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10-14-2008, 02:26 PM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland
Posts: 237
| Anyone else go through training torture?? So, maybe that's a little dramatic . But, I feel like I've been through a lot in the last year trying to find a trainer for my little guy. He barks and growls at everything that moves outside. Inside the house with me and my family he is fine. But, he gets very freaked out when we are outside and he sees other people, animals, etc that he doesn't know. At first I was a little naive and thought if I could just put him through a training program I would find the magic answer. I signed him up with a private trainer that a friend recommended. It was a little expensive, but I really wanted to help Sebastian get over his fear. Well, let's just say that she told me that the only way to "show him who's boss" is to put a prong/pinch collar on him! I was outta there so fast! And, I was pretty discouraged. It took me quite awhile to start looking for a new trainer because that experience left me pretty shaken. But, I talked to a trainer ay Petsmart and instantly liked her. She suggested that we try a group class and if it was too much for him to handle I could get a refund or we could opt to do private sessions. A few weeks ago we went for the group class. We were only there about 10 minutes. He was so stressed out he wouldn't stop barking. It made me sad. I just really want to be able to go through a class with him and have him be calm. It makes me sad that he's so antisocial when I know dogs are supposed to be social creatures. But, I am not giving up on him. We are going to do private sessions with this trainer. We start on the 26th. His barking when we are out is a little annoying and embarrassing, but honestly it's something I can live with. However, I really want him to be a happy dog, and can't imagine that the stress he endures is good for him. So, I really really hope this training helps him. Wish us luck!
__________________ Kristina Mommy to Sebastian |
Welcome Guest! | |
10-15-2008, 08:58 AM | #2 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North
Posts: 1,324
| Prong collar will only make a fearful dog more fearful and or toss it into shut down. They are no way to build a relationship built on trust and a fearful dog needs to trust you. Let me tell you you are not the only one that ever had a hard time finding a trainer been through a few here and just broke down and learned it all myself. I also lucked out and found a great mentor. Have a look at clicker solutions and well as truly dog freindly sites as tehy have a list of trainers especailly Truly dog freindly that will not use pinch or prong and will be very helpeful. I had a look and there is a few trainers from postive in Maryland. Truly Dog Friendly » Truly Dog-Friendly Trainers So you know mine is a fearful one that will crash and burn under stress and is now turning around with many years of work. JL
__________________ "The truth about an animal is far more beautiful than all the myths woven about it." Konrad Loranz Last edited by YorkieMother; 10-15-2008 at 08:59 AM. |
10-15-2008, 09:32 AM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland
Posts: 237
| Thank you so much for your thoughts. Since my experience with the awful trainer 8 months ago I have done a TON of reading and studying on the dog training subject. It has helped me understand my dog so much better. But, there is always more to learn! I am excited to work with the trainer I have found. She uses truly positive techniques and is the first person I've talked to who allows the use of a harness. I hate even using a collar on him because he pulls so hard when he gets stressed and freaked out. She uses purely positive techniques and that is what we need. I am excited to get started and do not plan on giving up on my little guy anytime soon
__________________ Kristina Mommy to Sebastian |
10-15-2008, 10:44 AM | #4 | |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North
Posts: 1,324
| Quote:
Remeber you are not the only one that had a rough time with trainers. I learned one thing I will never forget and use all the time.... if your gut checks out and you do not like something no matter who is telling you and how trainerd they are stop... do not do it. Get an second idea or ask for clearifications... .. it is ok to say NO for them. Trainers that really want to work with you and help you like nos it helps them learn. Ok now I am curious what have you read... my book list is at home but if you got stuf I have not read I be intrested. Truly go have fun.. breathe and learn. Please keep us updated. JL
__________________ "The truth about an animal is far more beautiful than all the myths woven about it." Konrad Loranz | |
10-26-2008, 07:51 AM | #5 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland
Posts: 237
| I'm not sure I can even remember all the names of the books. I basically read almost all the training books in the dog section at my library. I definitely have to take and leave advice in the different books. A LOT of the books advocate using negative reinforcement by leash popping on some sort of collar. I just don't feel comfortable with that. And, some of them said you can never teach a dog to not pull on a leash if they are attached to a harness. I have proven that this isn't true. He still pulls sometimes, but is soooo much better, and I use a harness. The two books I really enjoyed were The Loved Dog and Victoria Stillwell's book (from the show "It's Me or the Dog". I LOVE Victoria Stillwell! I have implemented a lot of her techniques and they really help a lot. I also really enjoyed Cesar Millan's first book. His thoughts on how what we feel affects our dog's reaction to things really helped to show me what I was doing to keep my dog from being able to react calmly to stressful situations.
__________________ Kristina Mommy to Sebastian |
10-26-2008, 05:54 PM | #6 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North
Posts: 1,324
| I have not red the its me or the dog book yet... but I understand she is a good trainer. Please let me be your guide to some really good postive books. You may have read them or not.. use what you can. If you would allow me to recomend a few off my shelf of dearly loved books. They will be postive and trust me they will not tell you, you can not teach a dog not to pull on a leash. I listened to every fool that told me my girl never be anything but a bad one then she be dead. So here are some really good books on aggression and postive training. If you have read them great and if not have a look. You may have to go to dogwise or amazon to get them. On Talking Terms with Dogs by Tuird Rugass.. only the best book for it size on reading and understanding and using dog body language there is out there. Control Unleashed By Leslie McDewitt _ teaching a reactive aggressive dog to have control over its behaviour... yes it can happen... I have one in my house.. slowly learning. Excel-Erated Learning by Pamela Reid- dwon and dirty and very claer about training methods why postive works and why negative is part of it. Click for Joy by Melissa Alexander answers just about ever question one would need to ask or think to ask in the use of postive training.... easy and well wrote. Click for Calm by Emma Parsons... love this lady love her ability to share with such skill. The Other end of the Leash by Patricia McConnell.. How the way we naturally move does not work for our dogs. The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson Bringing Light to Shadow by Pamela Dennison One dog trainers/owners trials and learning to help a reactive dog.. the reason I need neve write a book is this one is out there. The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller ... Big Thanks to this Lady for the help she gives and the gentlness she uses. JL
__________________ "The truth about an animal is far more beautiful than all the myths woven about it." Konrad Loranz Last edited by YorkieMother; 10-26-2008 at 05:56 PM. |
10-26-2008, 06:01 PM | #7 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland
Posts: 237
| Thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely look some of those up. I did read The Other End of the Leash and loved it!
__________________ Kristina Mommy to Sebastian |
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