1. Do not let them sleep with me. By doing that I am letting them think they are my equal and not that I am the dominate one.
This is only needed if they have guarding issues. Like, if you ask them to move, or if you pick them up and move them, do they growl? If not, it's probably OK. Also, our trainer recommends against it during initial training not because of dominance but because limiting attention forces them to try to please you to get attention. It's called NILIF (nothing in life is free). This is temporary until they behave. Mine sleep with me, unless Loki starts to get protective of his bully stick and then it gets taken away and he sleeps in his crate. This doesn't happen very often, but it is always an option.
2. Keep their xpen close to the door that I want them to go out and as soon as I open the door, to rush them outside and take them to where I want them to go without picking them up.
This is OK. I was actually told to carry them first thing in the morning when they were puppies so they didn't pee on the floor on the way to the door. Otherwise, I have no problem with this one.
3. Give them LOTS of outdoor time. She suggested fencing off my flower garden and leaving them there most of the day when it is nice.. she must have forgotten that hastas are poisonous and hawks love little animals.
This is odd. Are you trying to train them to go outside? Mine are 100% outside and they are 100% on leashes. If you are not there to reward them, how do they know they did good??
4. hold them on their backs with one hand on their bellies and the other hand petting them until they submit. then let them go. letting them up when they wiggle lets them think they are in control. do this 3-4 times per day.
I suppose this is better than the "alpha roll"
5. give treats that they love like cheddar cheese.
6. hold them and tell them their name several times per day..
7. playing in the house is a no no. playing and pottying is for outdoors and eating and sleeping is for indoors.
WHAT? Generally I tell people to make sure they potty FIRST, then outside playtime is fine. Unsupervised playtime in the house is fine as long as they are *empty* and supervised. Are you having problems with them running off and peeing? Perhaps tethering them would be good. Playing fetch and other games inside is fine.
8. to crate train stewie, i am to leave him in his crate for the night and ignore him when he cries and after 3 days he should stop crying about going in.
Unless he is crying because he has to potty, this is fine. You will learn the difference. It may take longer than 3 days...
9. take their food and water up at 7pm
Yep. We give them a drink if they scratch at their bowls, but a small amount and then we take them outside. The big full water bowl isn't available late at night. Obviously you adjust this to whatever time you go to bed. We let them out at 10-11 so no water after 9ish.
10 no pee pads in the house if Iwant them to go outside. this only encourages them that there is a place to pee inside so it is ok.
Yep. Mine do not, and have never used pee pads in my house. They go outside 100% Yes even at night, in the rain, in the snow, etc. and we live in Chicago.
11 spray the area that I do not want them to pee on inside with lysol and they will stay away from it..
Don't know about Lysol. I prefer Simple Solution.
It sounds like you need a different trainer. Sometimes my trainer wants me to do things I think are a hassle, but she always explains WHY I'm doing it and it makes sense. If I was uncomfortable with her training methods, I would find another trainer. That said, it is a lot of work to train them, both house train and to get them to learn commands. It's NOT easy and you only get out of it what you put in. |