Dogs and Training....

This has come up a lot lately and I thought it would be nice for those who DON'T have major problems with their dogs to try and help those who do...

How did/do you train your dog and how many different methods did you try before you found one that works?
Also, what is your "relationship" with your dog?


I had a doberman years ago which I took to obedience school and learned how to train with a prong collar. He was extremely obedient and I have used those methods since.
Lot's of positive reinforcement when the dog does something right (no food, just lot's of good dog's and kisses) and just a quick correction when the dog does something wrong. I used to love Warren Eckstein and totally follow his methods.

Both he and Misty were/are a part of the family - sleeping with us, laying on the couch, etc. But if something is done wrong they are corrected immediately if possible.

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Brodie went to obedience school too.

He does most things on command and listens pretty well. (He has some issues with other dogs, but we're working on it.)

The biggest key is consistancy.

Wherever we have issues I can usually pinpoint it to either DH or I slacking on the training or contradicting each other.

I think it's the Dog Whisperer who said there are no bad dogs, just bad owners.

I think that's true in most cases.

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I agree that those who have dogs without issues can help those who do and that there really are not bad dogs, just bad owners. However, we really have to take a look at the other side of the coin. I have a dog who has some issues that are mostly resolved. We believe that he lived in some pretty bad conditions that may have lead to some problems. In order to train him, I have had to take measures that would not be necessary to someone whose dog came to them with no issues. I am not talking about hitting or abuse, though. I've gotten great tips from people who have dogs without problems, but I have worked with a trainer who gave me exercises that might not be known to someone whose dog is very different from mine. Just some food for thought.

I would love to hear from people who've done right by their pets, whether the pets have had issues or not.

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When we adopted Zoey at 2yo, she was the perfect dog, extremely well behaved, a little timid. We got some background on her from Little Shelter - she was dumped by a puppy mill out east - they took her puppies and dumped her. But she was housebroken, didn't eat anything she wasn't supposed to, not aggressive, all in all, the perfect dog.

We got Schultz at 8 weeks - he was a good dog but needed some direction - we did 8 weeks of dog school last summer which helped tremendously.

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Message edited 11/11/2011 7:31:20 PM.

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I had the luck this weekend to watch my sisters dog. Every mornign I brought him to the dog park, like his owner does. The social aspect of dogs mingling freely is a huge benefit to the dog

just the opinion of a nondog owner, who wishes she could be a dog owner

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Message edited 11/11/2011 7:32:08 PM.

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I've never had a trainer. Here's some things I found that work for us:

1. Exercise. She is much calmer when she has regular exercise.

2. Don't allow them to dominate you. When Katie was a puppy she constantly tried to dominate me. If she was fussing and nipping we would roll her on her back and keep her there till she calmed down. Mother dogs do this.
Katie's favorite way to play ball is for me to wrestle the ball out of her mouth. I don't like this. I insist that she drops the ball at my feet and backs away, then I throw it. If she doesn't drop it, game is over. I make the rules.

3. The Can. When Katie gets overly excited and doesn't listen to NO we shake a can with pennies in it. Always works.

4. Crate training. Her crate is her safe place. Although we don't keep her confined to it during the day she does go in there to take naps. She also sleeps there at night. If for any reason I ever have to board her I know she will be ok in the crate.

5. Treats. We reinforce good behavior with small treats. When she goes potty outside, we know because she goes running to the treat cabinet and waits for her reward. She also gets treats when we put her in her crate or leave the house. When we leave she gets a "special" treat. We fill her Kong with a treat and it takes her a while to finish it.

6. Potty on Command. I can point and say "Go Potty" and she will go. This is great for when you are going out and will be gone for a while.

7. Socialization. From the time she was very little we brought her everywhere. She is used to the car, and friendly with other dogs and people.

Message edited 9/27/2007 2:45:22 PM.

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Message edited 11/11/2011 7:37:01 PM.

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Posted by imthekevinofcindyandkevin

I keep coming back to this because Carol Lea Benjamin says some pretty funny things in her book. It's written in a very friendly way not at all technical.

She says that you really should take your lifestyle into consideration when looking at specific breeds. Sporting dogs need a lot of exersise etc. She also says there are a lot of unemployed dogs meaning that dogs are bred for certain tasks and most people get a dog based on their looks. That you should try and incorporate what they were bred for into their training.

For instance dogs have no real sense of time, you're either there or you're not. If you are going to be out for long periods of time to get a bulldog. They aren't too bright and by the time they figure out you're gone you're back already.

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We trained the dogs ourselves, no obedience school. We've done a pretty good job - they follow commands and are generally well-behaved, though they still pull more than we'd like them to when we go for a walk.

We originally trained them by using treats as reinforcement, and phased it out so now we usually just use praise and affection when they do what we ask. We try to be as consistent as possible when correcting them (difficult, since we work during the day & aren't home to see their good or bad behaviors, but they get the idea). We also make sure to walk or jog with them every day for at least 30 minutes, because they behave MUCH better when they're exercised.

We also read the book "Leader of the Pack" when our first dog was still a puppy, and found it really helpful in figuring out how to establish dominance, and make sure the dogs don't think they're in charge of us. We definitely don't follow EVERYTHING the book said to do, but it helped a lot.

As for our relationship, we treat them like part of the family and give them lots of attention. They sleep in our room, but not in our bed, and they can only sit with us on the couch if we call them up there... that kind of thing.

ETA - we also made sure to socialize them, and started bringing them to the dog park and introducing them to neighbors as soon as they had all their shots. It's helped them be friendly to our guests and tolerate passing other dogs on walks!

Message edited 9/27/2007 6:05:55 PM.

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That's funny. It is sad that a lot of people don't take these things into consideration. My ILs live in Florida and they tell me that they always see Pugs at the dog park. Pugs do not do well in that heat! Also, so many people thing Jack Russells are so cute.. but they are very active and not couch potatoes.


OMG, for a minute I read your post as saying that Jack Russells are NOT very active. I was going to have to argue on that one!!!! My ILs have one and I see him a lot but he does not like Oscar (wish he did).

Great tips, people. I especially like to know which books have been useful. I guess I can add my little tip for. If your dog guards his toys, there is a book called Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs by Jean Donaldson. It is a quick and easy read and I don't think there is another book like it. By the way, when a dog guards his space, by getting mad if you try to move him, the concept of what they are doing is similar to a dog that guards toys or bones.

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When I was younger and we adopted our family dog, we trained her ourselves with no probes. She is extremely smart and is a great dog.
When I was dating DH and he got an apt that allowed dogs he adopted Jessi. Since he worked long hours, his brother worked long hours and I worked and was in school, we could not properly take the time to train her.
The trainer we work with I met at my former job, he trained my managers dog with great results and gave us a great deal. It was honestly the best money we ever spent. Jessi was whipped into shape in no time and we learned SO much, which was of huge importance. Fast forward a few years later...Jessi Is amazing...such A loyal and loving dog and she is smart and very obedient.
When we moved to NC last year we adopted another dog, Morgan. D and I worked with her everyday and even Jessi helped out. Morgan learned very quickly...the Only thing we did differently was Crate train Morgan...we Learned the hard way with Jessi.
Again, fast forward several months, we just bought a German Shepard and SO far things are great Jessi and Morgan have taught her a lot...at 4 months she is house broken.

We take them for walks almost overnight, but they run and play outside all the time so they get plenty of exercise. Once it gets a tad cooler, DH is going to take her outside and do some on the leash training with her (That we learned from the trainer), b/c she will the biggest of our dogs, we want her to be extremely obedient...some Friends have small children and once we have our own family I do not want her jumping all over them, etc etc. and just to add, Morgan is the sweetest pup, she loves to snuggle and play, she is smart and loves Jessi...it melts my heart to see them together.
So Riley has been great...she is still learning...Ill let you know how she turns out in a year or so

With all that, I don't think dog training is just for people with "bad" doggies...I think its helpful for all, especially the owners

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Dogs are a responsibility. You are responsible for their learning, and behavior as their parents/owners. You are also responsible to NOT let them annoy others.

Training is of utmost importance -- I hate seeing dogs that aren't trained. They WANT to be taught what to do and mommy and/or daddy should do this for them.

Yes it is $$ but much cheaper to train a dog - than hospital bills if s/he gets hit by a car because s/he ran into the street!!

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