Sending away for training?? - Page 4

 Very true! I just read that post and immediately thought of this post.

I think it's like trying to ride a horse in the Kentucky Derby when you've never actually even sat on a horse.... and the horse will have to suffer because of it. No more PM's ruger 1. Say it here or not at all. Moons.

More like insisting you can ride a horse in the Kentucky Derby bareback without a bridle, when you've never been on a horse.

At this point it's a lost cause.

Moons,,,Sorry about the PM...I won't do that again...Because you had to mention it, here is the one and only PM you are referring to........

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Hi Moons,,, - Send reply
Sent Sep 13, 2010 07:49 PM to Two Moons
Hello,

I hope you do not mind a PM, I prefer to keep communication on the board to a minimum. To be honest, I think the biggest problem Prince has, is me. I purchased Prince as a replacement, for(King) my 13 month old male GSD, that died of a sudden heart condition last year. The male I lost was a Golden Retriever, in a GSD body,,,lol..I was totally unprepared to deal with Prince's strong and intense personality...My husband always tells me that Prince would be the best dog in the whole world, raised by someone else....I want to do everything I can to learn to control and understand Prince. Finding someone qualified and within my reach is not an easy task.....

Deanna


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Re: Hi Moons,,, - Send reply
Sent Sep 14, 2010 04:26 AM to Two Moons
Moons,,,Prince is a great dog,,,I just have to take control and give him direction ,,Thanks and Kind Regards...Deanna

There's nothing wrong with sending a dog out for training.  I've sent 1 of my dogs out for 3 months to a highly respected trainer and was not at all disappointed.  The dog itself was a good dog before I sent him off, his foundation work was correct, no issues on his bite....I sent him because I did not want him sitting over the winter not progressing on what we had already accomplished.  We didnt have an indoor training facility to work in at the time.  It was money well spent and I would only send a dog to this person because I know a.they know what they are doing and b. my dog is in great hands.  They are not far from you if you are interested in the name PM me.

If there is an "issue" of you and the dog but you feel it is you as a handler rather than an issue the dog itself has sending the dog out will not "fix" the problem because when the dog comes back you will continue to do the same mistakes therefor "undoing" what the trainer fixed.  In that case I would suggest finding a good helper at a club and perhaps partner up with a senior member who can stand with you to observe what you are doing wrong.  You will get better results this way.  Good Luck!

My point was you seem afraid of something. Posting the PM is fine, nothings private on the internet, thats probably why mine have been locked down, so someone can have the time to go through them all, read them. I imagine Prince is a great dog already otherwise you would not be having so much trouble with his training. You did not post my responce. use your own judgement and intuition, don't rely on others. Learn before you leap. You got off to a bad start trusting in substandard trainers and bad advice. Know your limitations and see things as they are, not what you dream they should be. I am more concerned about the dogs than an owners feelings at this point. I think if you ever find a trainer who has any sense at all your troubles will be over where the dog is concerned. I am reminded of someone I sold a pup too, wishing I had turned them away. My mistake, but now I have to live with it. The dog is not happy and being put through hell because I didn't act on my gut feeling. I wish you the best of luck.... for the dogs sake. Moons.

Moons,,,,

A nine month old dog is not a lost cause, and owners can make a handling turnaround with good instruction!

Here's the thing with sending him away. Be careful who you pick. I've seen dogs sent away for 6-9 weeks that don't know squat when they come back. Doberdoodle, totally awesome post. I've been there, too, and seen the changes it makes year after year, dog after dog. But is it right here?

This is my take. When I see a dog come in who is overprotective and has little to no obedience, boarding and training is a great idea. It will give the dog the tools, via obedience, to behave correctly in social situations, the owner is then taught to apply it properly.

However, when a dog already has significant obedience, what can I do? I cannot re-create the home. The dog will not be as opportunistic or as protective with me. I can work on strangers approaching, sure. But the first time the dog lunges at someone in my presence they learn I do not look kindly on it. I sure as hell don't wave a magic wand and sprinkle them with good doggie dust, so the dog learns FAST that crap doesn't fly with me.

Now re-enter the owner, who the dog already knows they can take advantage of.  Behavior starts all over. So I guess what I need to know is how much obedience exactly does Prince have? That is the deciding factor in how effective boarding and training would be for you. A lot of dogs in the hands of a trainer go into "school mode" and act like little angels. Can't fix an issue you can't bring out.

No matter what you chose, Deanna, YOU need handler training. Make sure whatever you choose incorporates that or you will not see success!

    Ahha...Makes sense..When the trainer introduced Prince to my guests, he did not act aggressively. I do not think she understood what I was dealing with because he did not act that way with her.....

                Ok,,,Do you know of any training centers that board and train bad pet owners ......

Perhaps sometimes sending the dog away helps the "novice handler" have better control to work with the dog when it comes back and that is what Deanna is trying to accomplish??  If this is the case then it can work well IF you partner up with someone at your club or wherever you train to continue building that confidence & relationship between yourself & the dog.  Sometimes a little bit of motivation and "atta girls" is all you need to keep pluggin' away.