Dog Health Questions: Does it make me a bad dog owner?

To realize I can't train my oldest dog properly and send him to dog training camp for two weeks to get all his training done??

From Simple Dogs to Guard Dogs - How Guard Dog Training is Done?

Recommended Answer:
Does it make you a bad owner? No, no bad, as it's infinitely preferable to address a behavioural/training issue when a dog is young, than allow the situation to continue unchecked.

That said the firm, fair & consistent training provided at the camp will teach your dog to respect their handler/s & not you, so in that respect nothing will have changed between you & your dog.

If as stated in the facts the a trainer will instruct you how to correctly use the training methods used by the camp to correct your dogs behaviour & you consistently apply the techniques at home, then you should see an alteration in your dogs behaviour.

It's not a training route I would choose to take, as I prefer to work with the trainer myself & put the advice into practise on a day to day basis to correct my dogs behaviour.

Dog Training - 4 Quick Steps to Good Doggie Manners

• I'm not sure but if you sent your dog away, presumably you weren't involved? In my book, this is next to pointless. Your dog needs to relate to YOU, and most of 'training' is more to train you so you know how to control your dog. I know this happens, but although it teaches him basic commands, you still have to be the alpha in your pack, and he has to respond to what YOU want him to do.
  
  I think you say you are involved, at the end of his training? Well that's good, but I still regard what goes on in these 'camps' with a deal of suspicion.
  
  So no, not Bad, per se, but perhaps a little misguided?


• I think it's honest of you to ask this hard question, so I have hope for you! (lol).
  
  I guess I'd ask you, why couldn't you train your dog? If it's because you didn't know how, then that's not the end of the world. I have had dogs all my life, and I still like to take a class with my dog now and then, because I always learn skills myself.
  
  But if you couldn't do it because you were impatient, then you need to work on that. Your dog will NOT come back "push button" trained from a two week class. That's too fast- and it makes me nervous to think you were told that was enough time. If they are "training" your dog that fast, it could be they are using punishment and abusive techniques. NOT cool.
  
  YOU need to learn some skills in order to help your dog understand the rules of your world. It's not fair to your dog otherwise. Little things- like always use your voice to convey your meaning. Always say your dog's name before you give a command, so he knows you are talking to him. Reward him for a good response- with a healthy treat, and a pat or rub. Never punish him for coming even if he's taken too long- they think in a straight line, so to speak, and if you punish him when he comes to you because you've been yelling for him for ages, he'll just learn that he gets yelled at or punished for coming! and guess what, then he won't.
  If you can't control your frustration or anger he'll just become understandably miserable and scared. That's no fun for either of you, and it's not necessary. YOU need to work on your emotions if this is what is going on.
  You can't train a dog when he hasn't had enough exercise. Are you giving him the right amount of play and exercise? as well as nap and quiet time? These all affect his focus.
  
  Owners are usually the problem with a problem dog. So, you really need to make the effort to ALSO learn. Your dog is not a machine- he is ideally a wonderful friend, and it's your job to make the effort to be as worthy a person as your dog thinks you are.


• You're not a bad dog owner!
  
  But it would probably make more sense for you to attend a weekly training class with him for 8-10 weeks, rather than send him to camp. You need to spend 'bonding' time with your dog so he'll know what you want, and you'll learn how to 'read' what your dog is trying to "tell" you!


• Some breeds are way more responsive to discipline than others. I totally don't see you as a bad parent/owner. I actually did it for one of my girls for a week with our breeder. These people know what they are doing, they aren't oh poor baby, I was stern with you, it's loving business, and these dogs, believe it or not want to please their owners, when they know how to do that and see your delight, it will be a love-fest. They'll get it. Especially, those lovely beautiful too smart for their own good Jacks. I've been thinking about one...alot to handle huh?


• Nope. It would be irresponsible, though, if you had the dog since he was a puppy and you failed to do the recommended training. But if you adopted him when he was this age, then no.


• my oldest dog was easiest to train. my pitbull puppy was easier to train then my moms 7 lb. chihuahua. she was sent away for a month to be trained. you are NOT a bad dog owner. Jack Russell Terrier's can be.....strong willed dogs.


• Nope, not as long as the job gets done.
  I'd be interested in the price & hearing the results when he gets back.


• No, not at all! Like someone else said, at least you are taking the time to train him!


• No, at least he's actually getting training!
  (:


• no but i do think you should of trained him sooner


• no ur not