it takes to save the dogs and cat - So I live with this fear every summer. Then my husband takes our dogs off leash on hikes behind our house and I just know he going to lose Wylie, SO I panic every time he does this. If they are gone which I think is too long - I will go out in a panic looking for them knowing for sure Wylie has run away. Jake sticks like glue, Wylie has this energy that just doesnt stop. And then there are the panic trips to the vet when I think something is wrong
Honeybear

Hi Jamiya, this is in answer to your question, of the dog that I had that jumed on me, when I came home from work.
Yes he stopped! When I would turn my body away from him, he would still try in the begining, but after a few days, he stopped. The longer I ignored him, the better he would get. I realize that you have a speacial case on your hands, so I don't know if that will work for you, or not.

Another thing the trainer taught me was: to get a long leash, and go to the park, or a large open field, and walk him in a diamond shape pattern (like a baseball field) ignoring him the whole time. This taught him how to heal. Man I wish I could remember the name of the video tape he gave me. (loaned it out years ago, and never got it back) Anyway it really worked! with his methods, I taught my dog all kinds of things. Sincerely, Susan

IP: Logged

NewLabOwnr
Member

Posts: 116
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-24-2003 10:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NewLabOwnr     Edit/Delete Message
Jamiya, you're silly.. a failure would be someone who tied this kind of dog to a tree because they couldn't deal with it. A failure would take Nala back to the shelter. A failure would not do everything and anything to make this situation work. If you have to take Nala to a boarder anyway, I think you are right on, this will give her constructive things to do while there. I say good for you for sticking with her and trying to make her better!

IP: Logged

LottynTrike
Member

Posts: 64
From:Murfreesboro, Tn, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-24-2003 10:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LottynTrike     Edit/Delete Message
I really think you did the best you can! there would be no way i could have ever trained my dog. i have been reading your post for a while. you really have put time and effort into your little puppy. you shouldnt feel like a failure. its really not you, its just the dogs personality. i really think this board and train thing is going to be the best thing to happen to you and nala. just think of all the great time you will have with her once she gets back. you'll beable to lay on your sofa!! plus it fits in prefectly with your vaction, this way your mind will be busy with all thats going on, you'll still miss her, but you wont be able to dwell on her.

i dont know. i am scared of puppies. i have never owned one. i know i would not be able to handle them at all, nor trained them like they need to be trained. what i am sayying is i wouldnt be able to do half the stuff you have done, and i have more time on my hands!! you really did great. i hope this makes you feel a little better! good luck with what ever you do!!
lotty

oh yeah if you really want to foster dont let this one nala turn you off from that dream. you sound like you would be a great froster mom!! plus you have had other dogs, you know that they are all different and this type of behaviour is not always normal.

IP: Logged

tuttifrutti
Member

Posts: 166
From:Dallas, Texas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 11-24-2003 11:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for tuttifrutti     Edit/Delete Message
I think the lady you mentionded in your first post sounds ideal! Nala should be able to deal with all kinds of distractions when she comes back, and then you can have her boarded and trained at the same time, in a place that may be more comfortable for her than being boarded somewhere else!

IP: Logged

Maisey
Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-24-2003 11:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Jimaya, I read your posts but not all the others yet..however, I personally feel like boarding her out is the wrong choice. Here's why (don't get mad at me!) YOU are the one who needs training. Nala is a difficult pup, there's no doubt about that, but she is not "trouble" or a "problem dog". You cannot know for sure whats going on with your dog if you board her out. I think having the in home trainer work with you and Nala is the best choice, then YOU get the skills you need to work with her, if you board her out she will learn to behave with that person in her house...but when she comes home she will still see you the same. RDM gave you some excellent advice on the other board, she really did. Being a "softie" is getting you nowhere fast and it's getting Nala in a world of hurt. This is JMO, but I truely think bringing a trainer to your home is the choice that makes the most sense.

IP: Logged

Jamiya
Member

Posts: 501
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-24-2003 11:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
I am worried about that, Maisey. It was the first question I asked her. But I also think I will be better able to handle a trained dog who just needs reminders of her training than being the one trying to train her. I thought I could handle it but the fact is, there is just too much going on in my life to devote the time it will take to proof her on her commands. But in the meantime, I am going to tether her to me and work harder. And the trainer will teach me how to handle her, in our private lessons and when I pick her up in January.

I'm still not decided, though. It's only 2 weeks until I would have to drop her off. I just don't know what to do. I think I will know better on Wednesday after our first lesson. The trainer said she would be able to advise me better after she sees us together. It doesn't sound like she is just out for money. A