Quote:
Originally Posted by kikil  well I do know that a lot of other people that she has help as said that she worked really well with there dogs. but mine could be very hard headed. it would be nice to find someone to come to the house to see if we are doing things right at home or if there was something at home that making her be this way. and thanks for all the help u have giving me. |
Hard-headed is kind of a misnomer with dogs. They are just improperly motivated and when you find their currency, they will work and learn. In fact, they prefer it. Tibbe will choose training over a walk every time! Unless he's starving, he'd rather train and learn than eat. Even "slow" dogs can learn where the water and food dishes are and remember what time to expect a family member home and where the toys are kept. And unless they are scent dogs, it's NOT done from scenting those objects - they remember. If you take the bowls up and move them, for a while they will keep going back to where they used to set. They remember their name and alert when you call it. A "hard-headed" dog is usually just one that a trainer hasn't properly motivated with enthusiasm or authority or pride or interest or all combined.
Face it - some trainers are BORING and only a Border Collie or Standard Poodle would do well with them. I watch them and think - why would I do anything extraordinary for that person? No fire - no authority - no fun!
A skilled trainer of service dogs that also works with matching and training clients with dogs and training that person how to interact with and continue to train that dog to serve them will know how to "train" you - show you what to do and how to act when you are training and living with your "hard-headed"(unmotivated) girl.
Almost anyone can find enough things to make a good yard-sale and do without some of the extra's they live with for a while if really motivated to get some help for themselves and their dog. Not saying it is easy but it can be done and when you find a truly good trainer with a history of pairing dogs with people of disability and training those people how to handle and train that dog to perform new behaviors and services it needs to learn, you will likely have to part with good cash for purchase of those services.
But I promise you if she teaches you how to handle your dog and train her happily to do what you request, you will be thrilled with the money spent! A well-trained, well-behaved, happy and healthy dog is a pleasure and a daily bonus to life! Having a dog that is bouncing around happy, having fun but not bolting out an open door and running down the block, one that settles down when requested to and will drop that pain pill out of its mouth when you tell it to rather than gulp it down - those dogs are a pleasure to be around and gift to your life. They don't nip ankles or chew woodwork or couch pillows and learn to control their impulses often with just a stern look from you or at most a pointed finger. Yet, they stay happy and motivated because they know you will almost always get up and reward/praise and kiss them - give them a little hug - take the time to thank them. Oh, how you will love having a dog that happily co-exists with you without misbehaving and keeping you upset! There is a better way and
good dog skills will get you there.