Dog Health Questions: I try very hard to train my chow chow but he still fails to learn. What is the problem?

I am not able to train Cinnamon regardless of how much effort i put. I followed everything as the dog training book (which i bought from amazon.com) suggested but Cinnamon still fails to learn anything.

I don't think he has any intelligence or memory. He forgets the commands too fast. I spend 45 minutes daily from 1 pm to 1:45 pm trying to train him but my energy and efforts get wasted.

Reward Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Chows are intelligent. Training takes time with them because they are intelligent (some say they are cat like) and will tend to do what they want to do. Keep at it, it will take some time, but eventually it will all fall into place. Remember consistency and patience.

Aggressive Dog Training - Expert Advice

• maybe the mutt is ashamed of it's name.
  It likes Ginger better.


• try clicker training.


• The chow chow is a very difficult breed to train, as they are "stubborn" (for lack of a better word) and independent-minded by nature (think "cat"). I learned this when chow chows were featured on our local news due to difficulties that a family were having with their chow chow.
  
  When you open a door, do you let your dog go in ahead of you?
  After a play "battle" with you, do you let him "win" by letting him have the toy in the end?
  Then congratulations, you have allowed Cinnamon to think he's the leader and you're the pack, so he doesn't understand why he should listen to you.


• Some dogs are just independent and don't like to be told what to do. It doesn't mean they are stupid.


• I found a website that may be of some help to you. I put the link below. When you get there, scroll down to where in RED it says, "My major concerns would be...", then scroll down to number three. There is a box after the first paragraph that says, "To teach your Chow to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory." It goes on to provide a link to their Chow Training page. Here's the link------>>>http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews…
  
  It just may be that you need a little more help training your Chow Chow. You could also check with your veterinarian clinic and see if they recommend trainers in your area that have classes to work with dogs and their owners.
  
  Good Luck to you and Cinnamon.


• My mothers friend had a similar problem. It was solved by sending the dog to doggy boot camp XD for $1000 bucks. She said her dog came back diffrent and listens to commands and dosent pee in the house and all the good stuff. You could also get training lessons at PetSmart or PetCo that should work. My dog is a keeshound/chow chow, never trained her due to the fact that I was 6 when we got her but she listens but not to commands you will most likely be able to get cinnamon tranied to be a great dog your just gonna have to do it his way (the hard way) I hope this helps you out good luck with your chow chow.


• HEYY!! I have 2 chows myself 3 all my life and they are the most obideint dogs ive ever had and i have 5 dogs right now! it will happen give it time. You shouldnt just spend your 45 mins or whatever with him Chows are stubborn and very very dominant! he just doesnt want to listen he probably knows exactly what your saying hes just being a brat! just work with him all day or at least as long as your around him.
  Make it known to him that your the owner and hes the pet.. make sure to use basic commands i mean unless you want him to be an agility dog i think you will be fine. work with him over and over repetition is the best way to learn something. I dont think books are what you need maybe use them for tips but just do what works. If he sits for a treat then carry treats with you for a while and reward him when he does good and use it for other commands too. then after a while he will do it without the treat, im sure he will exspect it but he'll do the trick even without getting one. But the #1 thing for you to remember is you have chosen a very bratty breed so you MUST make him listen to you..they are stubburn and will not want to listen for anything in the beggining but when he matures he will realize whos boss and if he acts out put him in place let him know you wont stand for the way hes acting..
  
  A few things to consider, maybe adding his age to your question.
  Or if he is nuetered?
  and if there are anyother dogs in the home, that can cause a distraction for him.
  Another thing that might be helpful and im not just being an A** his name is long try choosing a nickname for him short names are better for getting a dogs attention and names that have a distinct sound like, Mack or buck or something like that , something short and sweet. Just an idea tho..
  
  Good luck if you have any other chows Questions I'll be happy to help to the best of my Knowledge! Good Luck.


• Maybe he just isn't the training kind.
  
  Some dogs are like that. but Chow Chows are so cute :D :D


• A 5 month old puppy chow trained for almost an hour straight? No, that is not going to happen.
  You need to try short bursts of training throughout the day.

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Dog Health Questions: Potty Training?

My dog Sasha is pooping everywhere and my other dog Cece is potty trained because she went to a dog training school. We can't afford to do that for Sasha. So could someone send me a link or a writing about how to potty train a teacup yorkie. By the way Cece is a 2 year old shiffon(shih tzu mix brussels griffon) and my other dog Sasha is a 2 month old teacup yorkie. If you need info about those dogs ask a question about these breeds and I will be there to answer it. So please help me potty train!

Do's and Dont's of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
I also got a puppy and it was qite bad with his blader here is how i tranied him.Here are the basics of a simple potty training routine for a puppy.

1. Take him outside (and stay till he's done or a long time has gone by with no results): As soon as he wakes up in the morning (You don't have to be awake.. much!)

Right after his breakfast Right after his lunch Right after his naps Right after taking him out of his crate Right after his dinner Right after any snacks of much size

Right before his bedtime

If he whimpers in the night

Praise him in a cheery voice when he produces.

2. Only feed him and give him water when you can take him outside right away. Especially in a hot or dry climate, you would normally never let dogs be without access to fresh water, but for the weeks that you are training, this limitation will speed up the potty training process for your dog. There will be fewer accidents and so the dog will more quickly learn what you want. But use your judgment about any risk of dehydration.

3. When he does pee or poop where you don't want him to, quietly clean it up in a matter-of-fact way. This isn't a time to talk either loving or annoyed talk to him; essentially ignore him while you do the cleanup. Certainly never yell or physically punish him in any way.

4. When you and he are both home, keep him with you as much as you can, whether at your side (a leash can be handy for this once he accepts it), in a confined area, or in a crate, or otherwise nearby. (If you are crate-training, do keep the puppy in the crate as little as possible.)

Also everytimes he Pees Or Poos wgile out give him a treet and praise him he will soon learn that it is toilet tiem when he goes out.
Hope it helps =]

Dog Training - More on Dog Training Hand Signals

• I would like to comment on Point 1 that ILoveJelly has made. I think you need to be aware that...
  
  You should not immediately pull the dog away and go home once the dog has pooped. Believe it or not, the dog will actually DELAY pooping so that it can spend a longer time outdoors. They are really really smart. Instead, have a time frame like 25-30 minutes, regardless of whether the dog poops or not, bring it home.

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Dog Health Questions: How do I fix an overly needy dog?

My friend's dog is INSANELY needy. She is a one yr old German shepard, owned since birth. She always gets overly excited when someone comes over, jumping on and licking them. But even once she's calmed down she has issues with space. She always needs to be next to if not touching us, sometimes forcing her head onto our laps when we push her away. If we are walking around the house she will follow us way too closely, licking our hands and feet. She tries to sleep in our beds but when not allowed, we can usually wake up in the night to find the dog sitting with her head on the bed just staring at us. Even when eating the dog will get a bite from her bowl and come back into whatever room we happen to be in, chew and swallow the bite, then go back for another bite to bring back. She will eat entire meals like this! She gets played with and taken for walks pretty regularly, and is very loved so I don't know what the issue is or why she can't be more normal. We don't know much about dog training and have never encountered an animal like this. Any suggestions?

Train Your Dog - Don't Let Your Dog Train You

Recommended Answer:
This is an awful lot of "stuff" to digest! My best answer to you would be to recommend the Animal Planet show called, "It's Me or the Dog," with Victoria Stillwell. In her nightly program, she often deals with dogs like the one you describe.

Successful Dog Training at Home - Having the Right Mindset

• This is the behavior of an insecure dog. The best thing you can do for her is help her build her confidence and independance. I know of no better way to do this that through training. Agility, Utility, whatever - give her a job and help her to accomplish things for herself.
  Also, doggy daycare could be worth a try, but that would depend on the dog.

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Dog Health Questions: What dog is right for me?

Hello,
I was wondering what breed of dog i should get!
A little about me-
Hi, I live on a 200 acre farm in the wilderness with my mom (i am still a teen)! We live in a very rural area in the foothills of southern indiana with no neighbors or roads. I have 3 dogs, 2 italian greyhounds and a young Golden Retriever mix. I do not have any livestock but i have lots of chickens and 6 free ducks ( the chickens are in a pen 24/7).
I really want a dog that is willing to do just about anything not just because i have a treat in my hand but because they have a need and a will to please! I want a very smart dog that will be very eager to learn! Also my mom works at home so somebody will be there most of the time! I would love to be involved in agility and disk competitions! I will be able to give this dog a lot of exercise when i am home from school ( did i mention that i have 3 lakes that that dog can swim in)! Also this dog will be outside playing with my other dogs most of the day but will be let inside several times a day and will be let inside at night to keep them away from the wolves and cougars. Also this dog will be put inside while we are away from the house but when we are present which is most of the time we let our dogs roam free but we always be sure to supervise new dogs that we add to our pack to make sure that they stay around. I will be willing to give this dog as much grooming as is required. I will definitely take this dog to puppy and dog obedience classes and to the vet. To prove that i understand the health importance of a dog i feed all of my dogs Origen dog food ( best dog food on the market) and also Nature's Variety raw medallions. Also a little extra info is that i would like to get a Border Collie (I don't really like Australian Shepherds) but i don't know if they would fit into my lifestyle although to me my situation looks pretty good for one. Also i have over 50 dog training and info books! Also if i got a Border Collie i would take it herding about once a week! But like i said i have 3 other dogs that are very hyper breeds so that may help tire him out! I will take this dog on walks and hikes around my property. I need to get a dog that is social with both other animals and people and a dog that gets along with cats and fowl such as ducks. If you are thinking that a border collie wouldn't be friendly to cats then i will be sure to socialize him properly around my cats and my ducks and chickens when he is a puppy. Thank you and please recommend different dog breeds that would fit me and also what you think about me owning a border collie because that is my ideal dog breed!

Therapy Dog Training, Helping the Infirm

Recommended Answer:
Yes, I was thinking a Border Collie, and a Rough Collie. A cattle dog might would also be good, but a Border Collie is going to be the best dog you can get. Friendly, intelligent, can be trained in most things like agility and disk, loves to roam outdoors, yes, it sounds perfect!

Dog Training Has Many Benefits

• maybe a border collie or a healer. i have a border collie/ healer mix and she a great dog. she listen really well and love the water. or an english pointer (although they are very hyper dogs) they like to hunt and catch animals but are very loving


• A Border Collie sounds best for your living area.


• These dogs would probably be good for your situation:
  Border collie
  Australian shepherds (they are the best dogs I don't know why you don't like them....that is crazy!)
  Pembroke welsh corgi
  English Springer Spaniel
  Welsh Springer Spaniel
  Field Spaniel
  Brittany
  Belgian Sheepdog (groenendael)
  German Shepherd
  Australian Cattle DogAll these dogs are HIGHLY trainable and need a TONNNNNNNNN of exercise!!!!!!! So make sure you have enough time for that!!!!!!!!!!!


• the border collie fits you discripting very well, the aim to please and it seems like you will allow it the excercise this breed requires.
  they aren't however known for their ability to get along with other dogs and pets, however, any dog with good training can overcome this.
  
  other breeds that would work well within your discription include Golden Retrievers and Poodles.
  goldens get along great with both people and pets and are known for their willingness and want to please.
  they are also great water dogs and with your 3 lakes he'll be right at home.
  
  poodles are also breed for swimming and are great with other dogs and pets as well. all 3 of these dogs need plenty of excercise which it doesn't seem you lack them of. the border collie and poodle are the 2 smartest breeds of dog there are, many surprise their owners and get away with things most dogs wouldn't.
  
  good luck.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog Whisperer or Victoria Stillwell?

Ok, sorry. Not sure why I had Blackwell in my head when I asked the previous question......so here goes the right question..

Who do you prefer, Cesar or Victoria (from It's Me or the Dog) when it comes to dog training methods. Why do you like them better and/or why have you found their training methods more effective than the other?

Dog Training Manual - Train Your Dog Using the Secrets of the Pros

Recommended Answer:
Victoia Stillwell without a question. For several reasons.

1. Cesar has a "do not try this at home" warning at the start of his show. Victoria /encourages/ people to try her methods at home.

2. Cesar's methods are based on punishment. Victoria's are based on positive reinforcement. I'd much rather praise my dog for doing things right than punish him for doing them wrong.

3. Victoria sets dogs up for success (and praises them for getting it right). Cesar sets dogs up for failure (and punishes them for getting it wrong). Would you rather feel constantly right or constantly wrong?

4. Victoria's methods change the dog's feelings/emotions towards a trigger and consequently change the dog's reactions. Cesar's methods suppress (change) the reactions but do nothing to change the underlying emotions that cause that reaction. The dog still feels the same way but just doesn't have a way communicate those feelings.

5. Training with aggression causes aggression.

6. Cesar's methods and theory are based on a flawed study into a fake wolf pack done decades ago. Victoria keeps up to date on new methods and new theories. Her way of training has changed since her first series.

Read the links below for more information. Please.

Dog Training Ideas

• Stillwell, definitely. Millan has so many strikes against him, in my opinion, it's not funny. The majority of his training does not work for most dog owners. Kids see his show and think they are experts, and as a result get hurt. They also think it extends to other species.
  
  A while ago someone asked what they should do about the parakeet biting, and a kid who apparently had watched his show got the idea the bird was trying to be dominant, so they told the questioner to put the cage on the floor. Which is the absolute worse thing you can do.
  
  Some people honestly believe that saying "Shss" is all it takes to get a dog to walk without pulling.
  
  He forces into dogs into situations that are very traumatic, and they shut down (does anyone remember the Sheltie who was afraid of the toaster program?).
  
  He gives the mistaken impression that if you flip a dog over on his back, the dog is submitting. True submission is totally voluntarily, without anyone lifting so much as a finger.
  
  He lost a client's dog in one of the episodes I did watch. The dog was in their home and it jumped off the balcony. My first question would be what was he doing to the dog to cause it to run away?
  
  The absolute straw for me was when he had a client who wanted to overcome his fear of dogs so his kids could have a pet. He gave them his Chinese Crested dog that he rescued around two years prior. The idea of seeing if the dog liked the family never occurred to him . Something clicked in my mind, and I haven't watched a program of his since.
  
  Sorry for the length.


• I don't really pay much attention to either one. Neither is a real dog trainer, and both of their shows are edited for content, which gives the perception that they know what they are doing, and that can be dangerous to the general public.
  
  If I want training advice, I go to a few trainers I know personally, or to my favorite accredited trainers books that I have in the bookcase. It would never even occur to me to ask or watch a TV entertainer how to train my dog.
  
  Victoria is pretty harmless, but Millan has some pretty dangerous incorrect theories about dogs and pack behavior that can damage a dog.


• They are both actors playing to a TV audience for ratings so that they can continue to earn a paycheck.
  
  Can I suggest that you go to a dog trainer instead of an actor when you want valid information about training a dog.
  
  There are only two ways that any living creature learns anything. Operant conditioning and Classical conditioning.
  If you want to learn how to train a dog you will be well served by studying both, otherwise you will be "just doing" with no understanding of why or how.


• I like Cesar in that he is all about showing "Dominance" over your dog. Letting them know who's boss. (it really seems to work) I don't like how he does this creepy "claw" looking thing with his hand and corrects the dog right at the neck.
  
  I like Victoria in that she is all about praise. Although, some of her "tricks" don't work with all dogs in every case.
  
  So, I like them both for different reasons!


• They are quite different, and i've also noticed they work on different issues.
  
  I've never really seen Cesar help anyone teach their dog to come to them, but on the other hand, i've seen Victoria do this.
  
  Cesar has never helped anyone i know of help to maintain a dog's calmness in a car -- i saw him help with this issue once, and he was sitting in the back seat with the dog. I'm sure that, the next time the owners took the dog out ,it reverted to its barking or whining because Cesar wasn't in the back seat. On the other hand, Victoria has dealt with this on her show a few times.
  
  These two issues pop into my mind because they are two i've had issues with myself. So, i'm definitely not saying one trainer's method is better.
  
  I do love both Cesar and Victoria. Both have great training methods, and i believe that, if we are going to train our dogs based on one or the other's methods, we need to take a look at each and see which suits us best.
  
  take care.


• In a nutshell, I prefer Victoria because her methods are more realistic for every day pet owners.
  Cesar Milan has excellent methods, but a lot of them are just too difficult for your average dog owner to use.

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Dog Health Questions: Anyone tried "The Perfect Dog" training system by Don Sullivan?

I had two dogs (neutered males) who got along without issue. I just took home another older neutered male dog (Bo) from the shelter at which I volunteer. Bo and my other older male (Tuba) scrap about once every three days or so. No serious injuries yet, but I'm worried and looking for some guidance. The little dog gets along with everyone as he is not much of a threat and is pretty goofy. Bo (lab/shep) is understandably needy and seems to want to be the sole recipient of our attention. Tuba is a chow mix who is incredibly loyal and smart. He does not like when Bo comes between him and me, but does not fuss about it. Bo often growls and shows his teeth at Tuba when Tuba walks by or walks by me.

Small Dog Training - Small Dogs Need to Feel They Are Pleasing You

Recommended Answer:
I believe he uses a correction collar to train.

For your problem, a correction collar will only make the situation worse.

Try NILIF (google it).

Dog House Training - Complete Dog Training Tips and Tricks For Training Your Dog in Your Home

• you know, i was watching that thing on tv the other day and i think its all crap. no way some flimsy looking collar is gonna train any dog, big or small.


• no


• No, and don't waste your money. That man and his training system are a joke.
  
  Try this with your dogs:
  
  Undesirable behavior can be caused by many things, including undetected illness. No behavior modification program should begin without first taking the dog to a veterinarian for a complete physical examination. While you're there, give your vet a printed copy of this page and ask if it would be an appropriate technique for you to try. The NILIF program is an accepted standard in dog training/behavior but it is not, and is not intended to be, a substitute for an in-person, professional evaluation of your dog's behavior. This technique is intended for dogs in good health and of sound mind and stable temperament.
  
  The NILIF program is remarkable because it's effective for such a wide variety of problems. A shy, timid dog becomes more relaxed knowing that he has nothing to worry about, his owner is in charge of all things. A dog that's pushing too hard to become "top dog" learns that the position is not available and that his life is far more enjoyable without the title.
  
  It is equally successful with dogs that fall anywhere between those two extremes. The program is not difficult to put into effect and it's not time consuming if the dog already knows a few basic obedience commands. I've never seen this technique fail to bring about a positive change in behavior, however, the change can be more profound in some dogs than others. Most owners use this program in conjunction with other behavior modification techniques such as coping with fear or treatment for aggression. It is a perfectly suitable technique for the dog with no major behavior problems that just needs some fine tuning.
  
  ATTENTION ON DEMAND
  The program begins by eliminating attention on demand. When your dog comes to you and nudges your hand, saying "pet me! pet me!" ignore him. Don't tell him "no", don't push him away. Simply pretend you don't notice him. This has worked for him before, so don't be surprised if he tries harder to get your attention. When he figures out that this no longer works, he'll stop. In a pack situation, the top ranking dogs can demand attention from the lower ranking ones, not the other way around. When you give your dog attention on demand you're telling him that he has more status in the pack than you do. Timid dogs become stressed by having this power and may become clingy. They're never sure when you'll be in charge so they can't relax. What if something scary happens, like a stranger coming in the house? Who will handle that? The timid dog that is demanding of attention can be on edge a lot of the time because he has more responsibility than he can handle.
  
  Some dogs see their ability to demand attention as confirmation that they are the "alpha", then become difficult to handle when told to "sit" or "down" or some other demand is placed on them. It is not their leadership status that stresses them out, it's the lack of consistency. They may or may not actually be alpha material, but having no one in the pack that is clearly the leader is a bigger problem than having the dog assume that role full time. Dogs are happiest when the pack order is stable. Tension is created by a constant fluctuation of pack leadership.
  
  EXTINCTION BURSTS
  Your dog already knows that he can demand your attention and he knows what works to get that to happen. As of today, it no longer works, but he doesn't know that yet. We all try harder at something we know works when it stops working. If I gave you a twenty dollar bill every time you clapped your hands together, you'd clap a lot. But, if I suddenly stopped handing you money, even though you were still clapping, you'd clap more and clap louder. You might even get closer to me to make sure I was noticing that you were clapping. You might even shout at me "Hey! I'm clapping like crazy over here, where's the money?". If I didn't respond at all, in any way, you'd stop. It wasn't working anymore. That last try -- that loud, frequent clapping is an extinction burst. If, however, during that extinction burst, I gave you another twenty dollar bill you'd be right back in it. It would take a lot longer to get you to stop clapping because you just learned that if you try hard enough, it will work.
  
  When your dog learns that the behaviors that used to get him your attention don't work any more he's going to try harder and he's going to have an extinction burst. If you give him attention during that time you will have to work that much harder to get him turned around again. Telling him "no" or pushing him away is not the kind of attention he's after, but it's still attention. Completely ignoring him will work faster and better.
  
  YOU HAVE THE POWER
  As the human and as his owner you have control of all things that are wonderful in his life. This is the backbone of the NILIF program. You control all of the resources. Playing, attention, food, walks, going in and out of the door, going for a ride in the car, going to the dog park. Anything and everything that your dog wants comes from you. If he's been getting most of these things for free there is no real reason for him to respect your leadership or your ownership of these things. Again, a timid dog is going to be stressed by this situation, a pushy dog is going to be difficult to handle. Both of them would prefer to have you in charge.
  
  To implement the NILIF program you simply have to have your dog earn his use of your resources. He's hungry? No problem, he simply has to sit before his bowl is put down. He wants to play fetch? Great! He has to "down" before you throw the ball. Want to go for a walk or a ride? He has to sit to get his lead snapped on and has to sit while the front door is opened. He has to sit and wait while the car door is opened and listen for the word (I use "OK") that means "get into the car". When you return he has to wait for the word that means "get out of the car" even if the door is wide open. Don't be too hard on him. He's already learned that he can make all of these decisions on his own. He has a strong history of being in control of when he gets these resources. Enforce the new rules, but keep in mind that he's only doing what he's been taught to do and he's going to need some time to get the hang of it all.
  
  You're going to have to pay attention to things that you probably haven't noticed before. If you feed your dog from your plate do you just toss him a green bean? No more. He has to earn it. You don't have to use standard obedience commands, any kind of action will do. If your dog knows "shake" or "spin around" or "speak" use those commands. Does your dog sleep on your bed? Teach him that he has to wait for you to say "OK" to get on the bed and he has to get down when you say "off". Teach him to go to his bed, or other designated spot, on command. When he goes to his spot and lays down tell him "stay" and then release him with a treat reward. Having a particular spot where he stays is very helpful for when you have guests or otherwise need him out of the way for a while. It also teaches him that free run of the house is a resource that you control. There are probably many things that your dog sees as valuable resources that I haven't mentioned here.
  
  The NILIF program should not be a long, drawn out process. All you need to do is enforce a simple command before allowing him access to what he wants. Dinner, for example, should be a two or three second encounter that consists of nothing more than saying "sit", then "good dog!", then putting the bowl down and walking away.
  
  ATTENTION AND PLAY
  Now that your dog is no longer calling the shots you will have to make an extra effort to provide him with attention and play time. Call him to you, have him "sit" and then lavish him with as much attention as you want. Have him go get his favorite toy and play as long as you both have the energy. The difference is that now you will be the one initiating the attention and beginning the play time. He's going to depend on you now, a lot more than before, to see that he gets what he needs. What he needs most is quality time with you. This would be a good time to enroll in a group obedience class. If his basic obedience is top notch, see about joining an agility class or fly ball team.
  
  NILIF DOES *NOT* MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO RESTRICT THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION YOU GIVE TO YOUR DOG. The NILIF concept speaks to who initiates the attention (you!), not the amount of attention. Go ahead and call your dog to you 100 times a day for hugs and kisses!! You can demand his attention, he can no longer demand yours!
  
  Within a day or two your dog will see you in a whole new light and will be eager to learn more. Use this time to teach new things, such as 'roll over' or learn the specific names of different toys.
  
  If you have a shy dog, you'll see a more relaxed dog. There is no longer any reason to worry about much of anything. He now has complete faith in you as his protector and guide. If you have a pushy dog he'll be glad that the fight for leadership is over and his new role is that of devoted and adored pet.©1999 Deb McKean

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Dog Health Questions: Unsatisfactory dog boarding experience with my greys?

Yahoo community I need your help. We went on a 9 day vacation and left our 2 greyhounds with a lady who does dog training and boarding at her home. She was recommended by the local rescue group. We went for a visit before we dropped the dogs off to discuss their issues.. mostly that greys are delicate and NOT yard dogs. We paid a premium price to board them in a home environment. And now that my dogs are home we realize that is not what we got. They have callouses, chapped skin, missing hair, and sunburn. They are stiff, lame, and sore. I already paid her and didnt inspect them closely until I got home. I was very tired when I picked them up and I trusted her and her reputation.

What would you do?

Why One Size Does Not Fit All In Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
I would not use her again. I would also call her and ask what the heck she did to your dogs to cause this. It will be relevant if they need vet attention. If you have to take them to the vet for treatment, ask her if she will pay for it, if she refuses, and the bill's significant, take her to small claims court. Oh, and phone the rescue that recommended her and let them know what happened. They may be willing to stop recommending her to others.

How to Incorporate Dog Training Into Dog Play and Exercise!

• First go to your vet and explain the situation. Get documentation and take pictures of their wounds/health condition. Ask the vet what they suggest you do. I would contact a lawyer and see what advice they can give as well.
  Once armed in writing with this info., I would go to her and let her know she did wrong, and you have the proof. Tell her you want a refund (or what ever it is you want) and if she doesn't comply tell her you'll take her to court. She neglected your pets and you should not have to pay if they were harmed and she did not give the service advertised/requested.
  Animal abuse is a crime and she should be punished. I am sorry your babies were harmed. It is like daycare for children, you can check and recheck but you never really know how they are going to be treated for sure. Again, I'm sorry.
  Best of luck with you and your dogs.


• Think BB has given a pretty good answer only thing I would add is tell the rescue group to make sure they never recommend her again.


• First - I would report your displeasure to your rescue group, so they do not refer others to her.
  
  I'm sure you'll never take your hounds to her again.
  
  Did you call her and ask her what happened to your hounds while you were away? I can't think of any reason that Greyhounds would get callouses and sunburn while being boarded inside someones home. The missing hair could be from playing with each other, as you know how easily these guys can get scuffed up.
  
  In the future maybe you can exchange dog sitting with other people within your own rescue. This is what our group does, and then instead of paying board, we make a donation to the group. So we are helping the hounds, as well as each other. (and your dogs stay in a home with other Greys)
  
  I'd be fuming about now ..........but if she did feed and care for your dogs, then I doubt you could get a refund of any type - as she did provide the service you contracted with her for.
  
  But I would make it well known to all pet owners I knew that the woman does not provide the quality of care that she advertises.


• Don't use her again, I don't think there is much you can do legally, I would call the rescue group that gave her the recommended her and let them know what happened, was the rescue group the greyhound rescue?? If not call the adoption group you got your greys from, I'm in the Phila.,Pa Area and the NGAP boards and the greyhounds get wonderful care, state of the art med care, paddocks to play in, best of food, they will do their teeth (laser) cut nails, have it all done if you want, maybe there is a NGAP in your area, they all treat the dog's great, but I think Phila has the med. center next time try them it is a large organization, I think there all over check the web National Greyhound Adoption Program.

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Dog Health Questions: My dog bites other dogs...?

I have a Staffie who is about 1.5 years old. I have socialized her since we got her at 10 weeks old. She goes to dogs training and to day care during the week. Only thing is she has started fighting with other dogs specially at day care which is strange because we are there so it's not like she is trying to protect us. I was told that after she has fought she goes and sits in a corner looking very ashamed. Please help as I have never had a dog that fights before (and i have had Staffie's before).

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the thing with american pit bulls and staffers is they were bred to be fighters it is in their blood to fight Other dogs. you may have the best socialized pit or staff and still have to be careful around other dogs.you cant expect a dog in these two breeds never to fight if you do have one that never got in a dog fight its whole life you are lucky. trying to deny that they still will be tempted to fight is just lying to yourself it would be like expecting a hound dog to never be interested in hunting or a herding dog never be interested in herding. its just what their original purpose in life was and sadly still is sometimes.

i have owned a few american pit bull terriers while i was growing up and one staff. some never fought other dogs most did get into at least one fight. usually amongst themselves when no one was home to watch them so we had to crate them individually when we left. we never had more then three dogs at one time though we mostly fostered them.

i currently have one american pitty and he does excellent with other dogs but that doesn't mean i am going to ever let my guard down around other dogs especially strange dogs and i always carry a break stick with me cuz you just never know what can go wrong. im not anxiouse or nervouse when he is around other dogs im just aware if the potential danger.

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Dog Health Questions: Can anyone suggest a good resource for border collie training?

I have a border collie puppy. She is absolutely adorable, but is proving to be the most challenging puppy I have ever had to train. My "generic" dog training books aren't breed specific or even appropriate for this family of dog breeds.

I used to have an Aussie. It just seemed like training came naturally to her. I swear this Border Collie has the K9 equivalent to ADHD. The training methods I used with my other dogs just don't seem to be working well. Anything from leash behavior, to potty training, to biting.

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I totally know where you're coming from! Got a Border Collie too, Shadow is now just 1 year old and I have been persuing proper obedience classes with her since she was 4 months old. In my obedience classes, we use the clicker method, which is a means to target the desired behavior, then you add a cue (i.e. sit) and eventually phase out the clicker. This is a positive reinforcement based method and I have found it to work extremely well with my border collie. I still do corrections, but this method means I don't need to do them nearly as often.

As for that high energy drive, now that my bc is a year old, we have started playing frisbee with her. This is totally free, with the exception of buying a few good frisbees (preferrably ones made for dogs as they are gentler on the mouth than normal types). There are competitions around (just had one this past weekend in Comstock Park, totally free to participate) and it's a great way to excercise a border collie and give that endless energy a focus. I actually take Shadow out to play a few rounds of frisbee before training classes and I find that little bit helps her focus much better during our obedience training.

Border Collies are definitely a handful of a breed, but dedication from you to channel that endless supply of energy will help in your training process. Of course, a good trainer to help you learn good methods is also priceless.

Also, you may consider talking to your breeder. A good breeder will also be an invaluable resource and help get you on the right track. They should be able to suggest good trainers and methods that will be beneficial to you and your dog.

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• Border collies are high energy dogs and really need a lot of exercise. They are also extremely smart and get bored quickly. I suspect the training methods you are using are just plain boring to her. You are dealing with a super-smart kid who needs the accelerated gifted student class because she is acting up.
  
  My suggestion is to go through basic obedience training in a class setting and then get her involved in a dog sport like agility or flyball. This will release her energy and get her responding to commands. She literally needs more challenge.
  
  As for housetraining, I strongly recommend crate training. it works really well and I have had great success with it.

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Dog Health Questions: How do I prevent a dog training disaster that is none of my business?

My sister has had a track record of aggressive dogs. She has 3 shiatsu mixes at home and one of them is very aggressive. He nips and bits the family members and the kids who get anywhere near him. At one time they owned a lab/pit bull mix. Who tragically attacked almost everyone including her husband and mine just for entering her space. She was put down after she attacked a friend who came into the house. My concern grows where now they have adopted a full bread Pit Bull who is only 3 months old and is attacking growling and biting threw the skin. He attacked my 5yr old just for standing by. All three of these dogs I mentioned my sister considers hers. I noticed she babies them more than the others even after they act out encouraging bad behavior. She truly believes she is correcting it. I am scarred this pup doesn't have a chance. What can be done? My kids are 4 & 3 and don't like the puppy already. He's attacked my 5yr old to the point she started kicking him out of way and drew blood from my 3 yr old.

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A properly bred Pit Bull should have zero human aggression. They do, however, have a strong bite so if the puppy is doing a standard play bite then bite inhibition is required there and at 3 months, that would be my guess. If it's anything other than that, well, there is some bad breeding going on there and quite honestly, the dog needs to be in the hands of a professional or put down. In either case, do your friend a HUGE favor and pool your monies together and buy her a gift certificate to get her into a GOOD dog training class. The owner is more likely to listen to a professional than a friend. not the kind you find at petsmart or petco but you need to find a trainer that is savvy to the breed and how to work with them. If you want, ping me offline and I will locate a good trainer in your area.

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• I would contact animal control. The dogs are a liability for your sister and anyone that comes to the house. I would recommend that you not take your children anywhere around the dogs. You are responsible for their safety and if they get seriously injured by the dogs it will be your fault as well.
  
  Your sister may get mad but I don't see where you have much choice for the safety of your children.


• Talk to your sister and voice your concerns. If she does nothing to correct the problem then keep your kids away.


• At this point I would get animal control involved, if the dog is going after children.


• For one her homeowners insurance will not cover this if it was reported! I wouldn't take the chance of going over there with my kids. You unfortunately will have no control on what happens since your sister is in denial. If she doesn't know the background breeding of this dog its a disaster waiting to happen! Someone will get seriously hurt or killed and your sister could get jail time etc!
  
  I have a neighbor with a pit mix that has come through the second story window of her home! If its loose when she's gone it bangs and barks on the kitchen window on our side of the house the entire time. No one is outside even and its only 4 feet from my driveway! I have video taped this dog doing this since talking to her is like talking to a wall and the cops have already talked to her. She says her dog will never hurt anyone....that is the last thing ANY dog owner should say to anyone about their dog. All I say is she better hope its not a member of my family or one of my dogs that gets harmed or killed for the same attitude.


• Why don't you just tell her to TRY to make a good dog out of it before it's too late. E-mail the dog whisperer. Animals control equals death to the dog, I don't ever think that a dog is so far gone as to be killed, and I've met some angry dogs. I believe in them.
  
  I met a mentally ill, and angry dog. She attacked my old cavalier to KILL her. Pulled her neck, and swung her around. I was mortified and scared for my dog. It didn't stop me however from trying to help the dog, rather than kill her - easy way out.
  
  Your sister is the one who needs help. You need to get a tough-as$ dog trainer to tell HER how it is and make sure he's tough toward her, so she really understands the serious and danger she's causing if she's not an expert on these kind of breeds.


• Your sister obviously lacks the skills needed to nurture a dog through with good manners, and it looks as if the new one will be no different if she is not correcting this normal puppy behavior which will result in very bad behavior if not corrected.
  
  I think you should do as suggested and absolutely not visit your sister while she has the dogs there.
  
  I do hope you don't mean that you are all living in the same place.
  
  If you mean by that last sentence that your kids visited her and her dogs, and your kids kicked the pup then that is not right, and your sister should of been controlling the situation with the pup.


• I do not know about the other dogs but the pit puppy needs to be taught that this is not exceptable. He needs to be socialized alot too. If she has never had a pit she needs to learn before something bad does happen. A pit puppy can hurt you without realizing it but if he is aggressive to kids without being provoked than he is probably a bad bloodline. Pit puppies get carried away when they are playing and get real rough real fast. I have had them for over 20 years and if your sister doesn't do something like obedience trainin and alot of socializing she needs to get rid of the pup. Most are great dogs but everybody should not own one. They do everything 100%.That are not allowed to attack humans...you don't take them to the dog park and let them play with the other dogs...you don't let them run loose and when he grows up if her other dogs do not bow down and let him be boss he will probably hurt them They do not play well with other animals. But they should be put down if she can't stop that behavior. If she gives it away or sells it and they don't know what they are doing he will hurt someone someday. If he is truely people mean do not breed him..or keep him..put him down.


• Well, I suppose if you call your sister an idiot it would make for hard feelings. You need to protect your children and yourself. Refuse to visit your sister in her home unless every one of her dogs has passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation. Then plan on not seeing the inside of your sister's home ever again because there's no way any of her dogs will pass.
  Unfortunately, being an idiot and making decent dogs into terrors is not punishable by law.


• How is it none of your business if your kids are being bitten?
  
  Lots of drama here (and nearly illiterate in parts), but what YOU do is keep your kids away from your sister's dogs - end problem. The rest is family nutsiness and I can't even begin to fathom what you are on about --- but you need to keep your kids AWAY from these dogs, common sense would tell you that's the part that's your business.
  
  Don't know who "he" and "she" is in your last sentence, but nobody should be kicking a dog out of the way when he "drew blood" from your 3 year old --- are you people all dimwitted? The 3 year old shouldn't be any where near any of your sister's dogs - that's where YOU come in, you're the mother.
  Lord, I hope your kids live to adulthood, doesn't sound as if they stand much of a chance in your family surroundings.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

hi, does anyone know where there are any agility classes in or near preston in the uk for my border collie. he is 6months old now and loves things like this and i would like to take him somewhere he can get involved in agility etc. thank you

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http://www.wyreagility.co.uk/

how bout that place?

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• Good luck finding some place. (I'm in Oregon in the U.S.) I just started training my 3rd agility dog. I'm still competing with my first dog. Be careful, once you start running full courses it's addicting. Border Collies are usually the best ones on the courses, so it should be fun for both of you.
  One agility rule (before you start) It's suppose to be fun, so if the dog or you mess up, don't get mad about it. It's a game to play with your dog.
  Again, Good Luck and have fun.

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Dog Health Questions: Hunting dog training help?

im getting some chukkar to train my lab to flush. I want to release the bird have him flush it then repeat the process how do i get the bird to flush and still be able to pick him up and do it again??

i cant shoot it because im on state game lands out of season

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Flush and say goodbye. Unless the birds are trained to return with food and a cage you won't.

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Dog Health Questions: Can i have my dog trained to be a service dog in Texas?

I am disabled and i am interested in getting a service dog to help me. Everything that i have read about service dogs says that you cant adopt one if you already have dogs. So I'm wondering if i can have one of the dogs i already own trained to be a service dog? If so where do you take them to be trained. What requirements are there? Any more information on this would be so helpful! It is NOT an option for me to get rid of my other dogs

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That's not true. Some programs won't place service dogs in homes that already have pet dogs, but some will. You just keep looking until you find a program that matches your needs.
http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content…

Hiring a private trainer to train a dog to that level will be very costly, most likely over $10,000. And when starting out with a pet dog there is little chance the dog will have all of the qualities necessary to complete training and actually become a service dog. Even among dogs specifically bred to have the ideal genetics for becoming a service dog and raised from birth by experts in the field, only 7 out of 8 succeed in completing the process. Out of the general dog population it is more like one dog in a hundred. Over three quarters wash out on health issues alone because an issue that wouldn't be a significant problem for a pet is exacerbated by the work of a service dog.

I think there is still an owner-trainer program in Texas, so you should look into that. They should be on one of those lists in the article I linked above. You take your own dog and they attempt to train you to train it yourself. It's less expensive than going through a private trainer yet they'd also be able to evaluate your dog for you and tell you what chance you have succeeding with him before you start.

But if I were you, I'd check out a few more programs before deciding none will work.

--- edited to add ---

The Seeing Eye does permit pet dogs on a case-by-case basis, but most guide dog schools do not. There's not much point in placing a trained dog in a household where that dog's training cannot be maintained. It's not like they are VCRs that can be programed and left. Other dogs can teach the service dog bad habits, or can become jealous of the time spent with the service dog. So it depends on the dogs already in the household and has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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• Each program has their own requirements. Not all service dog programs will not allow you to have a pet dog in your home. I have a friend with a guide dog from a school in NY who has several other pet dogs and even another service dog (medical alert dog for disabling diabetes, and yes she works both at the same dog as the alert dog (Doxie) doesn't guide and the guide dog can't alert).
  
  Is it possible to train your own dog, maybe. It is completely legally, but whether or not you would be successful would depend on your dog's temperament. You would most likely need to hire a professional trainer to both evaluate your dog and assist in the training, and even then there is no guarantee that you will be successful.


• I have friends who are blind and have seeing eye dogs. They were not allowed to own other dogs as part of the agreement to get a seeing eye dog. But, I have another friend who is wheelchair-bound and SHE got a service dog and already had another dog at home.
  
  I think different corporations have different rules.
  
  As far as getting one of your dos you already have trained....I'm not sure. I'm sure if you had one with the personality for it, there would be someone out there willing to put some time into it.
  
  My experience has been that guide dogs for the blind are generally raised from birth to do so, but other service dogs can come from different walks of life. I have seen shelter pups become service dogs as well as labs/goldens raised from pups.
  
  ETA: This company will consider homes with other dogs- http://myservicedog.com/
  
  This website is dedicated to all things about Texas service dogs- http://ags.tamu.edu/
  
  This website has a whole list of Service Dog Trainers: http://wolfpacks.com/products/servicedog…
  
  THis website has resources for finding a service dog or trainer: http://servicedogcentral.org/content/nod…
  
  Hope that helps.


• you can so get a service dog if you have other dogs.
  I know of people with service dogs.. they also have dogs that are just pets.
  
  You "can" get your own dog trained.. but the odds of any of your dogs having the proper temperment or drive for service dog work is slim to none. Not just any dog can be trained to be a service dog.


• If you already have a full grown dog, there are slim chances you can train him to be a service dog. I mean it definitely is possible but it's going to be hard. If you wanted a service dog you would most likely have to buy a new one. They are raised literally from birth as service dogs. They are raised very carefully so nothing goes wrong.
  
  http://www.servicedogs.org/
  
  Good luck!


• I would look this up in your area.I'm sure you could train one of your already owned dogs if they have the personality for it. Otherwise you'll have to get a dog that is already trained, doesn't mean you have to get rid of your dogs.


• yes

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Dog Health Questions: Is there a size limit on having a dog trained as a service dog?

im getting a pug and im wanting to get it trained as a service dog. to help me with Depression and O.C.D.also so it can travel with me on the plane when i fly.

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A pug would make a fine assistance dog. there are no size limits. the only drawback for a pug, as a breed is their sensitivity to heat. If you are to travel to very warm climes, this might be a problem.. pug make great therapy dogs, and hearing assistance dogs.
Very important to be sure of the pug's breeder. You sure don't want a puppy mill dog for that kind of work, so check out the parents, and be certain that the pup comes from a well mannered, trainable lineage.

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• Well, if you want it to travel with you on a plane, do not get a pug. Most airlines now have restrictions on what sort of dogs can fly, and are particularily not permitting the flat faced dogs that have known/obvious breathing issues due to the shape of their noses.
  
  As to having a dog certified. Speak with the local agencies and airlines and see what they require BEFORE getting the dog. I would also recommend getting an adult dog, one that is already showing a propensity for the traits you require.
  
  Lorinne


• There are no limits based on size. The only limits would be your dog's intelligence and trainability. If you have a good dog trainer to work with, one who's experienced with service dogs and the local laws regarding them, you should be able to have your dog trained and certified as your service dog. (You might need documentation from your doctors, I'm not sure on that.)


• Of course! you cant expect a tiny poddle to bring you the heavy newspaper.


• There are no limits on the size or type of dogs for service dog training. However, there are preferred type/size of breeds that are suitable for a particular job we wish them to do.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training help?

well i thaught it would be neat to train my dog to do agility tricks. do you know any websites or cheap stuff i could use to train her. i want it to be easy and cheap, very cheap, can you help me?

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I wouldnt reccomend doingit or building things on your own, it can be dangerous if you dont know what you are doing. Look for a dog training club in your area that does agility see if they have classes and can help you teach your dog, that would be your best bet.

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• all you have to do is beat the **** out of it.

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Dog Health Questions: Can I use dog training pads for my hedgehogs cage?

I was wondering What the best type of bedding is for a hedgehog, and what would be the easyest to clean? Help please!!!!!

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u can use the dog training pads as a bottom layer then cover it with bedding. This will ensure easy cleanup and preserve whatever cage you are using (as it wont be exposed to acidic urine) carefresh, is a good all safe paper bedding. There is little risk with carefresh bedding as there can be more risks with wood chips, corn cob, pine shavings, or pellets)

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• Towels are not good for hedgehogs as their toenails can get caught in the loops. Fleece is the best material. It is cheap, easy to clean/wash, and all you need to do it cut and sew it to the size of your cage bottom. Shavings are also good, but make sure they are not cedar. Many people use kiln dried pine or aspen shavings. There are other products such as Care-fresh bedding and yesterday's news, but you need to watch as your hedgehog may try and eat it, which would cause a blockage.


• I have a hedgie and I went through everything in the beginning. I tried paper shreds, fiber stuff, wood chips/ shavings, they all sucked, way mess. I switched to a plain old towel to line the bottom and litter box trained my hedgie. Works great. soaks up anything that she might not make to the litter box for and adds a layer of warmth to my hedgie's hut.


• The best fir the hedgehog is probably hay, wood chips, or rabbit bedding. The easiest to clean is the dog training pads.

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