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martym112 · 07-17-2005, 07:22 PM

Kristy,

I used to feel the same way you did. I'd been taking Saffie to "puppy school", taught by a wonderful trainer, once a week since she was 3 months old. By the time she was 7 months old, we didn't seem to be making much progress, as I wasn't being the "Alpha". The trainer was very patient with us & reassured the whole class that at about 7 months our puppy would start behaving like a teen rebel. This did happen, but I hung in there & when Saffie was 9 months we even started taking a private lesson, once a week, as well as the class lesson.(My trainer's fees are very reasonable) The transformation after 2 months was fantastic & seemed to happen practically overnight! Saffie's so much more obedient & I'm so much more self-confident about training her. We're keeping up with the class lessons, once a week, probaly forever, as it's a way of me making sure I spend a minimum of 1 hour a week training.(Her & me!) She stopped having "accidents" on the floor (which I'm positive sometimes were NO "accident") & listens & responds so much better now. She still doesn't sit in my (or anyone elses) lap & never did, but I think that's just her personality. She does cuddle up though, & likes to have her belly rubbed.

I would strongly suggest lessons with a good trainer, like the generous YT-er who offered her services & I also agree with the other YT-er that suggested taking the long walks. I found that those long walks helped begin the positive changes. When I 1st started with the walks, I spent the whole time just getting her to "heel". After that the rest of her disciplining started to fall into place.(and of course using lots of delicious treats as incentive didn't hurt)

I was so frustrated in the beginning that I used to feel like I did when I had "post-partum blues" when my sons were newborns babies. You & your baby will eventually do fine as long as you keep hanging in there. You're not alone: I bet theres "a whole bunch of YT-er's" that felt the same way at one time or another!

07-17-2005, 07:22 PM	#30
martym112 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 51	Kristy, I used to feel the same way you did. I'd been taking Saffie to "puppy school", taught by a wonderful trainer, once a week since she was 3 months old. By the time she was 7 months old, we didn't seem to be making much progress, as I wasn't being the "Alpha". The trainer was very patient with us & reassured the whole class that at about 7 months our puppy would start behaving like a teen rebel. This did happen, but I hung in there & when Saffie was 9 months we even started taking a private lesson, once a week, as well as the class lesson.(My trainer's fees are very reasonable) The transformation after 2 months was fantastic & seemed to happen practically overnight! Saffie's so much more obedient & I'm so much more self-confident about training her. We're keeping up with the class lessons, once a week, probaly forever, as it's a way of me making sure I spend a minimum of 1 hour a week training.(Her & me!) She stopped having "accidents" on the floor (which I'm positive sometimes were NO "accident") & listens & responds so much better now. She still doesn't sit in my (or anyone elses) lap & never did, but I think that's just her personality. She does cuddle up though, & likes to have her belly rubbed. I would strongly suggest lessons with a good trainer, like the generous YT-er who offered her services & I also agree with the other YT-er that suggested taking the long walks. I found that those long walks helped begin the positive changes. When I 1st started with the walks, I spent the whole time just getting her to "heel". After that the rest of her disciplining started to fall into place.(and of course using lots of delicious treats as incentive didn't hurt) I was so frustrated in the beginning that I used to feel like I did when I had "post-partum blues" when my sons were newborns babies. You & your baby will eventually do fine as long as you keep hanging in there. You're not alone: I bet theres "a whole bunch of YT-er's" that felt the same way at one time or another!