Dog Health Questions: How can I get my dog back from my sister in law, she is just watching him?

I bought a westie puppy for my husband and recently he went crazy and ran off, so I was stuck with the not housetrained puppy. His sister offered to train him for me and watch him, so I obliged. He has been at her house over a month and she has not said anything about giving him back, but she and her husband have been adamant that they do not want to keep him because they dont like terriers. I told her that I dont want to give him to them, because he is my husband's and I paid alot of $$$ for him. Since she has had him she has neglected his vet care (but didnt ask me to come get him until yesterday), changed his dog food to something very, very bad.

My husband paid 100 for dog training and she didnt take him when I told her it was, and she the trainer offered to retrain him and she told her "no thank you, dont have time" without notifying me first (so $$ down the drain). I have hinted that I really miss the dog, but she has not given him back yet. What do I do?!

Who Let The Dogs Out? Pointers For In Home Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Although your sister-in-law was "watching" your (or your husband's) dog, you were still responsible for his vet care, not her.

If you want the dog, call hr and tell them you are on your way and go get him. Call the trainer your husband paid and explain the situation, maybe he'll cut you a break and do the training. No services were rendered, so he can't really refuse 100%.

Dog Training Book - Why Buy One? When Everything is Free Online!

• tell her you're coming over to pick up your dog today. it was never her dog so go and get your dog back. tell her if she wants a dog, go buy her own dog or rescue one who doesn't already have a good home. there's a dog out there for her, but it's not your dog.


• Call animal control explain the situation and show them any paper work showing that you are the owner of the dog. that or a friendly threat to take her to small claims for the value of the dog or the dog himself.


• wow. I would just come by one day and say that I'm taking my dog back, explain to her that you think she hasnt given her proper care.


• Say - thanks for you help - I'm ready to take my dog back now. Do you want me to pick him up tomorrow or do you want to drop him off.


• Tell her you are coming over to pick up the dog OR next time you go over there, take the dog when you leave.


• Knock on her door and say I'm picking up my dog! You walk your behind in their house and take your dog back. He's yours so she better just step aside.


• OK.. well it is YOUR dog.. I would tell her to give it back and say if she doesnt you'll involve the cops


• Just go pick up your dog. He is YOUR dog - just take him back.


• just tell her that you miss your dog and want it back! you paid for! good luck getting your dog back! :)


• bluntly tell her you miss your dog and want him back...duh!

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Dog Health Questions: Puppy Training IN HOME better than Classes???

I have a dog trainer coming to my house this Saturday for a free evaluation, and the company is called Dog Training in Your Home. Their website is: http://www.betterdog.com/
I've heard that this has many advantages over "Puppy Classes" with a big group of dogs in a facility or wherever. Mostly because I can start my puppy at 8 weeks as opposed to the 16 weeks that they recommend due to vaccinations, etc required in many Puppy Classes. i see that some Puppy Classes let them start as early as 10 weeks, but many don't recommend that for such young puppies. What do you think? I'm going to see how it goes this Saturday, and see if it would be a good fit for me. Oh, my puppy is a maltepoo and she's 9.5 weeks old now.

Dog Training Career: Doing It and Loving It

Recommended Answer:
When I was a PetSmart trainer, I wish I could have gone to every puppy class owner and did sessions in their house first. I felt so limited, that I no longer work there. It's great for a trainer who is going to come over. But socializing is also very important. You can alway go into PetSmart or PetCo and practice with your puppy and socialize with everyone there. I would wait until the puppy had 2 sets of vaccinations tho for the puppy before you really get her out. I took my rottie to work with me everyday for two straight years. I would start off with your sessions with the trainer, and then after that then go into more of a group class and working with the distraction part of it. I looked at the website and liked that they will use treats, clicker,etc. The only collars I will allow on any of my dogs are the flat collars, body harness, or a halti or martingale. If they want you to have a slip collar on your dog, refuse it. I couldn't find on there what they use, but one of the little dogs had a body harness on.

The 5 Best Dog Training Tips For You and Your Dog

• I like puppy classes. they help train with distractions and help socialize your dog. you can start working on basic commands on your own before then if you like. many people wait until their dog is fully vaccinated before going to puppy classes and do just fine


• Yes, you will get a head start, but if you don't participate later, you miss out on that socialization that just can't realistically be provided in your own home.


• Yes, if you don't know the basics well enough to teach them yourself, it's a good thing to have someone show you. But the training should be limited to short sessions, no more than 30 mins. And it should just be motivational basics like sit, down, come, and to a lesser extent, heel & stay. This is called 'foundation' training and it's a great thing to do before taking your dog to puppy classes. Those are still highly recommended at around 4 mos, mainly for socialization purposes but also to solidify what the puppy has learned outside the home, under distractions.
  Have fun!!


• it depends on the dog and what you want to accomplish. in home training is awesome - so you can have personalized attention without the slight risk of bringing a newly vaccinated puppy to group classes at a young age. she would learn in the place she is going to be spending the most time.
  
  but, i do think group classes are necessary for socialization, and taking the next step in training her in teaching to work with distractions.
  a dogs main socialization period is 4-16 weeks. so if she doesnt get out soon, you will miss that very very important window.
  
  as long as she has had 2 or 3 rounds of shots, she can go to group classes so long as you make sure to not let her eat/step in/lick/sit in any bodily fluids from another dog. so, just keep an eye and watch her.
  
  my suggestion: do both. reaping the benefits will be worth the time and effort.edit:
  to dogsbest:
  don't i know it. i currently train part time at petsmart, and ive had mannny people ask if i could come to their house. i even had one guy offer to pay me a lot of money under the table for it, hah. but, yes, it's so limiting that i could get fired for going. it sucks, but hopefully, this place will just be my launching pad.


• In home training is fantastic, as you are receiving one on one, customized training. Your trainer will be able to pick out problem behaviors and address them immediately! The only downfall is that your dog is not being socialized with other dogs and people. You could improvise though, by taking him for frequent walks and perhaps a dog park. You want to expose him to as many dogs, people, smells as you possibly can while he is young, this will help him to be more personable!


• my personal opininon on in home training is it should be used to work on problem areas, not general training. in a class you get the benefit of your puppy being in a new situation with new people, new dogs and plenty of distractions. this is where you want to work with your puppy. it's in these situations that training is most useful. you can start basic training on your own at home at 8 weeks, but around 4 months is usually a great time for more formal training. and most public training classes allow puppies at 4 months to attend, as long as they are current on vaccines.
  
  if you choose to stick with the in home, make sure you also work and train in public places like parks, dog food stores and any other place you can possibly think you can safely take your puppy and work on training. you want to train your pup with distractions and new experiences, not in the safety and comfort of home.
  
  if you're wanting no distractions when training your dog, that's what all the practice you're supposed to do at home that's where the no distraction comes in. but that hour a week is where you get to practice with the distractions and other dogs. unless you plan on never having your puppy out of it's own house?


• It is essential for puppies to learn socialization as early as you can get them exposed. Public puppy classes are an excellent way to do this. If you train your pup in the safety of your home, you could end up with fear issues later and even some dog aggression. My advice would be to do the puppy classes with others and if you want to continue with more advanced training, you could consider private.


• One of the most critical things for a puppy to learn is bite inhibition and socialization. Your in home training can not accomplish these critical points. Other dogs are the only way for your pup to learn so much. Your puppy should go as soon as possible (2 out of 3 of the set of shots should be good, if the puppy class is kept clean and requires proof of shots). This time of the puppy's life is the ultimate time for socialization and supervised puppy play. Your pup needs to learn to play with dogs her own size, as well as larger dogs. A well run class will start her off with pups her own size and no dog over 6 months old. Please don't make your dog fearful or out of balance by limiting her contact with other dogs. 16 weeks is too old, now is the time.

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Dog Health Questions: Is starting a dog daycare and boarding facility in my area a good idea?

I live in Utah. There are a lot of doggie daycare facilities in my area of where I live, there is one up the street. I would like to open one in the next year. I have looked online there are over 100 alone in the SLC area. I am good with dogs and I would love to open one. I would also board cats, do dog training.

Does this sound like a good idea. If not what else should I do. I want to stay in the pet business, I love horses, I thought of opening a horse boarding facility that is to much money.

Thanks for the opinions and please don't be rude:)

Tested Dog Training Tips - The Way to Hone a Dog's Behavior

Recommended Answer:
Do what ever you want in life!

If YOU don't make yourself HAPPY...then who will?

"Dog Care" - The Reason For Dog Training

• It sounds like you may find it hard to get started as there are so many similar businesses in your area. It would be a good idea to find a unique angle to make your business stand out - maybe get someone to come in who can groom the dogs, do claw clipping, microchipping etc so the owners can get other stuff done whilst with you.
  
  Most important thing is insurance and making sure all the pets are vaccinated. I would never leave my pets in the care of a place that didn't fulfill those two criteria.


• You probably should not open one. Why not work at one? If there are already so many, it would be almost profitless to add another to the equation. Many daycare facilities probably have a good client base and those clients will likely be loyal. It would be hard work to develop your own client base and reputation to be good enough to properly compete in the market. Talk to other daycare owners and ask if they enjoy their business or if it's profitable. If a horse facility is too expensive, then why a dog one? They can be just as expensive. There are a lot of expenses with these sort of places that many people just don't think about. Do a lot of research, including asking owners and such.


• There's a lot that goes into opening a business and you have to keep in mind that an animal-related facility involving boarding is a 24/7 business. You will need employees (which are expensive and frequently unreliable) and you have to assume you won't have many days off.
  
  These days, people are boarding less because they are traveling less due to the economy. Our humane society shelter offers boarding and our boarding income is down this year. Doggy day care is an optional expense to people in a bad economy. It's not the best time to be the newcomer. People are going to use established places they've used before and those places are going to be scrambling to keep their existing customers.
  
  Big issues in this business are sanitation and disease control, screening for aggressive dogs and dogs unsuitable for your facility and if you are offering training, people are going to want to know your experience and if you are a certified trainer. So much of this business is based on referrals, so unless you have an established reputation, it will be hard to break in as a newcomer. Liability insurance is also expensive. It's also best to find an accountant that does small business consulting to make sure your business plan makes sense and that you won't go broke and lose your money. This is money well-spent to make sure you are not getting in over your head. You should plan to have a year's expenses saved before you open a business - this includes paying yourself - the business has to make money to cover expenses and to give you a paycheck. Otherwise, it's not worth it. And you have to assume that vacations and days off are out the window for quite awhile. You have to be willing to make those sacrifices. Most small businesses fail and given the bad economy, you have to be even more careful these days.
  
  If you don't have the experience, your best bet is to go to work for an established business and learn the ropes before going it on your own.


• I would hook up with someone who is already running one and ask them to mentor you. Ask them what worked for them and what didn't, and about expenses you might not consider and if they get burned on payments. Word of mouth would be key in this kind of business. I think if you have the land, boarding animals would be a great thing. I heard about a lady in Albuquerque, New Mexico that made a million dollars a year picking up dog poop out of people's yards. That could be a way to make money too, you could hire out people to help you with that.


• yeah, i've the same problem as you do,
  but since i get dog personal trainer,
  i don't have any problem again with that.
  source :
  www.training-dog.co.cc

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Dog Health Questions: Dog doesn't like beign away from me in strange places?

He is fine with me leaving the house for exams for example. But when we're at dog training we had to do recall relay in teams. Someone held my dog whilst i walked away then called him but he didn't like being next to them and wanted to come to me. (He's a Pug btw) He's okay greeting people though. When we were at puppy classes a few months ago he wouldnt approach the other dogs during off-lead play without me going first and when we had to swap dogs around i quickly glanced over at him and noticed him sat there worried and pulling to get to me. He didnt want to be with the other people. What should i do to make him more independant? He's fine being alone without me in places he is used to. On walks in fields ill get him to lay down and wait whilst i walk away quite far then get him to come but hes okay with that, even if it is a somewhat strange place. I think its just with other people. Like when i had to take him to the Vets to stay there all day he had his teddy in his mouth to comfort him and the vet came over to put him in the kennel thing and he kept trying to climb onto my lap and didnt want to go so they had to pick him upm he licked their face and off he went and he was fine all day. Is it because he isn't used to others handling him? I mean walks and things. No one has ever held his leash but me. He's been okay being handled by a Judge at a show though.....

What shoudl i do to make him less dependant on me? He seems a bit worried or confused when someone else holds his leash. and he sees me not holding it.

Dog Training Tips - Dog Distraction Training

Recommended Answer:
It sounds like you have a very well behaved Pug already.
It is quite normal for dogs to react this way- your dog just wants to be close to you because he is feeling insecure.
The best solution to this problem is to keep doing what you are doing- taking him out, meeting other people, letting other people handle him, and leaving him in the comapny of others for short periods of time.
Next time you are trying the 'stay' command at obedience, only walk a very short distance away from him- before he starts reacting. This might be only a metre or two.
Recall him and reward him with a 'jackpot' (a Jackpot is a big reward- say, a long play or 5 regular food treats in succession) because he hasnt reacted when youve walked away (because you havent walked far enough from him for him to notice that you have gone!)
Gradually build up the length that you can walk away from him.
Practice this away from obedience as well, if you can. Take him to friends houses and do similar exercises.
Keep training times short and sweet- you only have to do it once per training session, probably 3 times max for your dog to start understanding what to do.
It is very normal for a dog to behave differently in unfamiliar surroundings- and the way to treat this is to do exactly what you did when you first started training him- take him back to the start and take things in small steps.
Plenty of practice and lots of positive reinforcement when he does behave himself will help you to get through this!

When your dog does misbehave- when he does become attention seeking and sooky when near other people- dont reward him by giving him praise and pats- it is exactly what he wants. Instead, try and ignore him as best as you can, dont give him pats, etc, until he is calm and behaving himself, then you can reward him for behaving.
In this way you can train your dog to be calm and assertive, rather than fearful and reactive.

It does sound like you are already off to a really good start with your dog, and that you are already doing most of the right things- good luck with your training, and I wish you and you Pug the best of luck!

10 Dog Training Mistakes You Must Avoid

• If I didn't know better, I'd think you had an insecure and/or unsocialized dog, but that doesn't seem to be the case so much. Well, dogs react to the energy of the people and animals around them. How confident are you? If your dog doesn't see you as a leader figure, it will take it upon itself to worry about everything. Also, if you snuggle up to your dog when it's scared, that can also make it feel insecure, surprisingly. Does your dog get enough time to meet and greet people before being handled by them? Aside from that, I don't think it's super weird for a dog to be wary of strange people and places at first. Then again, you may just have a dog skittish by nature. But it can be helped.


• Well I am wondering if the stress is actually coming from you. You seem stressed when you leave him with other people, so he is sensing that Sometimes pugs like to be the follower and not the leader in a group of dogs The situation at the vets sounds like a stress you created, you were feeling stressed at leaving him at the vets and he picked up on that stress. I wonder if introducing people on his territory, like at your house would be a better start for him Pugs are a cling breed, so you are right, as long as he can see you he is fine, it is when you get out of his range he would be stressed. They can be fine if left alone sometimes and in other situations they allow you to be gone for a time limit and then they go looking for you. I wonder if there is a pug breeder in your area that could help you with this. The barking you can address the second it starts with a command like "shame" So the second it starts point, snap your fingers and say "shame" and when he settles down, then praise him. You have to teach him what behaviors you allow and which ones you don't. Sometimes people think dogs are barking for no reason, but it is simply that you are used to the sound and tune it out. Maybe a cell phone vibrating on a kitchen counter, a neighbor child on his scooter, a delivery truck driver might be things you take for granted, that might be something your dog is getting used to

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Dog Health Questions: Doggie Training?

i need to put my 4year old male crocker spaniel in Pets Mart dog training..im looking at the 6wks or 8wks....how much does this cost?
*im in jersey area

thanks! lxcamilleeexl

4 Tips To Be Succesful In Dog Training Biting

Recommended Answer:
Petsmart classes (at least in my area - Colorado) are $109 for 8 weeks. They have beginner classes that are intended for older dogs (not puppies) and they have intermediate classes for dogs who have passed the puppy or beginning training. If your dog can already do the basic stuff they learn in beginning class (sit, stay, down, come) he might be able to move to the intermediate class. Our older dog has taken both the puppy and the intermediate class, our younger dog has just taken the puppy class.

I would recommend you meet the trainer, or watch one of their classes before you sign up. The trainer for our older dog was awesome - a real natural. The trainer we had for our younger dog wasn't really all that good. The trainer should be able to hold your dog's attention as well as yours.

Dog Training Technique - Correcting Dog Behavior

• Well I'm in jersey too, I put my male lab in as a pup, I don't remember the cost but it was 6 years ago. He graduated and everything, I have a photo to prove it. Don't waste your money!!! It is more like a socialization/play time than training. You will get just as much progress by going to a dog park, did I mention Don't waste your MONEY! I took him to the one in Mt. Laurel, maybe the others are different. Do yourself a favor and ask around.


• If you have a new puppy, here is something that I did to train my dogs:
  I hung a bell from a ribbon at my back door, and every time I would let them out I would ring the bell and say outside. So the dogs learned that when I rang the bell it meant it was time for them to go outside and go to the bathroom outside. The first time my dog nudged the bell I praised her, let her out, and when she came in I gave her a treat. I did this for about the first ten times. Eventually she knew to ring the bell when she has to go potty. It is the best thing I have ever done. Now, I never have to worry about her going to the bathroom in the house, it is a dream. Hope this helps you. It really does work.


• You can easily find independent trainers, which are usually much better in my opinion, for much cheaper. Why do I think they are better? Because unlike the trainers at PetSmart and PetCo, they spend a lot of time going out and getting training from a wide range of sources, attending seminars and trainings throughout the country by more than just one type of trainer. You can go to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website or that of National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors website and find some really great trainers. Also, often your local Humane Society or even your vet will have names of good trainers.
  
  Good luck.


• Ith think its about 100-150 dollars maybe less but just to tell you, Petco is better.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training...?

When i take my 6yr old King Charles Spaniel runs in the car she gets VERY exctied and yelps the whole way there!! she sounds as though she is being punched and won't stop whinging and yelping which makes me dread taking her anywhere. I have tried feeding her treats and once she finished a whole bag of doggy chocolate during the whole journey. This actually worked as it kept her mind off the ride but i would like to be able to take her on runs with me alone and not always have to ask someone along just to hold her as she jumps all over the car also. Any suggestions on how to stop her from doing this? Does this sound as though she is scared or excited? I'm not sure... It can be very embarrassing when we reach our destination ie; the beach as everyone hears her and stares at us :-(

Dog Training & Dog Obedience Guide

Recommended Answer:
better to use a crate so she feels secure.. .make sure you seatbuckle the crate.. start with short trips in the car and come home... lengthen the trips until you no longer hear her whine. my female papillon looks forward to going with me as soon as I bring out the "bye-bye crate"... be patient, it may take a while for you to calm her anxiety. And stop feeding her treats.. you are only reinforcing her "bad" behavior. be the "pack leader" and when she starts to whine, (if you decide NOT to use a crate), get her out of the car, make her sit/stay until she calms down and then try again... no treats until you either get to your destination or home again.

"Dog Care" - The Reason For Dog Training

• sounds like anxiety to me. shes overwhelmed. try finding a local training facility and talk with a professional trainer for tips.... good luck and have a great day!!


• she is just letting everyone no she is there. try a bark collar and when you return home take off the collar and give her a treat , then take her for a ride with the collar beside you, if she barks pull over and put the collar back on . repeat until she gets it right . this might take 10 or 15 times,remember she is 6 years old ,but you can teach a dog new tricks. good luck (:>)))


• Maybe give her a raw hide or pig ear while in the car to keep her occupied?


• I would definitely put her in a crate while in the car! It might not stop the yelping, but I have a feeling if she can't see all the motion outside and feels safely enclosed she might calm down. you could give her a chew bone or something she really really loves while she is in there to make it fun. you had the right idea giving her treats to distract her, but it just isn't practical if you are travelling just the two of you. the crate will also save you from having to bring along someone to hold her!


• Carte her in the car and give her some type of a chew toy int the crate.
  Take her out and get into the car and drive for a few minutes and then return home. Make the times vary and the destinations vary also. If she gets in the car and always ends up the same place that can cause them to learn each car ride I go to the vet or groomer or where ever you take her. Change the routine so she has nothing happen to her at all other than a ride in the car.
  With some time and paitence most dogs learn to ride in the car fairly well.


• try to calm her with a toy or pet her to calm her down.


• Sounds like she's excited. One of my dogs starts screeching whenever we're arriving at a place she knows and likes.
  
  Travelling in a crate will keep her from jumping all over the car. It's safer for her too.
  
  The noise you can't do too much about.


• If you don't mind getting your car dirty, you could try those Kong toys where you can put a treat in the middle & the dog has to work to get it out. They work with treats, peanut butter, dog food, whatever.
  If you do mind (and I don't blame you!), maybe you could try restrianing her with some kind of actual dog-restraining-thing. They have dog seatbelts, dog crates, and a whole bunch of stuff. If the problem is that she's anxious, this may solve that by giving her something familiar to return to. Which reminds me- have you ever tried putting a familiar toy or blanket in the car with her?
  Good luck!


• Well to restrain her just use a doggie seatbelt, that is what I do for my dog to stop him from stepping on my baby. As for being over excited *lol* nothing seems to work.
  
  Of course your dog is small enough that you could crate them in the car as well. Maybe throw a blanket over the crate so they can't see.

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Dog Health Questions: How to stop my gsd pup biting my older dog?

i have a gsd ***** pup that is 12 weeks old. she is nice around me and does not nip me. i have a 4 year old king charles spaniel also but cassie ( my gsd) keeps nipping and biting misty(king charles) especially around the neck. im worried that cassie might end up injuring her. is this a sign of aggression or just play? she has not started dog training yet but she wil be starting soon. hope you can help!

Basic Dog Training Commands - Improve Your Dog's Behavior

Recommended Answer:
there are a number of reasons
yes the puppy could be just playing but GSD can be clingy and overly protective, which as you say the puppy is ok around you but not misty, one way is to stop this action as soon as this starts, this is done with a NO command said firmly but carmly not shouted, like any other problem the sooner you check the problem and don't let it escelate the better change of controlling the unwanted action. this make several goes but stick with it, you need to lay the bounderys of who is the leader and who makes the rules of behavior

Guard Dog Training

• If she is not doing it around you then it is probably just play. I suggest spraying your older dogs neck with an antiseptic spray with lidocene in it, this has a numbing effect. The spray will not have an odor but a strange and safe taste to your pup and can help your older dogs neck heal if there are any sores. If the pup is doing it in front of you then enforce the no and make the pup stop the play and you hold her for a minute or so in time out. Then, let her play again and if she bites again do the same over and over until she gets it.
  
  If you have not actually seen her biting misty's neck then it simply might be that Misty has an allergic reaction (like hives) maybe do to stress from the new pup. If she has a patch of sores on her neck that look like bumps that come from under neath the skin and then she scratches and makes worse. You can give her benadryl or may need to take her to the vet to get an allergy shot.


• Of course she is just playing she is only 12weeks old but care should be taken due to being a puppy with sharp teeth she may end up cutting your older dog,you should tell her to stop it now and again to give the older dog a break.have you tryed kong toys with titbits in that should distract the puppy for a while.


• Your pup is actually just playing; this is where you should start training her, try patting her on the nose and let her know thats bad.
  You can also kennel her.
  Or just wait, she should eventually grow out of it; Misty may also teach her as soon as she gets fed up with it.


• dogs play bite also puppies teeth so buy some teething toys


• Beat that rodent misty up

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Dog Health Questions: Which one would you go to for dog behavior training?

Roxy's my 1 year old female pit bull Had's so much < anxiety while riding in the car>. And wen my kids leave the house she gets separation anxiety and cry"s like a baby Recently she been jumping on small children and knocking them down. she doesn't know how strong she is. shes still a baby in her mind. i have been working on the jumping. So i decided im going to take her to training classes. but i wanted to see what the people on yahoo q&a? say about these 2 places pet smart or pet co and if they had any dog training done at one of them? And which one and how was it?

Dog Training - Basics

Recommended Answer:
i took my dog to petco, and i will tell you, they train you not the dog. yes you take the dog to classes with you and they help you but they teach you how to train your dog.

In the basics class, we learned:
Sit
come
stay
down
leave it
heel

I went to petsmart and was just look at their training pamphlet and it looked like they covered more. But still, they train you how to train your dog. They do give you good tips tho.

Understanding The Concept of Dog Training

• I'd look for a non-corporate dog training facility and go there. I've had experience with both places and honestly, they're not the greatest seeing as how you have an older puppy with strong behavioral issues. PetSmart taught more tricks and basic commands, things that seemed easy enough to learn on your own. I did most of the training on my own outside of class and really didn't learn anything new. I have BIG dogs and tricks just don't cut it. PetCo is pretty disorganized, at least where I'm located (VA). Noone in the store knows when classes are, the trainers can NEVER be reached and the training areas are usually too small. Being a PetSmart competitor, they pretty much teach the same things (sit, paw, roll over, down...). I'm currently enrolled in non-corporate obedience classes and they are absolutely by far the BEST in training and the best value for the money. The classes are smaller, the instructors aren't just trained on a whim, they usually have years of experience (mine has 33) and it's just more comforting. They also really focus on your issues rather than a strict plan of commands and tricks. Hopefully you'll make the right decision!!


• Victoria stilwell. she is the best dog trainer ever. She has her own blog and she the greatest of all time! she is your best choice EVER. :) you can do www.victoriastilwell.com and there you go! :) good luck

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Dog Health Questions: My wife is getting in the way of my dog training?

I got a German Shepherd Dog a week ago and I was planning on training him as a personal protection working dog. I've trained them for years but this is the first dog that belongs to me and the first time I've gotten into training in 7 years. I've been married to my wife for over 5 years so she's never been exposed to the difference between training a family pet and training a working dog (BIG difference). Anyway my wife, who is very knowledgeable about training family pets (she's VERY good) isn't a big fan of the working puppy training method. (..just so everybody knows, there's nothing inhumane or cruel or anything like it when it comes to raising a working puppy...it's just different.) My wife isn't allowing me to do what's necessary to build drive, focus, and other critical elements to make sure our pup does his job well when he grows and matures into an adult dog. Should I give up on this and just raise him as a family dog and wait until we buy a larger property and train a working pup properly? Should I push through and continue? If so, how on earth do I get my wife to understand that certain things have to be done on a consistent basis in order to successfully train a working dog?

Secrets to Dog Training Reviewed

Recommended Answer:
Sit your down with your wife & discuss the training of the dog & the reason you paid the amount of money you did for a GSD pup that was specifically bred to work.

If it's something you really want to do, then train the dog & ask your wife to support your training methods & not undermine them. Your wife can always buy a pet dog to train at a later date.

Protection Dog Training - Vicious Animal or Family Pet?

• Sir, grow a set and let your wife know who is in charge.
  This is YOUR dog.


• Give up, make him a family dog


• Sounds like you need to take up wife training classes


• Well, I think you should politely ask her to let you try it your way first. If she doesn't see good results in a month, then you agree to work it her way.


• There should be no difference between a pet and a working dog.
  
  I do protection work with my Beauceron, he also is my family pet.


• Sounds like you and your wife need to sit down and have a talk. You both have to decide on a working dog or a family dog. Whatever the decision, you both have to agree and be willing to go 100% in that direction. This is all about who is willing to give in. Who bought the dog? Whose decision was it to buy the dog? Maybe a small dog for your wife is a good idea, before the shephard gets big enough. Both dogs need to be friends if your going to have a large working dog around a small dog. But without cooperation from both of you then this could potentially turn disastrous. A working dog can be a family dog. But they need to get the working part down first. The obediance and training will be well for a family dog.


• This is a tough question to answer. I guess in my opinion I would first attempt to have a sit down discussion with both you and your wife. Write out your expectations of the dog and your expectations of her in the training process. Allow her to explain what she expects of the dog. If the two lists cannot work together and she cannot commit to allowing the dog to be trained your way you might just have to wait. It seems to be more of a marital issue, I just worry that the poor dog is going to be very confused. Good luck with your training!


• You don't want to force something that isn't going to happen. If your wife is set on this dog being a family pet then so be it. You wouldn't want the dog to be confused about it's purpose. Maybe waiting is a better option. But you should probably have a "sit down" with your wife and discuss your wishes for this dog, and then give her a chance to tell you what she wants from the dog.


• What kind of working dog? Search and Rescue, Weight Pulling, Showing, Agility Trials? If you don't have a large area you will have to make accomodations as the dog grows. The protectiveness is built into the dog, you don't have to train for that. I never train my animals to BE protective, their love of you will make them protective of the family. Your wife needs to be a part of this, not the problem. Tell her that you have learned a lot from her on training dogs for other things and you intend to use a lot of the techniques that she taught you, because you have to have your dogs trust first. She is part of the family and the dog will need to recognize her as an alpha also. I think working together and making it fun for all of you is important. You have to establish a very good relationship with your dog before any of that kind of training and I train only basics until one year of age. The things working dogs have to do can be hampered if you start too young. They aren't fully formed in their bone and muscle structure. You don't want them jumping until a year because it could damage the back leg muscles. Weight training usually starts about 18 months. You can train things to get them ready to train for working but I suggest, highly, that you wait until he is older for his sake and yours, he will understand better at that age also.


• Eddie.
  
  I admit I don't know anything about training a personal protection dog. I have seen some Schutzhund training and one competition. A good friend, years ago, did protection training with his "companion" GSD; I say "companion" as the dog went everywhere with him, to work, visiting people.
  
  I know tons of "dog show/sport" people. Started with the family mutt in obedience in Jr High, got my 1st purebred Sheltie in High School and competed (1991/2), raised and showed in conformation, been actively competeing in agility about 14 years, done some herding. I am an agility trainer, and have had students with dogs that actively compete in obedience, rally, have done herding, a couple of hunting dogs (who hunt yearly) a CCI dog, a couple GSDs that have been trained in basic Schutzhund, a Basset that competed in field trials, and 3 SAR dogs. My daughter (25 years old) bought a Lab pup from a hunting kennel for her 3rd agility dog. He is an awesome agility dog. She worked him some off and on with a hunting trainer and with very, very minimal training is a very decent pheasant dog. Our friend prefers him over another hunter's "professionally trained" dog. What all the above dogs have in common is that they are "personal pets/companions" that live in the house.
  
  Having been exposed to the many facets of "dog eventing" and in talking to people who "do them" there is much bias. And possibly misinformation. People ( ;-) ) tend to engross themselves into their own little interest, and sometimes fail to see the big picture. When I was quite young, one breeder told me "You can't obedience train a conformation dog because it will ruin it for the conformation ring." At a big show, a famous Champion Sheltie took HIT and BIS the same day. Well. Hunting dogs are often kept in a chain link kennel and only brought out for hunt training and hunting.....to keep their enthusiasm for their "job"? Well, remember my daughter's Lab. He lives in the house, plays frisbee on the lawn, goes for off-leash walks around the farm, is trained for agility, competes in agility....and will NOT stop hunting in a field, and will gladly swim across a slough to retrieve a bird.
  
  I had a lot of trouble when I went out looking for my current dog. I wanted a Border Collie for my next agility dog, and as a companion to sleep on my bed. Many BC breeders were apalled and would not sell me a pup because it was a travesty: not a herding home. I finally found the perfect pup for me. I had put a lot of forethought into the training before I brought her home: agility skills, speed, drive, distance work to make up for my being fairly slow (remember my daughter is 25!), and yet I wanted a dog I could live with in the house and would not run the walls. She needed an "off switch" so she could just "hang". I also wanted her to be a totally trustworthy companion I could have off leash around the farm and not worry about her running into the fairly busy country road, chasing cars or taking off after rabbits or such. I also had hopes to dabble in herding, so she has been exposed to sheep about 2-4 times a year the past 3 years. Only last year was I able to actually get her out fairly regularly for a month and a half on sheep in a small arena to have someone "teach me" a little stuff, before we quit. Just a couple of weeks ago I took her to a "real" Border Collie trainer/competitor to have him work her and assess her. After hearing about her ( family house pet, competitive agility dog/minimum exposure to sheep) he was very surprised when he worked her in a huge pasture how willing she was, much she "knew", how much she picked up on right away and that she wouldn't quit. He asked if she had had some professional training.
  
  The ideal dog should be a family companion first. Then, they have their "jobs".
  
  So.....what I am saying is: do not underestimate your dog. They are very, very smart and they can wear more than one hat.
  
  I can understand your frustration with your wife: spouses surely can make life difficult ;-) But I am sure you can compromise and train around what you see as a contradiction with some forethought.
  
  My BC has a "special tug toy" that is kept on the ledge of the front porch. That is her "trigger" for agility working mode.
  
  Good luck, and keep us posted...

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Dog Health Questions: Good dog training books?

IF i get a dog, it would be a Border Collie.

Are there any Good training books for this specific breed.

Or are there any books used for all dogs that you reccomend

Important Dog Training Information

Recommended Answer:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1…

I love this book. It works for all breeds, and gives you illustrated, step-by-step instructions.

The Basic Commands of Dog Training

• I can only assume that you've thought long and hard about your choice. BC's are great dogs BUT they are a lot of work and that's a shock for the uninitiated. Kiss your couch potato days goodbye - you're going to be very busy.
  
  _Ruff Love_, Susan Garrett:
  http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?I…
  
  _Shaping Success_, also SG
  http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?I…
  
  _The Culture Clash_, Jean Donaldson
  http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?I…
  
  Ian Dunbar, _Before and After Getting your Puppy_
  http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?I…


• http://www.dog-obedience-training-101.co…


• i recommend taking a class with your pet. It is a great learning expericence for you and your new puppy!
  
  Remember, when training your dog, amke sure that your are VERY CLEAR on you emotions with the dog. you should either be excited,a nd use phrases such as, "good Dog", or be stern and upset with your dog when he does something bad such as pee on your new carpet. It is hard enough for our companions to learn to understand what we are saying, and it would help him/her so much if you added the unmistakeable praise and punishment attitude to insure your dogs good behavior! happy training!


• Try Amazon.com or even Ebay!
  
  The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete
  
  and
  
  The Koehler Method of Dog Training by W.R. Koehler
  
  Two of the best books ever written on dog training. Period.


• "How to be your Dog's Best Friend" by the Monks of New Skete. http://www.amazon.com/How-Your-Dogs-Best…
  
  A group of monks that do nothing but train dogs to live and work with people. A fantastic, insightful book, with step by step training instructions for necessary dog skills.


• You will certainly have your hands full with this breed! Are you thinking of doing any kind of herding training eventually? I can't even tell you how great it is to see this breed when they work the sheep... so cool!
  
  There is a great clicker training book by Morgan Spector. I believe it's called "Clicking for Obedience". When it comes to this breed, they tend to be very receptive to positive reinforcement methods and sometimes shut down with harsh corrections. That's not to say you can never use corrections, just have to be wary of how your dog handles them. Too much can shut this breed down.
  
  If you have never done any formal dog training, I would highly suggest that you find an experienced trainer to take classes with. A good trainer is going to teach you how to teach your dog and help you understand your dogs behavior better. It's also good for socialization. If you seek out a trainer, I would be looking for one who participates in obedience trials and has actually titled their dogs in it.
  
  So what kind of activities do you plan to do with a Border Collie?

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Dog Health Questions: Do you know anything about the carolina dog training club?

I was looking at different options for an obedience class for my 6 month old boxer and i stumbled upon the CDTC website and it looks to me like a solid program but i havent been able to find any kind of reviews. Does anyone have any experience or heard anything about them?

Here is there link if you wanna tell me what you think based on it...

http://www.carolinadogtrainingclub.com/h…

Dog Behavior: Finding the Right Motivations for Your Dog Training Program

Recommended Answer:
looks like a good club. It's AKC sanctioned. That means they are approved and offer shows under AKC standards. That also means they are likely a very serious training group. But it shows they offer puppy classes and beginners. I would contact them about "pet" classes to make sure that your first first training sessions are not too strict. Your first classes should be fun as well as instructive for both you and your dog.

Which One of These Four Dog Training Mistakes are You Making?

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Dog Health Questions: What is the bests most cheapest dog training around sugar land ,tx?

im looking for a good dog training place that isn't expensive the most id pay would be 60 bucks. one of my dogs aren't really bad with obedience but i like her to like learn agility ad stuff and maybe a little bit of some cool tricks.my really bg dog is insane she chews on everything a nd is really hyper and likes to bite people shoes when they are walking maybe training could help and could tire her a bit

Dog Clicker Training vs Compulsion Based Dog Training, Which is Better?

Recommended Answer:
The best way to find a trainer to suit your needs and budget, anywhere in the country, is to visit the APDT Trainer Search. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is the largest professional assiciation for dog trainers in the world.

www.apdt.com

http://www.apdt.com/po/ts/default.aspx
(the second link it directly to the trainer search)

While I agree that you generally do 'get what you pay for,' many wonderful trainers hold classes through local recreation departments or shelters at a low cost. So, call around and find the trainer who sounds like they offer what you want and is within your bugdet. You may have to do a bit of digging, but I'm confident you can find something reasonable. Good Luck!

Common Dog Training Mistakes

• Pick up the phone and start calling.
  
  http://www.google.com/search?q=dog+train…


• "Best" and "cheap" are not synonomous in dog training. You get exactly what you pay for.
  
  Pawsitive Impact, FlashPaws, Dogwood and HOT are the four best known and quality training groups in the Houston area and they charge more than 60.00 a month.


• Many of the larger shelters offer low cost obedience classes. If you want to get into thing like agility, that is specialty training and is going to cost a lot more than $60.
  
  http://www.petfinder.com/

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Dog Health Questions: Dog Training Tips for the canine challenged?

How can I train my dog to not pull on the leash when I walk him? He was a year old when I adopted him and I have had him about two months now. Everything I have tried doesnt seem to stick. So now I am thinking about getting a choke chain.... Anyone have any suggestions?

Dog Training - How to Potty Train Your Dog & End Your Frustration - It is Easier Than You Think

Recommended Answer:
Choke chains should not be used without professional help (dog trainer) if you are not extremely experienced yourself. They can be extremely dangerous when used improperly or placed improperly, and I personally do not think they do anything that could not be accomplished with training and no pain or discomfort. Get signed up for a basic obedience class, it will help. In the meantime, dog pulls= you stop walking until the dog releases the pressure. Then proceed. Give treats when the dog isn't pulling on the leash. The first few days it may take you an hour to go ten feet. This is normal. Keep at it and be persistent and he will realize if he pulls he doesn't get to go anywhere.

Some Tips To Help You Through All Types Of Dog Training

• When I was training my dog to walk correctly I looked like an idiot. First I tried a range of different harnesses and found that the EasyWalk worked the best with my dog. There are lots of different types but this by far worked the best for me. Then I took him out and everytime he stepped in front of me, switched directions and said "Let's Go!" When he started walking correctly, lot's of praise and treats. I kept mine in a waist pouch for quick access. He learned to follow pretty quickly and now is a picture perfect walking partner.


• I wouldn't try a choke chain, they can cause numerous problems, as well as cause damage to your dog's coat and neck. If you must, Pinch Collars (the ones with the prongs on them) are completely humane, IF USED PROPERLY, under the instruction of a Professional trainer.
  
  I would try a martingale collar before any kind of pinch collar. It looks like a flat collar (the ones with the snap buckles on them that are very commonly used) with a chain on the back that allows you to give a simple yet effective correction to the dog, to let it know that the behaviour is not okay. It doesn't hurt, and you must do it hard enough to get your dog's attention, but not too hard.
  
  The main reason that dogs pull on the lead when walking, is because you havnt effectively established your role as "pack leader" or "alpha". In the wild, the pack leader will lead his pack wherever they go. He will ALWAYS be out front, and no other dog would ever dare to try and go ahead. This is essentially what your dog is doing to you.
  
  To correct this behaviour, while you are walking, slip the lead around your waist (I reccomend using a 6ft lead for this) and when your dog pulls out ahead, step BACK with enough force to get your dog to stop. You may add the command "heel" when you step back if you please. Continue to do this, until your dog realizes that you mean business. He will eventually learn to walk beside you, through alot of hard work and determination.
  
  Hope this helps!
  : )


• Hm, I wouldn't recommend a choke chain. I agree with pretty much else that has been already said in this thread. It's quite a lot of things that can be done, and depending on your dog, different things will work. Remember that as no two people are the same and respond to the same things, so with your dog, they need a bit of a different treatment.
  I remember when I first started out with my dog I was so lost, and worse, I was living in a place with many cats in the streets, all stray cats unfortunately, but there were not many dog owners. Go figure....Finally I broke down and bought a guide book on training your dog from http://know-your-pet.com/ , and that helped me out enormously, there were so many things I had no clue about. I'm not using the book anymore, but I know it had its major uses in the beginning. I was at first so desperate I had my thoughts of giving back my puppy to the guy who gifted it to me. Thank god I didn't do it :)
  Good luck with your dog, I know once you get the hang of how to handle him, you'll have one loyal friend.

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Dog Health Questions: Am I the only one who got ripped off with Nancy Richards' dog training institute?

She promises all the answers to really good issues with obedience training for cairn terriers and dogs in general but she didn't have ANYTHING anybody that's ever seen a dog wouldn't already know! I am constantly being bombarded with advertisements for the very information I paid her for! She brags a 120 Day "no questions asked" refund policy but won't refund or answer emails. Am I the only one who fell for this scam?

Dog Training Problems - How to Overcome Them

Recommended Answer:
Dispute the charge with your credit card. Site her return policy & their refusal to respond to your request for a refund. They'll reverse the charge

House-Training And Housebreaking a Dog - Training Guide

• I've never heard of her, but maybe it's because I don't have a Cairn? Lots of scammers out there, it sucks.


• I can tell you a good bit about cairns, if you'd like.
  I've been able to break mine of submissive urination, digging, barking, biting, etc.
  
  I'd go ahead and report her to the BBB.


• Yeah you were prob ally scammed. and you probably would have had way better results for a lower cost buy buying Ceazer Milan's book on dog behavior, or watching the show Dog whisperer with him in it.


• Yes me too. I think her so called advise is c##p. I will be asking for a refund also. If I don't succeed I will be contacting my credit card company. Good Luck.

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