need recommendations for trainers! - Page 2

Most trainers require before they take you as a customer,,that you be involved or they wont train your pup....period.....

I agree rose, the owner needs to be taught how the training works and how to use it without creating new problems, and be involved.

And dealing with biting and jumping is also a part of a trainers expertise.   i'm sorry amysue if we disagree on behavior specialists.   And please dont let the poor dog walker take the jumping biter to the dog park.

I firmly believe dog owners need to know whats going on and that takes education, not just buying a trained dog.

And if you dont have time for said dog why have one in the first place..  A German Shepherd needs alot more time, care, and attention that a typical house pet.  Any GSD owner will agree with me on this.

Its not that hard to teach your own dog obedience and learn yourself in the proccess the joys of a good dog.

I'd really like to know more railroad.

Two Moons:  I understand your reluctance about "behavior specialists."  

I think some may think I'm talking about a PhD "behaviorist" when really the "behavior specialist" is just a fancy name for a dog trainer... just one that in my opinion should have more education on learning theories than some club trainers have.  I know many of my local dog trainers and they couldn't explain the different types of operant conditioning for the life of them... but they know ONE way to train... to me that only works for some dogs and sometimes you have to be able to think outside your own box.

As for the dog walker... I'm not suggesting that they take your dog to the dog park.  I'm suggesting you find a well-qualified one and have them work with your dog if you are determined to keep your dog but do not have much time yourself... think of them as an extension of your dog's family.  This is by no means the best solution, but it is an option that is far better than some.  Personally I think it is better than a temporary board-and-train where it is likely afterwards the exercises won't be practiced and the dog will still have too much energy to burn.  But that's just my opinion... luckily on this board you will find a lot of experienced, knowledgable, dog owners and lovers to offer a variety of help.  But it's up to you to decide what will be right for you.  Even with a dog walker, you will still have to be consistant in what you do about the jumping and biting... everyone has to be!

I am sorry, but working full time is not an excuse-puppies take work, you should have known that going into it.  Working with your pup 30 minutes a night should  be easy, most training classes offer evening or weekend schedules and should allow both you and your husband to attend so that there is consistancy in the training.  You may even consider a private lesson in your home to get you off on the right foot until you can get into group classes.  Your pup is getting close to the age that most are when they are given away or taken to a shelter.  Not saying that you would do that at all, just trying to make a point that your dog needs to look up to you and respect you-not look up to the trainer and then completely ignore you once she gets back home.  Good luck with your puppy and for both of your sakes I would suggest reconsidering group classes.

Amysue,

I agree with out of the box.    And I think everyone is trying to help.  I still have a thing about dogs who's owners dont have enough time.   And I'm not really talking about Railroad..   Not talking about Railroadwd !

I have seen so many wonderful dogs in a back yard on a chain or in a kennel that never get the love and companionship they need and deserve, its a form of animal abuse in my oppinion.   Its a big responcability keeping any animal and if you cant do it right then you shouldnt even try. 

I guess a dog walker is better than nothing.   

I couldnt send my dog to be boarded and trained, it would have to be me and my dog going together.

i GUESS WE DONT HAVE DOG WALKERS HERE IN TYLER   i NEVER HEARD OF ONE.....A DOG WALKER IS LIKE MOST VETS...WHAT IN THE WORLD WOULD THEY KNOW ABOUT A GERMAN BRED GERMAN SHEPHERD...YOU CANT EVEN FIND A VET THAT HALF KNOWS WHAT TO DO OR FEED OR CARE FOR ONE....

IM SURE THAT   DAVE KROYER,,,DEAN CALDERON AND RUSSELL OSBURN OR TOM AMASON IN DALLAS...OR KEN WHITE COULD SHARE HIS TIME WITH YOU AND STRAIGHTEN YOU AND YOUR PUP  OUT...THEY KNOW ALL THE SECRETS TO A PUP WHO NEEDS THIS KIND OF TRAINING...IF A CLUB TRAINER IS THAT DUMB   WHY IS HE TRAINING DIRECTOR OF A GSD CLUB....PUPS OF ALL AGES HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS....MAINLY THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THEM AND BROUGHT THEM TO THE CLUB...IF THE DIRECTOR CANT READ DOGS.OR KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO HANDLE ALL AGES OF GSD OR THE WORKING BREED......WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM......

SOME PEOPLE JUST DONT LIKE THE PUPPY TRAINING MONTHS,,,,SO LETS NOT CRITISIZE THEM .....THIS IS A PLACE TO HELP THEM  NOT TELL THE THEY ARE WRONG IN DECIDING TO LET A MAN OR WOMAN OTHER THAN THEM TRAIN THEIR DOG.....I WOULDNT DO IT THAT WAY...BUT TO TAKE THAT BACK.....WHEN I BEGAN MY JOURNEY IN THIS SPORT.....DAVID MOORE WITH EVIN STANLEY , FROM SHREVEPORT PD..AND FROM HUNDESPORT....TRAINED MY ZU FOR TWO SESSIONS , BECAUSE I WAS NEW AND THEY TRAINED ME ALSO...THEY SPENT THE FIRST TWO WEEKS WITH HER AND I HAD TO COME ON GROUNDS FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND LEARN  AND THEN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THEY FINISHED HER  ON HER LEVEL ONE OBEDIENCE AND STARTED HER TRACKING.....I THEN JOINED THE CLUB IN HOUSTON ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I MOVED BACK TO HOUSTON .....SO THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO START THE TRAINING.....MAYBE NOT HOW  YOU OR I WOULD DO IT,,,BUT AT LEAST WE GOT IT AWAY FROM THE MEAN MAN....

NEW ORLEANS SCHUTZHUND CLUB IS GETTING READY FOR A SEMINAR IN A WEEK OR TWO...MAYBE RAILROADWD COULD TAKE THAT SEMINAR IN ALSO.....

Two Moons: "I have seen so many wonderful dogs in a back yard on a chain or in a kennel that never get the love and companionship they need and deserve, its a form of animal abuse in my oppinion.   Its a big responcability keeping any animal and if you cant do it right then you shouldnt even try. "

I couldn't agree more.  In my area it isn't uncommon to see dog's tied out on chains... between a half dozen dog-sledders and even some people in the city who do this and think it's a normal, perfectly acceptable, life for a dog.  For me they are part of the family... although still treated as dogs.  I wouldn't want them as lawn decoration.

 This isn't directly for Two Moons, but rather for those who get emotionally invested in these dogs lives (not this one in particular) and wish they could reach out and force the owner's hand:

Sometimes the more you try to tell someone that must do something (such as give up their dog for it's sake) the more they will refuse to.  If you give them all the options and let them weigh them and come to their own conclusions about what is best... they actually do it.

Actually, altho I have been posting and expressing myself.  I gave up on people a long time ago...  sad isnt it?

Taking care of my own is most important these days, yet I still would stand up for the helpless ones in the world.

How far I would take it depends on the situation.

As others mentioned, it is very feasible to train the dog yourselves although you work full-time.  The biggest benefit for doing so is the special bond that will form between you and your dog. 

I never work less than ten hours a day and still find time to work with my dog.  At 0500, I take him for a quick one-mile walk and I'm at work by 0600.  After work, I take him for a longer walk with play and obedience in between.  On weekends, I go to the local SchH club for a few hours.

Honestly, it's not so much a matter of finding time, rather than wanting to do it.  If you don't enjoy it, you're probably being unfair to yourself and dog.

Best of luck.

Good for you for getting your dog back.  Now you have to understand what your dog was bred to do.  Work!  There is no trainer in the world that is going to get your dog to sit in one place all day long while you are at work.  Without proper exercise of mind and body the GSD will find a way to entertain themselves.  Which will be the destruction of furniture, shoes and clothing.  If your dog enjoys food you will be amazed at how quickly you can teach them to do basic commands.  Training the dog with you involved with a trainer is also a great way to bond with the dog.  This is also another way of establishing rank order within your home. 

Just because you send the dog away for training does not mean that you know how to control your dog.  This is not computer programing.  You still have to have training sessions with the dog to maintain what has been learned.  2 ten to 15 minute training sessions a day can do wonders.  You can get into a morning and evening routine of brisk walks and a short training session.  You'll enjoy the new addition to your family that much more.

Kyle