my pup is 15 weeks. I've been studying up on Ed's theories and this whole website. That all comes to an end today. my family expressed their feelings on how my pup is being raised. they'd like to be able to have my pup roam freely in the yard off lead at his will. they want me to take him to OB classes locally. its a shame, this site has so much to offer but, rules are rules...a sad time to walk away...

You don't need to follow all of Ed's advice verbatim.

I pick and choose what works in our home. It is not an "All or Nothing" approach.

For example, Starbuck gets almost 100% of her time out of the crate now. We have nice weather here and she can go into the backyard at will. We started that once I installed the new fence. Starbuck was about 6 months old at the time.

thanks for the breath of fresh air keith. i have to apologize, i was a little discouraged when i wrote that. after much thought i guess youre right. my kingston has come so far in so little time.

he is so used to hanging out right by me. hes pretty well behaved for a 15 week old. i think i need to let him enjoy his puppy hood. im sucha dope !! hehe

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they'd like to be able to have my pup roam freely in the yard off lead at his will.

My wife was kind of annoyed with me the way I "hogged" the puppy, as well. We got the puppy in the spring, and we had a summer of mild resentment about my monopoly of the cute little puppy-wuppy.

Here's the thing...once the dog got bigger, and the weather got crappier, the novelty has worn off as if sand-blasted, I don't hear a peep anymore about wanting to have a hand in anything.

Yet, now as we're approaching his two year mark, he's doing so awesomely in the house and in general (due to hammering out the hard work of establishing a correct foundation in everything), I could sometimes use a break and get some sleep (my work hours kinda suck). So, funny how the situation has reversed itself to a degree.

I understand the frustration of having family who want to do it their own way. When I was a kid and my parents refused to take my dog advice, I had to write emails to local trainers, posing as someone who sincerely didn't know what to do (ie. "What do I do if my dog bites me?") so I could use their answers to prove to my parents that my ideas weren't nonsense.

There are some things you have to compromise on, and other things you can be firm about...and as everyone has said - it's not all or nothing. Apply what you can and find alternatives to the things you can't incorporate.

Those are four really good replies you got Collin. I have a wife and three kids and we have had 2 male rotts. Stick with what you are learning here and you'll have a good family dog. If you want to PM me I can tell you some of the ups and downs we had with ours.

Edited by steve strom (11/02/2007 09:00 AM)
Edit reason: missed one

Collin, don't let discouragement bring you down. It is simply amazing to me how much I have learned coming to this site. My whole view of dogs and their training has completely changed. I used to be very old school thinking, now I can't imagine applying any of the old mentality to training my boy. Be somewhat patient with your parents. Old habits die hard, ya know? Some concepts have to be applied slowly. I remember telling my husband I was going to tether the dog to me and no one in our family was allowed to touch him except me. Let's just say that didn't happen. However, I have been able to apply part of the philosophy to Levi. I am the only one that has ever fed him, except in emergencies. I am the only one that takes him to training classes or works/plays with him outside, I am the only one that ever takes him to shops and parks. So, in part, I still have established my role as his pack leader. You can pick and choose and if necessary "modify" certain aspects to accomodate your families wishes.

I am training for PPD, in that case no one should be allowed to touch my dog. However, I have made a point to have children handle my dog because I live in and around TONS of kids. They come and go through my home like water out of a faucet. I made the personal choice to do this because I never wanted him to feel a threat from a child. I don't know if this makes much sense but it does in my own mind. Besides, if a small child ever attacks me I think I can hold my own

As far as OB classes... go and every class that you attend, come home and tell your family what you learned from the trainer including one or two thoughts from ED It won't be a lie. After all, Ed is a very accomplished trainer.

There is always a way to compromise on most things and on some things you can't compromise on. For me, dog parks are an absolute NO NO. I won't compromise on this one but you have to pick where you will stand on what issues. Think positive about your parents and they still just might come around. Look at it like this...not only are you training a puppy but you are training parents too! As with all training, one must practice patience!

You know, I had a friend come and stay with me for awhile that complained quite a bit about how I managed my dogs. He felt I was too compulsive about my rules and training, and his reasoning was that "they are such good dogs, why do you have to be so vigilant?" After a detailed explanation of how my "good dogs" could easily become "dangerous dogs", and how that would affect HIM if we did things HIS way, he came around a bit. Well-behaved dogs don't generally happen by accident. Maybe if you explain to your family what your goals are and the reasoning behind your methods, they'd be a little more supportive? It sounds like you've worked really hard and been successful with your pup to this point; your family should respect that.

I don't take advice from other family members regarding my dog. They also have dogs and so far Bayley is the best behaved of all of them. My niece just added a pup to her family, they have an adult dog and he does not like the pup on his turf. They supposedly play outside alright but inside is different. I thougt of offering advice but since they 'know better' I didn't. Bayley listens to both me and my Mom and since I work, my Mom feeds her etc and has no problem with Bayley obeying her.