Another trainer..... - Page 4

Ruger, I believe you asked about going to the midwest training weekend, right? So I would assume you are in that region. Did I miss your post? Have you stated hat area you are in? Maybe if you told us what area, we could recommend a good trainer. In my area there are numerous dog trainers and all have different philosophies and methods. Just because the goal is the same doesn't mean that the two will take the same path. As a newbie, this is difficult to distinguish what path you want to take and who is best to help you on your way. I believe I stated that you should go to that Midwest weekend by yourself to learn. Most people that get into serious dog training like sport etc, have a great deal to learn. They have to learn about themselves, training and the dogs themselves.

              dito

Ouch, don't know anyone up there off the top of my head. We'll bump this to the top and see what anyone else can come up with for good trainers around NE OHIO.

OK, so I am going to ask the million dollar question here.  What is it about a Gentle Leader that is a problem?  I am genuinely curious.  I don't use one, or a choke chain.  I prefer clikcers for obedience, we will see what happens when we get into Schutzhund with the new girl.  She will be my first Sch dog.

Anyway, I am asking because we have a 14 week old GSD right now and he is my daughter's dog, she wants to use him for Agility and she will be starting obedience classes with him in the fall.  The catch is that she is 7 and the only facility that will take a child her age reuires her to use a Gentle Leader on the dog.  I bought one and tried it on the dog and he went mental trying to get it off.  I will be there with her at the classes.  Should I push to not use the Gentle Leader?

I would find a different class and a different trainer. 

I'm with Phil.  Your pup showed you how he feels about these collars...I've never seen a happy dog wearing one.  The problem with so-called "gentle" leaders is that they aren't; they work by literally wrenching a dog's neck.  I've said it before and I'll say it again...it is absolute BS to suggest that any training collar will provide the greatest degree of control using the least compulsion.  At 14 weeks, your pup should be on a flat collar.

thanks for the help.  My issue is that there are only literally a few trainers in town.  This place was the only place that would have my 7 year old daughter.  Since the dog is hers and she wants to do Agility with him (which is also done though this same facility and is one of two in town and the only one that will take a 7 year old).  None of the other trainers in town will work with my 7 year old daughter.  The trainer I will be using for my girl when she gets and who I would like to use for my daughter won't take the pair.

Ace is on a flat collar now, that's it.  He listens well to my daughter and she and I have both started with a clicker and he responds extremely well to it and is eager and happy to please.  I want to keep him on a flat collar, we responds well to my daughter on a flat collar, she pretty much has him on umbilical when she is home (she is on vacation in Washington right now).  She spends every waking minute with Ace.  I would say this isn't a typical Dog vs 7 year old relationship.

I had planned to bring our 2 year old girl to classes at the same time my daughter and Ace did classes, but I think I will skip and just go with my daughter and Ace so hopefully she can keep Ace on a flat collar.  I really don't want to use a GL and find that it adds more problem than progress.

Edited to add:  The only other training facility locally that takes kids doesn't allow them until they (kids) are 8 years old.  My daughter only just turned 7 so if I wait we lose precious golden training time with the dog while he is a puppy.  But I am going to contact them again and see if they make exceptions and what their guidelines are.



Thanks a bunch.

Bwwahhaha-- I know a few Rotts she should meet, hand the leash over to her and see how well the clicker works, she probably won't have any hand left to operate it with.

I do not use the clicker nor do I know how to use one properly.  However one guy who stood out happens to be a rott-man and is also a well know clicker trainer.  His name is Ismael de Vos (Belgium) and as far as I know is also a good friend of Ivan Balabanov and is also very successful with his own accomplishments.

I SAT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN "VARIABLE REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE"!!!?