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Author Topic:   Your thoughts about Animal Behavorists??
Pitfan101
Member

Posts: 16
From:Pennsylvania
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-25-2003 09:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pitfan101     Edit/Delete Message
Hey everyone. I am just wondering what you all think about Animal Behavorist.. are they worth the money? We have took our dog through obedience training for almost 6 months.. he knows his stuff. He understands that I am the leader and he is starting to understand that my husband is above him. But our dog just has a temper.. if he doesn't get his way he will grab our shoes and do anything he seems to know will get him in trouble, he also likes to play bite.. he is a full grown 60 lbs pit/lab mix so thats not fun anymore. We simply stop playing when he does this but that doesn't stop him from doing it again. Anyway I called a behavorist and she says he needs behavior modification. No my question is that I know there are alot of good dog behavior and training books and all that out there and I read that alot of people have solved the problems with their dogs through reading up on it. I cannot afford $400 to take him to a behavorist so do you think that a good book can help me? Any suggestions on what books to get? Any help would be wonderful. Hes getting more mature (almost 2) and I would like to get this under control before it gets worse. THANK YOU!!

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-25-2003 10:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Whatever the title they call themselves... you are wanting a person who understands doggie language. No matter the title, a person who can read a dog and help you to change the unwanted behavior in a healthy, humane, fair way is who you want to help you work with your dog.
I will probably get reamed for this but here goes... In the horse world they are called "Horse Whisperers", it sounds mystical and magical, gives the impression that they have some special power to speak with horses. The fact is...they are horse trainers as most people are familiar with calling them. They have the talent of understanding a horses language and speaking it in body language. It is a way of training that makes sense to the horse. I have no experience with "Behaviorist", but I know that you can find a good "trainer" and spend about $30 for 30 minutes of quality one on one help and guidance with your dog. You can also take an obedience class for around $75 for 6 weeks of classes. Those prices reflect my area...but I imagine they aren't too far off elsewhere. I start Wednesday with my 8 month old pup in training with a person who specializes in aggression. She came highly recommended, and the prices above are what she charges. She told me after talking on the phone for a while that because he has some obedience already and has such a large vocabulary(commands he knows), that it shouldn't take all that long to get a handle on his issues.
My own personal opinion.....don't get hung up in the title of the person if it's going to cost you $400, find a person you feel comfortable with and uses training methods you agree with. I can't afford to drop $400...but I can afford $30 a week and the time it takes to practice what I learn.
Good luck, Maisey

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Pitfan101
Member

Posts: 16
From:Pennsylvania
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-25-2003 03:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pitfan101     Edit/Delete Message
Like I had mentioned we took our dog to a trainer for obedience classes. He has that down pat, there isn't anything more that a trainer can do for these problems. Most trainers believe that all problems can be fixed with obedience training and thats just not the case here. We are actually considering using some income tax money to go see a behavorist. Has anyone been to one? Is it really worth it?

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nern

Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 08-25-2003 03:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern     Edit/Delete Message
There is a book called "The Other End Of The Leash" by Patricia McConnell(animal behaviorist and dog trainer). Im not sure if you will find a solution to your problem from reading it but its a great book that will help you better understand your dogs behavior.
If you go to http://apdt.com there is a top 10 book list for dog owners and dog trainers. Maybe you will find a book there that can help. Good luck

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-25-2003 04:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
I did not say that the issue could be solved with obedience training, and I respectfully disagree with you when you say "there isn't anything more that a trainer can do for these problems." If you are talking about a PetsMart trainer or someone who only teaches obedience then you may be correct. I still stand by the idea that behavior modification IS training. The person I am seeing is a trainer, she specializes in aggression. It will be as much about me learning to read my dog and modify my actions as it will be for him. Anyway you go..I wish you success.

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honeybear
Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 08-25-2003 04:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
I tend to agree with Maisey $400 is a lot to spend when you could possbily find a trainer that specialized in this type of behavior. Most obedience classes are generic/general training and would not know how to deal with this situation. Thereare some out there that specialize in different areas. You may want to talk to some vet offices in your area if they recommend anyone or if they can give you some good input on a bahaviorist and if this bahaviorist has good results. If you choose the bahavourist. ask to talk to some of their clients that they treated for the same thing to see how their results were.

I remember my lab had some issues (not like this) but I was getting no-where thru 16 weeks of obedience training. Someone recommendd this other person. She cam into my house and showed me what I was doing wrong and after one visit, it was solved.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
If my dog wasnt so old - I would try to find someone who would know how to deal with him coming between my husband and I. He wont let us touch each other, hug, you name it. He trys to push me away from my husband. I am glad to hear you are trying to get this when he is a young pup.
Honeybear

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-25-2003 06:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
HoneyBear...remember I told you my Witt does the same thing when Shawn and I are trying to be affectionate? Well we have continued to do the scolding and then separation if he doesn't stop. He has learned that we don't like it when he acts that way and that there will be a consequence...so instead the little twerp throws himself carelessly to the floor as if he is totally exhausted and quietly whimpers as if he is dying, deep sighs and all! The first time he did it Shawn and I laughed so hard tears were streaming down my face, now I just tell him he is being pathetic and he rolls back and forth in hopes we will take pity. He has so much character and he is so silly..it's hard sometimes to be serious with him.

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