In my 20 years working with and training dogs, what I will say is this: you have to be flexible and follow your instincts.
My Dante was a rescue. He HATED the car. I don't know what they did to him, but cars were traumatic for him. Till I started making car rides seem like the best thing ever. Usually by taking him to a drive through! Ever time I had to go somewhere, he went in the car, we stopped and got chicken nuggets or some other devilishly bad for US treat! Now, I can barely get out the door without him. But on the trail (which he loves) he ignores food totally and just looks at me like "am I doing it right??", I just love that big guy!
Hamish had been abandoned to a shelter because he was a "runner". Not a lot of fenced yards in the NE of Scotland and a dog that won't come home is a problem. He started that business with me. I would call...he would take off. I just handled him differently. I said fine, went in, shut the door and ignored him (we had a dog door, and lived on a large farm). He would be sitting by the back door a few minutes later and I would let him in. When he discovered that we were NOT going to chase, he stopped running. We "reason with" him mostly. He understands english, much like your girl. when he does bad, we call his name and say "did you do that??" he hangs his head....turns away...so pitiful!
Fergus has been a challenge. he is a mommy's boy. Totally. I haven't discovered his "drive" yet. What motivates him mostly is being protective over me and keeping everyone else at bay! I just haven't figured a way to turn that into a training tool!
__________________ -------------------------------- Kate-Mom to:  Dante, Hamish & Fergus |